Lincoln Assassination Tour with Ford's Theatre & Petersen House
Description
The first Lincoln Assassination tour to go into Ford's Theatre! Step back in time to April 14, 1865, and investigate the conspiracy that shattered a nation. while exploring various Civil War era sites that stand today. You will walk the exact streets where the plot unfolded and track John Wilkes Booth’s movements leading up to Lincoln's murder and his desperate escape route down Baptist Alley. Stand at the site of the Star Saloon where the assassin threw back his final drink, and step inside the historic Petersen House to see where President Lincoln took his last breath. Our expert guides dismantle the myths and lay out the raw facts of America's most infamous true-crime story right where it happened. Please note: Between May 28 and August 31, Ford's Theatre closes its interior to tour groups for repairs on select dates. Theatre availability is noted in the tour option.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your guide in our welcome center where you will begin the story at the historic location of the National Intelligencer and see original newspapers about Lincoln's Assassination on display.
Follow the footsteps of those involved in the Lincoln assassination, from conspirators to victims, while learning about Washington, DC in the Civil War Era. See key sites including where John Wilkes Booth lived, where he procured a horse, and the location of the former homes of several characters involved. Learn where Booth was prior to the events of April 14th, 1865.
Explore the historic neighborhood of Penn Quarter as you learn the stories of the conspirators of Lincoln's assassination, visit buildings that remain from the Civil War area, and learn about what once stood in the area.
See an original portrait of Abraham Lincoln, his life and death masks, and visit the hallway where he held his inaugural ball, once home to the US Patent Office.
Explore the Museum at Ford's Theatre with a personal guide and learn the stories of the rare artifacts on display relating to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Then take a guided tour of the actual theater while learning more about the events around Lincoln's assassination. *IMPORTANT: Ford's Theatre museum is closed for visitors May 28 through August 31 2026 for repairs, and the theatre is closed on select dates. Check your selected option to see if the Theatre is available.
End your tour at the house President Lincoln was taken to after his fatal shot at the theater, with entry to explore inside and see the room where he died the following day.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- *IMPORTANT: Ford's Theatre is closed for visitors select dates May 28 through August 31 2026 for repairs, During this time no entry to Ford's will be possible. Tour will still visit Petersen House and Aftermaths Museum.
Reviews(526)
Riley was outstanding! She delivered interesting facts relevant to the exhibit and provided the underlying context as well. She was able to answer all of our questions (we had a lot) in a happy, calm, and pleasant manner. She was easy to understand and checked with us when a session was over to make sure we “got everything”. She controlled the pace of the tour, ensuring we were not late for anything, without rushing. There is nothing I can think of to criticize - no “constructive criticism”, because everything was outstanding. My whole family shares this perspective. The exhibits themselves were also well-done and well-presented. The overall experience was wonderful.
Skye was so wonderful. Our tour group was smaller, with only three of us, and she was great! Very knowledgeable. So sweet. Great tour!
Thanks so much for coming! It was a pleasure having such a small group, and I'm glad you enjoyed the experience! Let us know if you come back again! -Skye
Dr. Skye is an incredibly knowledgeable and thorough guide. Her ability to connect the downtown D.C. physical environment with the history of Lincoln and Booth, as well as to answer questions that are related to the tour subject but that are outside the planned talk is impressive.
Dr. Keenan, it was a pleasure to have another doctor along! Best of luck on your work, and let us know if you come back to DC again! -Skye
Our guide, Skye was amazing!! A lot of information and such a fun and exciting tour. Skye is very knowledgeable about not just this tour experience but, a lot about history and DC in general!
Thanks Patty! It was a pleasure having you, and I'm glad you enjoyed your experience! Hopefully we see you back in DC again soon! -Skye
Very informative! Tony was great, and had an encyclopedic memory for details about the entire Lincoln era
This tour was awesome! Skye was so wonderful and personable! She was so knowledgeable about Lincoln’s last day! We highly recommend this tour! We lucked out and were able to see Ford’s theater! The Petersen House is filled with many interesting artifacts!
I loved having your family along! I'm so glad we could get inside the Theater, especially for Dawson! Hope to see you again in the future! -Skye
The tour Guide Shane was incredible. His story telling is top shelf. Learned way more than expected and answered all our questions.
Lincoln assassination was great. Riley was my tour guide and was very informative and knowledgeable. During the walking tour, we visited several outdoor and indoor sites before finally ending up at the Paterson House. This is a great tour and well worth the money, especially if you want to learn such a great piece of American history.
I had the best tour guide, Riley. She was so friendly. So informative. Full of knowledge and funny. Ask for her if she's available!
I love history and I love walking tours. Our guide was wonderful and very engaging. I know a lot about Lincoln and the Civil War yet I learned more by taking this tour
