Night of Lincoln Assassination: from White House to Ford Theatre

Recommended by 95% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Washington DC, USA

Popular pick

Booked 5+ times last week!

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.8

· Darcy_M ·

Mar 2026

Everything was great. Very knowledgeable and great story teller. Learned a lot of things I did not know.

· shannonclay ·

Mar 2026

Tour was great, it ended up just being our family on a very cold night. Could have easily been miserable, but Trevor made it fun and brought all of the interesting facts. He was so nice and came with a lot of great tips about DC, where to eat and what to do. Highly recommend

Overview

Follow the story of Abraham Lincoln's assassination in April 1865 without having to follow a dry guidebook on this Washington DC walking tour. With a guide and a small group, make stops at the White House, Peterson's Boarding House, and Ford's Theatre, where the president was shot. Along the way, look at historical photos and listen to anecdotes of mystery and betrayal.

Delve into the history and lore surrounding the assassination of President Lincoln
See the homes of Lincoln's friends and learn about how he spent his last day alive
Stop at Ford's Theatre, the site of his assassination
Look at historical photographs that set the scene of DC in the mid-1800s

What's Included

Professional, Licensed Tour Guide
Historic Photos to View on the Tour of Sites and Characters

Entrance into Ford's Theatre (tickets from NPS required)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

1525 H St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Please meet your guide at the entrance of the church on 16th Street NW, NOT the Parish House on H St NW. The tour begins at St. John's Church, the yellow-columned church at the corner of 16th and H St NW, across the street from Lafayette Square.

End point

Ford's Theatre
511 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
The tour ends outside Ford's Theatre. We do not go inside Ford's Theatre on the tour.

Operating hours
.7:00 pm

Itinerary

Your walking tour starts outside St. John's Church in Washington DC, where you'll meet your guide and set off on your tour, learning about Abraham Lincoln's last day in the White House.

Continue to Lafayette Square Park to see Civil War–era homes and buildings, which set the scene for the rest of your exploration. Stop outside the home of Lincoln's theater guests from the night he was assassinated, and walk along Pennsylvania Avenue for a look at other places associated with that night. Your tour ends when you reach Ford's Theatre; go behind the venue to see where John Wilkes Booth made his escape after shooting the president.

During your walk, enjoy photographs and stories from your guide about Washington during the years of the Civil War. Walking distance is roughly one mile (1.6 km).

St. John's Episcopal Church

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Lafayette Square

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The White House

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

United States Department of the Treasury (Pass By)

The National Theatre

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Old Post Office Pavilion

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest (Pass By)

Ford's Theatre

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Petersen Boarding House

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Baptist Alley (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
Please note: This tour does not enter any buildings during the tour
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8

based on 237 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Great History Lesson

Richard_G, Mar 2026

Michael was a great tour guide for this trip! He was very knowledgeable about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln but also on the history of DC, the background of all of those involved prior to the shooting and some very fun facts that you wouldn’t have thought about. The walking path we went on was not too crazy but it was a beautiful night as well so that helped. We would highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting DC and especially for those who want to learn more about Lincoln.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour with Michael and appreciated his deep knowledge and storytelling. We truly value your recommendation!

Tour was great, it ended...

shannonclay, Mar 2026

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you! We're so glad Trevor made the tour enjoyable despite the cold. Happy to hear you loved the stories and local tips—thanks for the recommendation!

Everything was great....

Darcy_M, Mar 2026

Everything was great. Very knowledgeable and great story teller. Learned a lot of things I did not know.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour and learned something new along the way!

It was an amazing...

Thea_J, Mar 2026

It was an amazing experience. This tour was ran by Kevin, it was just myself, another lady, and him. The tour was spectacular and done by an amazing guide

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you! We're so glad you had an amazing experience with Kevin. Happy to hear the tour felt so special and well guided!

He was aVery...

Diane_H, Mar 2026

He was aVery knowledgeable, fun tour guide. We learned many new historical facts. Overall, it was a great experience

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you! We're glad you had a great experience and enjoyed learning new historical facts on the tour!

So much knowledge packed...

