Visiting Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site

Q: Is a ticket required to tour the theatre?
A: Yes. All visitors two years of age or older must have a ticket to visit Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site. Single and group tickets can be reserved in advance via Ticketmaster online or by calling (202) 397-SEAT (7328). Groups of 20 people or more can also reserve tickets through our Group Sales office at (202) 638-2367. Twenty percent of the tickets for each entry time will be available at the Box Office for day-of, walk-up reservations on a first-come, first-served basis.

Advance reservations are recommended during tourist season. Please note that entrance to the theatre may be a few minutes later than the ticketed time because of large crowds.

Q: Is admission free?
A: Admission to Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site is free. There is a convenience charge associated with reserving advance tickets. It is $1.50 for individuals and $1.25 per person that make reservations through our Group Sales Office. Additional Ticketmaster surcharges of $1.00 per ticket and $1.00 per order apply for tickets reserved through TicketMaster.

Q: What will I see while I am there?
A: A visit to Ford’s Theatre includes entry to the theatre and the Petersen House, the house where Lincoln died. Beginning in July, visitors will also have the option of visiting the newly renovated Ford’s Theatre Museum. In addition, Ford’s Theatre offers a variety of programming to its visitors. A visit to Ford’s Theatre may include:

• A presentation by a National Park Service ranger
• A one-act play presented by Ford’s Theatre Society
• Please note that Ford’s Theatre is a working theatre, and as such the theatre may close occasionally for performances or rehearsals. A detailed schedule is available here.

Q: What is in the museum?
A: The museum tells the story of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, from his arrival in Washington in 1861 to the legacy he left. The exhibits also paint a picture of Washington, D.C., and the United States during Lincoln’s presidency. It features a remarkable collection of historic artifacts, including the deringer that John Wilkes Booth used, as well as a replica of the coat that President Lincoln wore the night he was shot.

Q: What is One Destiny?
A: One Destiny is a 30-minute one-act play featuring two actors. It depicts the events of April 14, 1865, through the eyes of Harry Hawk and Harry Ford, two men who were there.

Q: How long will it take to visit?
A: If you are visiting only the theatre and Petersen House, we suggest allotting 1 hour for your visit, starting from your scheduled entrance time. If you are also visiting the museum, we suggest allotting 1 ½ hours for your visit.

Q: What are your hours?
A: The theatre is open for tours from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Petersen House is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Box Office is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and stays open until 8 p.m. when there is an evening performance. When there is an evening History on Foot walking tour, the Box Office stays open until the tour begins. The site is closed on December 25, and the theatre may be closed at various times to accommodate rehearsals and performances. For a calendar of events, click here.

Q: Is there a gift shop?
A: Yes. We have a brand new gift shop that carries Ford’s Theatre and Lincoln memorabilia as well as an array of books. You may also make purchases through our online store.

Q: Is there food available at the site?
A: Yes. Ford’s Theatre now has concessions, offering beverages and snacks.

Q: Where should I stay while I am in town?
A: The neighborhood surrounding Ford’s Theatre has many accommodations. Visit our hotels page for recommendations.

Q: Are you a part of the National Park Service?
A: Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site and the Ford’s Theatre Society are partners in the operation and programming of Ford’s Theatre. The National Historic Site is part of the National Park Service, and the Society is an independent not-for-profit organization. To learn more about the National Park Service, please visit its Ford’s Theatre page.

Q: I am interested in filming a documentary on the national historic site. Do I need a permit?
A: Yes. Please visit the National Park Service’s site for instructions and guidelines on the permit application process.

Visiting Ford’s Theatre for a Performance

Q: How do I purchase tickets?
A: Tickets can be purchased by phone through Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT [7328] or online. A $2 restoration fee per ticket and additional Ticketmaster surcharges apply. You can also visit the Ford’s Theatre box office in person to purchase tickets.

Q: Are there additional fees if I purchase at the Ford’s Theatre box office?
A: The $2 restoration fee per ticket is also charged at the box office.

Q: The Ticketmaster website says there aren’t any tickets available. What does that mean?
A: There are a few reasons why you may receive a message that tickets aren’t available:

• The performance may be at capacity, meaning all tickets have been sold.
• The performance may have only single seats available. If you are searching for a pair or a set of four, for example, the Ticketmaster website will not sell you single seats.
• The performance may have only obstructed-view seats left for sale. Obstructed view seats are sold only at the Ford’s Theatre box office for a reduced price of $10 or $16.

Q: Is there a limit to how many tickets I can purchase via Ticketmaster or the Ford’s Theatre Box Office?
A: Single ticket buyers are limited to six tickets per purchase for A Christmas Carol and Little Shop of Horrors. Groups can purchase 20 tickets or more by contacting our group sales office at (202) 638-2367.

