Ford's Theatre Society Review

Really loved Ford Theater! Being someone who loves history. It was so compelling to actually see Ford's Theeater. They have so much different things to read to learn more about that day he was shot. I would recommend this place to anyone who loves history.

Small but amazing that there are still shows in the very historic place

Great Tour. No need to purchase tickets ahead of time. Sit in the back of the Ford's theater talk, to be able to get into the house across the street first. This can be a long line that is formed outside.

The staff and how they handled the entry of patrons was very disorganized. The ranger talk and the presentation given by the chief were very informative.

Went to see The Wiz. First time at the theater. Very fun exciting experience. Only bad thing about it was we dressed up thinking there was a code. There were 50-70 high school tourists in jeans and t shirts so it took away from the "theater" experience.

We have toured the theater once before. This was our first time watching a performance there. Very nice experience.

Ford's Theatre is a wonderful place to both tour and see a performance. Last year (2019) we went to see "12 Angry Men" and it was one of the best stage performances I have ever seen. The actors were emotional and flawless in their performance. I am looking forward to seeing "Silent Sky" (Feb. 2020). In the basement of the theater is a small and very informative museum. The museum pays respect to Lincoln but also discusses the events leading up to his assassination. This museum is free if you are attending a performance or you can schedule a time to do a stand alone tour.

Its a theater. Its an actual still functioning theater house. Its a decent little museum and the talk was great. Cudos to tge older lady in the black and white dress who got my angsty teens attention. For all the hype tho? It was crowded and there just wasnt a whole lot to do or see.

Super informative. Amazing pieces of history bring the story to life. The gun, the box they sat in, the house where the President was brought to lie as he died. The story of each person involved in the conspiracy. Great for history buffs.

If you are a Lincoln enthusiast its a must see, you can buy tickets that allow you to see the theatre, the house where he died, and a museum that has the gun he was shot with.

Great westgate resort, beautiful cottages and rooms, needs exhaust cleaning, carpets, hidden places, but nice place

We went for the museum part of this theater. The tickets are free and get you into a very well put together museum (15-30 minute walk through). After the museum, the stairs will lead you into the Ford Theater where a Park Ranger gives a detailed story of events that happened leading up to Lincoln's assassination. It was a very interesting and excellent museum and the "Ranger Talk" was by far our favorite part. Highly recommend.

Definately pay $5 for the audio guide. A must see for Lincoln buffs!

Awesome place to learn a little about american history.

Great venue! I have been there a few times to see musicals and the seating is great. However, they keep it super cold in there!

Interesting history, always find it fascinating to learn the history behind our presidents.

Great experience! Would have liked to have more time in the museum.

The history and beauty is amazing. You will want to make sure you get the Rangers Tour. There is a lot of good information in the speech. It's also cool to sit in the Theater and look up at the box where Lincoln was shot. In the basement, make sure you check out the pillow with blood stains and the actual door from the box.

We were a little disappointed. The park ranger on stage briefly told us what we already knew about the events. It was only about 10 minutes. We were expecting maybe a partial reenactment, maybe playing the music or describing the play in a little more detail. It was still neat to see the theatre in it's well preserved state.

Wonderful experience. Outstanding production of A Christmas Carol. The Civil War Museum is fascinating

Interesting, there is a guide that gives good information.

A completely different experience than what I expected. The theater itself is really beautiful. Not at all what I thought it would be like. I loved the way that they had every detail able to be answered or talked about.

The iconic theatre that brought world attention in 1865 having President Lincoln assassinated.

The theater where Lincoln was assassinated remains intact.

Ranger that spoke about theater and events sounded like he was reading from a script. Good information poor delivery. Great museum

A small theater, pretty, very cute ... with a lot of history.

I expected a far better presentation for the humble man who kept this nation together.
Instead of a theatrical re-enactment of that night , we got a gracious volunteer in a hoop dress, tell a short story.
Come on guys, I know you can do Abe better. We owe him much better.

Very interesting and very enjoyable especially the gift shop

We walked by Ford s Theatre on our way to the diner across the street from Ford s Theatre. Directly across the street from Ford s Theatre is The House Where Lincoln Died, which should first stop by and pay your respects before walking in to Ford s Theatre. From the buildings surrounding Ford s Theatre, you might not realize all the history around the immediate area. But make sure you pay respects to Lincoln (and if you have time eat at the diner across from Ford s Theatre and next door to The House Where Lincoln Died).

