Night Tours

Memorials and Moonlight
★★★★★ Rated Excellent on TripAdvisor | Small groups | Runs March through October | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

The monuments of Washington DC were designed to be seen at night. The marble glows. The crowds thin out. The stories hit harder under the open sky.

This two-hour evening tour takes you through the National Mall as the sun goes down — past the WWII Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the MLK Memorial, and more, with a guide who knows the best photo spots and the stories behind every beam of light.

One of our most popular tours of the year. Available March through October — contact us for private options during winter months.

Check Dates & Book Your Spot

This tour runs daily March through October and 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: Corner of 17th and Constitution Ave NW by the Lockkeeper’s House. (map) Tour ends at the Lincoln Memorial.

🚇 Getting here: Metro Blue, Orange, or Silver Line — Smithsonian Station or Foggy Bottom Station. Parking available nearby via SpotHero.

🗓 Seasonal: This tour runs daily March through October only. For winter visits please contact us about a private tour or check our daytime National Mall tour.

💲Cost: Name Your Own Price

👟 Physical level: Easy — flat walking across the National Mall, approximately 1 mile.

The Lincoln Memorial at sunset — one of the most breathtaking sights in Washington DC, and one of the best photo opportunities on the tour.

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.

Lockkeeper’s House

The oldest building on the National Mall — a small stone structure that most visitors walk past without a second glance. Hear the story of the canal that once ran through this spot and the keeper who lived here before Washington DC was the city it is today.

WWII Memorial

After dark, the fountains and columns of the WWII Memorial take on a different quality entirely. Hear about the 16 million Americans who served, the 400,000 who died, and the decades-long fight to get this memorial built on the Mall.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

The Stone of Hope rises 30 feet from the edge of the Tidal Basin. At night, with the Jefferson Memorial glowing across the water, it is one of the most powerful settings on the entire Mall. Hear the story of how this memorial came to exist and what the quotes carved into the stone actually mean.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

The 19 stainless steel soldiers frozen mid-patrol are haunting in daylight. At night, under floodlights, they are extraordinary. One of the most underappreciated memorials on the Mall — and one that our guides give the time it deserves.

Lincoln Memorial

The tour ends here — at the top of the steps, looking down the length of the Reflecting Pool toward the Washington Monument. It is one of the great views in any American city and it is at its best after dark. Hear about Lincoln, the memorial, and the night in August 1963 when 250,000 people gathered on these steps.

Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin

We view the Jefferson Memorial from across the Tidal Basin — perfectly framed and beautifully lit. Your guide will tell you why we choose to admire it from this vantage point rather than walk to it, and what you can see from here that most visitors miss up close.

Why tour with a guide?

The Mall is always open at night. Knowing where to stand and what to look for makes all the difference.

Millions of people visit the National Mall every year. Most come during the day, when the monuments are crowded and the heat is brutal from May through September. The ones who come at night — and come with a guide — almost always say it was the highlight of their trip.
- The best photo spots. Our guides know exactly where to stand at every memorial for the best photographs. At night, with the monuments lit and the crowds gone, you have the space to take them properly.
- Smaller crowds, better experience. The National Mall thins out significantly after dark. You can actually stand at the Lincoln Memorial and take it in without being jostled by a tour bus group.
- Cooler temperatures. From May through September, evenings on the Mall are dramatically more comfortable than the middle of the day. This is the sensible way to see the monuments in summer.
- Your questions get answered. See something that catches your eye? We stop and talk about it. No audio guide ever did that.
The MLK Memorial after dark — the stone and walls are at their most striking once the sun goes down.

Everything before you book.

Meeting point

Corner of 17th and Constitution Ave NW by the Lockkeeper’s House. Look for your guide in DC by Foot attire. (map)

End point

The tour ends at the Lincoln Memorial.

Getting there

Metro Blue, Orange, or Silver Line to Smithsonian Station or Foggy Bottom Station. Parking is available nearby — book a guaranteed spot in advance via SpotHero.

