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The Lincoln Assassination Night-time Historic Walking Tour
4.8
163 Ratings
Washington
Experience the suspense, intrigue, and espionage of the Lincoln Assassination Walking Tour in historic DC. Discover the characters and events that unfolded on one of the most fateful nights in American history.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- St. John’s Church - Known as the Church of the Presidents, our tour begins here to provide an overview of Washington DC in the 1860s, highlighting the events leading up to that fateful night.
- Lafayette Square - The tour introduces President Lincoln’s final months in the White House. We’ll meet new characters as we explore the historic row houses surrounding the park.
- White House - We discuss Abraham Lincoln’s presidency during the Civil War and his final speech, delivered at the White House in the presence of his future assassin, John Wilkes Booth.
- The National Theatre - On the day of the assassination, John Wilkes Booth visited this theater and met a friend. That evening, Lincoln’s son Tad was here watching a play: Aladdin or His Wonderful Lamp.
- Old Post Office Pavilion - Opposite this grand old building was the Kirkwood House Hotel, where Vice President Andrew Johnson stayed. Conspirator George Azerodt rented a room here and was tasked with attacking Johnson that same night.
- Petersen Boarding House - This modest historic row house served as a boarding house during the Civil War. After Lincoln was shot, he was taken to a room on the first floor, where doctors attended to him. 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. Early the next morning, a somber procession carried the President’s lifeless body down the steps for the carriage journey back to the White House. Entry is only permitted with a daytime tour booking.
- Ford’s Theatre - This historic theater is where John Wilkes Booth cowardly shot the President. Today, it is a functioning theater restored to its Civil War-era grandeur. Millions of Americans visit annually to honor Lincoln and his legacy. Entry is only permitted with a daytime tour booking.
What's Included
- Historic Photos to View on the Tour of Sites and Characters
- Professional, Licensed Tour Guide
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
This tour will take you minute by minute through the last day of the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln.
You will meet the conspirators who were desperately trying to save the Confederate cause in the dying days of the Civil War. There were to be three attacks that night. This tour unfolds as a story filled with suspense, intrigue, and espionage.
Learn about and see:
-The White House - where Lincoln gave his final speech in the presence of his later assassin, John Wilkes Booth
-Home of Secretary of State Seward - who was also attacked that night by a co-conspirator of Booh
-National Theatre - a potential site of Booth’s attack on Lincoln, but instead where his young son learned of the death of his father.
-Site of the Kirkwood House Hotel - where Vice President Andrew Johnson lived and an attack on him was planned that night.
-Ford’s Theatre - the site of the assassination while watching a play in a full house.
-Peterson’s Boarding House - where Lincoln took his final breath.
- Please note: This tour does not enter any buildings during the tour
Location
St. John's Episcopal Church
H Street Northwest
Please meet your guide at the entrance of the church on 16th Street NW, NOT the Parish House on H St NW. The tour begins at St. John's Church, the yellow-columned church at the corner of 16th and H St NW, across the street from Lafayette Square.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(163 Ratings)
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Jsacreative415
Aug 25, 2024
The quintessential Lincoln assassination tour! - My husband and I are originally from Illinois, went to the Springfield museum, watched the Apple TV series Manhunt, and otherwise educated us about the assassionation. Yet we learned things we never knew on our tour with Katherine Fisher! The tour was entertaining and educational and the two hours just flew by. We highly recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jr_m
Aug 25, 2024
Informative & fun - Our guide Katherine was very knowledgeable and was easily able to keep our large group engaged. Would totally recommend
Review provided by Viator
Anonymous
Aug 25, 2024
Across the street and interesting facts and photos - Kat was a great tour guide. We learned things about that night that we had never heard before.
Remember to meet across the street from the park. We were in the wrong location but the company got us in touch with her so all turned out great!
Review provided by Viator
Dianne_k
Aug 21, 2024
Becca & Lincoln Assassination Nighttime tour - We did this evening walking tour with Becca as a tour guide. She was a fabulous guide and the tour was extremely interesting and informative. We were travelling with our 21 year old son and he similarly loved the tour. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Virginiebm9599ag
Aug 17, 2024
If you have 2 hours: take this tour! - Amazing tour with an amazing guide (Kevin for the win!). Fascinating, super friendly and made the whole tour like we were there… could not recommend more!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cynthia_z
Aug 3, 2024
Fascinating detail! - Katherine was terrific! Her knowledge Of all the really interesting details leading up to any, even after the assassination were fascinating And kept us totally engaged and really distracted by the fact that it was over 100° at 7 PM lol Julie a great time and a very easy walk for those bringing folks like us Who may be over 80. Thanks again for a great walk.
Review provided by Viator
Vanessa_m
Aug 2, 2024
Great experience - We learned so much from the Lincoln Assassination tour. Our guide, Kevin, was very knowledgeable and made the tour really fun!
Review provided by Viator
Marylène
Aug 1, 2024
Captivating - Captivating tour with general information about DC / civil war and specific information about Lincoln asssasination.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jill
Jul 15, 2024
Lincoln's Assassination - Now we know! - Jim was an awesome guide! He led our small group (12 total) around the area and shared with us information about Lincoln's assassination by John Wilkes Booth all while walking backwards so our group would all be able to hear him. The pace was steady, but not fast. Extremely enjoyable excursion from the youngest in our group, 13, to the oldest, 75.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bryan_m
Aug 4, 2024
Lost in dc - Well the info to get to the point where the tour started was not easy to follow so we never made it. Amongst the confusion the guide tried helping us get there but it was too late. I would have expected an email from the operator of the tour but did not.
Review provided by Viator
