Availability to all parts of the site (Museum, Theatre, Petersen House and Aftermath Exhibits) varies. Ford’s Theatre is a popular place to visit. We recommend you reserve your tickets in advance. 

Advance Tickets: We charge a $3 fee ($2.50 for groups of 10 or more) to reserve tickets in advance. All patrons regardless of age must have a ticket.

Same-Day Tickets: A limited number of free same-day tickets are available at the Ford’s Theatre Box Office beginning at 8:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals are limited to six tickets per person for same-day tickets. During the busy tourist season (March-June), we often run out of same-day tickets by 9:00 a.m.

Arrival: If you have advance tickets, please arrive no more than 10 minutes before your entry time.

Audio Tour: If you reserved an Acoustiguide audio tour, please pick up your device at the box office before joining your line for entry.

Dress for the weather: Our entry lines begin outdoors year-round, so be sure to check the weather before you arrive. 

Travel light: We do not have a coat check. For safety reasons, we do not permit luggage and oversized bags on site, nor do we offer storage locations.

Food and Drink: Ford's Theatre permits only bottled water to be carried and consumed in our museum, theatre and exhibit spaces. All other food, drink and gum must be disposed of before entry.

Strollers: Strollers have access to the museum, theatre and Aftermath Exhibits, but are not permitted inside the Petersen House.

Visitors in Costume: Ford’s Theatre does not permit third-party representation of historic figures in period clothing on site.

Weapons of any type are banned from the premises. The following items are also NOT PERMITTED at Ford’s Theatre:

• tripods 
• monopods
• guns
• weapons
• toy weapons
• laser pointers
• knives
• pen knives 
• pets
• food and drinks (bottled water is allowed)
• scissors
• aerosol cans, including pepper spray and Mace
• tools
• smoking 
• placards, signs, or banners