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.
We periodically review our visitor guidelines to ensure community safety and accessibility. We are privileged to share a campus with the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Their safety, and yours, is our top priority
We encourage advanced ticket purchases. If you are walking in, please make sure to have an ID with you for our campus security.
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.
We strive to make this special place as accessible as possible. Find accessibility info here.
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.
Rental scooters may not be parked on AFRH campus. Please park rental scooters outside of the gate before entering the AFRH campus.
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 [email protected].
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.
We want all visitors to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Read our visitor code of conduct here.
