The "Madams of DC" Guided Walking Tour

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Washington DC, USA

2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Smithsonian Museum of American History Semi-Private 8ppl Max

Washington DC, USA

4.9

(139)

Smithsonian Museum of American History Semi-Private 8ppl Max

from $95

Price varies by group size

DC Civil War and President Lincoln History and Art Walking Tour

Washington DC, USA

5.0

(1)

DC Civil War and President Lincoln History and Art Walking Tour

from $69

Celebrate 250th: Washington Monument Ticket & National Mall Tour

Washington DC, USA

4.9

(215)

Celebrate 250th: Washington Monument Ticket & National Mall Tour

from $75

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Discover a side of Washington DC’s past that most history books leave out—and hear the city’s most salacious and sordid stories—on this immersive walking tour. Pick between afternoon and evening start times, and set out on foot. As you stroll along major arteries like Pennsylvania Avenue, learn about the area’s past as a red-light district, hear stories about the madams who shaped the city, and glimpse a number of highlight landmarks.

This history tour unveils a little-known side of the capital’s past
Exploring on foot makes it easy to immerse yourself in the city’s ambiance
Learn the stories behind the sights from your guide’s commentary
Hear about the city’s former madams, brothels, and red-light districts

What's Included

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

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
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!

End point

Jefferson Drive Southwest & 4th Street Southwest
Jefferson Dr SW & 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
Tour ends at the National Museum of the American Indian, which used to be the site of a notorious brothel. Smithsonian and Federal Center Metro Stations (Orange/Blue/Silver lines) are both only two blocks away.

Operating hours
.7:00 pm

Itinerary

Freedom Plaza (Pass By)

Waldorf Astoria Washington DC

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The National Archives Museum

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

IOOF Temple Building

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

National Gallery of Art

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

National Museum of the American Indian

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible

Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Most travelers can participate
Guests must be able to be on their feet for at least 2 hours.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 77 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Absolutely exceptional!...

Adria_B, Apr 2026

ABSOLUTELY EXCEPTIONAL! We learned a lot and enjoyed it. Katie is an awesome tour guide which made the experience amazing.

This was a fantastic tour...

Chelsea_M, Mar 2026

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!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

I'm so happy you enjoyed the tour Chelsea, and I hope to see you on another one soon!

I truly enjoyed this...

Mark_S, Jun 2025

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.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you for your kind review Mark! It was a pleasure having you on the tour. I hope to see you again soon!

Great experience!

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.

Interesting and colorful historical look. Highly recommended.

Greg_E, Nov 2023

Wonderful walking trip in DC on a crisp fall evening and heard a history of the area and its colorful history. Highly recommend.

great unusual tour

Paul_S, Oct 2023

Loved the history. Guide was very good at describing the photos when she realized my wife was blind.

A great experience to get a new perspective

Michael_B, Sep 2023

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.

The tour changed my perspective on sex workers.

Kathleen_J, Sep 2023

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.

A Must-Do 'Madams of DC' Tour with Off the Mall Tours

Alina_P, Sep 2023

Just experienced the 'Madams of DC' tour by Off the Mall Tours, and I can't recommend it enough! Katie Kirkpatrick, our guide, was absolutely amazing—engaging, knowledgeable, and passionate about D.C.'s hidden history. She took us on a journey through time, revealing how madams, soldiers, and officers were the backbone of D.C.'s economy during the Civil War. With an astonishing 6% of the population in this line of work and 95% of the businesses being women-run, Katie made sure this was more than a tour—it was a revelation. If you're in D.C., this is a must-do.

Katie was truly the best...

Holly_B, Apr 2023

Katie was truly the best DC tour guide I’ve experienced. She is knowledgeable about the Madams as well as the city. I recommend this tour to everyone, and will let my friends know too.

Fantastic Tour and Amazing Guide!

Katie_H, May 2022

Fantastic tour and amazing guide! It was a funky, rainy day and Katie still created an incredible experience. She's a very engaging host, who has clearly done her primary source research on what she presents, and also loves sharing with others. I went on the Madams of DC tour, but I intend to go back for all of the rest of her tours offered. I'm a long-term DC resident, and I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a true DC historical tour with flare to go to Katie!