Lincoln's Missing Conspirator: the John Surratt Saga
- 2h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Most Lincoln assassination tours focus on the events of April 14, 1865 and the death of President Lincoln. This experience follows the investigation that came afterward. Through a carefully structured narrative, guests follow the evidence surrounding John Surratt—the only major conspirator who escaped immediate capture following Lincoln’s assassination. The tour combines crime scene reconstruction, witness testimony, political intrigue, Confederate espionage, and an international manhunt to create an immersive historical experience. The storytelling style is inspired by investigative documentaries and true-crime narratives rather than traditional historical lectures. Guests are not asked to debate the evidence but are encouraged to think like investigators as the story unfolds.
Inclusions
What's included
- Entrance fee
What's not
- Gratuities
- meals are paid for by the customer
- Bottled water
Itinerary
• Introduction to Lincoln’s assassination. • Overview of the conspirators. • Introduction of John Surratt. • Establishment of the central mystery. • Introduction to the investigation framework.
Mary Surratt’s Boarding House (Wok and Roll) Conspiracy Headquarters • Introduction to Mary Surratt. • Introduction to John Surratt. • Introduction to Louis Weichmann. • Booth’s visits to the boarding house. • The kidnapping plot. • Early evidence gathered by investigators.
Washington Under Suspicion • Wartime Washington. • Civil War-era 7th Street. • Social and political tensions in the capital. • The city in the days following the assassination. • The growing search for conspirators.
The Victim • Abraham Lincoln’s presidency. • The Civil War. • Why Lincoln became a target. • The significance of Lincoln’s death
The Crime Scene • Reconstruction of April 14, 1865. • Booth’s movements. • The assassination. • Witness accounts. • Immediate investigative response. EXTERIOR ONLY due to NPS closure of Ford's through Aug. 25, 2026
The Death Watch • Lincoln’s final hours. • Launch of the manhunt. • Identification of suspects. • Arrests and evidence collection.
The Fugitive • John Surratt’s escape. • Confederate Montreal. • Confederate intelligence networks. • George N. Sanders. • Jacob Thompson. • Europe and the Papal Zouaves. • Capture and extradition. Objective: Expand the story from Washington into an international manhunt.
The Trial • John Surratt’s trial. • Louis Weichmann’s testimony. • The prosecution’s evidence. • Defense arguments. • Hung jury. • Historical legacy
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Meet on staircase outside main door on K Street side.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 20 travellers
- Operated by
- DC Baltimore Tours
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Accessibility: This walking tour follows city sidewalks and public streets. Portions of the route include uneven sidewalks, curb cuts, and moderate walking distances. Guests who use walkers or other mobility aids are encouraged to contact us before booking so we can discuss whether this experience is suitable for their needs.
How it compares in Washington DC
- Its from-price is close to the median of the 767 experiences we list in Washington DC.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Washington DC
Washington, DC is the US capital, a planned city on the Potomac, with a National Mall of monuments and museums and cherry trees in spring.
Washington was planned as a capital in the 1790s, with broad avenues radiating from the Capitol. The National Mall stretches from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, past the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool. Memorials to Jefferson, Franklin Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr stand around the Tidal Basin, where cherry trees bloom in late March or early April. The White House stands just north of the Mall.
Top-ranked sights in Washington DC: The White House, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial.
Special offers in Washington DC
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