Chloe_J, Feb 2026

So much knowledge packed into two hours. The storytelling was compelling from beginning to end. We loved it!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed the storytelling and packed-in knowledge. Happy to hear you loved it!

Great Tour!

Shetler_A, Jan 2026

Great tour, fun and engaging tour guide (Trevor) that kept the story interesting and packed with tons of facts! We are locals and will definitely recommend this to visiting family and friends!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you! We're thrilled you enjoyed the tour with Trevor, even as locals. We really appreciate you recommending it to family and friends!

Don't miss out!

Eileen_B, Jan 2026

The night of our tour was bitterly cold. We almost canceled but we are so thrilled that we didn't! Becca was just fantastic and brought everything to life (even when we couldn't feel our toes). She is such an incredible wealth of information - tackling not only the subject matter but anything thrown at her generally. Can't speak highly enough about the tour and Becca.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you so much for braving the cold and joining the tour! We’re thrilled Becca made it such a memorable experience despite the weather. She’ll love hearing your kind words!

Cool tour

Michael_K, Dec 2025

Katherine’s story telling was excellent and really added to our stay in DC. Even on a freezing night, we had fun!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you! We’re so glad you enjoyed Katherine’s storytelling and had fun—even on a freezing night!

Lincoln Assassination

Dan_G, Dec 2025

I read a lot about history, especially the Civil War. I had read extensively about the assassination. This tour and visiting the sites really put the events of that night in perspective. I really enjoyed it. The tour guide was very knowlegable and gave a good tour.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thank you! We’re so glad the tour helped bring the events of that night into perspective and that you enjoyed the guide’s knowledge and storytelling.

Becca was a great tour...

Matthew_R, Dec 2025

Becca was a great tour guide! She was so informative and had tons of information for us. Highly recommend her for any tours you have planned in DC!

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed your tour with Becca and appreciated her knowledge. We really appreciate the recommendation!

Great Snow Day Tour

Viktoria_H, Dec 2025

Great tour on snowing evening. The company did an amazing job making sure the group would feel comfortable and made adjustments. I learned so much and really felt a better understanding of the event. It was such a great way to introduce my visit to Fords Theatre.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thank you! We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour on a snowy evening and appreciated the adjustments. Happy it added depth to your visit to Ford’s Theatre!

Here’s you’re review

Michelle_D, Nov 2025

Was not offered a refund, was not able to complete the tour due to a disability I suffered during my trip.

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Hi Michelle, I am sorry to hear you could not join the tour but we are having trouble finding any information about your booking. We don't have any guest who booked this tour under the name Michelle and we have had no communication about a request for a refund or missed tour. Did you speak to Viator about this? The review you have left is for our tour company, DC by Foot, but it seems your complaint is about Viator - who we are not affiliated with. They are the only ones who can offer a refund since you booked with them. At no point has Viator asked us about any refund for any guests on this tour. Can you contact me directly at canden@dcbyfoot.com so I can assist?

Book It!

Kathryn_J, Oct 2025

this tour was very interesting and Becca did a great job of presenting. she made you feel like you were actually witnessing the night. she really kept our attention and i’m so glad i booked this! highly recommend!

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you! We're thrilled you enjoyed the tour with Becca and her captivating storytelling. We really appreciate your recommendation!

Take this tour!

Ashley_C, Sep 2025

Becca was an incredible tour guide and story-teller! This entire tour was captivating and her knowledge of the city itself and Lincoln's life and death was awesome. I cannot recommend this enough!! Such a fascinating experience.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you for your amazing review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour with Becca—her storytelling and knowledge really do make history come alive. Thrilled to hear it was such a captivating experience for you!

Our tour guide Jim was...

Martha_C, Sep 2025

Our tour guide Jim was excellent. His knowledge coupled with his story telling skills made the walking tour enjoyable and entertaining. The tour went over the 2-hr time frame due to road closures but the time went by fast.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thanks for sharing! Glad Jim made the tour both enjoyable and engaging, even with the extended time.

Emma was a great tour...

morgan_m, Sep 2025

Emma was a great tour guide! I recommend this tour to everyone! It was very interesting and informative

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the tour with Emma—sounds both fun and informative!

