Night of Lincoln Assassination from White House to Ford's Theatre in Washington DC
by DC By Foot
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$98Overview
This walking tour in Washington DC covers the final day of President Abraham Lincoln in detail, highlighting key locations tied to his assassination. The tour lasts about two hours and is led by a professional, licensed guide who shares historic photos of the sites and people involved. The route starts at St. John's Episcopal Church, known as the Church of the Presidents, where the guide introduces Washington DC during the 1860s and the events leading to Lincoln's death. Next, you visit Lafayette Square and the White House area, where Lincoln gave his last speech in the presence of John Wilkes Booth, his future assassin. You then pass by the United States Department of the Treasury building, which served as a temporary White House after the assassination. The tour continues to the National Theatre, where Booth stopped before the attack and where Lincoln's son Tad attended a play that day. Across from the Old Post Office Pavilion is the former site of the Kirkwood House Hotel, where Vice President Andrew Johnson lived and was targeted by a conspirator. You will walk through downtown Washington DC, learning about the streets and parades of the Civil War era. The group then visits Ford's Theatre, the location of the assassination, restored to its 1860s condition. The tour ends at Petersen Boarding House, where Lincoln was taken after being shot and later died. The guide will also point out the alley behind Ford's Theatre used by Booth to escape; this area is accessible after the tour. Note that the tour does not include entry into any buildings, and tickets to Ford's Theatre must be obtained separately from the National Park Service.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
St. John's Episcopal Church
Known as the Church of the Presidents, this stop offers an overview of Washington DC in the 1860s and the events leading up to Lincoln's assassination. No buildings are entered during the visit.
5 min
Lafayette Square
At Lafayette Square, the guide introduces Lincoln's final months in the White House and presents the conspirators by exploring the historic row houses around the park.
10 min
The White House
Discussion focuses on Lincoln's presidency during the Civil War and his last speech, given here in the presence of John Wilkes Booth. No building entry is included.
10 min
United States Department of the Treasury
Guests walk past the Treasury Building, which served as a temporary White House following Lincoln's assassination.
The National Theatre
On the assassination day, Booth visited this theater before the attack. Lincoln's son Tad saw a play here that evening. The tour does not enter the theater.
10 min
Old Post Office Pavilion
Opposite this building was the Kirkwood House Hotel, Vice President Andrew Johnson's residence. A conspirator rented a room here to plan an attack on Johnson. No building entry.
5 min
Downtown Washington DC
Walk through the city’s main street, learning about Civil War-era parades and how residents moved around Washington DC at that time.
Ford's Theatre
The theater where John Wilkes Booth fatally shot Lincoln. The building has been restored to its Civil War appearance. Entry is not part of the tour.
15 min
Petersen Boarding House
This historic row house served as a boarding house during the Civil War. After Lincoln was shot, he was taken here for treatment and died in a first-floor room. Witnesses were interviewed here, and his son stayed by his side. No building entry.
10 min
Alley behind Ford's Theatre
The alley used by Booth to escape after the assassination is open to the public. The guide can explain its significance; walking there is possible after the tour.
Meeting point
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
The tour ends outside Ford's Theatre. We do not go inside Ford's Theatre on the tour.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Night of Lincoln Assassination from White House to Ford's Theatre in Washington DC
by DC By Foot
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$98Overview
This walking tour in Washington DC covers the final day of President Abraham Lincoln in detail, highlighting key locations tied to his assassination. The tour lasts about two hours and is led by a professional, licensed guide who shares historic photos of the sites and people involved. The route starts at St. John's Episcopal Church, known as the Church of the Presidents, where the guide introduces Washington DC during the 1860s and the events leading to Lincoln's death. Next, you visit Lafayette Square and the White House area, where Lincoln gave his last speech in the presence of John Wilkes Booth, his future assassin. You then pass by the United States Department of the Treasury building, which served as a temporary White House after the assassination. The tour continues to the National Theatre, where Booth stopped before the attack and where Lincoln's son Tad attended a play that day. Across from the Old Post Office Pavilion is the former site of the Kirkwood House Hotel, where Vice President Andrew Johnson lived and was targeted by a conspirator. You will walk through downtown Washington DC, learning about the streets and parades of the Civil War era. The group then visits Ford's Theatre, the location of the assassination, restored to its 1860s condition. The tour ends at Petersen Boarding House, where Lincoln was taken after being shot and later died. The guide will also point out the alley behind Ford's Theatre used by Booth to escape; this area is accessible after the tour. Note that the tour does not include entry into any buildings, and tickets to Ford's Theatre must be obtained separately from the National Park Service.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
St. John's Episcopal Church
Known as the Church of the Presidents, this stop offers an overview of Washington DC in the 1860s and the events leading up to Lincoln's assassination. No buildings are entered during the visit.
5 min
Lafayette Square
At Lafayette Square, the guide introduces Lincoln's final months in the White House and presents the conspirators by exploring the historic row houses around the park.
10 min
The White House
Discussion focuses on Lincoln's presidency during the Civil War and his last speech, given here in the presence of John Wilkes Booth. No building entry is included.
10 min
United States Department of the Treasury
Guests walk past the Treasury Building, which served as a temporary White House following Lincoln's assassination.
The National Theatre
On the assassination day, Booth visited this theater before the attack. Lincoln's son Tad saw a play here that evening. The tour does not enter the theater.
10 min
Old Post Office Pavilion
Opposite this building was the Kirkwood House Hotel, Vice President Andrew Johnson's residence. A conspirator rented a room here to plan an attack on Johnson. No building entry.
5 min
Downtown Washington DC
Walk through the city’s main street, learning about Civil War-era parades and how residents moved around Washington DC at that time.
Ford's Theatre
The theater where John Wilkes Booth fatally shot Lincoln. The building has been restored to its Civil War appearance. Entry is not part of the tour.
15 min
Petersen Boarding House
This historic row house served as a boarding house during the Civil War. After Lincoln was shot, he was taken here for treatment and died in a first-floor room. Witnesses were interviewed here, and his son stayed by his side. No building entry.
10 min
Alley behind Ford's Theatre
The alley used by Booth to escape after the assassination is open to the public. The guide can explain its significance; walking there is possible after the tour.
Meeting point
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
The tour ends outside Ford's Theatre. We do not go inside Ford's Theatre on the tour.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.