Ford's Theatre

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Visiting Ford’s Theatre was an unforgettable experience. The historical significance hits you the moment you walk in, and the staff does a phenomenal job bringing the past to life. From the museum exhibits to standing in the very room where Lincoln was shot, everything is thoughtfully presented and deeply moving. The theater itself is beautifully preserved, and the sense of reverence is powerful. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious, this is a must-see in D.C. A powerful tribute to one of America’s greatest presidents.

My rating is likely biased by my failure to read ahead in preparation but that may not necessarily have changed it had I prepared better. Know a couple of things. First. Waiting to enter will be on the exterior of the theatre with exposure to afternoon sun. Second, the first half of the Ford’s theatre experience is that the entire line of patrons are sent to the museum level of the building in mass where it became for us so crowded as to be quite difficult to view or read the exhibits. What exhibits I saw were well considered and executed but the crush of folks along with the brief time in the museum meant it was quite impossible to really appreciate them. There were no directions as we entered the museum even that we were entering the museum or what to do upon arrival. Preparation on my part would have relieved that issue as would Park Service provided verbal info as we entered. After 20-30 minutes ( and I am guessing ), everyone was directed to leave for the theatre. Here’s where the tour earned its stars for us as the theatre is of decent size to handle the attendees, it is well maintained, and on a very warm day, it was adequately air conditioned. Further, a park service ranger provided a talk about the events of Lincoln’s assassination. The docent makes or breaks a tour; our docent was knowledgeable, and engaging. We both enjoyed and got knowledge from his efforts. Five stars to him; one star for the crowded confines of the museum that did not allow us to appreciate the work put into the exhibits.

An incredible piece of history. The fords theater museum in the basement tells the story perfectly of the events that led up to that night. The Peterson house across the street is also very interesting and moving. A few cool things off the beaten path: Walk around the block to the alley to see the back of the theater where Booth jumped on the horse to escape. The Surrat boarding house is a few blocks away where the entire plan was hatched. The gift shop in both places is bizarre and sad to see for a place with such a tragic history. I haven’t been to the book repository where JFK was assassinated but I hope they don’t have a gift shop too.

My dad is a huge nerd for Lincoln so my family thoroughly enjoyed visiting. I found all the historical artifacts to be incredibly intriguing, as well as the house across from the theatre giving access to where Lincoln passed on. We watched a play reenactment and it was incredible, funny and heartbreaking all in one. Must visit! Wait was long to get into the adjourned building, but there are shops alongside to spend time.

DC is wild because you can just take a free tour of the exact place where Abe Lincoln got his top picked back in 1865. The presidential suite where he was just enjoying a play sits there essentially untouched. You can't actually go in there, but you get a clear view of it from where the audience sat. There is a framed picture of George Washington in front of the suite, which I didn't really understand. I mean I'm a huge G-dub fan, but shouldn't they put a picture of Abe there? I'm sure there's a reason but come on... This doesn't really tie into this review at all, but there was an Abe Lincoln quote in the basement of Ford's Theatre that read "It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues." Damn. Ain't that the truth. I'd never heard that one before, but I feel it in my soul. From now on, when someone expresses concern that I pack too many Zyns, I'm going to hit em with "You never heard that Abe Lincoln quote…?" Shoutout to Honest Abe man. What a guy. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Ford's Theater. We went on a Monday and while busy, it never seemed over crowded. We must have timed it perfectly because we did not have to wait outside for either Ford's Theater or the Petersen House. The docent for the Ford's Theater presentation was a top 10 experience from all of our travels. It was presented like a one man show. It was educational, engaging, funny at times, and also sad. Very well done. We also enjoyed the museum at the Petersen House (you need to take an elevator to get there).

The tickets are free! The basement has a lot of great history in the exhibits. You can then go up to the balcony and see the place where he was shot. Ask one of the attendants to tell you the story of that night. Ours was very knowledgeable!

Very interesting history of the place. The park ranger delivered a speech that detailed the events that led up to the assassination and all the events that followed included the capture of Booth. Did not know that this is not the original interior, but was restored. Admission includes the Petersen house across the street which doubles as a museum. While admission was free we did not need to pre-purchase tickets for our visit. Amazing historical visit well worth a look!

I was on time for a production of Sister Act but unfortunately I ran into a bit of unprofessionalism at the box office that resulted in us missing the beginning of the show. It really stunk considering how much we paid for the tickets. The show, cast, and musicians were phenomenal though. They saved my rating because I wanted to give one star.

DC is wild because you can just take a free tour of the exact place where Abe Lincoln got his top picked back in 1865. The presidential suite where he was just enjoying a play sits there essentially untouched. You can't actually go in there, but you get a clear view of it from where the audience sat. There is a framed picture of George Washington in front of the suite, which I didn't really understand. I mean I'm a huge G-dub fan, but shouldn't they put a picture of Abe there? I'm sure there's a reason but come on... This doesn't really tie into this review at all, but there was an Abe Lincoln quote in the basement of Ford's Theatre that read "It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues." Damn. Ain't that the truth. I'd never heard that one before, but I feel it in my soul. From now on, when someone expresses concern that I pack too many Zyns, I'm going to hit em with "You never heard that Abe Lincoln quote...?" Shoutout to Honest Abe man. What a guy. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__

I was en route to the Air and Space Museum when I came across Ford's Theater, the site of President Lincoln's assassination. Since I've always had a penchant for history, I stopped in to learn more. The museum summarized the battles and policies that characterized the Lincoln administration. It also provided an hour-by-hour breakdown of President Lincoln's last day, as well as the activities of the assassin, John Wilkes Booth, on the same day. The exhibit concluded with a view of the theater balcony where President Lincoln and the First Lady sat, and where the president was assassinated. A park ranger was available to answer questions and provide more context about this historic event.

My friend and I enjoyed an artsy-fartsy day last weekend. ('Sister Act' = AMAZING = 10/10) Ford's Theatre is alnice historical venue in the heart of Penn Quarter in downtown DC. Spacious, great acoustics/sound, organized, and clean. Minus 1 star for the unbearably uncomfortable seats. Major issue for shows/events lasting 2+ hours. __ I eat. @f.hux I thrift. @DCthriftish

A great museum self-guided tour. Very interesting and historic. Everyone should visit.

Visited Ford's Theatre and museum on our recent DC trip. Love the experience of being able to actually sit in the theatre and see what it looked like when President Lincoln attended shows. Also highly appreciated seeing the house across the street where the President succumbed to his injuries. The history presented is almost overwhelming. It was fantastic for our history loving group.

This was maybe the best museum we saw in DC. Tons of information and all interesting, in nice sized tidbits. Self guided and you can go at your own pace. It was not totally packed either since tickets are timed entry. The Petersen House museum was also cool too - try and see that if you can. For $3.50 per person, don't miss this.

We watched A Christmas Carol here. The theater is small and intimate. Other than the seats behind some of the structural beams, it'd be hard to get a bad seat. During intermission, they open the museum downstairs. They sell drinks and snacks and have a gift store. There are many parking garage options nearby. Easy parking access is always a plus for downtown and makes it more likely that we'd go again.

I brought a group of California middle schoolers to D.C. for a trip to connect with our nation's history, and this afternoon at Ford's Theatre we witnessed something I'll never forget--for all the wrong reasons. In front of the theater was an energetic, joyful street performer--someone we'd seen earlier in the week and who left a genuinely positive impact on our kids. He had them clapping, dancing, and singing along, sparking the kind of joy and connection that should be at the heart of any historical space that claims to be about community, inclusion, and "sparking conversations about the American experience" (Paul Tetreault's own words). And yet, within moments, Paul Tetreault--the director of the theater--stormed out of the building and got in this man's face, yelling at him for doing absolutely nothing wrong on public property. My students were stunned. I was disgusted. I approached to confirm the performer was on public land, and Paul tried to gaslight me, standing three inches from my face in an attempt to intimidate and dismiss me. Once I got him to acknowledge the dancer had every right to be there, he huffed off saying he was "returning to work." Except--he didn't. He crossed the street and started taking photos of us. Creepy and cowardly. Let's be clear: this was a Black man, dancing, smiling, and spreading joy on a public sidewalk. Paul Tetreault's reaction was not only unprofessional, it felt pointed and deeply problematic. When you, as a white man in power, use your position to publicly berate a Black street performer in front of kids, you're not just being a jerk--you're embodying the exact kind of performative "diversity" that institutions like this claim to be dismantling. Paul Tetreault should not be representing a place like Ford's Theatre--a site that is supposed to represent progress, history, and justice. His behavior today was the opposite of all three. Do better. And if you're going to preach diversity, inclusion, and the celebration of voices--start by not trying to silence the ones literally dancing in the street

