Ford's Theatre, Washington DC: Hours, Address, Ford's Theatre Reviews: 4.5/5
Ford's Theatre
Ford's Theatre
4.5
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
The site of the April 14, 1865, assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Ford's Theatre is a working theatre, historical monument, world-class museum and learning center. The theatre produces musicals and plays reflecting the unique, diverse character of American life. With its inspiring theatrical productions, live historic interpretation, and rich collection of artifacts, Ford’s is the premier destination in the nation’s capital to explore and celebrate the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. A daytime visit can include the museum, theatre, Petersen House (the house where Lincoln died) and Aftermath Exhibits at the Center for Education and Leadership. Advance tickets are required (convenience fee). From September to May, Ford’s presents evening and matinee productions of renowned plays, vibrant musicals, and newly commissioned works that captivate and entertain while examining political and social issues related to Lincoln’s life and legacy.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown / Chinatown
How to get there
- Metro Center • 4 min walk
- Gallery Place • 5 min walk
Best nearby
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Attractions
585 within 10 kms

Petersen Boarding House
187
28 mSpeciality Museums

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6
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Popular mentions
4.5
4,313 reviews
Excellent
2,892
Very good
1,065
Average
264
Poor
67
Terrible
25
otcarla28
Crown Point, IN145 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Overall we enjoyed the theatre and home across the street, particularly the two man play you watch at the theatre which goes through events of the day Lincoln was shot as expiernced by people working in the theater. Before you enter the actual theater for the play there is a small museum area with artifacts - interesting but very crowded, difficult to get to see all of the items/areas.
Written 26 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tamara C
Hendersonville, NC78 contributions
Jun 2022
fantastic historical hidden gen/beautifully restored/run by the natural parks service/the young gentleman that was our tour guide was very knownledge about the everything there/ he was funny personable gentle and very kind/he went out of his way to accommodate our wheelchair and be sure he explained everything/the museum was really good as well/ highly recommend visiting this great historic treasure
Written 13 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lynn S
League City, TX563 contributions
Jun 2022
We were sort of disappointed. No tours of the theatre were available the week we were in DC. I am not sure if they are allowing theatre tours right now. But the house across the street where Lincoln died is available for tours ($3 each) and it includes a 3-story museum which has lots of info and is pretty well done. It is run by the National Parks Service. I didn't like the fact they required masks (the only place in DC that was required, no other museum or restaurant or even the U.S. Capitol required a mask). You walk through the house and there is some info about where Mary Lincoln waited and where Lincoln's secretary of state made decisions and where Lincoln died but I don't think any of the furnishings are authentic. I'm still glad we went. If we get a chance to visit again perhaps we will be able to tour the theatre. Thankfully it was just a short walk from our hotel.
Written 9 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
J R
Kansas City, KS9 contributions
May 2022 • Family
First, the theater seems most concerned about you wearing your mask as they still have a mask requirement and are constantly telling everyone to make sure they are properly wearing their mask. Secondly, didn't get to access the main theater floor or the Lincoln seating area as in the past. Lastly, many artifacts were not on display as they were years ago. It's a must see but disappointed compared to our first visit years ago.
Written 30 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Glenda C
Jones, OK129 contributions
May 2022
As one of my granddaughters stated, It does something to you to be able to stand right where history happened. The theatre and the Peterson house across the street are so full of history. We were there for quite awhile. I had been there before many years ago and in comparison, the museum before was better than now, but it still has a lot of wonderful archives and artifacts. The only real negative I would say is that the people at the beginning of the tour weren't as friendly and inviting as what we encountered at other places, but inside the theatre and across the street everyone was very nice and helpful.
Written 26 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bergmom
Duluth, Minnesota395 contributions
May 2022 • Family
We were not able to get tickets ahead of time (sold out) so we arrived when the box office opened (on a Saturday at 8:30am) and easily got two tickets- no fee, just a donation. Self guided tour started at 9am and I couldn’t believe how much had changed from when I was here 15 years ago! The museum under the theater was much improved, containing many artifacts, although some of the lighting was almost too dim to read the placards. A super knowledgeable ranger was on hand in the theater itself to answer questions as well. You can climb the stairs in which Lincoln walked up and was carried down that fateful night and you can even go in to Baptist alley where Wilkes Booth exited the back of the stage when he ran away. Be sure to check out the Peterson boarding house across the street too!
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Traci D
New Jersey141 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Nicely laid out and well done. Kept our interest, as well as our kids. This is a quick hit museum, really an hour is all you need and the price was reasonable. Clean facilities and friendly employees.
Written 3 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
bbbulldog58
18 contributions
Apr 2022
Perhaps surprisingly, this is one of the best "museums" in the area. Well run, amazing displays with a sense of its true history. It's kind of cool that they still use it as theater despite diminishing the historical authenticity a bit. Compact enough so you can see plenty in 2-3 hours. Don't forget the Peterson home across the way where Pres. Lincoln died.
Written 1 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
cannonater
Salt Lake City, UT1,278 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Immerse yourself in history for a few moments and feel a small bit of what happened feels like you were there. Very detailed tour guide and it moves quite quickly.
Written 1 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jo
Long Island, NY4 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Great historical attraction. Make sure to purchase timed entry tickets beforehand as they sell out quick each day. Museum exhibit is great before you enter the theatre. Well worth the trip to DC.
