Ford's Theatre

Ford's Theater--the place of Abraham Lincoln's 1865 assassination--is one of the most famous historical sites in D.C. After 18 months of renovations, it reopened in February 2009 and is now open daily. Daytime visits include Ford's Theatre Museum (which traces the history of Lincoln's presidency), a 30-minute presentation by the National Parks Service or a one-act play by Ford's Theatre Society, and a trip to Peterson House (the site of Lincoln's death) across the street. At night, Ford's is a fully functioning theater with performances of seasonal productions. (Photo by Maxwell MacKenzie)

Editor's Tips

Look Good:: Final entry into the museum is at 4pm, and final entry into the theater is at 4:30pm. Because it's a working theater, check the Web site to make sure it's not closed due to rehearsals or matinee performances on the day you want to visit.
Know Before You Go:: Visiting the theater during the day is free but does require a ticket. The box office opens at 8:30am and distributes same-day tickets on a first-come, first-served basis (limit 6 per person). Advance individual tickets can be reserved through Ticketmaster with a fee of $1.50 per ticket.
The Extras:: Buy a ticket for the "History on Foot" walking tour; costumed actors lead two tours from the theatre every day.