The Ford's Theatre is where the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, lives on. Sadly it is also where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. It was here in the upper theatre box that John Wilkes Booth assassinated the late President on April 14th, 1865 during a performance of "Our American Cousin." This wouldn't be the only tragedy to take place here. On June 9, 1893 after the theatre was converted to an office building, the front half collapsed ending the lives of 22 clerks and harming an additional 68. As a result of all the tragedies that have taken place here, there is a spooky vibe to the theatre. Today the Ford's Theatre with the Petersen House across the street is a unit of the National Park Service called the Ford's Theatre site. It was in the Ford's Theatre where President Lincoln was assassinated then in the Petersen House where he passed away. Around 150 years after Abraham Lincoln's passing, the Ford's Theatre is a working professional theatre, historic site, and museum. The current seating capacity is 665 where when President Lincoln saw "Our American Cousin" in 1865 it was approximately 2,400 seats. The seats are not the original. They are designed to resemble the original. It is important to state that the majority of the theatre is designed to look as it did in 1865. It is my understanding that the exception is the upper theatre box where President Lincoln was murdered. Following the assasination John T. Ford was forced to sell the theatre to the Federal Government which converted it into a government building. Years later in 1968, the Ford's Theatre was reopened as a theatre. Several years later, it was refurbished on February 11, 2009 which commemorated President Lincoln's 200th Birthday. It was a refurbished Ford's Theatre that we toured in late July 2015. Several years back in 1984, I toured Ford's Theatre on a 6th grade field trip. The fact that it was on the field trip itinerary is testimony that Ford's Theatre is a must visit site. Back in 1984, I felt like I could get shot walking in the immediate neighborhood. From the bus 10th Street appeared desolate and dangerous. This added to a creepy vibe. In 2015, I was impressed with the major improvements to the immediate area outside the theatre. In 1984, I would of passed over walking here. The cost to enter Ford's Theatre to see the museum and theatre is zilch. After waiting on a line outside, the friendly woman at the counter gave us our tickets. The tickets worked as a crowd control tool. A few minutes later we were downstairs in the museum. This is an interesting museum that tells the story of Abraham Lincoln from his arrival in Washington D.C. to his assasination. The artifects include the Derringer that John Wilkes Booth used to shoot Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth's diary, and the original door to Lincoln's theatre box. After a walk up a set of uncomfortable steps, we were in the theatre. The National Park Service and Ford's Theatre Society did a commendable job restoring the theatre. If I never listened to the National Park Ranger or read up on it, I would misrake the interior as the original. From this point foward my eyes, and it seemed everybody's eyes were focused on the upper theatre box where President Lincoln was assassinated. One more time I'll write that it is a creepy feeling sitting across from the theatre box where the President was assasinated. When we looked at the theatre box, my dad and I mentioned that the President was very vulnerable to an attack. I'd later learn that Secret Service was nonexistent until 1901. We'd view the theatre box from the chairs and floor of the first and second floor. The upper floor is the more advantageous viewing spot. After leaving the Ford's Theatre, the experience was only half over. We'd cross 10th Street to visit the Petersen House where President Lincoln physically died. Ford's Theatre is a must visit when touring Washington DC. Abraham Lincoln has physically passed away, but the 16th United States President's legacy lives on in Ford's Theatre. read more

The Ford's Theatre is very intriguing. It offers you first insight on what it was like the night that President Lincoln was shot and the events that occurred before and thereafter. The gun that was used to assasisnate Lincoln can be seen here. It provides the history of each individual that conspired leading up to his death with great detail of what they planned to do, how things unraveled, how they had to create a new plan, who was in the position to do what to who, and finally the actual enacting of everything. Other bonuses include the details of Lincoln's family members, the events occuring during the Civil War, and so much else. Quite informative -- what an added bonus that it is free! During the off season Ford's Theatre is still an acting theatre where productions take place. read more

Ford's Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Check out the theater and listen to what happened when President Lincoln was assassinated. The line can take awhile, but it moves fast. Make sure to not bring any food or drinks. The ranger will come out and speak about President Lincoln for about 30 minutes, then head across the street to Peterson House! read more

