★★★★★ Rated Excellent on TripAdvisor | Small groups | Family-friendly | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
It was a single night that changed the course of American history. Three attacks. One coordinated plot. A president dead, a Secretary of State nearly killed, and a nation left reeling in the final days of the Civil War.
This two-hour walking tour takes you minute by minute through the last day of Abraham Lincoln’s life — tracing the footsteps of the conspirators, standing at the sites where the plot unfolded, and hearing the story that is, as our guides will tell you, stranger than fiction.
One of our highest-rated tours in Washington DC. Suitable for all ages.
A note on Ford’s Theatre: This is an exterior walking tour. We do not enter any buildings, including Ford’s Theatre. We are not able to arrange tickets inside Ford’s Theatre for public tours – Ford’s Theatre does not permit this. If you would like to visit the interior, we are happy to advise you on how to get tickets separately, and we can sometimes arrange access for private tour guests. Ask us for details.
Check Dates & Book Your Spot
Our tours run regularly throughout the week. Spots fill up fast. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so there’s no risk in reserving your spot now.
⏱ Duration: Approximately 2 hours
📍 Meets at: St. John’s Church, the yellow-column church at the corner of 16th and H St NW, across the street from Lafayette Square. Tour ends outside Ford’s Theatre.
🚇 Getting here: Metro Blue, Orange, or Silver Line — McPherson Square Station. The meeting point is a short walk from the station.
👟 Physical level: Easy — approximately 1 mile of flat walking. Accessible route.
We don’t just show you the sites.
We tell you the stories.
Every stop on this tour has a story most visitors never hear. Our guides bring them to life.
The White House and Lafayette Square
The tour begins here — setting the stage for the chaos that was about to unfold. Hear about the final hours of April 14, 1865, and the atmosphere of a city still raw from four years of civil war.
Secretary of State Seward’s House
Most people know Lincoln was shot that night. Few know that a simultaneous attack on the Secretary of State nearly succeeded. Stand at the site where the second prong of the conspiracy unfolded and hear the remarkable story of how Seward survived.
The US Treasury Building
In the immediate aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination, the Treasury Building served as a temporary seat of government. Hear about the frantic hours that followed the shooting and what happened to the country in the days that came after.
Pennsylvania Avenue and Civil War DC
Walk the same avenue that hosted inaugural parades and learn what Washington DC looked and felt like in 1865 — a city transformed by four years of war, overflowing with soldiers, contraband camps, and political tension.
The National Theatre and Kirkwood House Hotel
Lincoln had seen Booth perform at the National Theatre. That connection is one of the stranger threads in this already strange story. Nearby, the Kirkwood House Hotel was the site of the third planned attack — on Vice President Andrew Johnson — which never came.
Ford’s Theatre, Baptist Alley and Peterson’s House
The tour ends here. See the exterior of Ford’s Theatre and stand in Baptist Alley — the escape route Booth used after the shooting. Across the street, Peterson’s Boarding House is where Lincoln was carried and where he died the following morning.
Why tour with a guide?
You can read about this night. Walking it is something else entirely.
The Lincoln assassination is one of the most documented events in American history. But standing on Pennsylvania Avenue where Booth rode that night, or in the alley behind Ford’s Theatre where he escaped, makes the story land in a way that no book or documentary can replicate.
- It unfolds as a story. Our guides don’t present facts – they tell a narrative. The suspense builds from Lafayette Square to Ford’s Theatre the same way it did on the night itself.
- The conspiracy goes deeper than most people know. Three simultaneous attacks. A kidnapping plot that came before. A cover-up that lasted decades. Our guides know all of it.
- Historic photos along the way. See what the original buildings looked like in 1865 as you stand in front of their modern counterparts. The contrast is remarkable.
- Your questions get answered. This is one of our most question-heavy tours. Our guides love it. Nothing is off limits.
Everything before you book.
Meeting point
St. John’s Church, the yellow-column church at the corner of 16th and H St NW, directly across from Lafayette Square. Look for your guide in DC by Foot attire outside the church. Do not go inside.
End point
The tour ends outside Ford’s Theatre on 10th Street NW. We do not enter the theatre but your guide can advise you on how to get tickets for the self-guided interior tour offered by Ford’s Theatre separately.
Getting there
Metro Blue, Orange, or Silver Line to McPherson Square Station. The meeting point at St. John’s Church is a short walk from the station.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes — approximately 1 mile of flat walking
- Water bottle
- Weather-appropriate clothing — tours run rain or shine
- Camera — there are great photo opportunities throughout the tour
Accessibility
This is a flat, accessible route with no stairs. Suitable for most mobility levels. Contact us in advance if you have specific accessibility needs and we will do our best to accommodate.
Buildings visited
This is an exterior walking tour. We do not enter any buildings on this tour, including Ford’s Theatre and Peterson’s Boarding House. Your guide will point out historic photos of the original interiors as you stand outside.
Ready to Walk With Us?
This tour fills up fast — especially on weekends and during peak season. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, no risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you go inside Ford’s Theatre?
No — this is an exterior walking tour and we do not enter any buildings, including Ford’s Theatre and Peterson’s Boarding House. Your guide will share historic photos of the interiors as you stand outside. If you want to visit the interior of Ford’s Theatre, your guide can advise you on how to get tickets for the separate self-guided tour offered by the theatre. Private tour guests may be able to arrange combined access — contact us for details.
Is this tour appropriate for children?
Yes — this is one of our most family-friendly tours and is suitable for curious kids of all ages. The story is engaging and fast-moving, and many families find it one of the most memorable experiences of their DC trip. Our guides know how to pitch the content to a mixed-age group. Children under 4 are free.
How much walking is involved?
Approximately 1 mile of flat walking over about 2 hours. The pace is leisurely — this tour involves a lot of standing and listening as the story unfolds, rather than moving quickly between sites.
What happens if it rains?
Tours run rain or shine. Bring an umbrella and weather-appropriate clothing. In the event of severe weather that makes the tour unsafe, we will contact all guests by email and text with alternative options or a full refund.
Do I need to know anything about the Lincoln assassination before the tour?
Not at all. The tour is designed to tell the full story from the beginning. Guests who know the history well often find they learn things they had never heard before — our guides go well beyond the standard account. Come with curiosity and an open mind.
How do I cancel or reschedule?
Reply to your confirmation email to cancel or reschedule. Full refunds are available up to 24 hours before the tour. We offer flexible rescheduling and can often accommodate you on another date with short notice. Guests who booked via a third-party platform must cancel through that platform.
Are there restrooms on the tour?
No! There are no restrooms at the tour start or on the tour. There are some options for emergencies only.
