Ford's Theatre
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We were walking back to our parking lot when we saw the Ford Theater sign. I'm not sure why, but I always thought the theater was farther way from the White House. The friendly staff directed us through the theater, and then to the museum across the street in the building where President Lincoln died. The theater was undergoing some construction and some areas were closed but they offered free admission to make up for it. Lots of interesting displays, including a multistory display of books about Lincoln. Really glad we stopped to check it out.
What a hidden gem! We didn't think much of this at all when we were walking by but then to our surprise the inside was huge! There's a few floors to the place and so much history to it. This is the room that Lincoln died in and you learn so much about him and his family. We were really impressed, we recommend stopping through
My friend and I were randomly walking around Washington, D.C. when we passed a sign that said "Abraham Lincoln died in this house" outside the Petersen House. You bet that the next day we showed up to see if we could tour it, and it was SUCH a blast. Ford's Theatre was incredible. I loved the exhibition, the walk down to the theater, and the narration in the corridor explaining what Lincoln and his assassin were each doing at the time. The park ranger talk was so fun to learn from. Getting to learn about history and actually be in the space always gives me goosebumps. Would 10/10 recommend.
Ford's Theater was cemented in American history when President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated there. Much of its historical character has been preserved and in fact they have a wonderful museum that is totally worth visiting on any trip to Washington DC. The theatre is actually owned by the National Park Service and is still a functioning theater to this day. So you can get tickets and watch a show there The museum is very interesting and has a lot of detailed information about the plot, execution, and aftermath of the assassination. They also have the actual gun that was used among other interesting artifacts. They also have a Junior Ranger badge so be sure to ask for it if you have kids! Overall five stars and a unique piece of American history.
I have to say, I was blown away by Ford Theatre....Now that the bad joke is out of the way I can get to the review. Our tour group is hitting all the sites in D.C. and so brought us here before our dinner at Hard Rock down the road. Historical for tragic reasons, seeing the site and the restored site next to it, its one of those few things that actually does hit you. A sitting president was shot here, and subsequently passed across the street. While not emotionally moving, you do feel the history.
Ford's Theatre is a unique DC experience as both a historical museum and high quality theatre. I recently visited to watch A Christmas Carol. The production was amazing, I mean really well done. The cast performance, the sound, lighting and stage setup was all topnotch. I would definitely attend again. The museum is also well thought out and the displays are very informative to the history of the theatre building and Lincoln's presidency. Museum admission is included with the purchase of tickets to a theatre production. The theatre also partners with local non-profits on ticket sales for certain productions, which is a great way to give back to the surrounding communities. I can't wait to go back. Thank you!
DC is wild because you can just take a free tour of the exact place where Abe Lincoln got his top picked back in 1865. The presidential suite where he was just enjoying a play sits there essentially untouched. You can't actually go in there, but you get a clear view of it from where the audience sat. There is a framed picture of George Washington in front of the suite, which I didn't really understand. I mean I'm a huge G-dub fan, but shouldn't they put a picture of Abe there? I'm sure there's a reason but come on... This doesn't really tie into this review at all, but there was an Abe Lincoln quote in the basement of Ford's Theatre that read "It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues." Damn. Ain't that the truth. I'd never heard that one before, but I feel it in my soul. From now on, when someone expresses concern that I pack too many Zyns, I'm going to hit em with "You never heard that Abe Lincoln quote...?" Shoutout to Honest Abe man. What a guy. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__
12/5/2025 - little snow. Great place. I wasn't on Yelp before but I am now. Very clean and organized inside. Down the street from the Hoover FBI building. Great history here! 5 stars.
I was en route to the Air and Space Museum when I came across Ford's Theater, the site of President Lincoln's assassination. Since I've always had a penchant for history, I stopped in to learn more. The museum summarized the battles and policies that characterized the Lincoln administration. It also provided an hour-by-hour breakdown of President Lincoln's last day, as well as the activities of the assassin, John Wilkes Booth, on the same day. The exhibit concluded with a view of the theater balcony where President Lincoln and the First Lady sat, and where the president was assassinated. A park ranger was available to answer questions and provide more context about this historic event.
