Lincoln Assassination Tour inside Ford's Theatre
On 14 April 1865 John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln inside the Presidential Box at Ford's Theatre, then leapt to the stage and fled through Baptist Alley, triggering a twelve day manhunt. This two hour guided walk retraces that night step by step.
Walk in Booth's footsteps through Baptist Alley, into Ford's Theatre, and across the street to the house where Lincoln died the next morning. The night that changed America, told where it happened.
We begin by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery, the building where Lincoln celebrated his second inaugural ball weeks before his death, and walk Washington as Lincoln knew it in 1865. We pass 604 H Street NW, today a Chinese restaurant and karaoke bar, once Mary Surratt's boarding house, where Booth met his co-conspirators. We walk through Baptist Alley, where Booth's horse waited as he made his escape. Inside Ford's Theatre you see the stage, the Presidential Box and the museum below, home to the pistol used that night, Booth's diary and Lincoln's bloodstained coat. Across the street at the Petersen House we stand in the room where Lincoln died the next morning, and we close in the Aftermath Exhibits, which trace the manhunt, the trial and Lincoln's legacy. Woven through it are details from James Swanson's Manhunt and its Apple TV+ adaptation.
Highlights
- Stand beside the Presidential Box
- See Booth's pistol, Booth's diary and Lincoln's bloodstained coat in the Ford's Theatre museum
- Step into the Petersen House room where Lincoln died the next morning
- Follow the twelve day manhunt through the Aftermath Exhibits
What’s included
- Ticket to Ford's Theatre
- Ticket to Petersen House
- Expert local guide
- Entry to the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
Itinerary
We meet on the sidewalk outside Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee, 904 Palmer Alley NW, between Dolcezza and Moncler.
The tour ends at the Petersen House, 516 10th Street NW, across the street from Ford's Theatre.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Bring a camera or phone. There are good photo stops along the way.
- The tour is wheelchair accessible.
- Expect a text from your guide about two hours before the tour with exact meeting instructions.
How your Ford's Theatre ticket works
Your ticket to Ford's Theatre and the Petersen House is included in the $59, so there is nothing extra to buy. We meet outside Dolcezza in Palmer Alley, walk to the National Portrait Gallery and Ford's Theatre, then cross the street to the house where Lincoln died. The route is wheelchair accessible.
Private tour
Same route, same guide, just your group. Your own date and time.
$300 private booking fee, plus $59 per guest
Reviews
Our guide, Derick, was excellent. We learned a few tidbits that we had never known. He was very engaging and enthusiastic about the subject matter. I would highly recommend this tour.
Verified guest
GetYourGuide
Jesse was absolutely amazing and so knowledgeable. I learned so much and he made it very fun.
Mari B.
GetYourGuide
Took a morning tour that was really enjoyable. Jesse was very knowledgeable and fun. Gave a lot of interesting information. Walking was easy and he showed us a few stops along the way to the theater and boarding house. I liked that Jesse didn't rush through the information but explained the events of the day clearly.
Verified guest
GetYourGuide
Derrick did a great job. great knowledge, good pace and enjoyed the tour very much.
Verified guest
GetYourGuide
Awesome tour, throughly enjoyed this. Jessie was the best tour guide of our entire trip!!! Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to attend. Can't say enough of our guide Jesse, very informative and I learned information today that I never knew. Keep this young man on your staff, a definite asset to your crew.
Janna L.
GetYourGuide
Jessie was such an informative, interesting guide who brought the story to life. The tour was full of information you would not get doing it on your own. There was plenty of time for questions and the general pace was great. Thanks for a fantastic experience.
Verified guest
GetYourGuide
Jesse was very knowledgeable about history with the assination.
Verified guest
GetYourGuide
Mark was awesome. Gave lots of information and that helped us understand what we were looking at when we went back after the tour of the library.
Kimberly D.
Viator
Jessie is awesome!! He answered our questions and was super knowledgeable! Highly recommend!
Verified guest
Tripadvisor
This was my favorite tour I took in this visit to DC. Ryan, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Loved the great communication from the tour company before our trip.
Rocky G.
Viator
Mark was a great tour guide. Very informative and knowledgeable!
Jonathan B.
Derek did an awesome job of our tour of Arlington! We saw so many important sites and the changing of the guard was the best!
Todd B.
Tripadvisor
Did a great job!! Jesse is very knowledgeable and great at his job!
Dewella C.
Tripadvisor
Was confused about meeting place. Didn’t realize tour is much more than just Ford’s theater & Peterson House. Tour was 2.5 hrs. Guide Jesse, taught complete background & lead up to assassination, including aftermath. Very thorough, and informative. Tour is worth much more than the time & cost. 5 Stars +
Bruce W.
Tripadvisor
We were thrilled with our cornerstone tours experience. We did the Ford’s theatre tour. The tour was well organized, and our guide Jesse was excellent. We learned a lot and would happily book with this company again. Very good value, and we also got some tips about other points of interest in the Washington DC area
Kathy V.
Tripadvisor
We truly enjoyed our Lincoln Assassination tour through Cornerstone Tours today. Our guide Jesse was personable and extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter. We would highly recommend booking this tour when visiting Washington DC, especially if you’re lucky enough to get Jesse as your tour guide!
Carol C.
Viator
Jesse was our tour guide, and he was incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining. He made the tour both informative and enjoyable. I really enjoyed the experience and would definitely recommend this tour!
Verified guest
GetYourGuide
This is an amazing tour. The tour guide is incredible and his name is Jesse. So knowledge about American history and Lincoln’s time in office and the assisination.
Elise K.
Viator
We had such a great time on this tour!! Our guide Jesse was phenomenal! He really knows his history! He is like a professional storyteller. He has you hanging on until the next turn! Definitely need to book this one. You won’t be disappointed.
Verified guest
GetYourGuide
Jesse was an amazing guide! Very knowledgeable, I learned so much. I would definitely tell people to book a tour with him
Allie A.
Tripadvisor
Very informative & Declan was an excellent tour guide… he added bits and pieces of info that you would not get elsewhere Lauren October 21 ,2026
Lauren K.
Viator
Mark was a fantastic tour guide! He was very informative and had great energy! Would highly recommend Mark!
Kristen K.
Mark was great! He was very kind about others being late but got us back on track! He’s very knowledgeable about the US Capitol and Library of Congress + the Supreme Court. He made it interesting and easy to follow along! Thanks Mark!
Jessica W.
Mark Zito was fantastic. So knowledgeable and good natured. Definitely take a tour with him.
Brian S.