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The "Madams of DC" Guided Walking Tour
5.0
67 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.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- 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.
What's Included
- 2.5 hours of fascinating information by an experienced guide
- No entry fees necessary
What's Not Included
- Refreshments at Hill Country BBQ half-way stop.
Additional Information
*Starting in March 2024, 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.
- Guests must be able to be on their feet for at least 2 hours.
Location
1401 Pennsylvania Avenue 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.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(67 Ratings)
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267margos
Jul 6, 2024
Loved this tour - Loved this tour so much. My friend and I braved the heat and it was well worth it. I was impressed by how much research was done to make this tour interesting and accurate. I loved the stories and the guide is totally engaging so you stay interested. Looking forward to another tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laurent817
Jul 5, 2024
Incredible and unique tour — don’t miss out! - Absolutely incredible tour! It is beyond fascinating, fun, and very unique. The guide is fantastic and has created such a great experience. I truly couldn’t recommend it more! I will definitely be doing as many Off the Mall tours as possible
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Juliebz4747rw
Apr 25, 2024
Makes History Come Alive - Katie gave a great tour! Her storytelling makes DC history come alive. She’s clearly done her research. The walk is well paced and the midpoint stop gives a nice break for those who may need a breather. This is the fourth tour that I’ve been on and look forward to signing up for my next one.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adventurer541472
Apr 22, 2024
Engaging way to know the city - This tour with Katie really made the city and era of Madams come alive. Katie knows the history well and gave a thorough description of what was happening in each area of the “red light district,” who frequented the brothals, what they wore and even what they ate. Fascinating information and made even more fun by Katie’s personality!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christinapb3617lh
Mar 20, 2024
A wonderful tour of the history of DC during the civil war, but from the perspective of some DC's notorious women! - Katie was a very knowledgeable, friendly, and charismatic tour guide. I loved getting to learn more about DC as a city and spend time exploring away from the National Mall. It expanded my appreciation for our nation's capital. I'm lucky to live nearby and will gladly return to partake in Katie's other tours!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Frankg743
Nov 7, 2023
Fantastic tour in DC - Katie was a fantastic guide!
The 11 of us enjoyed learning about the legal madams and brothels from the 1st to the 3rd class establishments. How government and military played a role in the brothels. The areas and the how they looked prior to 1901.
Very good tour and will definitely be back for another tour.
Thank you for making it a success!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Greg_e
Nov 6, 2023
Interesting and colorful historical look. Highly recommended. - Wonderful walking trip in DC on a crisp fall evening and heard a history of the area and its colorful history. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Paul_s
Oct 23, 2023
great unusual tour - Loved the history. Guide was very good at describing the photos when she realized my wife was blind.
Review provided by Viator
Michael_b
Sep 25, 2023
A great experience to get a new perspective - It was a great history lesson on the history of DC, how it grew up, and the role the sex trade played. Added a great perspective of another part of the civil war impact in the states, and good visuals of DC in the 1800s. The stories were amazing and well documented. Great experience and highly recommend for a different perspective.
Review provided by Viator
Kathleen_j
Sep 2, 2023
The tour changed my perspective on sex workers. - The Madams of DC tour is a unique perspective on the civil war era and survival.
We enjoyed the stories of the Madams and how the industry delineated the quality of the brothels based on location which was also based wealth and influence of the clientele.
After this tour I really feel that the current state of the industry should be criminal. The public’s health would be better served by making the business legal, returning control to the workers and putting Pimps out of business.
Review provided by Viator