My friend and I enjoyed an artsy-fartsy day last weekend. ('Sister Act' = AMAZING = 10/10) Ford's Theatre is alnice historical venue in the heart of Penn Quarter in downtown DC. Spacious, great acoustics/sound, organized, and clean. Minus 1 star for the unbearably uncomfortable seats. Major issue for shows/events lasting 2+ hours. __ I eat. @f.hux I thrift. @DCthriftish
This review leans more toward the historical tour and museum portion, though I do have a show there later this week (Mister Lincoln with Scott Bakula). First, historically: yes, this is "where" Lincoln was shot. Secondly, nothing is original about the building except the brick on the outside. Everything else is rebuilt/a reproduction. The museum has the basic history on Lincoln, the Civil War, his politics, his death. They do have some rare and interesting artifacts, including the derringer John Wilkes Booth used to assassinate Lincoln, as well as his boot, which was cut open by Dr. Samuel Mudd after he somehow broke his ankle. They also have one of the bloodied pillows that held Lincoln's head as he died. My main issue with the museum is how crowded it was. They herd everyone downstairs first, before the theater itself opens, and because you have to walk down stairs, there's a huge bottleneck. So many people are admitted at a time, it's just so congested and hard to enjoy. I didn't spend much time downstairs. The info they present is pretty good . . . but I just couldn't stand that many people in a tiny space. The ranger talk was great. Our ranger was a super Lincoln nerd (even named his cat Lincoln). He was funny, knowledgable, engaging, and gave a great overview of the assassination, what led up to it, and the aftermath. As far as the theater, I got to see the setup for the play I'm seeing later this week. The rows are wide, with a lot of leg room. The seats are wide and comfortable, more comfortable than any seats I've had on Broadway. Not a bad view in the house, even up in the balcony. Entry is 3.50, which is mainly a convenience fee, and the audio guide was five bucks. Many tours include entry into the Petersen House across the street, where Lincoln died. Make sure you buy ahead of time, these sell out.
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
4 years ago
Lots of interesting artifacts, you get to see the box that Lincoln was in when he was shot, but only from across the room. the actual gun that was used to kill Lincoln is located at this museum along with a pillow that he laid on when he was being treated. Then, you can go across to the Petersen house, the boarding house where Lincoln was taken to be treated after being shot. The bed he died in is there. Its probably not great for little kids, but my young adult kids loved it. Also, it's very inexpensive to get a ticket, but make sure you choose a time with all parts of the museum included. read more
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
8 years ago
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
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
15 years ago
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
17 years ago
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
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
5 years ago
10 years ago
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
12 years ago
(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
3 years ago
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7 years ago
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
11 years ago
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
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
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
11 years ago
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
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
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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Ford's T.
Hi Emily! Can you please email onstage@fords.org to share with us the…
9 years ago
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
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
More info about Ford's Theatre
511 10th St NW
Washington, DC 20004
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(202) 347-4833
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http://www.fords.org
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What type of concessions are sold in Fords Theater? Is it just candy?
Hi Zoe! Food and drink are not allowed in the theatre, but small concessions such as nuts and candy are available in our gift shop.
I'm a little confused. On the website it looks like you need to pay for tickets but many people in their reviews said it was free? Is it only free if you go in the same day first come first serve?how likely to get tickets that way?
Tickets through the Parks/Recraction.org are basically free, but require a "processing fee" of $3.00. The museums in DC are pretty much free, but are extremely busy. They are all timed entry, and require tickets. I was just there for 2 weeks, and…
Trying to decide how much money to spend on seating, are the balcony seats in the back ok?
While I only went for a tour, it honestly looked like any seat in the theatre would be a good seat. I sat in the balcony for part of the tour and on the main floor for the other part, it's a small theatre, you should be fine.
Is there a bar in the theatre?
If I recall correctly there really isn't any bar but they were selling concessions by the gift shop. Only bottled water is permitted in the theater itself.
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