Great Storytelling with a Backdrop of DC at Night!

Juili_B, Sep 2025

This tour was great! Becca is a great storyteller and wove many aspects of the Lincoln assassination together seamlessly as we walked the city. Such a fun tour to do in the evening when most of the museums are closed!

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thanks! So glad you enjoyed the tour with Becca—sounds like a perfect evening of history and storytelling!

Beyond Ford Theater

Sharell_M, Sep 2025

Our tour guide was not only smart but very engaging. I hated for tour to be end I could have listened to her all night.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thanks! So glad you enjoyed the tour—sounds like your guide really made it memorable!

Interesting history of...

Stephen_C, Aug 2025

Interesting history of the events that led to Lincoln's Assassination and the characters involved in the plot

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Glad you enjoyed the tour! The story behind Lincoln’s assassination is full of fascinating twists and complex characters — thanks for joining us to explore it!

In depth, interesting tour.

Mark_G, Jul 2025

Real in depth information and knowledge from our guide. I was really surprised about just how much was known about the incident.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thanks for sharing! We're thrilled you appreciated the depth and detail—it's always rewarding when the stories surprise and engage.

Great tour for history and entertainment

Lisa_S, Jul 2025

We did this tour tonight and Becca was awesome!! Not only did she tell the most interesting and informative (factual) stories, her delivery was spot on. Very entertaining and educational tour. We loved it.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

So glad you loved the tour with Becca! She's great at blending facts with fun—thanks for joining us!

Fascinating story

Joe_H, Jul 2025

Rebecca, our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and a great story teller. She made it easy to understand and you got a good sense of how the landscape looked back in the 1800's. I learned a lot.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thanks so much! We're glad you enjoyed the tour—Rebecca’s storytelling really brings history to life. Great to hear you learned a lot!

Becca was so full of...

Heather_K, Jul 2025

Becca was so full of information! She was enthusiastic, fun and a fantastic tour guide! This tour was doable and very informative!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you! We're so happy you enjoyed the tour with Becca—her energy and knowledge make every walk memorable. Hope to see you on another one soon!

Highly recommended!!

Shana_F, Jun 2025

Katherine was so knowledgeable! Without spoiling it, her content was extra, extra! She was also incredibly patient. Our tour was in the evening and there were plenty of distractions (motorcades, heat, busy city activity) but Katherine’s patience was unwavering. The site seeing was spectacular and because I was traveling with my daughter it expanded her curiosity to learn more about each of the various sites. All in, I’d rate this tour exceeds expectations!!

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thanks so much for the amazing review! We're thrilled to hear Katherine made the experience so special—even with all the evening hustle and bustle. Love that it sparked curiosity in your daughter too!

Fabulous tour!!

CharLee_R, Jun 2025

Do not miss out on this tour! It was so great. My daughter said it was the most surprising thing we did. Such great information and Cecilia was a wonderful guide.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thanks for the awesome review! So glad it was a standout experience for you and your daughter—Cecilia will love hearing this!

Absolutely brilliant tour...

DENISE_D, Jun 2025

Absolutely brilliant tour guide Rebecca brilliant very knowledgeable, would recommend this tour to anyone

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thanks so much! Rebecca will be thrilled to hear your kind words—glad you had a brilliant time!

Wesley was AMAZING! So...

Megan_S, Jun 2025

Wesley was AMAZING! So informational and so interesting I wanted the tour to continue!!! Thank you so much Wesley for the amazing tour!!!!!

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thanks so much for the enthusiastic feedback! Wesley will be thrilled to hear you enjoyed it so much—you made his day for sure!

An educational experience

Stephanie_R, May 2025

The tour guide was very informative about president Lincoln, and she made a rainy night, very educational.

Response from Host, May 2025

Glad to hear that the rain didn't dampen the experience! Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the tour and the guide.

This tour will be the highlight of your DC trip!!!

Lisa_P, May 2025

Our tour guide Kathrine from DC by foot was amazing. We were in DC for four days and this Lincoln tour was the highlight. DC by foot is a women owned, women ran business that we were pleasured by supporting. Thank you Katerine for the expertise you had on the Lincoln assassination!!!