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I recently saw Ragtime at the historical Ford's Theatre and had an amazing time! This was my first performance at Ford's, and I was really impressed with the venue and cast. The music, sound, and set were all great. The twist at the end was interesting, but I won't spoil it for you! The theater is very intimate, so there really isn't a bad seat in the house. They even offer discounted pricing for people under 35, which is awesome for younger folks like me who want to support the local arts and culture scene. I will definitely be back for another show in the near future! read more

Ford's Theatre - Beautiful venue! - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Oh I'm still a fan of Ford's Theater. And I realize "Parade" and the other plays in this series are meant to turn a critical lens on tensions of our country's past. However, if I never see another confederate flag again, it will be too soon. This play made the hairs at the back of my neck stand on end more than "Liberty Smith" did. One good thing about this play: it actually had some black people in starring roles. And... the musical numbers performed by the non-white cast were, in my humble opinion, the best! Oh, I still love Ford's Theater with its renewed architecture, reasonably comfy seats, and pre-ordering of concessions. I just need to brace myself before I attend another "examining-the-racial-tensions-of-the-past" play. read more

Ford's Theatre - My Yelp Elite ticket! - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Loved coming to Ford's Theater back in the day, but the renovations of a few years ago has made it even better. The theater remains as it was, but now there's an entire museum underneath it. Don't forget to get your ticket for the house across the street where president Lincoln died. It also has a museum in it now. read more

I came to see this production of 1776 courtesy of Yelp DC. This was also my very first visit to Ford's Theatre. What a beautiful space! I came into this show not knowing what to expect other than the show would be a musical about the events surrounding the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We had a great seats in the Left Orchestra section with a very clear and up close view of the stage and the band. When I opened up the program and saw that the show would be a two acts: First act would be one hour and 10 minutes with a 15 minute intermission and Second act would be one hour and 40 minutes. GEEZ! Okay..this is going to be a marathon of a show. Luckily, the acting and singing was top notch. Otherwise, I don't think I would have made it through the duration of the performance. I wasn't a huge fan of all the musical numbers, but the stand out performance of the night by leaps and bounds was the song about Northern hypocrisy about slavery, "Molasses to Rum," delivered by Gregory Maheu as Edward Rutledge, the delegate from South Carolina. It was beyond riveting and in the second act. I have to say, even though this was a long production, I quite enjoyed it. It was a wonderful and realistic way to portray the story of how the Second Continental Congress operated and came about drafting the Declaration of Independence. It was patriotic without being sappy and making people like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin seem like Gods. After awhile, you kind of feel like you are right there in the room with them as they debate and contemplate coming together to become an independent country. Great show for families, but not small children as they may get antsy because of the length of the show. Highly recommended! read more

Ford's Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I just saw a play (Violet) at Ford's Theatre and was really blown away. First of all, the playhouse is beautiful. For a play, the concessions are fairly limited but so is the theater size, so it works out great. You cannot bring food or drink into the theater, but that's pretty standard for nice theaters. Did I mention that the concessions are totally reasonably priced? $6 beer and $7 wine in DC is not bad at all. Inside the theater itself, the sight lines are all amazing! Like, really amazing! The seats are really comfortable. The ushers and employees of the theater are extremely nice. The lighting is spectacular. I loved every aspect of the experience. The sound was phenomenal. I've been to lots of fancy playhouses around the country and I would go to ANY event Ford's Theater puts on because the experience is so intimate and exciting. If you are even considering viewing a performance here, you MUST do it! Get a ticket and don't look back! Regarding Violet, the acting and directing and music were all astonishingly good. The story was touching, the acting was ernest, the characters were well developed, the set was perfect, the music was exciting, and the singing was superb! I wish every play were this well done. If any actors or Ford Theater personnel are reading this, THANK YOU. It was amazing!!!! read more

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Preservation at it's very best, the strikingly renovated Ford's Theater mixes the historic beauty of the theater with a modern and bright lobby. I recently saw an amazing play "Necessary Sacrifices" (Thanks to Yelp) and was taken aback not only by the fact that I was in THE Ford's theater where President Lincoln was assassinated (I'd learned about those events so many times over my K-12 education, it was very moving to actually be there) but to have viewed such a high caliber play in a venue I assumed was a tourist trap, was the icing on the cake! It is truely a national treasure in our back-yard....oh and yep, the snack bar sells booooozzeeee!!! read more

