Ford's Theatre

Visitors to Ford’s Theatre can see live performances, tour the theater interior, and head to the museum to step back in time and learn about the site’s history, including the assassination of President Lincoln. The museum covers the effect this moment had on American history and features artifacts such as the pistol used by assassin John Wilkes Booth.

The site also includes the Aftermath Exhibits, which highlight the events that took place after Lincoln’s death, and the Petersen House, a boarding house across the street from the theater where the former president was pronounced dead. Ford’s Theatre is a typical stop on many hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours and history tours of Washington DC.

• Ford’s Theatre is a must-visit site for American history buffs.

• Tickets to the Ford’s Historic Site include access to the museum, the theater interior, the Petersen House, and the Aftermath Exhibits.

• Most visitors spend about two hours exploring the site.

• Reserve Ford’s Theatre tickets in advance to secure entry; same-day tickets are limited.

• Ford’s Theatre is wheelchair accessible and offers audio-described and signed-interpreted performances.

Ford’s Theatre is located at 511 10th St. NW in Washington DC, just a few minutes’ walk from the Metro Center station on the red line.

The historic site is open from 9am to 4:30pm daily with varying schedules for different areas. Ford’s Theatre is busiest between March and July; it’s advised that visitors purchase tickets in advance during this time. Travelers should arrive 10 minutes before their scheduled entry time.

Just as the theater scene was thriving at Ford’s back in the 1800s, today the theater offers live performances for visitors looking to honor Lincoln’s love of the performing arts. Since reopening in 1968, Ford’s has hosted many dramas, classic plays, and musical productions including Into the Woods,A Christmas Carol, and The Guard.

Yes, you need a ticket for Ford’s Theatre. There are limited free tickets for same-day visits, available from the box office on a first come first served basis from 8:30am daily. Many people prefer prebooking tickets online—even though there’s a small charge—to guarantee access on their preferred day. Many Washington DC tours include theater entry.

Yes. As the site of US President Abraham Lincoln’s 1865 assassination, Ford’s Theatre is worth visiting. Most tickets include an auditorium visit and history talk, plus entry to the museum that exhibits Lincoln artifacts, an Aftermath Exhibits gallery, and the nearby Petersen House, where the wounded Lincoln died.

Factor in two hours or more if your ticket includes entry to all four attractions at Ford’s Theatre—that’s enough time for a theater visit, which includes a history talk, plus time at the museum, the Aftermath Exhibits, and the Petersen House across the street. History buffs might need nearer three hours.

Ford’s Theatre is where Abraham Lincoln, the US’ 16th president, was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865. It’s consequently a hugely important National Historic Site where you can see the box where Lincoln was shot, plus artifacts linked to the momentous event, including Booth’s gun and Lincoln’s bloodstained coat.

There’s no dress code for Ford’s Theatre. If you’re attending one of the theater’s plays or musicals, relaxed attire is the norm—though some people choose to dress up. If you’re there to see the theater, museums, and Petersen House then casual dress, including jeans, is fine.

No, Ford’s Theatre doesn’t have on-site parking. However, there are independent payable parking garages nearby. The closest is on Washington’s 950 F Street beside the theater—there’s an elevator directly to its lobby. Other garages and metered street parking are available, but the latter is time-limited and difficult to find.