This review leans more toward the historical tour and museum portion, though I do have a show there later this week (Mister Lincoln with Scott Bakula). First, historically: yes, this is "where" Lincoln was shot. Secondly, nothing is original about the building except the brick on the outside. Everything else is rebuilt/a reproduction. The museum has the basic history on Lincoln, the Civil War, his politics, his death. They do have some rare and interesting artifacts, including the derringer John Wilkes Booth used to assassinate Lincoln, as well as his boot, which was cut open by Dr. Samuel Mudd after he somehow broke his ankle. They also have one of the bloodied pillows that held Lincoln's head as he died. My main issue with the museum is how crowded it was. They herd everyone downstairs first, before the theater itself opens, and because you have to walk down stairs, there's a huge bottleneck. So many people are admitted at a time, it's just so congested and hard to enjoy. I didn't spend much time downstairs. The info they present is pretty good . . . but I just couldn't stand that many people in a tiny space. The ranger talk was great. Our ranger was a super Lincoln nerd (even named his cat Lincoln). He was funny, knowledgable, engaging, and gave a great overview of the assassination, what led up to it, and the aftermath. As far as the theater, I got to see the setup for the play I'm seeing later this week. The rows are wide, with a lot of leg room. The seats are wide and comfortable, more comfortable than any seats I've had on Broadway. Not a bad view in the house, even up in the balcony. Entry is 3.50, which is mainly a convenience fee, and the audio guide was five bucks. Many tours include entry into the Petersen House across the street, where Lincoln died. Make sure you buy ahead of time, these sell out.

I can't believe how many times I've walked past Ford's theater before actually visiting. This week I saw Sister Act there; what an incredibly cool venue!! There's a museum on the first level with amazing context and artifacts, and the theater itself is gorgeous. Staff were so helpful and kind. Such a fun night and great show!!

You never forget that you're on hallowed ground here as the ghost of the Lincoln assassination reverberates through every timber of this 19th century playhouse. Now of course there's a full scale exhibit on the 16th president in the basement with the theater still remarkably true to its almost 200 y/o patina. We were fortunate to score tickets to a one man show, Lincoln, starring a brilliant Scott Bakula. You're drenched in history here and you'll vacillate between somber and exillerated from minute to minute. Given the gravitas of the location any rating system seems trite. A must see on any DC excursion.

Cool NPS site. Enthusiastic rangers and volunteers. Very good interpretative content. Interesting relevant artifacts. Junior ranger book is very hard for younger kids. This is a site worth checking out.

I saw some confusion in recent reviews. To clarify when you buy the tickets online, read the details closely. It should say museum. Mine was for the museum and Peterson House. Total cost was $3.50. I recommend coming here at least 10-15 mins before your reserved time. If you have will call tickets, you can go inside, grab your tickets from one of the cashiers, and head back into line. At your reserved time, you will enter and head down into the basement. You do not need to stand in line. People that stand in line are mostly going to watch a short movie. You can move around as you please. There is a lot of interesting information to read and look at. Don't forget to go into the room where it talks more about John Wilkes Booth and it shows the gun he used to kill Lincoln. You can see the timeline for both Booth and Lincoln on what they were each doing, leading up to the incident. The last place should be the theatre where Lincoln was shot. There is no time limit for the museum and theatre. Someone said an hour but that's completely false. I recommend doing this on your own and not on a tour group.

Worth the wait in line. There is an app to get reservations and tickets in advance. It's accessible from metro stops or the bus services.

