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 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.
• Admission Ticket Included
Waldorf Astoria Washington DC
On the block where the Trump International Hotel, formerly the Old Postal Office building, currently stands, was the 11th Street strip, a subsection of the Red Light district on Pennsylvania Avenue where the Military Provost Guard harassed and arrested some of the raucous Madams in the neighborhood.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
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.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
IOOF Temple Building
We’ll stop for a drink at Hill Country BBQ (*cost of beverage not included), across the street from the International Order of Odd Fellows Temple. The IOOF supported the arts, and the art of having a good time. It was common to see the higher class working girls walking into a grand party hosted by the Odd Fellows, on the arm of an Army Officer. Scandalous!
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
National Gallery of Art
The former site of Marble Alley, where two of DC’s highest paid Madams had a vicious rivalry.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
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.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Highlight
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
Max group – 15
