I am so glad that this theatre is still in operation. Also contains a first rate museum in the basement that includes the gun used to kill Lincoln and a pillow that still has dried blood on it So glad that I went! read more

The famous for theater has become more of a museum nowadays than an active theater, but it still holds some performances today. It's the historic theater that Lincoln was shot. There's plenty of memorabilia to Lincoln's life and life back then within the theater. It's a very cool historic site that is worth the ticket to admission! Being in the same room and looking up at the box that Lincoln sat in where he was assassinated was a very interesting and also somber experience ! read more

This is such an icon of American History and is still a vibrant part of the arts community. Not only is this theater where Lincoln was shot but it is a nice museum as well. The final view is the actual theater where you can see the booth Lincoln sat in when he was shot and the famous jump John Wilkes Booth made from the box to the stage. It is crazy to know that you are looking at the spot that were taught about for so many years. The theater is a working theater and has many shows that still perform. I was not able to attend a showing but saw there was alot of movement setting up for one. I think I would be distracted with "the box" then entire time and struggle to enjoy the show. A highly recommended tour while in the DC area and do not forget to visit the house across the street where Lincoln was taken after being shot. read more

My friend and I were randomly walking around Washington, D.C. when we passed a sign that said "Abraham Lincoln died in this house" outside the Petersen House. You bet that the next day we showed up to see if we could tour it, and it was SUCH a blast. Ford's Theatre was incredible. I loved the exhibition, the walk down to the theater, and the narration in the corridor explaining what Lincoln and his assassin were each doing at the time. The park ranger talk was so fun to learn from. Getting to learn about history and actually be in the space always gives me goosebumps. Would 10/10 recommend. read more

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Ford's Theater was cemented in American history when President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated there. Much of its historical character has been preserved and in fact they have a wonderful museum that is totally worth visiting on any trip to Washington DC. The theatre is actually owned by the National Park Service and is still a functioning theater to this day. So you can get tickets and watch a show there The museum is very interesting and has a lot of detailed information about the plot, execution, and aftermath of the assassination. They also have the actual gun that was used among other interesting artifacts. They also have a Junior Ranger badge so be sure to ask for it if you have kids! Overall five stars and a unique piece of American history. read more

Ford's Theatre - On the right is where Lincoln was shot - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I have to say, I was blown away by Ford Theatre....Now that the bad joke is out of the way I can get to the review. Our tour group is hitting all the sites in D.C. and so brought us here before our dinner at Hard Rock down the road. Historical for tragic reasons, seeing the site and the restored site next to it, its one of those few things that actually does hit you. A sitting president was shot here, and subsequently passed across the street. While not emotionally moving, you do feel the history. read more

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Great museum and tours. Also saw the musical 1776, which was fantastic! Fun stuff at the gift shops. Staff leave a bit to be desired.

Ford's Theatre is one of my favorite places in the city to see a show. The team truly puts so much thoughtfulness in each performance and the productions are top-notch. If you go often, you will end up seeing familiar faces from show to show which is really cool. We were able to take my nine and four year old to the recent showing of the Christmas Carol and they spent the entire show absolutely enthralled which is not an easy feat! They loved exploring the gift shop (and couldn't resist getting some Lincoln memorabilia) and have spent the rest of past week talking and singing in an English accent. The theatre is absolutely beautiful and it always feels exciting to feel like you are sitting in actual, living history. Seating is roomy and comfortable and there truly is not a bad seat in the house. Hot Tip: If it's cold out, leave your coat in your car so you can settle in without a lot of bulk. There is a parking garage that goes directly into the building so you're not left walking around in the freezing winter. It is worth every penny. read more

Ford's Theatre is a unique DC experience as both a historical museum and high quality theatre. I recently visited to watch A Christmas Carol. The production was amazing, I mean really well done. The cast performance, the sound, lighting and stage setup was all topnotch. I would definitely attend again. The museum is also well thought out and the displays are very informative to the history of the theatre building and Lincoln's presidency. Museum admission is included with the purchase of tickets to a theatre production. The theatre also partners with local non-profits on ticket sales for certain productions, which is a great way to give back to the surrounding communities. I can't wait to go back. Thank you! read more