Cool place to visit. Free of charge and AC. Lots of information about Abraham Lincoln and where he passed away.

We just finished the Investigation: Detective McDevitt put on by Ford's. It was a great foray into the events of April 14, 1865 with a tour guide in period. Well done! We had a great time!

Really well done play by the park ranger about the soldier that shot John Wilkes Booth. When he started out I thought it was going to be a bit hokey, but by the end he had my attention and presented the history extremely well.

This was an interesting location for a very important time in American history. The theatre was good and the museum's had a lot of information. I rated it a two though because ford theatre brought through a huge school tour well we were going through. I believe Ford's Theatre would do better if they shut down one day of the week to allow school tours. It is very hard to tour the museum's and tour the theatre, with tons and tons of students touring at the same time.

The play was fabulous. Funny, informative, heartwarming, uplifting. My daughter and I thouroughly enjoyed it and talked on the way home about how she could do anything but would have to work hard. The museum was great too. We were able to tour part of it before the show.

Such a cool place! Learned a lot more little details that I never knew before.

The plays are great but the common space is cramped. It is very hard to buy and drink drinks and/or go to the restroom in the brief intermission provided, even if you order ahead or it's just a plain coffee. Great history, great programming, rough facilities.

Smaller theater. Amazing performance of Into the Woods. And seeing Lincoln's box is crazy

Amazing to be in that spot where history happened! The only bummer was that they no longer let you look into the box that Lincoln sat in from the door that Booth entered from.

Be sure to be in the correct line. Organization is not their strength. Great exhibit but really poorly managed.

Free! but you must get a ticket from inside than come back at the tour time and get in line.

The theater couldn't be entered when I was there but it's a nice shop next door and very nice staff.

Amazing place to visit and to learn more about Lincoln's death.

Great venue, $10 parking nearby, and free opening night performances.

Ford's offers a really great value for your entertainment dollar. I highly recommend the plays. While you are there, check out the museum!

Was in awe of the history that is in that building and also the Peterson House.

It was pretty cool looking; however, the "tour" I went on wasn't very much of a tour. A man answered questions in a very odd fashion, wasn't really a very good tour

If you visit this place, you absolutely must make time for the Peterson House across the street as well. The presentation is a teensy bit dated, but the information is solid and the artifacts are really cool! After visiting, we're planning on purchasing a membership, it was so good. Make the time to visit this one, too.

Great experience, go at your own pace. Free admission, donation requests only. Great place to visit for history buffs.

Classy theatre experience. If your in town in November/December, "A Christmas Carol" is a wonderful cheer bringer and good for the family If the kids can sit still.

Interesting historical facts and impactful on the lives of many today.

Awesome to visit. Includes a mini museum with related artifacts

Online at the website, it says that it's $3 for tours and they start every half hour. I arrived and found out it's free with a semi-voluntary donation and that you can tour whenever you arrive. I also wasn't allowed to see the actual theater, only a museum downstairs. The museum was cool, but not what people go to Ford's Theater to see. This was the only location in DC that didn't meet my expectations on this trip.

Edit after owner response:

I do agree that it was mostly my fault for the expectations not being met. I ran out of time and this was the last place I stopped. However, as I read the website it made it sound like the biggest thing to be aware of was that tours only occurred every half hour, and I was more than willing to be patient and wait for whenever the next opening was. I was just disappointed that I couldn't see the actual theater. I also was there on February 28th so I wasn't in the peak visitation, there was I think 2 other people in the basement museum and no one in line for tickets so it must have just been that there was an event going on. I will know about the schedule for the next time we visit!

History at its finest. Very informative and interactive.

Why they restored the Ford theater to look like it did when Lincoln was assassinated?

there was a very loud gunshot followed by screaming right in the middle of the play and then a big black top hat fell off the top row onto my seat. very disruptive.

An important part of America's history is on display. The immense weight of the events that occurred there in 1865 will be forever ingrained in our national consciousness. My son was completely awed by the tour and learned so much that history books can never approach. An absolute must see for every visitor to our great Capitol city.

Great learning experience. We paid $5 for the audio and it worked as advertised. Great investment. Worth the time and money!!

The story behind this dark time in history is told very well here.

Always love coming to Ford's Theatre! The staff are really pleasant and knowledgeable. Great museum. Great gift shop. Easy walking distance from Arlington Metro Station. Park at Arlington and metro over. Perfect!

This was a fun place to visit. I d recommend you go there if you haven t.

Very well organized and displayed. The flow created easy to follow story line.