Petersen House Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Petersen House. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• The Night of Lincoln's Assassination Walking Tour
• Lincoln Assassination Tour with Ford's Theatre and Petersen House
• Lincoln Assassination Walking Tour: Spies, Patriots, Truths, Myth

As it's part of the Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, Petersen House requires a timed-entry ticket. There are limited free tickets available at the box office on a first-come first-served basis. You can also reserve tickets online for a fee of US$3.50 per ticket. Reservations are recommended.

Visitors typically spend 15–30 minutes at the Petersen House, depending on their level of interest in the exhibits and their pace of exploration. If you’re visiting as part of a combined Ford’s Theatre and Petersen House tour, put aside at least 1.5–2 hours for the entire experience.

Yes, the Petersen House is wheelchair-accessible, thanks to accessible entryways and an elevator. Service animals are welcome here and in other parts of the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site. You can access the Petersen House’s back porch via an elevator in the lobby of the Center for Education and Leadership.

Yes, you can visit several nearby attractions along with the Petersen House—many are within walking distance of the attraction. They include The Lincoln Memorial, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Archives Museum, the White House, and the various Smithsonian museums along the National Mall.

The best times to visit the Petersen House are typically during weekday mornings and off-peak tourist seasons. From January to early March, the Petersen House sees fewer visitors, while spring and fall are popular for school field trips and tours. Weekends and school vacation periods tend to be busier due to family outings and group tours.