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12/5/2025 - little snow. Great place. I wasn't on Yelp before but I am now. Very clean and organized inside. Down the street from the Hoover FBI building. Great history here! 5 stars. read more

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DC is wild because you can just take a free tour of the exact place where Abe Lincoln got his top picked back in 1865. The presidential suite where he was just enjoying a play sits there essentially untouched. You can't actually go in there, but you get a clear view of it from where the audience sat. There is a framed picture of George Washington in front of the suite, which I didn't really understand. I mean I'm a huge G-dub fan, but shouldn't they put a picture of Abe there? I'm sure there's a reason but come on... This doesn't really tie into this review at all, but there was an Abe Lincoln quote in the basement of Ford's Theatre that read "It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues." Damn. Ain't that the truth. I'd never heard that one before, but I feel it in my soul. From now on, when someone expresses concern that I pack too many Zyns, I'm going to hit em with "You never heard that Abe Lincoln quote...?" Shoutout to Honest Abe man. What a guy. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__ read more

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I was en route to the Air and Space Museum when I came across Ford's Theater, the site of President Lincoln's assassination. Since I've always had a penchant for history, I stopped in to learn more. The museum summarized the battles and policies that characterized the Lincoln administration. It also provided an hour-by-hour breakdown of President Lincoln's last day, as well as the activities of the assassin, John Wilkes Booth, on the same day. The exhibit concluded with a view of the theater balcony where President Lincoln and the First Lady sat, and where the president was assassinated. A park ranger was available to answer questions and provide more context about this historic event. read more

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My friend and I enjoyed an artsy-fartsy day last weekend. ('Sister Act' = AMAZING = 10/10) Ford's Theatre is alnice historical venue in the heart of Penn Quarter in downtown DC. Spacious, great acoustics/sound, organized, and clean. Minus 1 star for the unbearably uncomfortable seats. Major issue for shows/events lasting 2+ hours. __ I eat. @f.hux I thrift. @DCthriftish read more

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I've seen a few shows at Ford's Theatre and each one has been outstanding. First of all, Ford's Theatre is historic and just absolutely beautiful. You really feel like you're stepping into a place of history and you can just wonder which box Lincoln sat in on that fateful night. The theatre itself is cozy and clean, and the temperature was comfortable. Each play that I have seen has been thoughtful, rooted in history, yet relevant to the times. They don't allow food or drink inside the theatre, but they do have concessions that are available for purchase before and after the show, as well as during intermission. They also have a gift shop and bathrooms available. It is easily accessible via Metro with limited street parking nearby. read more

We went to see 1776 at the theater last night . It was fabulous! The cast was wonderful and the musical was very well done! The Lincoln box was very moving to see . read more

Ford's Theatre is where history and theatre link arms and say, "Let's give them a show." Before the curtain even rises, the museum downstairs is a must. It is a powerful, beautifully curated look into Lincoln's life, his assassination, and even Booth's timeline. The side-by-side display of their days on April 14, 1865 always gets me. It is haunting, fascinating, and such a meaningful preservation of history. On stage, I have seen incredible historical plays here, plus the annual Christmas Carol, which is honestly a D.C. holiday rite of passage at this point. The staff are warm, knowledgeable, and make the whole experience smooth and special. Whether you are a history buff, a theatre lover, or just want a memorable D.C. night, Ford's Theatre delivers every time. read more

Wife and I visited for a developmental reading of Young John Lewis. These development reading are always fantastic to see and this was no exception with a very well constructed musical with a highly talented cast and staff. The theater is beautiful and of course has a fantastic level of historical significance. After the reading ended, my wife and I left the theater, turned right, and started walking back the way we came. When we reached the bottom of the ramp, we looked up and saw it had been blocked off with stanchions, so we assumed we weren't allowed to go that way. We turned left instead and exited through the door directly in front of the security counter. At that point, a security staff member confronted us in a way I can only describe as aggressive and hostile, as if we had done something wrong simply by using an available exit. She told us the door we used was "for staff only," but there were no markings indicating that--no signage, no "staff only" notice, and nothing suggesting it was an emergency exit or otherwise restricted. It was a large glass door, and it was obvious that it led directly to the street. We came back inside and were scolded for using that door, then were directed to go all the way back up the ramp. The entire interaction was extremely off-putting, and it has left me feeling that I probably won't return. read more

