Categories Public & Local Services Historical Place Ford's Theatre National Historic Site
Ford's Theatre National Historic Site

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Ford's Theatre National Historic Site Reviews

EXCELLENT rating
4.5
5226 reviews Verified
Ford's Theatre National Historic Site
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Reviews ( 2317 ) 4.5

Jacob K.
Jacob K.
2024.12.22
Verified
Amazing experience and very informative exhibits. Whatever they pay the rangers isn't enough, amazing performance.
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Adelina Dragotta Films
Adelina Dragotta Films
2024.12.13
Elizabeth Palm
Elizabeth Palm
2024.12.12
The museum is on the bottom floor and has some historical artifacts. The theatre is on the upper levels. The information provided was very interesting, and being in the venue made it more prominent. Also got to visit the house across the street where Lincoln spent his last moments
JelyBeanCG
JelyBeanCG
2024.12.10
Verified
Unique historical experience This was a great experience! Lots of interesting exhibits and artifacts. Really enjoyed sitting in the theater seats and listening to the ranger talk. Being able to also tour the house where Lincoln lived his last hours added to the unique experience.
Tiffany B.
Tiffany B.
2024.12.09
Verified
One of those places I'd never been, and with its significance to American history, didn't want to miss it this time. The times tickets are an interesting thing to figure out because different times allow you access to different elements of the experience. The museum (downstairs), the theatre (where you get a 20 minute talk about the theatre), and the house across the street where Lincoln died are all potential elements of your visit. Unfortunately you can't get very close to or go into Lincoln's box, but just being "in the room where it happened" was interesting. So glad I went, actually wish they didn't shoo everyone out of the museum so quickly.
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F1LoverAnn
F1LoverAnn
2024.12.07
Verified
Great Place It was a little difficult to find, but once we found it, then the place was brilliant, well set out, knowledgeable staff, and a great presentation by one of the rangers. You literally are walking in the steps of history. Check what your visit allows you to see, as many of the tours are different.
Joshua Pfeiffer
Joshua Pfeiffer
2024.11.28
Well done historical site! Staff was excellent and the displays taught me so much more than just the basics of what I had known about the assassination of President Lincoln. It was also a great reminder of the history of the time.
Prim Suvichayaporn
Prim Suvichayaporn
2024.11.27
A free museum that's very good in every aspect, I recommend to spend around 1.50-2 hrs in there.
Stuart_Away_Again
Stuart_Away_Again
2024.11.24
Verified
Disappointing We booked the Ford Theater as part of our trip to DC. We opted for a show ‘A Christmas Carol’ with the museum entry. Arrived promptly and enjoyed the museum which has remarkably little about the clinging assassination. Performance started 15 minutes late, theater was very cold - we were moved for second half. Performance not the best we have seen held together by an outstanding Scrooge. All in a lot of money for a couple of hours of ‘AmDram’. On balance would have just paid to do the museum trip.
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CT53
CT53
2024.11.19
Verified
A really interesting and informative visit Ford’s Theatre wasn’t on our planned list for Washington sights, but an Uber driver recommended (Incidentally Uber in Washington was really good - engaging drivers, all very reliable)The basement museum was full of interesting information about the Civil War and Lincoln, well presented.After about 30 mins we were ushered up into the Circle seats of the Theatre, where we watched a really first class presentation about the Theatre and the Assassination (40mins or so). This was brilliant, almost a professional solo acting performance. Then we crossed the street to visit the house where Lincoln was taken and where he passed away. This was an excellent, well presented, museum.It’s important to book ahead, and to include the tour and the presentation Overall thoroughly recommended !
laurie s.
laurie s.
2024.10.22
Verified
Great info but misinformation. Mary Sarratt was executed on July 7 1865. Info in theatre said she was spared execution.
Princess
Princess
2024.10.21
Verified
Interesting This intimate theatre has a small museum downstairs for viewing prior to a show. It’s rich in history and fascinating. There’s also a neat little gift shop.The theatre itself is elegant and beautiful, hosting some smaller plays, musicals, etc.
Dave W
Dave W
2024.10.18
Verified
A powerful piece of American history It’s hard to believe that I had never visited this piece of American history in all of my visits to DC. The museum does an incredible job telling the story of what the US was like leading up to and during Lincoln’s presidency. I have a whole new appreciation for the challenges he faced and the decisions he made that prevented this country from self destruction. It’s also impactful to see the theater where he was assassinated and to realize that it looks very similar to what it probably looked like that night.
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Dede C.
Dede C.
2024.10.15
Verified
This was a last-minute stop while we were in Washington DC because we had a little extra time. I will say it was worth the short walk and really packed full of history. The tour itself is pretty amazing and self led. Once you get into the theater itself there is a national park person there to guide you and help explain how everything happened that night in the theater. When you're done, you can walk across the street to the actual place where Lincoln died and physically see the room and the bed where that happened. As you are leaving, there's a stack of books that must be three stories high and it's one copy of every book about Lincoln. That was amazing. I believe they were over 14,000 books in the stack. If you're in Washington DC it's definitely a stop I wouldn't miss.
James N.
James N.
2024.10.13
Verified
Obviously the history of the theater is fascinating. And the museum has quite a few fascinating exhibits. The actual pistol that fired the fatal bullet, a pillow Lincoln's head rested on, and more. The guides, however, leave much to be desired. From the moment you walk in to purchase your ticket, to the people stationed throughout to answer questions, they seem disheveled and scattered. They mumble, they don't interact well with the public. It's quite odd. The gentleman who gave the talk on the stage was quite good, but he was the exception that proves the rule. But for $3.50 you really get a good dose of knowledge if you're a history buff.
OnTheMoveMN
OnTheMoveMN
2024.10.12
Verified
How Did I Miss This Museum? Informative and as in depth as you want it to be as a self guided tour. Gives great insight into Lincoln and his amazing mind. There is a park ranger on site if you have questions.
Tigeriffic69
Tigeriffic69
2024.10.11
Verified
September 2024 visit A must do, when visiting Washington DC.It is free, and accepts donations.There was a couple of people around to help answer any questions you may have.Very interesting place. It gives you a lot more of an insight to Abraham Lincolns life, and the unfortunate assassination.As part of the visit you can go into the apartment across the road, and visit the room where he eventually passed. There is also a mountain of different books, written about Abraham Lincoln. I couldn't believe the amount there was.2 small shops, and toilets.
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JC2813
JC2813
2024.10.10
Verified
American 🇺🇸 history trails . Add to your list A fantastic example of historical preservation. The museum does a good job of explaining events, people that were involved in the assasination with interpretation and some original artifacts . Needed more lighting in some areas. Then a ranger speech inside the theater . They still have live theatrical events here . The Peterson house is right across the street . BONUS: just a short few blocks away , walk to Mary Surratt (a co -conspirator) house. It’s now a Chinese restaurant. Overall a good one to add to Civil War trails or general American history .
Michael N.
Michael N.
2024.10.07
Verified
You never forget that you're on hallowed ground here as the ghost of the Lincoln assassination reverberates through every timber of this 19th century playhouse. Now of course there's a full scale exhibit on the 16th president in the basement with the theater still remarkably true to its almost 200 y/o patina. We were fortunate to score tickets to a one man show, Lincoln, starring a brilliant Scott Bakula. You're drenched in history here and you'll vacillate between somber and exillerated from minute to minute. Given the gravitas of the location any rating system seems trite. A must see on any DC excursion.
Debra Bell
Debra Bell
2024.10.04
Beautiful historic building. Theater show was amazing!!