Written 19 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
How much time should we budget for our visit (September 2021)? We have a historic site ticket for both the museum and the theater walk through.
sloomis31
Bristol, WI906 contributions
It's a great place to visit, but I can't see spending 2 hours here. We saw about half of the museum, climbed to the theatre box, went to the gift shop and were out in under an hour.
Iliana M
18 contributions
Hola , hay que reservar para entrar? O voy en el momento a comprar el ticket ?
wefiveinelgr
4 contributions
For the show performances that start at 7:30pm (we're going to see guys and dolls), how long do they last? About 2 hours? Trying to figure out dinner plans...don't mind eating late, but will also consider earlier depending on our other activities schedule. Thanks.
GPTravel73
Kingswinford, UK227 contributions
I would have thought guys & dolls would play around 2.5hrs, there may be an intermission also, so possibly add another 15mins.
For dining before or afterwards I can recommend “Old Ebbitt Grill” simply superb, one of there specials are the Crab Cakes.
Enjoy & have a great time.
Robert B
Tucson, AZ1 contribution
Can I visit the Ford Theatre on my own?
Su Al
New York257 contributions
hi! As far as I know, you need to book your visit in advance, or take your chance at the box office. There is no tour guide, but you can rent the audio guide. You can't go in any time you want because the place is not big, and they have a max number of people every 30 minutes. So, you when you book, you choose the admission time and everyone who booked the same time will be admitted together.
MRJJ183
Belmont, NH85 contributions
If we have timed tickets to Ford's Theater for 3:30pm, would we have enough time to see the theater and Peterson house and make a dinner reservation at Carmine's for 5:30?
WishUWereHere24319
Akron, OH51 contributions
I had a similar thing had reservations 2 hours after our start time. I got so caught up in everything to see we did not come close to making it. It all depends how much you are into history and how "awed" you are by being in such a historical place.
MajaMHS
Minneapolis, MN1 contribution
I have tickets for the Ford's Theatre museum entrance and tour at 10:00am. May I visit the Peterson house first, say at 9:30am? I have tickets to enter the National Archives at 11:30am and want to make sure I have enough time at the Ford's Theatre.
BarbWMinneapolis
Minneapolis82 contributions
It depends on how many people are there and if you have to wait, I agree with the previous comments about needing at least 45 - 60 minutes to really see the Peterson house, but you can walk through faster if you like.
elisabeterod
Aveiro District, Portugal18 contributions
Hello! I will be visiting Ford's Theatre in the end of July. I plan on doing the museum, the ranger talk and Petersen House.
But I wonder if the aftermath exhibits are also worth visiting?
Thank you so much!
lscCanfield_Ohio
Canfield, Ohio116 contributions
Yes, the exhibits at Petersen House are very informative & interesting. WE learned a lot about Lincoln's killing& its aftermath. Definitely worth a visit.
Rassilon6
Maryville, TN16 contributions
Is there an entrance on 10th St NW? We’re planning to walk from the Mall, but my GPS says we should go down 9th, past it, around the block, and then down what might be an alley(?).
FordsTheatre
Washington DC, DC3 contributions
Yes, our main entrance is on 10th Street. We are located on 10th between E and F Street NW. We are easy to find - no need to go down an alley!
dstarr10
Arden, NC26 contributions
Is there parking near Fords theater?
FordsTheatre
Washington DC, DC3 contributions
For visitors driving, an independent parking garage is located directly next to the theatre and has an elevator that will take you to our lobby. Parking fees are not validated. Ford's Theatre is conveniently located near the Metro Center and Gallery Place/Chinatown metro stations.
cchamp7303
Somerset, KY30 contributions
Is there a children's audio guide?
Brenda Donselma... T
Elizabethtown, KY201 contributions
sorry, I dont know.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ford's Theatre
- Ford's Theatre is open:
- Wed - Sun 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Wed - Sun 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- We recommend booking Ford's Theatre tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 18 Ford's Theatre tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Ford's Theatre:
- Lincoln's Assassination: A Self-Guided Audio Tour (From HK$39.25)
- The Lincoln Assassination Walking Tour (From HK$431.75)
- 3-Hour Small Group Night-Time Tour Of The National Mall with 10 Top Attractions (From HK$628.00)
- Washington DC Sightseeing Trolley Tour with 1 Stop (From HK$384.65)
- Big Bus Washington DC Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (From HK$381.51)
- Hotels near Ford's Theatre:
- (0.16 km) Riggs Washington DC
- (0.30 km) Waldorf Astoria Washington DC
- (0.16 km) Hotel Harrington
- (0.33 km) Grand Hyatt Washington
- (0.30 km) Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC
- Restaurants near Ford's Theatre:
- (0.02 km) Lincoln's Waffle Shop
- (0.04 km) Hard Rock Cafe
- (0.04 km) GRK Fresh Greek
- (0.05 km) Abe's Cafe and Gfit
- (0.13 km) Pi Pizzeria
- Attractions near Ford's Theatre:
- (0.03 km) Petersen Boarding House
- (0.04 km) Washington Welcome Center
- (0.05 km) Old Town Trolley Tours Washington DC
- (0.06 km) Washington Welcome Centre
- (0.10 km) The Escape Game In Downtown DC