Between shows, the Ford theatre is a free museum. Tickets are free if you get them in person the day of. Your ticket will be good for a certain entry time, but there's no guided your. You can view the museum at your leisure. There is a lot of interesting reading and history. At the end there is an hour by hour recount of what happened the day Lincoln was shot. Note: I was a bit disappointed to learn that this building collapsed and was restored in 1968 so actually nothing inside is original! (Except for the brick structure!) read more

My daughter & I just went to see Into the Woods. What a great performance! We were in the third row & could see everything on stage so well. (Although, because it is a small, intimate theater--I don't think there is a bad seat in the house!) They had a great array of concessions, and you can tour the Museum for free when seeing a performance. I was so happy to see that the theater has preserved its historical atmosphere. It was fun to see a big group of DC trip middle schoolers enjoying the performance, & it reminded me of when I visited the theater in 5th grade. Ford's Theatre is definitely a must-see for tourists and locals alike! read more

This is for the Lincoln tour: Get a tour ticket and arrive early, even in November when I visited two days ago. I visited the theater when there were two school groups. When you first get your ticket ripped, you'll head down to the museum that explains more about Lincoln and his tenure as a president. There are also exhibits explaining who pulled the trigger. Look for the gun that was used that fateful night. The museum also includes a gift shop. The museum is rather dark and at time difficult to see what are in the glass cases, but there is still plenty to familiarize yourself with while you are waiting to head into the theater. The theater itself ropes off the balcony Lincoln sat at thus there is no way your could miss it. It was well lit and the seats are small. You could if you want to, sit in one of the theater chairs for a bit. read more

Ford's Theatre - The balcony President Lincoln was shot. - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Gosh I wish I loved this place. It is free to get in you just need to go to the box office and ask for a ticket. The last show I believe is 3:00 or so and the show is mostly about one guy sitting up on the theatre talking to you. It gets really boring since it is so monotone. Talks about what really happened at the Ford's Theatre. Lincoln...got shot there but if you don't remember this person will tell you everything. What was quite funny is that you have to wait in this line before you can get into the theatre but still people are falling asleep when they get in. Probably because of the air conditioning. After you finish with Ford's theatre you can go outside and walk across the street and see where Lincoln died at on his bed..Which is pretty cool! All this place needs is better speakers really !! Then more people would probably be excited and actually not fall asleep. read more

Ford's Theater perfectly blends historic preservation and education with an active arts space. Whether you want to visit the museum and learn about the theater's history or you want to see a show, Ford's Theater is a must see for tourists and locals alike. I think the museum and visitor's space is very well done and provides an educational experience that is perfect for adults and children. The theater is a must visit! Every holiday season they put on a production of The Christmas Carol, but don't stop just at the holiday season. There are great, professional shows all year long. The space is a lot smaller than you would expect. There is really no bad seat in the house and the acoustics and stage set up works for every different kind of show. The box where President Lincoln was shot is draped with flags to mark the historic moment that occurred there. Tickets are reasonable priced and the theater is within walking distance of the metro and downtown restaurants. Enjoy dinner and a show with Ford's Theater! read more

Visited DC many times but never got a chance to visit here until the other day. I'm a national parks freak, so went mainly to get another stamp in the passport book. Timed tickets are required, and the availability changes when there's a show in town - you can get tickets in advance (which we did). We went in the off-season though, so tickets weren't difficult to get. Your tour starts by descending down below the theater, into a neat little self-guided museum that has exhibits on Lincoln, the history of the theater, the civil war, as well as the infamous events that occurred there and their aftermath. There is also a small gift shop and restrooms in this area. My only complaint is about this part of the tour - we were sent down into the museum, but our presentation in the theater didn't begin until about 45 minutes after we arrived. We later found out that we could walk up the stairs and walk around the inside of the theater, but by that time it was time for our audio presentation to begin. As at any NPS site, the rangers make the visit. Our rangers audio presentation about the theater, which included the history of the theater, the night of Lincoln's assassination, and its aftermath after the assassination was informative, funny, and entertaining! The presentation included a brief intermission, and lasted about 20 minutes. After the tour, you are released out the back doors of the theater and can cross the street to visit the Petersen House (if it's open) which contains the rooms Lincoln died in, as well as a 3 story interactive museum with exhibits about Lincoln and his present day impact. All in all, a must see NHS. Would love to come back here sometime and see a play! read more

