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Madams in DC: Civil War Era Walking Tour
5.0
75 Ratings
Washington
Uncover the hidden history of DC on the Madams of DC Tour. Explore the red light district of Pennsylvania Avenue during the Civil War and learn about the influential women who worked in brothels.
Uncover the hidden history of DC on the Madams of DC Tour. Explore the red light district of Pennsylvania Avenue during the Civil War and learn about the influential women who worked in brothels.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Freedom Plaza - The area now known as Freedom Plaza was once the infamous neighborhood called Murder Bay. As visitors stroll through this expansive space, now hosting festivals and music events, they will learn about the taverns, gambling houses, and brothels that were frequented by Northern Arm soldiers.
- Waldorf Astoria Washington DC - The…
- Freedom Plaza - The area now known as Freedom Plaza was once the infamous neighborhood called Murder Bay. As visitors stroll through this expansive space, now hosting festivals and music events, they will learn about the taverns, gambling houses, and brothels that were frequented by Northern Arm soldiers.
- Waldorf Astoria Washington DC - The location of the Trump International Hotel, previously the Old Postal Office building, was once the 11th Street strip, a part of the Red Light district on Pennsylvania Avenue. Here, the Military Provost Guard often harassed and arrested some of the lively Madams in the area.
- The National Archives Museum - As the journey through history continues, visitors will discover the lives of prostitutes in Civil War DC and their societal roles, while passing by the former site of DC’s largest central urban Market.
- IOOF Temple Building - A stop for a drink at Hill Country BBQ (*beverage cost not included) is planned, located across from the International Order of Odd Fellows Temple. The IOOF supported the arts and the enjoyment of life. It was not unusual to see high-class working girls attending grand parties hosted by the Odd Fellows, escorted by Army Officers. Scandalous!
- National Gallery of Art - This was once the site of Marble Alley, where two of DC’s most successful Madams had a fierce rivalry.
- National Museum of the American Indian - An archaeological dig uncovered the remains of DC’s most infamous yet charitable Madams. The tour concludes at this, the most glamorous of DC’s Civil War-era pleasure houses.
What's Included
- 2 hours of fascinating information by an experienced guide
- No entry fees necessary
- 2 hours of fascinating information by an experienced guide
- No entry fees necessary
Additional Information
The Madams in DC walking tour offers a truly distinctive perspective on Washington, DC’s history that is not available elsewhere. The Civil War dramatically altered the capital, transforming Pennsylvania Avenue into a vibrant red light district filled with bawdy houses, taverns, theaters, and commercial enterprises. It’s difficult to picture this now,…
The Madams in DC walking tour offers a truly distinctive perspective on Washington, DC’s history that is not available elsewhere. The Civil War dramatically altered the capital, transforming Pennsylvania Avenue into a vibrant red light district filled with bawdy houses, taverns, theaters, and commercial enterprises. It’s difficult to picture this now, with the avenue dominated by imposing government buildings! Participants will discover how the women employed in these brothels navigated their lives and even influenced governmental affairs.
- Guests must be able to be on their feet for at least 2 hours.
Location
1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
The meeting point is in front of the Willard Center, next to the Occidental on Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Look for the guide wearing the costume!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(75 Ratings)
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Chelsea_m
Mar 7, 2026
This was a fantastic tour... - This was a fantastic tour for visitors and locals alike. I felt like I was seeing the city’s history with new eyes. Rich storytelling. Well-researched and constantly being updated, so no two tour experiences is identical. Furthermore, Off the Mall Tours is a small, woman-owned business. I’ll be back for other tours, and maybe even this one again!
Review provided by Viator
Gingerartpiano
Aug 7, 2025
Off The Mall is the Best! - Katie is the best tour guide! She knows so much about everything DC-related. She made sure to keep her tour intersectional and discussed madams from all walks of life and backgrounds. I learned so much, and I cannot recommend Off The Mall tours enough!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dcjill202
Jul 12, 2025
Terrific taste of civil war DC. - This tour was amazing. Katie is so passionate about the subject. She answered so many of our questions. She brings each of her subjects to life. I also love that she provided so much research and pictures of the city at the time period she discusses. She was perfectly clear when something was her own speculation, and when she was still looking for confirmation of a fact.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chelseygrassfield
Jun 8, 2025
Katie Makes History... Risqué and Riveting! - Katie is a terrific guide. You can tell she loves what she does by the beaming smile she wears the entire time she's telling you the history of the Civil War brothels and madams. She's meticulously researched her descriptions, and isn't complacent—she continues to do research on the topic. So I imagine the tour is a little different each time as she adds new findings. The tour was a great way to learn about the impact of the Civil War on DC and the fascinating madams who kept the soldiers entertained.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mark_s
Jun 7, 2025
I truly enjoyed this... - I truly enjoyed this tour. Katie is a fantastic tour guide.
I have been on some great tours in the DC area, but this tour is unique. Learning about monuments is interesting but the information is broadly available. Katie does her own research and is still uncovering interesting facts from the Civil War era to the early 1900s.
Katie is very well spoken and is a great story teller. She is also kind and friendly, and interacted with each of the members on the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Deeliteful0702
Jun 2, 2025
Bringing the Hidden Past to Life - Only through a tour like this one can you discover the hidden past of the madames as none of their buildings exist today. The most famous brothels have been torn down and built over, but you can't hide the past. The past will find a way to speak. Our guide gave the women a voice and their stories live on.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joy
May 2, 2025
Wonderful, well researched tour - Took the Madams of DC tour tonight. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and an excellent storyteller. The information presented was well researched, historically accurate, and yet not boring. The guide welcomed both input and questions from the group. I took this tour at the end of a very long day - when I had a painful blister and was hot, sweaty, and considered ditching because I was so tired - yet I wholeheartedly enjoyed every minute of the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
67yukoy
Nov 3, 2024
A unique tour beyond traditional landmarks - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Traveler04625962451
Aug 18, 2024
WONDERFUL - 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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carole_s
Aug 17, 2024
Great experience! - 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.
Review provided by Viator