I am deeply disappointed in my recent experience with Ford's Theatre On the night of our visit, my sister experienced a medical emergency and had to leave at intermission with our father. I immediately brought this to the attention of a manager, who told me the box office would be open the following morning and that I should call back then. Since then, I've been bounced around to several departments within the organization, each passing me off to someone else, with no meaningful resolution. I initially requested a refund for two of our four tickets, given that half our party had to leave due to a health emergency. I was later told by Paul Tetreault, the Director of Ford's Theatre, that "buying a ticket is entering into a contract," and that the theatre had fulfilled its obligation by presenting the performance. I explained that I understood that from a policy standpoint--but reality sometimes requires flexibility and empathy. Instead of compassion, I was met with hostility. Paul accused me of being "aggressive" and "terrorizing his staff." He even said, "no one at this nonprofit gets paid enough to deal with this." That's a shocking and unprofessional statement coming from the Director of a nonprofit organization that should pride itself on community and service. I raised my voice out of frustration after being passed around for days, not because I intended to be threatening. After all of this, I received another email--not from Paul, but from the marketing department--offering the same credit Paul had already offered me. I had already made it clear that a credit was not acceptable, as I do not live in the area and will not be returning. A credit to a place I cannot use is meaningless. At this point, given the way I've been treated, I believe a full refund for all four tickets is more than justified. The only person who showed any concern or compassion was Megan in the Membership Department, whom I spoke with on April 7th. She was the first person to ask how my sister was doing and genuinely apologized for the experience. She said she would escalate the matter, and I appreciated that--but no resolution has come. I was deeply disappointed in the way I was treated--especially at such a historic venue like Ford's Theatre, with its national significance. You would think an institution with such a legacy would know how to treat its patrons with dignity and respect.

This was a last-minute stop while we were in Washington DC because we had a little extra time. I will say it was worth the short walk and really packed full of history. The tour itself is pretty amazing and self led. Once you get into the theater itself there is a national park person there to guide you and help explain how everything happened that night in the theater. When you're done, you can walk across the street to the actual place where Lincoln died and physically see the room and the bed where that happened. As you are leaving, there's a stack of books that must be three stories high and it's one copy of every book about Lincoln. That was amazing. I believe they were over 14,000 books in the stack. If you're in Washington DC it's definitely a stop I wouldn't miss.

When I went for a tour there, I had a extremely fun experience but also a weird feeling. Me and my family sat near the place where he was shot and almost every time one of us took a picture, we saw some blue circle things. It was like they were following us. Once we got into the house were he died, the feeling got worse and my heart was racing. We took another picture in the house and they were there. I'm glad got to meet Abraham!

History buffs and those that love them, this place is a must do when visiting D.C. At times, I felt like I was transported back in time to that night. The tour guide/historian was an awesome storyteller and answered all of our questions. A+ crew. The tour is self paced, which allows you to check out the exhibits at your own leisure. It's not a lot of walking, and it doesn't take up too much time, so you can definitely squeeze this in if you have about 1.5 hours to kill. Words of advice; do not leave too soon. Walk across the street and checkout the house where Lincoln eventually passed away at. It's a bit eerie but worth the experience.

This place is amazing. Nothing that I have ever seen. To top it off, lots of history to educate you in American history. Make sure to get there early and check the website to make sure the theater is available because it isn't always open. This was our last stop before going home, so we had to speed through the museum area. There are about 4 or 5 rooms that highlight Lincoln's life. It ends in details of what Lincoln and Booth did on that horrible day. I would highly encourage taking the audio tour because it gives you bonus information. We did not get to do it but heard people praising it. Make sure to take as many pictures in the theater. I will have to say, the pictures do not do justice but it is still breathtaking. This will be a day to remember for sure. Enjoy your day, because I know I did!!!

Great museum exploring the events surrounding Abraham Lincoln's assassination. We visited Ford's Theatre on a Sunday morning and were able to walk in and get tickets. I spent about 40 minutes in the museum reading the plentiful information about the events leading up to the assassination. Afterwards a National Park Service ranger gave an informative 20 minute presentation about the sequence of events on the night of the assassination and answered questions. Overall, it was a great experience, and I would recommend visiting Ford's Theatre if you are interested in this snapshot of history.

I visited the theater on a Tuesday in late January and was fortunate enough to have a volunteer docent who was very knowledgeable and passionate about the events leading up to President Lincoln's assassination and his last 9 hours in the Peterson House across the street. The docent was dressed in appropriate garb for the era which enhanced her presentation. I would love to return and see a production in the theater.

If you're going to charge that much for tickets for a show at least have comfortable seats. The back of the seats are thin cushions on a plank of wood and the rows are too close together. Hurt my knees and my back. Sister Act is funny though.

We were eating across the street from here and decided to check it out. It was very interesting with lots of pictures and artifacts. Went through the whole tour that took us to the seating area from where you can see the balcony where Lincoln was shot. The tour continues across the street where they took Lincoln and where he died the next morning. You go through the house and into the actual room where the bed he died on is still there (don't know if it's the actual bed or replica). After that it takes you to a wagon or trolley (not sure) and there's a casket and a map that shows their voyage taking him to his final resting place. It's informative and very interesting. I'm glad we came!

