Washington DC Assassination of President Garfield Tour

Follow the story of President James A. Garfield through the streets and landmarks of Washington, DC on a self-guided walking tour. From his unexpected nomination to the gunshots that ended his presidency, this route brings a turbulent chapter of American history into view.

Begin outside the Smithsonian Arts + Industry Building, then walk the National Mall and climb Capitol Hill to the East Front, where Garfield took the oath of office. Continue to the former Baltimore and Potomac Train Station, now the site of the National Gallery of Art, where Charles Guiteau fired the shots that set off 80 days of national anguish. Along the way, hear about the bungled medical care, Alexander Graham Bell’s experimental metal detector, and the trial that gripped the country.

Explore at your own pace with GPS directions, audio, maps, and geodata available offline. Download the app and use the code on your confirmation ticket before you arrive. Take this Washington DC assassination tour to connect the city’s familiar landmarks with the dramatic events that unfolded there.