This review leans more toward the historical tour and museum portion, though I do have a show there later this week (Mister Lincoln with Scott Bakula). First, historically: yes, this is "where" Lincoln was shot. Secondly, nothing is original about the building except the brick on the outside. Everything else is rebuilt/a reproduction. The museum has the basic history on Lincoln, the Civil War, his politics, his death. They do have some rare and interesting artifacts, including the derringer John Wilkes Booth used to assassinate Lincoln, as well as his boot, which was cut open by Dr. Samuel Mudd after he somehow broke his ankle. They also have one of the bloodied pillows that held Lincoln's head as he died. My main issue with the museum is how crowded it was. They herd everyone downstairs first, before the theater itself opens, and because you have to walk down stairs, there's a huge bottleneck. So many people are admitted at a time, it's just so congested and hard to enjoy. I didn't spend much time downstairs. The info they present is pretty good . . . but I just couldn't stand that many people in a tiny space. The ranger talk was great. Our ranger was a super Lincoln nerd (even named his cat Lincoln). He was funny, knowledgable, engaging, and gave a great overview of the assassination, what led up to it, and the aftermath. As far as the theater, I got to see the setup for the play I'm seeing later this week. The rows are wide, with a lot of leg room. The seats are wide and comfortable, more comfortable than any seats I've had on Broadway. Not a bad view in the house, even up in the balcony. Entry is 3.50, which is mainly a convenience fee, and the audio guide was five bucks. Many tours include entry into the Petersen House across the street, where Lincoln died. Make sure you buy ahead of time, these sell out. read more

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Historic theater very intimate inside. You can imagine yourself back in time here. The presidential box is decorated where Lincoln got shot. Lots of history here. I will return to explore the museum more. read more

A great museum self-guided tour. Very interesting and historic. Everyone should visit. read more

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Visited Ford's Theatre and museum on our recent DC trip. Love the experience of being able to actually sit in the theatre and see what it looked like when President Lincoln attended shows. Also highly appreciated seeing the house across the street where the President succumbed to his injuries. The history presented is almost overwhelming. It was fantastic for our history loving group. read more

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This was maybe the best museum we saw in DC. Tons of information and all interesting, in nice sized tidbits. Self guided and you can go at your own pace. It was not totally packed either since tickets are timed entry. The Petersen House museum was also cool too - try and see that if you can. For $3.50 per person, don't miss this. read more

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Ford's theatre is super cool! I watched the 1776 play here and it was super good. But why the 3 stars you might ask? A crazy lady named Cindy kept going to people and telling them to put their phones away. Nothings wrong with telling people to put their phones away but the people who "used" their phone were either checking the time or being on it briefly (10 seconds) to check something. Also, the scene she made was a way bigger thing than someone being on their phone briefly and could be heard from the other side of the theatre. The play was super good but the staff wasn't so good. read more

Have visited several times as a historical site. This week we were thrilled to experience the musical "1776" in the theater. Great presentation! read more

Decoration is nice.Customer service is horrid vivid smell across the whole house.Many seats have pillars in front of them The Show is not visible.Honestly this is very disappointing. read more

You never forget that you're on hallowed ground here as the ghost of the Lincoln assassination reverberates through every timber of this 19th century playhouse. Now of course there's a full scale exhibit on the 16th president in the basement with the theater still remarkably true to its almost 200 y/o patina. We were fortunate to score tickets to a one man show, Lincoln, starring a brilliant Scott Bakula. You're drenched in history here and you'll vacillate between somber and exillerated from minute to minute. Given the gravitas of the location any rating system seems trite. A must see on any DC excursion. read more

