Like the site itself, the experience of visiting Lincoln’s Cottage is unique. View our visitor guidelines to know what to expect when you visit the site.
Only visitors with tickets are allowed to enter the grounds.
Visitors should check-in in the Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center.
President Lincoln’s Cottage is on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Security for the Armed Forces Retirement Home requires visitors to provide valid identification at the security gate in order to enter the property. Please come prepared and ready to show your ID.
Please respect the privacy of the residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home and remember to keep to the landscape and walkways immediately surrounding the Cottage and the Visitor Education Center. Exploring beyond these boundaries is not permitted and results in trespassing on federal property.
Indoor masking is currently optional.
When possible, staff and visitors will maintain 6-feet of social distancing to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
Photography of the Cottage and Visitor Education Center exteriors for private use is welcome and encouraged—feel free to tag us on social media @lincolnscottage. Interior and/or professional photography requires advance approval. See details about permission requests here»
Parking is permitted in our designated lot only; a bike rack is located behind the Visitor Education Center.
Food and beverages may be consumed in the picnic area behind the Visitor Education Center. Tables are available on a first come first serve basis, unless previously reserved for a fee. Reservable picnic tables can be rented and secured for $35 for 2-hour blocks of time. Each picnic table holds about 8 adults. To reserve a picnic table please send an email to chawkins@lincolncottage.org.
Visitors may also bring lawn chairs or other personal seating to enjoy tours comfortably.
For everyone’s safety and protection of the art and artifacts, sitting or climbing on the cannons and Lincoln and His Horse sculpture is not permitted.