Seasonal availability

This tour runs daily from March through October. During winter months it is not available as a public tour. For winter visits please contact us about a private evening tour, or check our daytime National Mall tour which runs year round.

What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes — approximately 1 mile of flat walking
- Water bottle
- Camera — this is one of DC’s best photography tours
- Layers — evenings on the Mall can be cool even in summer, especially near the Tidal Basin
- Weather-appropriate clothing — tours run rain or shine
Accessibility

The National Mall is flat and fully accessible. This is one of our most accessible public tours. Contact us in advance if you have specific needs and we will do our best to accommodate.

What’s included
- Licensed professional historian and tour guide
- Best photo spot guidance at every memorial
- National Mall restaurant and experience recommendations from your guide
Ready to Walk With Us?

This tour runs March through October and fills up fast — especially on summer weekends. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, no risk.

Book This Tour →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour available in winter?

This public tour runs daily from March through October only. During winter months we do not offer it as a public departure. If you are visiting between November and February and would like an evening monuments experience, please contact us about a private tour. We also offer a daytime National Mall tour year round.

Is this tour family-friendly?

Yes — this is one of our most popular family tours, particularly in summer when evening temperatures are far more comfortable than the midday heat. The flat route and engaging storytelling make it suitable for all ages. Children under 4 are free.

Why don’t you visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial up close?

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is designed to be experienced during daylight — the names on the wall are best read and reflected upon when you can clearly see them and take your time. We mention it on the tour and provide full context, but we believe it deserves a dedicated visit during the day. Your guide can recommend the best time and approach for a solo visit.

What is the best time of year to take this tour?

All of them, for different reasons. Spring brings cooler temperatures and the possibility of cherry blossoms still lingering near the Tidal Basin. Summer evenings are warm and busy but the monuments are at their most dramatic after a hot day. September and October bring beautiful light and comfortable temperatures. Any time between March and October is a great time for this tour.

What happens if it rains?

Tours run rain or shine. Bring an umbrella and weather-appropriate clothing. In the event of severe weather we will contact all guests by email and text with alternative options or a full refund.

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.

What is a name your own price tour?

This tour is name your own price; meaning you pay the guide at the end what you thought it was worth. The average is $20 a person.

Are reservations required?

No. There is a small booking fee to reserve your spot but if you’d prefer to skip that; walk ups are allowed. However, if we cancel the tour or move the start time or location we won’t know to tell you. This tour is often fully booked and we cannot accommodate walk up guests if the tour is full.

Your guide meets you at the Lockkeeper’s House — and two hours later you’re standing at the top of the Lincoln Memorial steps, looking down the length of the Mall.
March 24, 2026
Capitol Hill Scandals
★★★★★ Rated Excellent on TripAdvisor | Small groups | Adults and mature teens | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Congress has always presented itself as the dignified seat of American democracy. The stories on this tour suggest otherwise.

Over two hours and one mile of walking around Capitol Hill, you will hear about the affairs, the beatings, the murders, the spies, the ghosts, and the spectacular personal disasters of the men and women who have shaped American government for more than two centuries. A senator beaten unconscious on the Senate floor. A Confederate spy who drowned in her own escape route. A congressman shot on the Capitol steps by the journalist who had exposed his affair. A Gilded Age scandal that became America’s first #MeToo moment. A ghost cat that appears before national tragedies.

This tour is more humor than horror but it covers adult topics including affairs, assassinations, and political corruption. We leave age decisions to you, but it is probably not best suited for young children.

Check Dates & Book Your Spot

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: Outside Capitol South Metro Station. Tour ends near the National Museum of the American Indian. Look for your guide in DC by Foot attire.

🚇 Getting here: Metro Blue, Orange, or Silver Line — Capitol South Station. The meeting point is directly outside the station.

👟 Physical level: Easy — approximately 1 mile of flat walking. This is an exterior tour. We do not enter any buildings.

Behind the marble and the monuments, Capitol Hill has a history packed with ambition, betrayal, and stories Congress would rather forget.

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.