I saw some confusion in recent reviews. To clarify when you buy the tickets online, read the details closely. It should say museum. Mine was for the museum and Peterson House. Total cost was $3.50. I recommend coming here at least 10-15 mins before your reserved time. If you have will call tickets, you can go inside, grab your tickets from one of the cashiers, and head back into line. At your reserved time, you will enter and head down into the basement. You do not need to stand in line. People that stand in line are mostly going to watch a short movie. You can move around as you please. There is a lot of interesting information to read and look at. Don't forget to go into the room where it talks more about John Wilkes Booth and it shows the gun he used to kill Lincoln. You can see the timeline for both Booth and Lincoln on what they were each doing, leading up to the incident. The last place should be the theatre where Lincoln was shot. There is no time limit for the museum and theatre. Someone said an hour but that's completely false. I recommend doing this on your own and not on a tour group. read more

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We watched A Christmas Carol here. The theater is small and intimate. Other than the seats behind some of the structural beams, it'd be hard to get a bad seat. During intermission, they open the museum downstairs. They sell drinks and snacks and have a gift store. There are many parking garage options nearby. Easy parking access is always a plus for downtown and makes it more likely that we'd go again. read more

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This was a last-minute stop while we were in Washington DC because we had a little extra time. I will say it was worth the short walk and really packed full of history. The tour itself is pretty amazing and self led. Once you get into the theater itself there is a national park person there to guide you and help explain how everything happened that night in the theater. When you're done, you can walk across the street to the actual place where Lincoln died and physically see the room and the bed where that happened. As you are leaving, there's a stack of books that must be three stories high and it's one copy of every book about Lincoln. That was amazing. I believe they were over 14,000 books in the stack. If you're in Washington DC it's definitely a stop I wouldn't miss. read more

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This place is amazing. Nothing that I have ever seen. To top it off, lots of history to educate you in American history. Make sure to get there early and check the website to make sure the theater is available because it isn't always open. This was our last stop before going home, so we had to speed through the museum area. There are about 4 or 5 rooms that highlight Lincoln's life. It ends in details of what Lincoln and Booth did on that horrible day. I would highly encourage taking the audio tour because it gives you bonus information. We did not get to do it but heard people praising it. Make sure to take as many pictures in the theater. I will have to say, the pictures do not do justice but it is still breathtaking. This will be a day to remember for sure. Enjoy your day, because I know I did!!! read more

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History buffs and those that love them, this place is a must do when visiting D.C. At times, I felt like I was transported back in time to that night. The tour guide/historian was an awesome storyteller and answered all of our questions. A+ crew. The tour is self paced, which allows you to check out the exhibits at your own leisure. It's not a lot of walking, and it doesn't take up too much time, so you can definitely squeeze this in if you have about 1.5 hours to kill. Words of advice; do not leave too soon. Walk across the street and checkout the house where Lincoln eventually passed away at. It's a bit eerie but worth the experience. read more

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Tony and I celebrated his 61st birthday by going to Washington DC. One of the many sites in Washington we saw was the Ford's Theater where President Lincoln was assassinated. Tony and I walked 12 miles this particular Saturday as we toured around the city on foot. The Theater was very busy and free to enjoy! There was a lot of tourist and the day was gorgeous weather very warm with a nice breeze off the Potomac River. This is a lovely city that I enjoy! Tony's first trip, my 10th!!! Highly recommend and it's Free to enjoy! read more

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Cool NPS site. Enthusiastic rangers and volunteers. Very good interpretative content. Interesting relevant artifacts. Junior ranger book is very hard for younger kids. This is a site worth checking out. read more

The highlight of this experience was Ryan's storytelling on the theater stage. You could tell that he really loves his job and sharing history with others. I learned so many details that I never heard before. Walking around the museum area before entering the theater provided so much information about Lincoln, Booth, and what was going on during the Civil War. I felt that it helped provide a complete picture of what was happening from several viewpoints. I loved that there were parallel timelines of Lincoln's and Booth's activities on that fateful day. After leaving the theater, we walked over to the house where President Lincoln eventually died. The bed was so small. I found the entire experience both educational and moving. read more

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I can't believe how many times I've walked past Ford's theater before actually visiting. This week I saw Sister Act there; what an incredibly cool venue!! There's a museum on the first level with amazing context and artifacts, and the theater itself is gorgeous. Staff were so helpful and kind. Such a fun night and great show!! read more

Ford's Theatre - Sister Act at Ford's Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Worth the wait in line. There is an app to get reservations and tickets in advance. It's accessible from metro stops or the bus services. read more