Definitely a must-see attraction if you're in Washington, D.C. However, do be aware of the huge crowds that come practically anytime of year, but especially during Spring and Summer. I got here about an hour before opening and the first self-guided tour/presentation of the day and there were a few people already waiting to get free tickets to check out the museum and theater. The museum part does a great job of providing information on the events leading up to President Abraham Lincoln's assassination by John Wilkes Booth. Then about 30 minutes after we were let into the museum, we were then allowed into the theater which I don't think I'd ever seen before. The top-right part of the theater (if you're seated facing the front) is where Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Pretty cool to see that exact site for the first time ever! We were all allowed to take photos of the theater until the presentation by one of the park rangers on the history behind Ford's Theater was given (about a good 10 minutes or so). Then the ranger presented lots of good information in front of us and it was very useful and helpful. The Petersen House right across 10th Street is also interesting but I didn't have time to check it out and even in the early part of the day it was extremely crowded with school groups and large parties. read more

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Abraham Lincoln's final painless moments were spent here before being being murdered by Booth. This museum is amazing and enriches you with priceless information and artifacts. Booth was a very popular actor that Lincoln had frequently seen at Ford's Theatre. The location of his assassination is being preserved and is completely off limits. The museum has some un believable artifacts including wanted posters, Lincoln's suite, pillow he passed away on with his blood on it and the gun that killed him. The museum touches on his entire political career and his policy. It only costs a few dollars to book your reservation through Ticketmaster. Well worth the stop! read more

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(for the museum, Petersen house & ranger talk) As usual, the ranger talk was worth it's weight in gold. These people know their stuff. We started with about 20 minutes in the museum, then up to the theater, then over to the Petersen house. Tip: Try to get a seat in the balcony as far to the left and front as possible. The one thing I wasn't happy about was the lack of re-entry to the museum. I'm not sure if it was because we were there at the end of the day and they were closing or if that is policy. The 20 minutes was nowhere near long enough to see everything. Their site is tricky to navigate when trying to find schedules. I've been on it multiple times and always have to go through 3 or 4 ways to figure out how to find the schedules without having to buy tickets. If it were the height of tourist season, I probably would've broken down and spent the money to make sure we'd get in, but it isn't, so I didn't want to spend the money when tickets are free. They have options for self guided, audio ($5 rental for the device), museum/theater/Petersen/center, others for just museum, others for no museum. I wanted one that included the 4 main ones, so I picked through to find the times I wanted. If you don't buy tickets online, they are first come, first serve each day. We lucked out and got there a few minutes before 3:00 and were able to get tickets to get right in. If you're into history, this is the place to go. Make sure you check out the tower of "books" they have. No matter how hard I tried (including lying flat on my back on the floor), I couldn't capture the entire pile. read more

Ford's Theatre - Tower of books about Lincoln. No repeats and does NOT include every book ever written about him. - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Well, I knew it was a museum and a historic site, but until recently I didn't know that it was still a functioning theater! So, I checked the upcoming dates I'd be in DC and found that they were producing Our Town! This is a play I've wanted to see for years, so I was really excited to have the opportunity. I sprung for a 2nd row seat (about $70) and showed up to the theater about 10 minutes before curtain. Everyone working in the place was friendly and helpful... my ticket was ready at will call, and I was quickly shown to my seat. The show began, and I was drawn in... there wasn't a moment in any of the three acts in which I found myself bored. And they really ramped up the WOW factor in the third act - stunning. I still plan to get back to Ford's to tour the actual museum, but that's a little tougher for me since I'm usually working during the museum hours. I will definitely be back for another show, soon - next time, I think I'll go for a front row balcony seat. Either way, I expect that I'm in for another great show! read more

Went to see a Christmas Carol. Once again a delightful evening in this truly unique tribute to DC history. The production was unsurpassed. It always puts me in the Christmas Spirt. You get an opportunity to donate to Marthas Table which is a local food charity for the homeless after the presentation. read more

Tucked away from the corner of the Hard Rock Cafe and the FBI building, you'll find this little theatre that's famous in a big way. Glitz and glamour? Not here. What I found in Ford's theatre is that aside from being the famous landmark where our 16th president was assasinated, it's just a good honest down home theatre. There's a museum and a gift shop in the lobby. The museum of course is all about President Lincoln and the signs of his times. Parking isn't a problem because the entrance is right next to the outside of the theatre. Then there's an elevator that goes straight to the lobby. The auditorium itself is really quite small, so weather you're sitting up in the balcony or on the ground floor, you pretty much have the same view as everyone else. There isn't a lot of leg room but I still felt quite comfortable. The ushers seem pretty down to earth and eager to help you. We came here to see "A Christmas Carol", the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge being visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. The sound and acoustics were good. The lighting and production were fantastic and I liked how they made it more into a musical with many well known and classic Christmas songs being sung like a choir by the cast. The other great thing, is that the Presidentila booth where Lincoln was assasinated looms right overhead. Not great that he was assisanated, but great that you are right there in the presence of one the most historical events in our nation's history and you're catching a great theatrical production. I especially like that when it's time to go. It only takes a couple of minutes to make your exit. Unlike when you're at the big theatres, where it takes a long while, you have to deal with pedestrian and auto-traffic. So on that scale, it's easy to get in and easy to get out. read more

For some reason, I thought the theater would be a lot bigger! Kind of weird and surreal that Lincoln was assassinated here 150+ years ago. To be honest, we were not planning to go to this museum. We happened to be shopping in the area, and there was no line. The museum was tiny, only took us less than 30 mins or so, and we are glad did it.. you can get tix online during the busy season. read more

First time at Ford's (has been on my list forever) to see Little Shop of Horrors Monday night. I was not surprised to see how intimate the venue was considering the age of the theater. It gave me goosebumps to see Lincoln's box overlooking the stage and thinking of the loss our country suffered when he was assassinated. Thanks to Yelp for providing tickets for me and my Plus 1 for the evening. The show was campy and funny and the actors really played to the audience throughout the show. We both enjoyed the event very much and although I've checked visiting this theater I think I'll just make it a half a check so I can complete it when I see A Christmas Carol this coming holiday season! read more

Ford's Theatre - Little Shop of Horrors Stage 4/15/10 - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here to see the Wiz. Loved the interior space, but the seats were a bit uncomfortable and the box office gave me the incorrect ticket, which is why I'm docking a star. read more

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My husband and I visited Ford's Theatre on Monday, 5/25/15. We got our tickets online through Ticketmaster, and chose the 10 AM slot. Our tour included the museum, a ranger talk in theatre, the Petersen House and the Center for Education and Leadership. Our tickets were $0.00/"free", but we ended up paying $3.75 per ticket in Ticketmaster fees, plus a Ticketmaster order processing fee of $2.50. So, our 2 tickets came out to $10.00 total. We weren't really sure how early to get there, but we happened to be in the area a bit after 9 AM and saw that the line was already down the block. We got in line a bit before 9:30 AM - everyone in the (long) line already had a timed ticket. So if you arrive without a ticket, make sure to go right inside to the box office. We ended up being the 5th and 6th people in line for our 10 AM slot. If you bought a ticket with the Acoustiguide, they'll allow one person from your party to go inside and pick up the devices a few minutes before the start of your tour. We were allowed inside the building exactly at 10 AM. After entering the building, we walked downstairs into the museum - this part was self-guided. Try to read quickly and move along, as there are a LOT of people trying to get in! There are bathrooms as soon as you walk into the museum, and there were bathrooms on almost every single floor of the Center for Education and Leadership across the street (final stop of the tour). The doors to the theatre opened around 10:25 AM, I believe. You'll walk up a few steps to go into the theater itself, and I would really recommend going up the staircase into the balcony, as you'll get a much better look at the presidential box. We sat all the way to the left side of the theatre, front row, so we were looking directly into the box the entire time! The ranger talk was great, our ranger led us through the day/night Lincoln was assassinated, and we learned a lot about John Wilkes Booth as well. After the talk, we went across the street to the Petersen House (be prepared to wait in a looong line...my husband waited while I went into the Washington Welcome Center gift shop to shop), and then the Center for Education and Leadership, which has several floors of exhibits and a great little gift shop on the ground floor. If you order your tickets through Ticketmaster, be sure to check the timed entry schedule on Ford Theatre's website (under Plan Your Visit / Daytime Visits and Hours of Operation. Some tours only include the Petersen House and Center, or the Museum, Theatre Walk-Through (meaning, no in-theatre ranger talk), Petersen House and Center. Highly recommended! read more

