2 hours
E-voucher
English
Overview
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).
Operated by
Visit DC Tours
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
4.81
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251 traveller ratings
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Great your!
Kimberly, May 2026
This was a very informative. Katherine was knowledgeable on everything. We would definitely recommend this tour to others.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour with Katherine and appreciated her knowledge. We truly value your recommendation!
Great tour!
SGeries, Apr 2026
Becca was a great tour guide. Very interesting and informative.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour with Becca and found it interesting and informative!
Entertaining and easy walk
lauren_m, Apr 2026
Entertaining and informative tour. Our guide was a great storyteller! Our 12 and 14 year old boys enjoyed it too.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour and that your boys had a great time too!
Really Interesting Tour
Eric_S, Apr 2026
Modest amount of walking. Really interesting and informative. Well worth the price of admission. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and engaging. The size of the group was controlled and made for a very intimate setting.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the intimate group size and engaging storytelling!
Itinerary
St. John's Episcopal Church
Nicknamed the Church of the Presidents, we start our tour here to get an overview of Washington DC in the 1860s; understanding the events that led to this fateful night. (We do not enter any buildings on this tour)
5 minutesLafayette Square
The tour will begin with an introduction to President Lincoln's final months in the White House. New characters will be introduced as we explore the historic row houses that surround the park.
10 minutesThe White House
We talk about Abraham Lincoln's presidency during the Civil War and his final speech; given at the White House in the presence of his later assassin, John Wilkes Booth. (We do not enter any buildings on this tour)
10 minutesUnited States Department of the Treasury
Walk past the US Treasury Building, which acted as the temporary White House after Lincoln's Assassiantion.
The National Theatre
On the day of the assassination, John Wilkes Booth stopped by this theater and met with a friend. Later that evening, Lincoln's son Tad was at this theater watching a play: Aladdin or his Wonderful Lamp. (We do not enter any buildings on this tour)
10 minutesOld Post Office Pavilion
Across from this grand old building was the location of the Kirkwood House Hotel. This is where Vice President Andrew Johnson stayed. Conspirator George Azerodt rented a room here and was given the job to attack Johnson that same night... (We do not enter any buildings on this tour)
5 minutesFord's Theatre
Learn about America's Main Street as you walk through downtown Washington DC, following in the foot steps of Presidential Inaugural Parades and how the residents of Civil War Washington DC traversed the city.
Ford's Theatre
This is the historic theater where John Wilkes Booth snuck up behind the President like a coward and fired that fateful shot. Today it is a working theater and it has been restored to his Civil War era grandeur. Millions of Americans visit this location every year to remember Lincoln and his legacy. (We do not enter any buildings on this tour)
15 minutesPetersen Boarding House
This small and simple historic row house was a boarding house at the time of the Civil War. After Lincoln was shot, he was taken to a room on the first floor of this house while the doctors attended to his health. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton interviewed witnesses here that night. Robert Todd Lincoln arrived from the White House and stayed by his father's side all night. It was a sad procession early the next morning when they finally brought the President's lifeless body down the steps for his carriage journey back to the White House. (We do not enter any buildings on this tour)
10 minutesThe original alley behind Ford's Theatre through which John Wilkes Booth escaped after the assassination. Ask your tour guide to tell you about it and you can walk there after the tour! It is open to the public and you can see some original buildings.
Experience
Highlights
Inclusions
- Professional, Licensed Tour Guide
- Historic Photos to View on the Tour of Sites and Characters
Exclusions
- Entrance into Ford's Theatre (tickets from NPS required)
Additional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please note: This tour does not enter any buildings during the tour
Guide Languages
English
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.