Just an iconic place to see a play! We go every year and watch A Christmas Story and love it every year. I don't really have anything bad to say about this old theatre. I would highly recommend attending a play here. Might also go across the street to the museum while you're there.

Very informative exhibits. It's small enough that you don't feel overwhelmed with information, but big enough that you can walk around and explore. Also very cool to see the main theater area. We came here a few years ago and saw a show held at the theater, and a dramatic "recreation" of the events leading up to the assassination. I would recommend trying to get tickets for that one over the version we went to today which was just a walk around in the museum downstairs and a brief talk in the theater about Booth and Lincoln coming into the theater. Overall, it is a very interesting experience and a good way to get away from the heat. Be warned that you will have to spend about 30 min in the museum downstairs before being able to leave and go up to the theater for the brief presentation. If you have trouble with smaller/dark places, take the first half of the experience slow as the museum can get a little crowded in some spots. Also, we were told that during the summer Lincoln's box is closed to the public, but if you come during the winter in the off season, you may be able to get to walk around in the box. I would recommend coming here a little earlier in the day as the fatigue from the heat made it hard to walk around the museum for the designated 1/2 hour before being able to move on.

The highlight of this experience was Ryan's storytelling on the theater stage. You could tell that he really loves his job and sharing history with others. I learned so many details that I never heard before. Walking around the museum area before entering the theater provided so much information about Lincoln, Booth, and what was going on during the Civil War. I felt that it helped provide a complete picture of what was happening from several viewpoints. I loved that there were parallel timelines of Lincoln's and Booth's activities on that fateful day. After leaving the theater, we walked over to the house where President Lincoln eventually died. The bed was so small. I found the entire experience both educational and moving.

Perfectly preserved, this theatre is a lovely historical museum and living entertainment enter. Though there is that tragic moment in our history that is a huge part of the theatre, it continues to be a living museum and also venue for modern plays and music. The small and intimate stage is a wonderful way to honor the past and continue to celebrate the fine arts! Not a bad seat to be had as it is a small theatre with good acoustics. Definitely love the mezzanine seats, as they provide a full view of the stage. We come every year for La Christmas Carol and the cast and crew do an amazing job as always. It is a tradition in our family to come here to kick off the holidays. Though we are SO looking for to this Spring's schedule that has Little Shop of Horrors coming this March. Will be writing that review as soon as we attend!

One of those places I'd never been, and with its significance to American history, didn't want to miss it this time. The times tickets are an interesting thing to figure out because different times allow you access to different elements of the experience. The museum (downstairs), the theatre (where you get a 20 minute talk about the theatre), and the house across the street where Lincoln died are all potential elements of your visit. Unfortunately you can't get very close to or go into Lincoln's box, but just being "in the room where it happened" was interesting. So glad I went, actually wish they didn't shoo everyone out of the museum so quickly.

Unique historical tour sponsored by the Park Service! Nice museum and the ability to go to the theater. Well worth the time to drop in. Been by there dozens of times and was happy I dropped in.

You thought you knew about the assassination of President Lincoln, but you really do not... I ordered tickets minutes before the next tour was starting at 10am; it was nice that there was an available slot last minute. But, do be aware that I came in late November, so this can vary if you visit at a more popular time like June-August. The first part of the tour wasn't too fun, with having to maneuver around a lot of people to read information on the walls. Half of the time, I skipped reading because I felt like I was standing in someone's way. However, for what I did learn, it was valuable and opened my mind beyond the act of the attack on Lincoln and saw how that moment came to be. For instance, do you really know who John Wilkes Booth is? How was he able to get so close to the President? What was his motivation? All this and more, you can learn from this exhibit. I was much happier when it was time to sit inside the real theatre the infamous event took place in, and guests were treated to a detailed story about the build-up to the assassination, including what Lincoln did that day- humanizing the former President in a way than most outlets tend to forget. The story is 20-minutes long with no video accompaniment, so without paying attention, you could get bored. Fortunately, you would not be shamed for skipping this portion of the tour or stepping out for any reason. But, I highly suggest to sit through all of it because by the end, I truly felt like I had a better perspective on history. Afterwards, you're guided across the street to visit the home that Lincoln died in- which was itself a surprise. Did you know he didn't technically die in the theatre? Find out how when you visit this home that illustrates the aftermath of the assassination and how the United States was forever impacted by their loss. You can choose to skip this part too, but I feel like you'd miss out. There's some great thought-provoking questions that you can carry in your minds afterwards, with my favorite being: Who is your Lincoln? Which president since him has most closely resembled his character & ideals? The options sure were interesting... Overall, both buildings were clean and respectful to the President, and you get a full view of where he sat on that dreadful day. The crowds were very high for the tour having spare tickets, so a face mask would suffice (and fast reading is helpful). But I learned so much that now when I hear about this historical incident, I can observe it from a new angle, and see what can lead a man to take another one's life, and how we can try to prevent this from happening again.