America’s First #MeToo Moment

In 1894, a student sued Kentucky Congressman William Breckinridge for breach of promise after nearly a decade as his mistress. The trial was a national sensation. Her case was not just about one man. It was about how differently men and women were treated when it came to sexual impropriety. The jury agreed.

The Confederate Spy Who Drowned in Her Own Gold

Rose Greenhow was a widowed Washington socialite who ran a Confederate spy network from her home . She died in 1864, drowned when the gold she had sewn into her dress dragged her under after her escape rowboat capsized.

The Caning of Senator Sumner

Congressman Preston Brooks walked onto the Senate floor and beat Senator Charles Sumner unconscious with a metal-tipped cane. The incident helped push the country toward civil war.

The Journalist, the Congressman, and the Capitol Steps

Charles Kincaid was a journalist who had exposed Kentucky Congressman William Taulbee’s affair under the headline “Kentucky’s Silver-Tongued Taulbee Caught in Flagrante.” There was an attack on the east staircase of the House wing. The blood stain is still there.

Deaths on the House Floor

More members of Congress have died inside the Capitol Building than most people realize.

The Garfield Affair and Assassination

President James Garfield was assassinated nearby in 1881. His killer, Charles Guiteau, had convinced himself that by supporting Garfield’s election he was owed a position. When he did not get one; he took action into his own hands.

Why tour with a guide?

The official history of Capitol Hill is well documented. The unofficial history is considerably more interesting.

You could walk around the Capitol on your own and read the plaques. The plaques leave a lot out. Our guides know the stories behind the stories: the affairs, the cover-ups, the spectacular personal disasters, and the moments that the official record quietly skips over.
- Stories you won’t find on a standard tour. This is not the civics class version of Capitol Hill history. These are the stories that happened in the same buildings, on the same steps, just off the official record.
- More humor than horror. The tone is closer to a great dinner party story than a ghost tour. These events are shocking but they are also genuinely funny in the way that only real history can be.
- Historians who love this stuff. Our guides are not performing a script. They have researched these stories in depth and they enjoy telling them. The enthusiasm is real.
- Your questions get answered. See something that catches your eye? We stop and talk about it. No audio guide ever did that.
Everything before you book.

Meeting point

Outside Capitol South Metro Station. Look for your guide in DC by Foot attire directly outside the station exit.

End point

The tour ends near the National Museum of the American Indian on the southwest side of Capitol Hill.

Getting there

Metro Blue, Orange, or Silver Line to Capitol South Station. The meeting point is directly outside the station — no walking required to find your guide.

What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes — approximately 1 mile of flat walking
- Water bottle
- Camera — there are excellent views of the Capitol and Supreme Court throughout the tour
- Weather-appropriate clothing — tours run rain or shine
Buildings visited

This is an exterior walking tour. We do not enter any buildings including the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, or the Library of Congress. We view all sites from the street and surrounding grounds.

Accessibility

This tour follows flat, paved paths around the Capitol grounds and is generally accessible. Contact us in advance if you have specific accessibility needs and we will do our best to accommodate.

Age guidance

This tour covers adult topics including affairs, political corruption, assassinations, and executions. It is not overly graphic or scary — the tone is closer to humor than horror — but it is probably not suited for young children. We do not set an age limit. You know your family best.

What’s included
- Licensed professional historian and tour guide
- Capitol Hill restaurant and experience recommendations from your guide
- Stories researched from primary sources — not the version Congress approved
Ready to Walk With Us?

This tour fills up fast. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, no risk.

Book This Tour →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour appropriate for teenagers?

For most teenagers, yes — particularly those with an interest in history, politics, or true crime. The content covers affairs, political scandal, assassination, and execution, but the tone is more humor than horror and nothing is gratuitously graphic. We do not set an age limit. You know your family best.

Is this the same as the regular Capitol Hill tour?

No — this is a completely separate tour with a different route, different stories, and a very different tone. Our regular Capitol Hill tour covers the history, architecture, and workings of the Capitol complex and includes tickets to the Library of Congress and the Capitol Building. This tour stays outside and focuses entirely on the scandals, crimes, and controversies that the official tour skips over. Many guests do both.

Do you enter any buildings?

No — this is an exterior walking tour. We view the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and other sites from the grounds and surrounding streets. We do not enter any federal buildings on this tour.

Is this tour scary?

No — this is not a ghost tour, though it does include a ghost story or two. The tone is closer to a fascinating and occasionally outrageous dinner party conversation than anything designed to frighten. The stories are shocking because they are true, not because they are theatrical.

What happens if it rains?

Tours run rain or shine. Bring an umbrella and weather-appropriate clothing. In the event of severe weather we will contact all guests by email and text with alternative options or a full refund.

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 bathrooms on this tour?

No! All the buildings are closed at night and this is an exterior tour only.

Your guide meets you outside Capitol South Metro Station — and for the next two hours, nothing about Capitol Hill will look quite the same.
January 1, 2026
Ghosts of Georgetown
★★★★★ Rated Excellent on TripAdvisor | Small groups | Family-friendly | Runs nightly | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Among the manicured gardens and Victorian row houses of DC’s most historic neighborhood lie deep, dark secrets about a forgotten past. Historical figures walked these streets, documented their experiences in letters and journals – and some, it seems, never left.

This is not a jump-scare tour. We’re historians, not ghost hunters. What we offer is something better: the darker side of Georgetown’s real history, told by guides who know where the bodies are buried. Literally, in some cases.

Halloween vibes. All year long.

This tour was researched and written in part by our own COO Canden Arciniega, author of Wicked Georgetown: Scoundrels, Sinners and Spies, published by The History Press.

Check Dates & Book Your Spot

This tour runs nightly and spots fill up fast — especially on weekends and around Halloween. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so there’s no risk in reserving your spot now.

⏱ Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

📍 Meets at: Outside the Old Stone House at 3051 M Street NW, near 30th and M St. Tour ends at the Exorcist Steps at 36th and Prospect St NW. (map)

🚇 Getting here: Metro Blue or Orange Line — Foggy Bottom/GWU Station. Georgetown is approximately a 15-minute walk from the station. Rideshare is also a convenient option.

👟 Physical level: Easy — approximately 1 miles. Some uneven terrain.

Georgetown after dark — where the history is richer and the stories are darker than anything you’ll find on a daytime tour.

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 Old Stone House

The tour begins here — the oldest unchanged building in Washington DC, built in 1765. The staff have reported seeing an 18th-century woman and child wandering the rooms. Visitors often describe an unwelcoming energy and the feeling of being watched. Our guides start here for a reason.

The Civil War Hospital

During the Civil War, Georgetown’s grandest homes became hospitals. What happened inside them — and what residents of those apartments report experiencing today — makes for one of the most unsettling stops on the tour.

The Curse of Abraham Lincoln’s Son

A story that connects Lincoln’s family to Georgetown in a way most people have never heard — and a curse that some believe still lingers. Our guides know the full account.

The House That Hates Electricity

A past resident of this Georgetown home refused to install electricity during his lifetime. His ghost, according to our guides, has made his feelings known ever since. Watch the street lights as you pass. This one is hard to explain.

The Nanny Who Never Left

A story of undying devotion — and very specific rules. One of the most memorable stops on the tour, and one that tends to stick with guests long after they’ve gone home.

The Exorcist Steps

The tour ends here — the 75 stone steps made famous by the 1973 film. Hear the true local story that inspired the movie, and then decide for yourself whether you dare to walk down them at night.

Why tour with a guide?

Georgetown at night is one thing. Georgetown at night with a guide is something else entirely.

You can walk these streets any evening on your own. But without a guide you’re just walking past buildings. Our guides turn those buildings into stories — stories rooted in real history, documented in letters and journals, and told by people who have spent years uncovering them.
- Historians, not actors. We don’t do jump scares or theatrical gimmicks. We share documented history from the darker side of Georgetown — which turns out to be far more unsettling than anything scripted.
- Written by someone who literally wrote the book. This tour was developed in part by Canden Arciniega, author of Wicked Georgetown. The research behind these stories goes deeper than any other ghost tour in the city.
- Genuinely family-friendly. More humor than screams. Suitable for curious kids and adults alike. Nobody jumps out at you.
- The Exorcist Steps at night. There is simply no better way to end an evening in Georgetown.
DC by Foot’s Ghosts of Georgetown tour — darker history, better stories, and a guide who knows where every secret is buried.

Everything before you book.

Meeting point

Outside the Old Stone House at 3051 M Street NW, near the corner of 30th and M St. The Old Stone House is the oldest unchanged building in Washington DC and is easy to spot. Look for your guide in DC by Foot attire outside the building. (map)

End point

The tour ends at the Exorcist Steps at 36th and Prospect St NW. The closest Metro stations are Foggy Bottom/GWU or Rosslyn on the Blue, Silver Orange lines. (map)

Getting there

Metro Blue or Orange Line to Foggy Bottom/GWU Station. Georgetown is approximately a 15-minute walk from the station. Rideshare is a convenient option, especially for the return journey from the Exorcist Steps.

What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes — approximately 1.5 miles including some uneven and hilly terrain
- Water bottle
- Weather-appropriate clothing — tours run rain or shine
- Camera — Georgetown at night is one of DC’s most photogenic settings
Accessibility

Georgetown’s historic streets include some uneven terrain and hilly sections. This tour is not recommended for wheelchairs or strollers on public tours. For accessible options please contact us about a private tour.

What’s included
- Licensed professional historian and tour guide
- Georgetown restaurant, bar, and experience recommendations from your guide
- Stories you won’t find anywhere else — researched and developed by the author of Wicked Georgetown
The Old Stone House is the oldest residential building in DC – nearly 200 years of stories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour actually scary?

It depends on your definition of scary. Nobody jumps out at you and there are no theatrical gimmicks. What we offer is something we think is more unsettling — real documented history from Georgetown’s darker past, told by guides who know how to tell a story. Most guests describe it as fascinating, eerie, and genuinely surprising. Some find specific stops quite unnerving. You have been warned.

Is this tour family-friendly?

Yes — this is one of our most popular family tours. The content is more history than horror, with more humor than screams. It is suitable for curious kids of all ages. Nobody jumps out at anyone. Children under 4 are free.

Do you actually believe in ghosts?

Our guides are historians first. We present the documented history and the accounts left behind by the people who lived and worked in these buildings. What you choose to believe is entirely up to you. We will say that some of our guides have had experiences on this tour that are difficult to explain.

What is the Exorcist connection?

The 1973 film The Exorcist was based on a real case that took place in the DC area. The steps at 36th and Prospect St NW featured in the film have become one of Georgetown’s most visited landmarks. Your guide will tell you the full story — both the film and the real events behind it — at the end of the tour.

Is there a Metro stop near Georgetown?

Georgetown does not have its own Metro station. The closest station is Foggy Bottom/GWU on the Blue and Orange lines, approximately a 15-minute walk from the meeting point. Rideshare is a convenient alternative, especially for the return journey from the Exorcist Steps at the end of the tour.

What happens if it rains?

Tours run rain or shine. Bring an umbrella and weather-appropriate clothing. In the event of severe weather, we will contact all guests by email and text with alternative options or a full refund.

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! This tour takes place in a residential area with no restroom options on the tour or at the tour start.
January 1, 2026
Ghosts of Alexandria

January 1, 2026
Lincoln Assassination
★★★★★ 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.

The tour ends outside Ford’s Theatre — the site where the most consequential night in American political history played out.

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.
Walk down Pennsylvania Avenue NW in the footsteps of the conspirators — and see what this street looked like on the night of April 14, 1865.

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.

Outside Peterson’s Boarding House — the house across the street from Ford’s Theatre where Lincoln was carried after being shot, and where he died the following morning.

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.

Book This Tour →

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.

The Willard Hotel — where Lincoln stayed before his inauguration, and one of the key stops on the tour.
January 1, 2026