Lincoln Assassination Tour: Ford's Theatre & Petersen House

The conspiracy, the escape, the deathbed: all on the streets where it happened

A 2-hour guided walking tour of Washington DC's Civil War sites centered on Lincoln's assassination, with entry to Ford's Theatre museum and the Petersen House where Lincoln died. Your guide traces John Wilkes Booth's movements from the Star Saloon through Baptist Alley, dismantles the myths, and walks you through the actual theater and the room where Lincoln took his last breath. Bottled water and a souvenir booklet with historical photos are included. Ford's Theatre is closed for repairs on select dates between May 28 and August 31, 2026.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. National Portrait Gallery20m · entry included
2. Ford's Theatre45m · entry included
3. Petersen House10m · entry included

Explore Lincoln Assassination sites

• Meet guide at welcome center
• See original newspapers on display
• Follow footsteps of conspirators and victims
• Explore Penn Quarter historic neighborhood
• Visit National Portrait Gallery exhibits
• Tour Museum and Ford's Theatre
• Visit Petersen House where Lincoln died

The experience

The tour starts at the National Intelligencer building, where original newspapers about the assassination are on display. From there you follow the actual route Booth took through Washington DC: past where he lived, where he bought his horse, and the homes of the other conspirators. Your guide lays out the raw facts of what happened on April 14, 1865, and the desperate hours that followed, walking you through the Penn Quarter neighborhood to see which Civil War-era buildings still stand and what has vanished.

You'll see an original portrait of Abraham Lincoln, his life and death masks, and the hallway where he held his inaugural ball inside what is now the National Portrait Gallery. Then comes the centerpiece: entry into Ford's Theatre itself, where you explore the museum with artifacts from the assassination and take a guided tour of the actual theater. The guide walks you through what happened in those minutes, standing in the space where it occurred.

The tour ends at the Petersen House, the boarding house across the street where Lincoln was carried after the shooting. You step inside to see the room where he died the following morning. It's the one stop on the tour where the guide steps back and lets the space speak for itself.

What’s included

• 2-hour guided walking tour with a live English-speaking guide.
• entry to Ford's Theatre museum and the theater itself.
• reserved entry to the Petersen House.
• bottled water.
• exclusive souvenir booklet with historical photos and biographies of the key figures.

Options for this experience

2 options

Petersen House, THEATRE CLOSEDGuide in English · Available from 26 Oct 2027Ford's Theatre is closed for maintenance, but the tour goes ahead. It covers Booth's escape route, Baptist Alley, and the exterior of Ford's. Petersen House is included: you can explore the Portrait Gallery, where Lincoln held his inaugural ball, and visit the room where Lincoln died.

Lincoln Tour with Ford's TheatreGuide in English · 10:00 and 14:00Ford's Theatre is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (under 13)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Unscripted Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to stand in the actual locations where the assassination unfolded rather than learn about it in a classroom or museum alone. The guide's job is to dismantle the myths and lay out the facts right where they happened (Ford's Theatre, the streets Booth walked, and the room where Lincoln died), which is what separates this from reading about it elsewhere.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly happens inside Ford's Theatre on this tour?

Ford's Theatre includes both a museum with rare artifacts related to the assassination and a guided walkthrough of the actual theater where Lincoln was shot. Your guide explains the events of April 14, 1865, while you stand in the space where they unfolded. Note: the theater is closed for repairs on select dates between May 28 and August 31, 2026. Your booking option will show whether entry is available on your chosen date.

Where does the tour start and how long does it take?

The tour meets at the welcome center at the historic National Intelligencer building and lasts 2 hours total, including all stops at Ford's Theatre and the Petersen House.

Can I get inside the Petersen House where Lincoln died?

Yes. The Petersen House is the final stop on the tour, and you have reserved entry to explore inside and see the room where Lincoln died the morning after the shooting.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes entry to Ford's Theatre museum and theater, reserved entry to the Petersen House, bottled water, and an exclusive souvenir booklet with historical photos and histories of the sites and key figures involved in the assassination.

Does the guide explain what happened to John Wilkes Booth after he fled?

Yes. The tour traces Booth's movements after the shooting, including the Star Saloon where he had his final drink and Baptist Alley, which was part of his escape route. Your guide walks you through the geography of his flight and what happened in the days that followed.