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
4.82
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260 traveller ratings
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Great tour
Darcy_M, Jun 2026
Our tour guide Becca was great!! Very knowledgeable and a great story teller. Apparently I slept through American History in school and had no idea there was such an elaborate plot set into motion to kill the president.
Great for teens
Jen_W, Jun 2026
Colin was a fantastic tour guide. We took our two teenage children and they enjoyed it. Would recommend, especially the 7:00pm evening tour.
trevor was fantastic!!!...
Jensen_A, Jun 2026
trevor was fantastic!!! he was so captivating and i learned so so much! the stops were great and he was full on knowledge.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour with Trevor. His passion and knowledge truly make for an engaging experience. We appreciate your kind words!
Great way to learn about Lincoln
Zachary_H, Jun 2026
Mike was very knowledgeable and friendly. He would take the time to tell the story in a meaningful way. While clearly understanding the gravity of the story, he still provided some lighthearted palate cleansers.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour with Mike. His thoughtful storytelling and balanced approach truly make for a memorable experience. We appreciate your kind words!
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
- 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour Following in Lincoln's Footsteps
- 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.