Last updated: August 13, 2021
Thing to Do
Explore Ford's Theater
On the night of April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot in Ford's Theatre by John Wilkes Booth. He died in the early hours of April 15, in the small back bedroom of a boarding house across the street. Lincoln, who had struggled through the Civil War to preserve the union, lived long enough to see it maintained but not long enough to help in healing the wounds left by the war. The Theatre where Lincoln was shot and the house where he died, are preserved today.
Highlights of a historic site visit may include the Ford's Theatre Museum, with exhibits on the Lincoln presidency, the Civil War, and the assassination, the theatre itself with its interior recreating its appearance in April of 1865, the Petersen House, and the Aftermath exhibits explaining the hunt for the assassin, Lincoln's funeral, and Lincoln's legacy through the ages. Not all tickets visit all parts of the site, and availability may vary due to the theatre's production schedule. See our partner site at www.fords.org for more information on tickets and availability.
Highlights of a historic site visit may include the Ford's Theatre Museum, with exhibits on the Lincoln presidency, the Civil War, and the assassination, the theatre itself with its interior recreating its appearance in April of 1865, the Petersen House, and the Aftermath exhibits explaining the hunt for the assassin, Lincoln's funeral, and Lincoln's legacy through the ages. Not all tickets visit all parts of the site, and availability may vary due to the theatre's production schedule. See our partner site at www.fords.org for more information on tickets and availability.
Details
Duration
1-3 Hours
Activity
Theater
Join a Ranger Program. Park Rangers and Park Volunteers do a variety of programs, including Living History and Informal Interpretive programs. Or you can attend One Destiny (offered in the spring and early summer), featuring costumed actors who portray two historical figures present the night of the assassination.
Tour Ford's Theatre Museum, see rare artifacts such as the deringer used by John Wilkes Booth. 30-45 minutes. Rent an Acoustiguide an audio tour available in both youth and adult versions and featuring character voices, sound effects and historic photos related to the history of Ford's Theatre. Or take a walking tour of the neighborhood around Ford's Theatre with a historic figure from Civil War Washington.
For more information on tickets to tour the site or for upcoming performances and events please go to our partner's site.
Pets Allowed
No
Service animals are allowed in all NPS facilities and on all trails unless an area has been closed by the superintendent to protect park resources.
Activity Fee
Yes
Admission to Ford's Theatre is free.
For more information on tickets to tour the site or for prices of upcoming performances and events please go to our partner's site.
Location
Ford's Theatre
511 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Parking
Parking around Ford's Theatre is difficult at best. Be sure to read the signs for restrictions and time limits. There are Parking Garages within in walking distance.
Public Transportation
Public Transportation is the best option for reaching National Mall and Memorial Park sites easily and conveniently. There are many options to reach us via Washington, DC's Subway system known as Metro, or bicycle via Capital Bikeshare. The National Mall Circulator Loop bus will provide easy access around the National Mall and convenient connections to other Circulator buses for visits to uptown sites.
Metro
The closest Metro stop is Metro Center Station which is a 5-10 minute walk from Ford's Theatre. The Red, Orange, Silver and Blue lines all connect here. From Metro Center Station, head South on 11th St toward F ST N. Turn left onto F St NW. Turn right onto 10th St NW and the theatre will be on the left.
Reservations
No
Tickets
Admission to Ford's Theatre is free. Visitors 2 years of age and older wishing to tour the site must present a timed entry ticket. Same day tickets will be available at the Box Office beginning at 8:30 a.m. There is a limit of six tickets per person for the same day tickets.
Timed Entry Tour Tickets
Tickets for timed entry to visit Ford's Theatre may be reserved Online or by calling 1-888-616-0270. For information on timed entry tickets and the schedule of programming, click here
Timed Entry Tour Tickets for D.C.-Metro Area Schools
Schools in the D.C.-metro area that would like to schedule a visit should email education@fords.org or call (202) 638-2941 ext. 567.
Groups
For information on group reservations for performances or timed entry visits, please contact the Group Sales office by email at groups@fords.org or by phone at (202) 638-2367. The Group Sales office is open Monday - Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Season
Year Round
In general, Ford's Theatre National Historic Site is open every day except for Thanksgiving Day and December 25, however, Ford's Theatre is an active theatre, and there are times when the site is closed for matinees, rehearsals and special events. in most cases the Petersen House will remain open even if the theatre is closed.
Time of Day
Day, Night
Ford's Theatre
Ford's Theatre National Historic Site is open for tours from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Box Office is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. In the event of evening performances, the Box Office will remain open until 8 pm. In the event of an evening History on Foot walking tour, the Box Office will remain open until the tour begins.
The Petersen House
The Petersen House (House Where Lincoln Died) is open for tours from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm daily.
Admission to Ford's Theatre National Historic Site is free, though there is a small charge for advance online reservations (which are recommended). For more information on tickets to tour the site or for prices of upcoming performances and events please go to our partner's site.
Accessibility Information
Ford’s Theatre strives to make art and history accessible to people with disabilities by removing barriers and providing opportunities.
Ford’s Theatre offers an elevator from the lower-level museum to the lobby and balcony levels. The Center for Education and Leadership also has an elevator to exhibit levels and to the back porch of the Petersen House.
Accessible seating is offered in both the rear orchestra and the balcony sections of the theatre.
Ford's Theatre offers audio-described and captioned performances.
Ford’s Theatre also offers sign-language interpretation upon request for Ranger tours, walking tours, One Destiny and one-night only events. Requests for sign-language interpreters must be received at least two weeks prior to the event. For more information, please call our box office at 202-347-4833 or email
On the night of April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot in Ford's Theatre by John Wilkes Booth. He died in the early hours of April 15, in the small back bedroom of a boarding house across the street. Lincoln, who had struggled through the Civil War to preserve the union, lived long enough to see it maintained but not long enough to help in healing the wounds left by the war.
The Theatre where Lincoln was shot and the house where he died, are preserved today as Ford's Theatre National Historic Site. It tells us of these events, reminds us of the troubling times this nation passed through, and encourages us to perpetuate the aspirations, hopes, and ideals that Lincoln held for the United States.
The Theatre where Lincoln was shot and the house where he died, are preserved today as Ford's Theatre National Historic Site. It tells us of these events, reminds us of the troubling times this nation passed through, and encourages us to perpetuate the aspirations, hopes, and ideals that Lincoln held for the United States.
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Plan Your VisitExplore Ford's Theatre NHS, discover Abraham Lincoln's life in Washington, D.C., and the motivation behind Lincoln's assassination.
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PlacesIn 1862, Ford renovated the theatre and performances began, setting in motion events to follow that would shake America to its core.
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PeopleIn keeping with events celebrating the war's end, the Lincolns decided to attend a performance of Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre.