Lincoln Assassination Tour with Ford's Theatre & Petersen House

4.9 (557 reviews) 2 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

557 reviews

4.9

Historic Lincoln Museum — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Lincoln Assassination Tour with Ford's Theatre & Petersen House, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

Historical Tours Walking Tours Likely to Sell Out Crime Tours Excellent Quality Likely To Sell Out Best Conversion Top Product

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 15 people
People per booking: 1–12
Guide: English
Operated by: Unscripted Tours

Ages: Children (0–12 years) · Adults (13–110 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Bottled water
Included: Ford's Theatre Walkthrough Entry
Included: Exclusive souvenir booklet featuring historical photos and histories of the sites and key figures
Included: Reserved Entry into Petersen House, the house Lincoln was taken to after his fatal shot
Included: 2 Hour Guided Walking Lincoln Assassination Tour in Washington DC

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Ford's Theatre Closed for Entry Select Dates Between May 28-Aug 31 2026

Itinerary

Stop 1

10 min Admission included

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.
Stop 2

15 min

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.
Penn Quarter

Passing by

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.
National Portrait Gallery

20 min Admission included

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.
Ford's Theatre

45 min Admission included

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.
Petersen Boarding House

10 min Admission included

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.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet your guide inside the Unscripted Welcome Center at 400 7th Street NW. Look for our signs out front

End point

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

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.

Options

Petersen House THEATRE CLOSED

Theatre Closed: Ford's Theatre is closed for maintenance but the show goes on. Tour explores Booth's route, Baptist Alley, Ford's exterior.

Includes Petersen House: Explore the Portrait Gallery where Lincoln had his inaugural ball and visit the room where Lincoln died.
Lincoln Tour w/Ford's Theatre

Includes Ford's Theatre