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
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Don't miss out!
Eileen_B, Jan 2026
The night of our tour was bitterly cold. We almost canceled but we are so thrilled that we didn't! Becca was just fantastic and brought everything to life (even when we couldn't feel our toes). She is such an incredible wealth of information - tackling not only the subject matter but anything thrown at her generally. Can't speak highly enough about the tour and Becca.
Cool tour
Michael_K, Dec 2025
Katherine’s story telling was excellent and really added to our stay in DC. Even on a freezing night, we had fun!
Lincoln Assassination
Dan_G, Dec 2025
I read a lot about history, especially the Civil War. I had read extensively about the assassination. This tour and visiting the sites really put the events of that night in perspective. I really enjoyed it. The tour guide was very knowlegable and gave a good tour.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you! We’re so glad the tour helped bring the events of that night into perspective and that you enjoyed the guide’s knowledge and storytelling.
Becca was a great tour...
Matthew_R, Dec 2025
Becca was a great tour guide! She was so informative and had tons of information for us. Highly recommend her for any tours you have planned in DC!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed your tour with Becca and appreciated her knowledge. We really appreciate the recommendation!
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 minutesWhite 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
- Historic Photos to View on the Tour of Sites and Characters
- Professional, Licensed Tour Guide
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.