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An absolute MUST-SEE if you are a fan of Lincoln! Also, if you are a geocacher, there is a great virtual cache here to get, so be sure to check it out! We were very lucky to go in and find out that there were 3 tickets left for the 10AM tour. Tickets are free, they just ask for a donation to the theater. You hold onto your ticket and it can be used to go across the street to tour the Boarding House where Lincoln died. You start the tour in the museum, which is a MUST. Do not just do the Ranger Program! The museum has all of the original Lincoln and Booth artifacts that you want to see, so be sure to opt for that part of the tour! After that, you are taking into the actual theater, where a Park Ranger explains the events of the day in April that changed our country forever. Pictures are allowed! We had a blast here and it was incredibly informative! read more

Ford's Theatre - Presidential Box - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Must visit when you are in the District. I've been fascinated by Abraham Lincoln ever since I was 10 years old, so coming here was very surreal. Coming here was a mix of fascination and sadness because of its history, but of course that is the attraction of it. The theater still operates, and I would love to come back one day to attend a performance. It's a little smaller than I imagined, but obviously because it's an old theater. There's a little museum that is downstairs that chronicles the presidency of Abraham LIncoln. It is not a big room, so it is easy to stop at every keepsake/station and take in all the history. Our visit was about a half hour, we didn't rush ourselves. Tickets are free inside and I believe it runs every 30-45 minutes or so. read more

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Wow, what a gem and a definite must visit, while in DC. If you love American history as much as I do, then you will absolutely appreciate this place. Of all the times that I have visited Washington DC, I had no idea about this place, then after reading the reviews during my last visit, I thought to myself, how come I have never been here? Get tickets to tour the theatre, the Lincoln museum below and across the street (at the home Abraham Lincoln died in). So, aside from this being the site of where Lincoln was shot, this is still a full-functioning theatre. I would have loved to see "A Christmas Carol", during this past visit, but we were short on time. My family and I came to do the tour and learn the history about this place, which was all very interesting. We learned so much and I was so glad that we did not miss it this time. It's walking distance from the Federal Triangle attractions and also by a bunch of shops and eateries. Of course with many things in Washington DC, I wished I had more time here! Learned a ton about our the life and death of our 16th President. Visit the website to buy tickets (only $3 for tour & museum access). Bring the whole family! read more

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It's a rather small theatre but the space somehow invites you in no matter where you are seated so that it feels as if you are in the front row. I came to watch Violet, and it was wonderful. I was so absorbed in the production that I honestly felt as if I was watching from my cozy living room. The seats provided plenty of legroom and were quite comfortable. Also, when you walk from the metro, there are helpful signs on every block that points you to the theater. For once, I didn't need my smartphone to find my way! read more

I had been there several times as a child but coming back to visit as an adult gave me a better appreciation for this museum AND it's totally interactive now. Lot's of videos and interactive learning to make even the most ADD child (or adult) take notice. I was lucky that when I visited I did not have to fight through one of the many school groups that visits on a daily basis, so I suggest getting there right when it opens if you want to avoid this. In addition, your admission to Ford' Theatre allows you access to the Petersen House, where Lincoln was taken after he was shot. It's here that you can read about what happened afterwards and the man hunt for those responsible for the plot to kill the president. I was lucky that this year is actually the 150th Anniversary of the assassination and there are a couple of special exhibits on display for patrons. Both locations are very well curated and provide visitors with a wealth of knowledge of not only Lincoln's life but his untimely death. It's a must stop while in DC! read more

A part of American history. Well-presented information and artifacts related to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, which took place here. Whether you are interested in history, this is a place that all Americans visiting DC ought to take the time to visit. You might even learn something. read more

Ford's Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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If you have the opportunity to visit Ford's theater, do so. You need tickets but this is only to keep the numbers of visitors at a manageable level. Tickets are time stamped and free to the public. Once inside the theater, you can sit and take in the features of the building before a park ranger in 19th century military costume gives a riveting account of what transpired leading up to the assassination of Lincoln.That takes about twenty minutes, but is time well spent. Afterwards, your ticket will get you into the Peterson House where the mortally wounded president was taken and you can see the room where he died. The first time I ever went to the Peterson House, the bloodstained pillow where Lincoln lay his head was on display, but this is not the case today; it may be in the museum. Also, there are four floors in the building next door which is connected by a walkway, that have a graphic history of the time period including a giant photograph of the hanging of the conspirators. read more