Q: I saw tickets to Ford’s Theatre available on a site other than Ticketmaster. Is it okay to purchase these?
A: Ticketmaster is the official ticket purveyor for Ford’s Theatre events. Only tickets sold by Ticketmaster, Ford’s Theatre and outlets authorized by Ford’s Theatre (such as Goldstar and Ticketplace) will be considered valid. Tickets sold through re-sale outlets and websites may not be honored.

Q: What should I wear to a performance?
A: We have no official "dress code" for attending plays at Ford’s Theatre. Our patrons usually dress in business casual attire. However, we'd rather have a patron come in jeans and a sweatshirt than not come at all out of concern for how they are dressed.

Q: Where should we eat before the performance?
A: The neighborhood surrounding Ford’s Theatre offers many great dining options. Visit our restaurants page for recommendations.

Q: What is the closest Metro stop?
A: Visit our Directions and Parking page for closest metro stops and directions.

Q: Where do I park?
A: Visit our Directions and Parking page for information on neighborhood garages.

Q: What time should I arrive? What if I am late?
A: We recommend arriving 20 to 30 minutes before the performance begins, so you have time to pick up your tickets, find your seat and visit concessions, the gift shop and the restroom. If you are late, the house manager will seat you at the late seating break, which may be 20 to 30 minutes into the performance. There are monitors in the lobby that will allow you to watch the action onstage if you are waiting to be seated.

Q: What if I can’t find my ticket?
A: The box office staff can reprint your tickets for you. Please allow additional time to visit the box office when you arrive.

Q: Where do I pick up my tickets? Do I need to show ID or a credit card?
A: The box office is inside the new theatre lobby. Please have a photo ID ready.

Q: Is this show appropriate for younger children?
A: We recommend the following ages for our productions:
* Black Pearl Sings!: ages 12 and up
* A Christmas Carol: ages 5 and up
* The Rivalry: ages 12 and up
* Little Shop of Horrors: ages 8 and up
* One Destiny: ages 8 and up
* Mark Russell: ages 12 and up

Q: How long is the performance?
A: One Destiny is approximately 30 minutes. Please check back for the running times of our other plays closer to their opening dates.

Q: Are there any discounted tickets?
A: Yes. Visit the Discounted Tickets page for more information.

History on Foot

Q: What is History on Foot?
A: History on Foot is a walking tour of downtown Washington led by an actor in costume portraying a character from the Civil War. Currently, Ford’s Theatre offers two History on Foot tours:

• Detective James McDevitt revisits the sites and clues from the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
• Elizabeth Keckly, a free black woman and confidante to Mrs. Lincoln, tells the story of her friendship with the Lincoln family and of her efforts to help former slaves find their way in the newly free city of Washington.

Q: How long are the walking tours?
A: The Keckly tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. The McDevitt tour lasts approximately 2 hours. The distance walked is approximately 1.5 miles. We suggest comfortable shoes.

Q: Does the tour include a tour of the Theatre?
A: No. History on Foot may be paired with a theatre tour, but the walking tour does not enter the Theatre.

Q: What if I want to go on a History on Foot tour, but I can’t do it at the time they are scheduled?
A: You can reserve a private tour for a group ranging from two to forty for a flat fee of $500. Private tours are subject to actor availability.

Other

Q: How do I arrange a group visit?
A: Please call our group sales office at (202) 638-2367.

Q: What is the number for Ticketmaster?
Ticketmaster can be reached at (202) 397-SEAT [7328] or toll-free at (800) 551-SEAT [7328].

Q: Is Ford’s Theatre accessible?
A: Ford’s Theatre has an elevator from the lower level museum to the new lobby and balcony levels. Accessible seats can be purchased through Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT [7328]. Please make sure to request accessible seating.

Q: Does Ford’s Theatre offer sign-interpretation or audio-description services?
A: Yes. Visit our Accessibility page for dates. Seats are set aside for those needing to be close to the stage for the sign-interpretation or audio-description services. They should be purchased by calling the Ford’s Theatre box office at (202) 347-4833.

Q: Does Ford’s Theatre offer gift certificates?
A: Yes. They are available through the Box Office at (202) 347-4833.

Q: I am with a D.C. school. How do I arrange a visit?
A: All schools in the D.C.-metro area that would like to schedule a visit should email education@fords.org or call (202) 638-2941 ext. 567. Ford’s Theatre will waive the convenience fee for advance reservation and subsidize transportation for DC public and public charter schools. DC public and public charter high schools may also be eligible for free tickets and transportation to theatrical performances on select dates. We encourage all DC schools to download our education and community programs brochure from the website or call the number above for more information.