Tony and I celebrated his 61st birthday by going to Washington DC. One of the many sites in Washington we saw was the Ford's Theater where President Lincoln was assassinated. Tony and I walked 12 miles this particular Saturday as we toured around the city on foot. The Theater was very busy and free to enjoy! There was a lot of tourist and the day was gorgeous weather very warm with a nice breeze off the Potomac River. This is a lovely city that I enjoy! Tony's first trip, my 10th!!! Highly recommend and it's Free to enjoy!

I totally forgot to post my review of this historic theater which was famously known for President Lincoln's assassination by John Wilkes Booth...Inside you can see where it took place, as you imagine the event that unfolded that day on April 14, 1865. Attached is a screenshot of my initial review...appreciate the preservation of history because as humans we learn through events and lessons learned!

We didn't know what to expect when visiting this museum but goodness, we certainly learned more than we ever thought possible! We bought tickets ahead, opted for the audio tour (very helpful!) and was able to start our tour early, despite having timed tickets. I think we spent 2+ hours at this location alone before going across the street to the place of his death. There are stories, history lessons, artifacts (blood-stained pillow, gun that killed him), so many details we knew nothing about relating to his death, and the capture of his murderers, his life, family and time in office. We especially enjoyed the tour in the theatre where you can see the area he was shot and hear the details of how it all went down. Quite fascinating!

I visited Ford's Theatre for the first time a few weeks ago when I was in DC for the weekend with some friends. A historic site visit to the theatre includes entrance to a small museum in the basement of the theatre, a history talk offered by a National Park Service ranger in the theatre, and entrance to the Petersen House (the house across the street from the theatre where President Lincoln was taken after he was shot and where he died the following morning). You can make reservations for a historic site visit on their website, and you only pay a small fee ($3.50, I think). I learned a lot and enjoyed the visit. Definitely worth visiting if you're interested in history!

What a lovely venue with a fantastic museum ! The original detailing is still in tact. We saw a production of little shop of horrors and holy cow - the talent the singing the production the staging just FANTASTIC! We were so shocked at the quality of the show! We're looking forward to going to more shows!

I avoided posting about Ford's Theatre because it's a hard lesson in world history. The group of people that went after Lincoln...it's a hard lesson..how interesting..I don't know how that could be...I am not myself..we are all part of the whole world...cmon people smile on your brother..everybody get together..try to love one another ....could go to this tourist attraction..you won't be disappointed..you were warned...hang out with the saints and not the sinners.

I have been multiple times. It is a nice explanation of events as they occurred on the Day Lincoln went to the theater in addition to the tour through the house across the street. I encourage everyone to visit at some point.

This place was really interesting and the tour we took was really great as well. Tickets are free if you show up or like 2 dollars or something to reserve online and pick up at the box office. (well worth it) There was a lot to see here and learn about the events surrounding and leading up to Lincoln's assassination. The theater has been remarkably preserved and it's wild to see how to period it still is. At the time of our visit the bottom floor museum was under renovations but it was still great. The ticket can also include a visit to the house across the street where Lincoln died which was underwhelming admittedly but still pretty interesting! This is an important part of American history and should definitely be on your list of places to see in DC!

This is a free museum to visit, it's very popular and get s very crowded. The staff does a wonderful job of handling huge number of visitors. The tour starts with going through the history, life and major events Abraham Lincoln, includes his days as Senator, the civil war and the day he was attacked. The tour's last event is an act in the theater itself, where a park ranger beautifully narrates all the events and timeline of April 15-16, the day Lincoln got shot and the day he passed away. We also got to hear how Booth was captured afterwards. After the theater visit, there's free entrance to the Petersen house, where Lincoln was taken after he was shot. He passed away in this house in the morning hours. This building includes many of the memorabilia, arts and other crafts dedicated to the life and work of Lincoln. Has a huge book tower that includes covers of thousands of books written about Lincoln. Overall this was the most impactful place I visited in DC. I felt huge respect for a man who did so much for our country. It was sad to learn how awfully he lost his life. Everyone visiting DC should stop by this place to pay a tribute to great man, Abraham Lincoln.

