Madams of DC Walking Tour

Overview

This tour is offered the first and third Friday of the month. Check website for exact schedule. All tours available for private tours.

The Madams in DC walking tour gives you a totally unique side of DC's history that you won't hear anywhere else. The Civil War completely transformed the capital, and turned Pennsylvania Avenue into a red light district lined with bawdy houses, taverns, theaters, and commercial ventures. Hard to imagine, now that it's lined with monolithic government buildings! You'll learn about how the women who worked in these brothels made their way in life, and even had an impact on affairs of government.

City: Washington DC

Mon 28 Apr

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $30.00

Make a reservation

Mon 28 Apr

Starting at $30.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

2.5 hours of fascinating information by an experienced guide. No entry fees necessary.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Guests must be able to be on their feet for at least 2 hours.

What To Expect

Freedom Plaza

Where Freedom Plaza is now once used to be the notorious neighborhood known as Murder Bay. As we walk through this spacious open area currently used for festivals and music events, you'll hear all about the taverns, gambling houses, and brothels popular with Northern Arm soldiers that used to stand there.

The National Archives Museum

Continuing in our journey through time, you'll learn about the lives of prostitutes in Civil War DC and the part they played in society, as we pass by the former site of the largest central urban Market in DC.

National Gallery of Art

The former site of Marble Alley, where two of DC's highest paid Madams had a vicious rivalry.

National Museum of the American Indian

An archeological dig discovered the remains of DC most notorious, and yet charitable, Madams. The tour ends at this, the most glamorous of DC's Civil War-era pleasure houses.

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Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (68)

67yukoy

Nov 2024

Our guide, Katie, shared her knowledge and insight of the lives of women who once worked in a red-light district, now the central area of DC in an engaging and interactive way. Her narrative was based on her thorough research, which allowed me to understand a topic that would otherwise have been gossipy and judgmental, in light of its political and social context. I could feel her warm and thoughtful gaze toward those women. As a DC resident, I would recommend this walking tour (as well as her other tours) especially to locals because it makes the beaten paths in and around the otherwise inorganic government offices begin to look more colorful than ever.

Traveler04625962451

Aug 2024

WOW! I'm a sucker for a walking tour, and this one DELIVERED. Katie, our tour guide, was warm, funny, engaging, and super knowledgeable. Not only did we learn FASCINATING stories about the DC brothels and madams during the Civil War, but we learned wonderful gems about the history of DC itself. Don't sleep on this tour company!

Carole_S

Aug 2024

The guide was fantastic and everything about the tour was great. The one snag was that she did not have our names on the list. Viator did not ever give her the names. I am concerned that since Viator did not give her our names they also did not give her the money.