Washington DC Walking Tour of the Madams - Image 1
Washington DC Walking Tour of the Madams - Image 2
Washington DC Walking Tour of the Madams - Image 3
Washington DC Walking Tour of the Madams - Image 4
Washington DC Walking Tour of the Madams - Image 5
Washington DC Walking Tour of the Madams - Image 6

Photo 1 / 6

Washington DC Walking Tour of the Madams

TourTruth score 9.0 out of 10

ExcellentTop 5% in Washington DC

80 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • Washington DC
  • 2 hrs 30 min
  • Updated October 31, 2026

Explore Washington, DC’s former red-light district and hear how its women shaped the capital’s history on a guided walking tour.

About this tour

Discover a side of Washington, DC, that rarely appears in the history books on this guided walking tour of the city’s former red-light district. The Civil War transformed the capital, and Pennsylvania Avenue once teemed with bawdy houses, taverns, theaters, and other businesses, where government buildings now dominate the streetscape.

As you walk through the area, hear how women who worked in the brothels made their way in life and learn about their influence on affairs of government. An experienced guide brings this overlooked chapter of local history to life with two hours of fascinating stories. No entry fees are necessary, and the tour is wheelchair accessible. Meet in front of the Willard Center, next to the Occidental on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, and look for the guide wearing a costume.

Join this Washington DC walking tour to see the capital’s familiar avenues through a different lens and uncover the people and stories behind their past.

Highlights

  • Trace Pennsylvania Avenue’s transformation from red-light district to government corridor
  • Hear stories of the women who worked in Civil War-era brothels
  • Discover how these women influenced affairs of government

What's included

Included

  • 2 hours of information from an experienced guide
  • No entry fees necessary

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Guests must be able to stand for at least 2 hours
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Wheelchair accessible, including transportation options and all areas and surfaces
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Show 3 more
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Meet in front of the Willard Center, next to the Occidental on Pennsylvania Avenue NW; look for the guide in costume

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 5.00 from 80 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in Washington DC
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 9.0. Top 5% in Washington DC means it ranks in the top 5% of tours in Washington DC by this score.

Provider rating distribution in Washington DC

How many tours in Washington DC have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

More Historical Tours in Washington DC

from $31.80

on Viator

Check availability