I have been to DC so many times, first time finding out the Ford's Theater!! Highly recommend to everyone. You go thru all the history about Lincoln, the rooms and the exhibition. Amazing. FYI: Same-Day Tickets: A limited number of free same-day tickets are available at the Ford's Theatre Box Office beginning at 8:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis (info from the website).

I enjoyed that the self guided tour I booked also included the Peterson House. I only wish that there was a docent in the theater that answered questions. The gift shops throughout had an excellent selection of items.

I was in DC with my kids, we saw a Christmas Carol, sat about 15 feet from where Lincoln was shot. They have a flag draped over the president's box, which is permanently closed to patrons. The show was awesome. Great museum downstairs. What's a crack up is, this is officially a national park and so you see the Smoky the Bear costume in that hat mingling near the entrance. Is it a park or theater? It's both!

This was a great visit for historical purposes. I went through the museum first, then into the theatre and then to the Peterson house. You have to read/select your ticket option carefully because not all include everything. To get to the museum you go down some steep steps The museum was packed with people, so I did a quick loop and then went up the 50+ steps to the balcony of the theatre. A ranger was answering questions so I sat up there for a few minutes then exited and walked across to the Peterson house to view the actual spot where he died. I did find it funny that the box in the theatre was decorated but had George Washington's photo hanging, not Lincoln's but didn't inquire as to why.

This has been on my list to do and see and coming to DC for the 3rd time was the charm! Actually it started yesterday with me coming and then me being told the theater was closed which really bummed me but it's not always guaranteed But they told me to come today in the morning and sure enough it was open!! The exhibit and museum areas are incredible and fascinating and to see the actual gun and pillow and to see the where he was tragically shot and also the bedroom/house he eventually died in was surreal and chillin to be there I definitely recommend going and seeing actual history

My wife and I love history and try to visit as many historical sites as we can when we travel. We were lucky to be able to visit Ford's Theatre this past May and it was extra special that we got to bring along several of her students as we were in town for a conference. We opted for the self-guided tour and we spent a while exploring the museum as it had excellent information on the Civil War and really helped you prepare for what happened inside the theater. We got to explore the theater as well and it's humbling to be inside a building that was so pivotal in American history. It's a must-see when you come to D.C. and it's a great way to spend an afternoon. Make sure you also go across the street and visit the Petersen House (where Lincoln died) as well.

How exciting to see a play in this historic theatre while visiting DC. Our balcony seats were good and we loved the play, Sister Act. Easy to get there by metro and absolutely loved our pre-show dinner at Zaytina. Wonderful evening!

$3.50 for a ticket to tour the theatre, get a walk thru of the night Lincoln was assassinated and see the former boarding house across the street. What a deal! Spend the $3.50! Huge line- but no worries you have already bought your ticket online, right? You pile in to the theatre. But before the line is moving a Ranger gives you a little information. (Beware no food or drinks allowed inside and strollers are welcome. Don't be like my in-laws who opted to spend money on food and drinks just minutes before entering this historic place. Their drinks met the garbage.) We got in and got great seats even though there were at least 100 people in front of us. Sit to the left or the center of the theatre for the best vantage point of the balcony box that they keep talking about. A young historian stood on stage for about 25 minutes and recanted the stories of that evening. He really did an amazing job! Vivid, clear and just the details I needed/wanted. I felt like I was a part of the story. I fully understand what happened that night at Ford's Theatre and the best part, my 11 year old was captivated. Worth It! Tip: If you have a young child don't let them open the door on the top floor of the boarding house of the replica log cabin where Booth was captured- let's say the gun shot literally scared the crap out of my 2 year old!

This is one of the coolest places in Washington. Note that you need to get your ticket ahead of time in order to see it - which is new since the last time we came. The line was pretty incredible. The theater is really special - I agree about the docent in the theater. We did have to pay to see a performance which frankly we skipped. We just wanted to wander in the theater and the museum. There are a lot of people in the area all at once, which I think they could have seperated a little but perhaps it is because we were there first thing in the morning. A+, must see.