Perfectly preserved, this theatre is a lovely historical museum and living entertainment enter. Though there is that tragic moment in our history that is a huge part of the theatre, it continues to be a living museum and also venue for modern plays and music. The small and intimate stage is a wonderful way to honor the past and continue to celebrate the fine arts! Not a bad seat to be had as it is a small theatre with good acoustics. Definitely love the mezzanine seats, as they provide a full view of the stage. We come every year for La Christmas Carol and the cast and crew do an amazing job as always. It is a tradition in our family to come here to kick off the holidays. Though we are SO looking for to this Spring's schedule that has Little Shop of Horrors coming this March. Will be writing that review as soon as we attend! read more

Ford's Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We didn't know what to expect when visiting this museum but goodness, we certainly learned more than we ever thought possible! We bought tickets ahead, opted for the audio tour (very helpful!) and was able to start our tour early, despite having timed tickets. I think we spent 2+ hours at this location alone before going across the street to the place of his death. There are stories, history lessons, artifacts (blood-stained pillow, gun that killed him), so many details we knew nothing about relating to his death, and the capture of his murderers, his life, family and time in office. We especially enjoyed the tour in the theatre where you can see the area he was shot and hear the details of how it all went down. Quite fascinating! read more

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You thought you knew about the assassination of President Lincoln, but you really do not... I ordered tickets minutes before the next tour was starting at 10am; it was nice that there was an available slot last minute. But, do be aware that I came in late November, so this can vary if you visit at a more popular time like June-August. The first part of the tour wasn't too fun, with having to maneuver around a lot of people to read information on the walls. Half of the time, I skipped reading because I felt like I was standing in someone's way. However, for what I did learn, it was valuable and opened my mind beyond the act of the attack on Lincoln and saw how that moment came to be. For instance, do you really know who John Wilkes Booth is? How was he able to get so close to the President? What was his motivation? All this and more, you can learn from this exhibit. I was much happier when it was time to sit inside the real theatre the infamous event took place in, and guests were treated to a detailed story about the build-up to the assassination, including what Lincoln did that day- humanizing the former President in a way than most outlets tend to forget. The story is 20-minutes long with no video accompaniment, so without paying attention, you could get bored. Fortunately, you would not be shamed for skipping this portion of the tour or stepping out for any reason. But, I highly suggest to sit through all of it because by the end, I truly felt like I had a better perspective on history. Afterwards, you're guided across the street to visit the home that Lincoln died in- which was itself a surprise. Did you know he didn't technically die in the theatre? Find out how when you visit this home that illustrates the aftermath of the assassination and how the United States was forever impacted by their loss. You can choose to skip this part too, but I feel like you'd miss out. There's some great thought-provoking questions that you can carry in your minds afterwards, with my favorite being: Who is your Lincoln? Which president since him has most closely resembled his character & ideals? The options sure were interesting... Overall, both buildings were clean and respectful to the President, and you get a full view of where he sat on that dreadful day. The crowds were very high for the tour having spare tickets, so a face mask would suffice (and fast reading is helpful). But I learned so much that now when I hear about this historical incident, I can observe it from a new angle, and see what can lead a man to take another one's life, and how we can try to prevent this from happening again. read more

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This is a free museum to visit, it's very popular and get s very crowded. The staff does a wonderful job of handling huge number of visitors. The tour starts with going through the history, life and major events Abraham Lincoln, includes his days as Senator, the civil war and the day he was attacked. The tour's last event is an act in the theater itself, where a park ranger beautifully narrates all the events and timeline of April 15-16, the day Lincoln got shot and the day he passed away. We also got to hear how Booth was captured afterwards. After the theater visit, there's free entrance to the Petersen house, where Lincoln was taken after he was shot. He passed away in this house in the morning hours. This building includes many of the memorabilia, arts and other crafts dedicated to the life and work of Lincoln. Has a huge book tower that includes covers of thousands of books written about Lincoln. Overall this was the most impactful place I visited in DC. I felt huge respect for a man who did so much for our country. It was sad to learn how awfully he lost his life. Everyone visiting DC should stop by this place to pay a tribute to great man, Abraham Lincoln. read more

Ford's Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia