Fees & Passes

Timed reservations are required

Reserve tickets online (recommended) or get free, same-day tickets at the Ford's Theatre box office. You must have a ticket to enter the Ford's Theatre exhibits and museums.

While there is not a national park entrance fee, a reservation fee applies to advance reservations.

 

Key Information

1. Timed reservations required

   While there is no park entrance fee, timed reservations are required due to space limitations. Limit 6 tickets per customer. These reservations carry a small fee that benefits the Ford's Theatre Society, the official park partner. Visitors are advised to purchase advance tickets at least one day in advance. Free, same-day tickets may be available at the Ford's Theatre box office while supplies last.

   Reservations and timed entry

2. Get an entrance pass

   All visitors must have one of these entrance passes:

   Pass	Price
   America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes)	FREE–$80.00

   Help me choose an entrance pass

Reservations and Timed Entry

Ford's Theatre Museum Self-Guided Tour Reservation

Jan 1–Dec 31

Required to tour the museum and theatre

Cost

$3.50

Make your reservation on the Ford's Theatre Society website at the link below. The reservation includes a self-guided tour through the museum, Petersen House (the house where Lincoln died), and Aftermath exhibits. Because Ford's Theatre is an active theatre, some tours or tour elements may occasionally be unavailable. Free, same-day tickets may be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Ford's Theatre box office; supplies are limited.

Exceptions

Museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

More about this reservation

Show lessabout Ford's Theatre Museum Self-Guided Tour Reservation

Choosing an Entrance Pass

Do you have or qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass?

If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass.

America the Beautiful Pass

How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?

If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.

I'm visiting...	We recommend
More than one national park or federal recreation site	America the Beautiful Pass

Entrance Passes

• America the Beautiful Pass

Timed entry tickets are required to visit Ford's Theatre National Historic Site. Tickets can be acquired for free in person at the Ford's Theatre Box Office, though walk-up tickets can sell out. Tickets can also be reserved online in advance through the Ford's Theatre Society's website. Online tickets cost $3.50.

America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by

• National Park Service
• US Fish & Wildlife Service
• US Forest Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• US Army of Corps of Engineers

Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers
One private vehicle fee
or
Four per person fees

Type	Available to	Price
Annual Pass	Everyone	$80.00
Senior Annual Pass	US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old	$20.00
Senior Lifetime Pass	US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old	$80.00
Military Annual Pass	Current US military and dependents	Free
Military Lifetime Pass	Gold Star Family members and veterans	Free
Access Pass	US citizens and permanent residents with permanent disability	Free
4th Grade Pass	US 4th graders	Free
Volunteer Pass	Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours	Free

America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.

How to Get an America the Beautiful Pass

In Person (Recommended)

Passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites.

Purchase and pickup locations

Order Online, Receive by Mail

To receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead.

Close

2025 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

• Monday, January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Saturday, April 19 — First Day of National Park Week
• Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
• Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
• Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day

 

Group sales

Email [e-mail] for more information.

More information

Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, Ford's Theatre Museum, Petersen House (the House where Lincoln died), and the Aftermath Exhibits in the Ford's Theatre Society Center for Education and Leadership are all open daily, with entries every half hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Some parts of the site, especially the recreated interior of the theatre itself, may not be available on some days and times due to special theatre events, performances, or rehearsals. Visit to the site are self-guided through the museum, Petersen House, and Aftermath exhibits. When the recreated theatre itself is open, some entries may include a 15-20 minute ranger presentation while others will include a walkthrough self-guided expereince with staff available to provide a short orientation to the theatre and answer questions. An audioguide is also available for a small additional charge. The schedule varies considerably due to performances and preparations. Please check the reservations schedule on the Ford's Theatre Society site for specific details on availability.

Purchase advance tickets at least one day in advance. Some walk-up tickets may be available at the Ford's Theatre box office, but in limited quantities. Walk-up tickets may not be available for some days or entry times.

Ford’s Theatre is open year-round except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Theatre closures for rehearsals and performances

Ford's Theatre is a working professional theatre, and there will be occasions when visitors will not be able to enter the theatre itself due to rehearsals, set load-ins, and matinee performances. Additionally, there may be occasions when the theatre will need to close unexpectedly. In the event of an unscheduled closing, every effort will be made to exchange those tickets for a different time. Should no exchange be reasonably possible, a refund will be issued in the same method of your payment. Every effort will be made to announce the schedule adjustments on the website and at the venue as far in advance as possible.