Famous as the site of President Lincoln's assassination, Ford's Theater is still a fully operational performance house. RELATED LINKS Return to Washington, D.C. City Guide

Most of Washington's top museums and other public attractions are free, but ticket prices can take a big bite out of your travel budget when you start dipping into the city's highly regarded performance arts scene. TICKETplace, a service of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, offers discounted ticket sales for a wide range concerts, plays and dance performances. Participating venues include the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (for performances of the National Opera, the National Symphony Orchestra and other arts organizations), Ford's Theatre (site of Abraham Lincoln's assassination and an active performance venue) and the Folger Theatre at the Folger Shakespeare Library.

To buy discounted tickets in person, head for the TICKETplace office at 407 Seventh St. NW, between D and E streets near the Gallery Place and Archives/Navy Memorial Metrorail stations. Most tickets are for same-day performances, with advance tickets available for a limited number of events. The booth is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, but it's best to arrive early for the best ticket selection. TICKETplace also sells a more limited selection of discounted tickets online at www.ticketplace.org Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 pm. Online sales are for same-day performances only.

TICKETplace charges half the face value each ticket plus a service charge based on a percentage of the full ticket value. The service charge is 12 percent for tickets purchased at the TICKETplace booth, or 17 percent for tickets purchased online.