Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Ford's Theatre National Historic Site adventure.
On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at this site. It's now preserved as a part of the National Park Service. You'll learn the motivations behind the assassination and the state of America at that time. You can even watch a dramatic live production of it all at this active working theatre.
The self-guided museum section is about 30 minutes long. It has exhibits about Lincoln's presidency and assassinator John Wilkes Booth. You can even see the infamous gun used, and the bloodstained deathbed pillow.
The Aftermath Exhibits nearby have an interactive trip of Lincoln's funeral ride with moving stories about the gathered crowds. It also details the manhunt and trial of Booth and his cronies.
Part of the theatre collapsed in 1893, but don't worry— it's completely renovated and up to code. You can sit almost anywhere on this guided tour, but the President's Box is off-limits.
The Petersen House is self-guided. You can see the bed where he laid diagonally because of his height.
Entry is free but requires tickets. It's best to get advance tickets because the lines can get long. Plus, it's a popular place for school field trips. There are limited same-day tickets available. The museum opens at 9 AM, and theatre entry is every 30 minutes starting at 9:30 AM. Sometimes, the theatre is unavailable because of rehearsal or shows. so call ahead. While the story behind this site is sad, it's still appropriate for kids 8 and up.