Ford's Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Very interesting experience the national park employees were very informative. I would recommend this place. read more

Ford's Theatre - Me in front of the location where Lincoln was shot. - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Hah I like this $15 ticket deal for people under 35! Ford's Theater, are you agist? Or are you trying to promote plays to an uncultured generation? Anyways, came here to see A Christmas Carol, hands down Dicken's greatest work, and truly enjoyed myself. The seating on the balcony is a little undesirable, so try to sit on the lower area. For visitors of our nation's capitol, the museum here is great for kiddies. It's basically all things Abe Lincoln, but I really like the set up. Worth a visit if you have time! read more

Loved the experience ! We sat upstairs and watched the ranger talk . We sat directly across from the booth that Lincoln was shot in . Even though it's been restored , you can imagine what it was like back then . Buy your timed tickets online to avoid the hassle later . Get in line early . read more

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Nothing quite like being here. I must say, it is so surreal. Fascination and administration of the late President Abraham Lincoln runs deep. Only fitting to come and see this very historic site, Ford's Theater were the President was assasinated on April 14, 1865. The attack was part of a larger unsuccessful plan to kill leading members of the government in hopes that the resulting chaos would bring a negotiated peace with the Confederacy. Museum is nice and clean and runs in partnership with the National Park Service and the Ford's Theater. A lovely place for all ages when visiting the District. Across the street is the Peterson House where the President was taken after he was shot and passed the following morning on the 15th of April, 1865. The manner in which America mourned President Lincoln evolved into rituals that shaped the way the country reacted to future tragedies, including John F. Kennedy's assassination one hundred years later. The museum includes an extensive collection of books written about him, a few of Lincoln's personal belongings (such as the coat he wore and the bed he later died on), archive media coverage of the tragedy, and John Wiles Booth's gun used to kill the President...just to name a few. Also there is a section dedicated to Booth...outlining his background, the escape route he took, and his whereabouts days after the shooting. The theater today is still used as an active. "All the world's a stage" - William Shakespeare read more

Ford's Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Came here for Hello, Dolly! earlier this week. Show itself was pretty good. We had center seats, about midway on orchestra level, so the view was great. The seats were comfortable, and you can bring in bottled water (other food and drink prohibited). read more

This was one of my favorite tours in DC. Be sure to do the house across the street afterwards. It connects to another free museum. The museum at Ford's is mostly about Lincoln's life - whereas the one across the street is more about the aftermath and manhunt. It is informative and interactive. Tickets are free, but if you need to work this into other events, be sure and get your tickets online. Otherwise, you might have a wait. The rangers outside the theatre are not very personable, but the one who gave our information session was Outstanding. So, have no fear. The talk is not boring... it was excellent. If you sit upstairs, far left... you will be able to view the presidential box well too. DO THIS IN DC... you won't regret it! read more

Good place to watch Broadway musicals. Very cool that it's a historic site due to the events of Abraham Lincoln.... I still imagine where he sat and the whole place has a very rustic, old-time feel to it. There are some seats that are situated poorly (like behind giant columns and stuff), but in general, the seating is very good. The acoustics are fine and it's not too loud, not too soft. If you sit a little closer you can see the orchestra, too. My biggest complaint is the lobby / concession / intermission choices... the gift shop is overpriced (of course), but there isn't anything fresh. Everything comes in a package or bottle, and there isn't even fresh coffee... and you cannot bring anything into the theater of course, so you have to finish everything standing there on the hard floor. The staff is pretty strict about no photography, so don't even try to take a picture or video...... they are friendly and guide you to your seat. It's not a large theater though, so it's not that hard to find yourself. read more

Such an amazing and important piece of preserved history that has been made accessible to the public. The basement museum has informative and interesting information about this time in our country's history, and of course about Abe Lincoln! The theatre itself is well maintained, and the way they memorialized Lincoln's last moment is beautiful - draped with American flags and velvet seats. Highly recommend while you're in DC! read more