Ford's Theatre National Historic Site
Downtown / Penn Quarter—sample rating
Tim Brown, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Ford's Theatre National Historic Site
Ford's Theatre is the site where John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865. Jointly operated by Ford's Theatre Society and the National Park Service, the site includes the restored theatre, a museum on Lincoln's presidency and the assassination conspiracy, and the Petersen House across the street where Lincoln died. Visits are self-guided through the museum, theatre, and Petersen House, with timed entries roughly every half hour. Because Ford's remains an active, professional theatre, the historic auditorium is sometimes closed to visitors during rehearsals or performances, so ticket inclusions can vary by time slot. All visitors, regardless of age, need a ticket. Advance tickets carry a small reservation fee, while a limited number of free same-day tickets are available at the box office starting at 8:30 a.m., though these often run out quickly during peak tourist season.
Why visit
Step into one of the most significant sites in American history, where you can stand in the box where Lincoln was shot.
Best time to visit
Reserve tickets at least a day in advance, especially March-June when same-day tickets sell out quickly.
Recommended duration
Allow about 1.5 hours (90 minutes).
Opening hours
- Every day
- 09:00-16:30
Timed entries every half hour; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Theatre interior may be closed for rehearsals/performances.
Information may change — verify details before visiting.
Location
511 Tenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
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Nearby attractions
National Mall
A vast open-air national park stretching between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, lined with iconic monuments and Smithsonian museums.
Washington Monument
A 555-foot marble obelisk honoring George Washington, offering sweeping views of DC from its observation level.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
A domed neoclassical monument on the Tidal Basin honoring Thomas Jefferson, surrounded by famous cherry blossom trees.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
A granite memorial on the Tidal Basin featuring a colossal carved likeness of Dr. King emerging from a 'Stone of Hope.'
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
A sprawling outdoor memorial along the Tidal Basin divided into four outdoor 'rooms' representing FDR's four terms in office.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
A stark black granite wall inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 U.S. service members who died or went missing in the Vietnam War.
Nearby restaurants
Zaytinya
Mediterranean · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Ben's Chili Bowl
American / Comfort Food · $ · U Street
Mi Vida
Mexican · $$ · Navy Yard / Waterfront
Ambar Capitol Hill
Balkan · $$ · Capitol Hill
Centrolina
Italian · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Maketto
Cambodian / Taiwanese · $$ · Capitol Hill
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Stay near Downtown / Penn Quarter
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