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The ronald reagan building and international trade center, the willard (colonial parking station 626).

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1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC, 20500

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The White House is a top landmark in Washington, D.C., located just north of the National Mall. The building is a prime example of the neoclassical architecture that defines many of the landmarks in the nation's capital. You can view the White House from the Ellipse, a park area that overlooks the South Lawn, or from Lafayette Square north of the White House.

From the White House, it's easy to travel to the museums and monuments of the National Mall or head up to Dupont Circle to explore shopping and dining options.

With SpotHero, you'll never have to worry about parking. Book your spot now.

Can you tour the White House?

Public tours of the White House are free, but you must reserve them in advance. You can make a request through your member of Congress at least 21 days and up to three months in advance. International visitors can schedule a tour through their country's embassy in Washington, D.C.

What will you see on a public tour?

You can view the rooms of the East Wing, the State Dining Room, the China Room, and the White House Rose Garden.

Are there other touring options?

The White House Garden Tour takes place every spring and fall, showcasing the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, South Garden, Rose Garden, and White House Kitchen Garden. You can get tickets at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion on tour days.

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A family travel blog

The White House Tour

Visiting the White House- How to Get a White House Tour and What to Expect

Visiting the White House is the opportunity of a lifetime. The White House tour is one of my most memorable experiences from all of my trips to Washington, DC. It requires a bit of planning to schedule a tour of the White House. Trust me when I say that it is well worth the effort!

Table of Contents

How to Schedule a Tour of the White House

The National Park Service no longer schedules tours of the White House. Instead, in order to secure a public tour, you must reach out to a Member of Congress ( find your representative here ). Requests must be made at least 21 days in advance, and up to three months out. We suggest submitting your request as early as possible since a limited number of spaces are available.

Tours are typically available from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM Tuesdays through Saturdays excluding federal holidays. The tours are free of charge.

At this time, embassies are not scheduling tours for international visitors.  

White House Tour Boarding Pass

After contacting your Congressperson, you’ll receive an email letting you know whether or not there are any White House tours available during your visit to Washington, DC. You will receive an email 2-3 weeks before your requested dates indicating whether or not the date is available.

If there are time slots available during your visit, you are assigned a specific day and time for your White House tour. Weirdly, when we requested our tour we received an email telling us there were no tours available. A couple of days later, I received a second email confirming our visit. At this time, I submitted our social security numbers and full names to the White House.

Once we received clearance, we received a “Boarding Pass” that we had to present to the Secret Service Agents, along with our IDs.

Required Documentation

In order to gain access to the White House, you’ll need to bring a copy of the letter of approval (a digital copy is okay) and a government-issued photo ID.  Acceptable forms of identification include driver’s license, passport, military ID.

white house tours parking

Items Prohibited on the White House Tour

  • Aerosol sprays
  • Bags of any kind (including backpacks, purses, diaper bags, fanny packs, etc).
  • Cameras with detachable lenses
  • Weapons of any kid
  • E-cigarettes, lighters, matches, tobacco products, drugs
  • Foods and drinks
  • Liquids of any kind
  • Monopods & Tripods
  • Toy weapons
  • Video Cameras
  • Pointed objects
  • Any item determined to be a potential safety hazard

There are no storage facilities available during the White House tour.  There are also no restrooms available for public use.  We suggest using the restroom at the White House Visitor Center prior to your tour.

So... what can you bring...?

Honestly, you should plan on bringing as little as possible.  We brought our boarding pass, IDs, a credit card, a camera, a metro card, and an inhaler.  

Visitors will have to pass through strict security prior to entering the White House.  You’ll need to present your boarding pass, and ID cards (twice).

White House Tour- The State Dining Room

  • Baby carriers worn on the body
  • Breast pumps
  • Cell phones
  • Compact cameras with lenses less than 3 inches
  • Umbrellas without metal tips
  • Necessary medications

Remember, there is no storage available at the White House for guests.  If your hotel is nearby, we suggest leaving your belongings in your room.  If your hotel is far away, you can get a locker at Union Station.  The lockers are located near Gate A and are available from 6 am until 10 pm.  You’ll need a photo ID to get a locker.  The cost is $3-6 per hour depending on the size of your bag.

White House Tour- Entrance

Arriving for the White House Tour

Parking around the White House is limited, so we strongly suggest using public transportation. The White House is easily accessible via the metro.

The closest metro stations are Federal Triangle (Blue/Orange lines), Metro Center (Blue/Orange/Silver/Red lines), and McPherson Square (Blue/Orange/Silver lines).

If arriving via rideshare , use the White House Visitor Center as the drop-off address. The White House Visitor Center is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

The White House Tour entrance is located in Sherman Park at 15th Street NW and Alexander Hamilton Place NW.  We suggest stopping by the White House Visitor Center prior to your tour to use the restroom since there are no restrooms available for public use at the White House.

Know Before You Go

  • Tours are self-guided and last about 45 minutes.
  • Dress for the weather – you’ll need to wait outside until your tour beings.
  • Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time . Late arrivals may be turned away.
  • A National Park Ranger will help ensure you’re lined up with the proper group and will have Junior Ranger booklets available.
  • All guests must be previous registered via the RSVP link provided by the White House (via email).
  • No flash photography or videography is permitted (there will be Secret Service agents in every room)
  • Although the tour is self-guided, the Secret Service Agents can be a wealth of knowledge about the items found in each room.

White House Tour- Library

What Rooms Will I See on the White House Tour?

White House Tour

Prior to our trip I did a lot of research on what rooms we’d be able to see during our White House Tour.  Every website I checked listed the Blue Room, Red Room, Green Room, the State Dining Room and a view of the White House Rose Garden.

Much to my surprise, we actually got to see additional rooms!  One our tour, we toured both the State Floor and the Ground Floor.  We saw the movie theater, library, the East Room, Vermeil Room, China Room, State Dining Room, Green Room, Blue Room, and Red Room.

The White House tour was interesting.   Walking into the White House, I expected it to be just as opulent as  the Biltmore House and palaces such as the Tower of London and Versailles in Europe.  I was rather surprised to find that the rooms were much less stately.  The vibe felt a little more like going to visit your grandparents house, rather than the head of a country’s home.

That being said, it was really cool being able to marvel at the historical artifacts that decorate the White House.  We got to see Shikler’s portrait of JFK along with other portraits of past presidents, first ladies, and influential Americans like Benjamin Franklin.  It was very cool walking through the halls of the White House and retracing the footsteps of our nation’s leaders.

Secret Service agents are posted in each of the rooms.  Although the tour is self-guided, the Secret Service agents are a wealth of knowledge and will happily tell you about the history of the rooms and even give you the background information the art (and even artists!) and decor in each room.  Don’t be afraid to ask them questions- these ladies and gents are much more approachable than the guards at Buckingham Palace. 

Having the privilege of taking a tour of the White House is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  It is definitely something every American should do at least once in their lifetime!

White House Tour- Vermeil Room

What is There to do Nearby?

  • The White House Visitor Center
  • Ford’s Theatre
  • National Children’s Museum
  • National Archives Museum
  • National Portrait Gallery
  • National Museum of African American History
  • Museum of Natural History
  • National Museum of American History
  • National Air and Space Museum
  • National Gallery of Art
  • National Museum of the American Indian
  • Library of Congress
  •  US Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • Washington Monument
  • World War II Memorial
  • Lincoln Memorial
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial

FAQ About the White House Tour

Can you visit the white house as a toursit.

Yes! You do not need an invitation for the White House tour.  You do, however, need to request a tour via a Member of Congress. 

Who is allowed to take a White House tour?

All U.S. citizens 18 years and older are able to request a tour of the White House.  Visitors 18 and older need to present a valid, government-issued ID.  At the time of publication, only American citizens are able to visit the White House.

Are kids allowed in the White House?

Yes!  This is a great place for kids to experience.  When we visited our twins were 4 and our daughter was 8.  This is a great way for kids to develop background knowledge for things they’ll learn in school!

Fun Fact:   While we were in the White House, we had to remind one of the boys not to touch anything.  In response, he made a face at Ashley behind her back. One of the Secret Service Agents laughed and said, “Man, you should have seen the face he gave you.”

Is there a dress code for the White House?

There is no set dress code for the White House.  Since we were visiting multiple places on the day of our tour of the White House, we wore jeans.

Visitors should plan on waiting in a line outside of the White House, prior to their tour, and should plan to dress for the weather outside.

How long does the White House Tour take?

Since the White House tour is unguided, you can take as much time as you need to see everything.  Most people spend about 30 – 45 minutes.

Can you take photos in the White House?

Photography is permitted so long as it does not interfere with other guests tour experience.  Phones and cameras with lenses no longer than 3 inches are allowed inside the White House.

Can I meet the President on the White House tour?

No, tours are limited to the East Wing.  The West Wing, and the Oval Office, are reserved for VIPs or guests of the President.

Save Our Info on Scoring a White House Tour

For future reference, be sure to save our post on getting a tour of the White House!   Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest  while you’re at it!

If you’re planning a trip to Washington, DC, check out our 4 day itinerary and our list of 15 Must See Places in Washington, DC .  

White House Tour

Be sure to give us a like on  Facebook  or follow us on  Instagram   and  Twitter   for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

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Hello, thank you for the post about how to visit the White House! I was happy to find something beyond just the official government website. When you requested a tour via email, did you have to do anything besides ask? Do they pick and chose based on why a person is visiting? Just wanting to know how much information to put into my email request! Thanks!

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Elle MacRae

Hey, Casey! In my initial email, I just sent the dates that we would be in DC and listed the names of each person in my group. Most states will send out a form for you to fill out with any specific information needed.

Dear _____,

My name is _____________. My family will be visiting Washington, DC between _______ and _______. We are interested in touring the White House and hope you could help us facilitate this. The following people will be traveling with me: ________________. Please let me know what further details you need in order to set up a tour during our visit.

Respectfully,

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White House Visitor Center

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This post is about the White House Visitor Center and what you can find inside. It is a good option if you are unable to obtain tickets to visit inside the White House. 

  • How to Get There
  • Tour White House
  • Things to Do in DC

Visiting the White House Visitor Center

After an extensive revamping, the White House Visitor Center is open again to the public.

The restoration work took over 2 years and cost $12.5 million, much of which came from private donations through the White House Historical Association.

There are over 90 new artifacts on display, many of which have never before been on display. 

The White House Visitor Center is open daily 730pm-4pm. It's completely free to visit!

There is plenty to see in the White House Visitor Center so we recommend setting aside 30minutes-1hour to explore it. 

White House Visitor Center

Within the White House Visitor Center, you can watch a 14-minute film that takes you inside the White House and the lives of the First Families.

Even though this theater is in the back of the visitor center, we recommend watching it first . You'll find the theatre section all the way to the left when you walk in.

There are interactive exhibits of the White House that lets you tour inside and 3D models that you're encouraged to touch.

Throughout the visitor center are lifesize photographs of the White House through various administrations.

  Some of our favorite exhibits from the White House of years past:

  • President Abraham Lincoln's telegraph key - the actual telegraph key Lincoln used to communicate with General Grant during Robert E. Lee's surrender.
  • The desk used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, where he sat as he spoke to Americans during his fireside chats.
  • A golden eagle finial that was the top of the White House flagpole in the late 1800s.

How To Get to the White House Visitor Center

The White House Visitor Center is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave NW ( map ). 

The entrance to the White House Visitor Center is on Pennsylvania Ave NW, just before you get to 15th St NW and across the street from Pershing Park.

TIP: It is just a few blocks from the start of our National Mall Tour near the White House and is a great option for something to do before our tour begins.

Parking near the White House Visitor Center will be limited as many of the street parking in the area is restricted to federal employees, bus parking, or subject to rush hour restrictions.

We recommend not driving there but if you must, there are parking garages nearby that offer day rates.

  • Purchase a guaranteed parking spot in advance near the White House Visitor Center with SpotHero .

The White House Visitor Center is easy to get to by public transportation . The two closest metro stations (Metro Center, Federal Triangle) are both about 7-minute walk.

White House Visitor Center

White House Visitor Center from Metro Center:

Metro Center is on the Blue / Orange / Silver / Red lines and one of the main stations downtown.

It has a number of exits, the closest to the White House Visitor Center being the exit on 13th and G St NW.

Once you exit the station, head south down 13th Street until you reach Pennsylvania Ave NW and turn right. The White House Visitor Center entrance will be on your left.

White House Visitor Center Metro Center

From Federal Triangle:

Federal Triangle is on the Blue / Orange / Silver  lines. It only has one exit which is in the center of the courtyard of the Reagan International Center office complex.

If you head towards the courtyard, you'll see Pennsylvania Ave NW to your right. Turn left on Pennsylvania Ave NW and the Visitor Center will be on your left.

White House Federal Triangle

White House Visitor Center Gift Shop

The White House Visitor Center has a great gift shop. This is the place where you can get the official White House Christmas Ornament!

There is also a gift shop at 701 15th St NW called White House Gifts .

Here can take a photo of yourself sitting behind a replica of the Presidential desk in the Oval Office!

White House Visitor Center

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Relevant Posts:

  • White House at Night: Secrets, Scandals, and Legends
  • White House Garden Tour
  • Where to Store Luggage at the White House

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Historic Decatur House & Lafayette Square

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White House Visitor Center

Can I tour the White House? How do I get tickets? Find out how to make the most of your visit through the White House Visitor’s Center, an interactive museum that we’ve helped to renovate and maintain in partnership with the National Park Service. You might also enjoy our unique cultural and educational programs, many of which take place in the historic Decatur House just a block away from the White House itself.

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Calendar of Concerts, Lectures, & Exhibits

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The Official 2024 White House Christmas Ornament

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White House Visitor Center

Features many aspects of the white house, including its architecture, furnishings, first families and social events..

The White House Visitor Center is a nearly 1,600 square foot museum-caliber visitor experience featuring interactive exhibits, a large-scale model of the White House, numerous tactile exhibits, museum galleries, a temporary exhibit area, and the White House Historical Association retail shop. The Visitor Center provides a window into the Executive Mansion and its history as a companion to a White House tour, or as a stand-alone experience for those without a tour. Nearly 100 artifacts are on display, some for the first timesuch as President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s desk. The White House Visitor Center is operated by the National Park Service and is housed in historic Baldrige Hall in the Department of Commerce building. The Center includes a flagship retail store for the White House Historical Association that features new and treasured items that support their mission of enhancing the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the White House. The Visitor Center was designed with a strong focus on accessibility for all visitors, and the project team worked closely with the National Center for Accessibility to achieve a fully accessible experience. To plan your visit to the White House Visitor Center, please visit the National Park Service website.

Additional Information

Metro station.

Federal Triangle, Metro Center

1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW U.S. Dept. of Commerce Bldg. Washington , DC 20230 United States

(202) 208-1631.

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White House tours are back: Here's what you need to know

Benét J. Wilson

I remember visiting the White House for the first time during former President George H.W. Bush's time in office.

A friend with a friend who worked in the Washington, D.C., landmark at the time — if that isn't a quintessential D.C. thing to say, I don't know what is — was couch surfing at my place and wanted to "pay" me with a tour of the presidential mansion.

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I happily accepted the offer and, not long after, found myself exploring the iconic building. In addition to checking out the usual rooms included in the tour, my friend scored us a peek inside the Oval Office, an experience I'll never forget.

Like many sites in D.C., the White House paused tours of its interior due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But after 14 months, the Biden Administration announced that tours will resume on Friday and Saturday mornings starting April 15.

As was the case before the pandemic, you can't just show up and ask for tickets. Instead, you'll need to plan your visit weeks in advance.

Before you finalize your itinerary, here's everything you need to know about White House tours, plus suggestions for where to stay nearby.

white house tours parking

Although the White House is managed by the National Park Service, you can't reach out to the agency to get tickets. Instead, you'll need to request them from your member of Congress (or your embassy, if you're not a U.S. resident). You can do this between three months and 21 days in advance.

Tours are limited to Friday and Saturday mornings (excluding federal holidays or unless otherwise noted) from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, so you'll want to request your tickets as early as possible.

When you submit your request, be sure to include three potential dates for your tour, as well as the number of individuals in your party. Try to avoid the Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day and Christmas holidays, as tickets are a lot harder to come by during these busy times.

While you'll have a set tour time when you receive your tickets, know that unexpected events may occasionally cause your tour to be canceled at the last minute. If this happens, you'll need to submit a new request for a tour.

white house tours parking

On the day of your tour, all members of your group who are 18 and older will need to present a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or military ID (or a passport, if they're from another country). Each person's name, date of birth, city and state given for the reserved tickets must exactly match the government-issued photo ID presented.

While face masks are not required during the tour, they will be available on site should you want to wear one. Items you're welcome to bring on the tour include:

  • Compact cameras with lenses shorter than 3 inches long.
  • Umbrellas without metal tips.
  • Small personal items like wallets and cellphones.
  • Items needed for medical purposes, such as wheelchairs (which you also can request at the Visitors Entrance), medications and mobility aids.

Keep in mind, though, that the White House's strict security protocols mean certain items are not permitted inside. These include:

  • Video cameras, cameras with detachable lenses, tablets, iPads, tripods, monopods and cameras sticks.
  • Bags of any kind (handbags, purses, book bags, backpacks, diaper bags and camera bags).
  • Any pointed object, including pocket knives.
  • Food, liquids, aerosols, tobacco products and personal grooming items (makeup, lotion, etc.).
  • Guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons and devices, toy weapons and knives of any kind.

There is no storage available at the White House or the White House Visitor Center, so plan on keeping any prohibited items in your hotel safe or leaving them with a companion who isn't taking the tour.

What you'll see

white house tours parking

After you've made your way through security, you'll embark on an hourlong tour that includes stops at several well-known spots in the building, including the family theater, the East Room (which you may recognize from press conferences and special events), the State Dining Room (a banquet hall and ceremonial chamber for official events) and the Blue Room (a reception room famous for its decorations during the holiday season).

Depending on what's going on during your visit (or who you know), you may also have the chance to see other spaces like the Oval Office and the South Lawn, where Marine One (the presidential helicopter) lands and departs.

To supplement your White House tour, check out the adjacent White House Visitor Center . Open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the center is home to roughly 100 historical artifacts and offers an interactive touchscreen tour of the White House.

There's also the nearby White House Historical Association retail store , which sells a great selection of souvenirs, including history books, jewelry, cherry blossom items and the official White House Christmas ornament.

Where to stay

Washington, D.C. is home to many chain, independent and boutique hotels, and luckily, some of the best ones happen to be within walking distance of the White House. Here are some of my personal favorites — and their current room rates for October 2022.

Related: Best hotel credit cards

The Hay-Adams

white house tours parking

This historic hotel located between the White House and Lafayette Park regularly shows up on lists of the best hotels in D.C., and for good reason. If you play your cards right, you can snag a room with White House and Washington Monument views.

Speaking of views, the property's top-floor Top of the Hay has French doors that open onto a wraparound balcony with panoramic White House and city skyline vistas. It has a full-service rooftop kitchen, making it a terrific space for meetings and special occasions.

Since The Hay-Adams is a boutique hotel, it does not participate in any major brand's loyalty program. As a result, you'll need to pay cash for your stay. Standard superior rooms start at $439 a night.

Hotel Washington

white house tours parking

For a while, this 105-year-old hotel was known as the W Washington DC, but it reverted back to its original name in August 2021.

The chic property is known for the Vue, an open-air space regularly touted as one of the city's best rooftop bars. You'll also find a mix of rooms and suites, including some with jaw-dropping city views.

Cash rates for a standard queen room at this independently operated hotel start at $337 per night, but if you're looking for a show-stopping view, consider upgrading to one of the Monument suites. You'll enjoy sweet views of the Washington Monument for a minimum of $580 a night.

JW Marriott Washington, DC

white house tours parking

One of Marriott's flagship hotels just happens to sit right on Pennsylvania Avenue, less than two blocks away from the White House and next door to the National Theatre.

Like other hotels on this list, the JW Marriott Washington, DC boasts rooms with incredible views of downtown and the city's popular monuments. You'll also find a moody bar and an American-inspired restaurant on site, should you crave a cocktail or bite to eat after sightseeing.

While standard rooms do not come with a Washington Monument view, for a slight price increase, you can reserve a king bedroom that overlooks the monument starting at $359 a night. If you have a stash of Marriott Bonvoy points, you can apply 50,000 to 60,000 points per night to cover a stay here.

Willard InterContinental Washington DC

white house tours parking

The history of this hotel, which opened in 1818, almost goes back to the start of the republic. As such, it was the place to see and be seen for centuries.

When I moved to D.C. in 1978, the iconic Willard had been closed for 10 years and was just a decaying building on Pennsylvania Avenue. That same year, a team was chosen to redevelop the hotel into the stunning property it is today.

Ever since reopening in 1986, the IHG-affiliated hotel has drawn visitors with its ornate lobby and classically-styled rooms.

To book a king room with a premium view, expect to spend at least $517 per night or apply a minimum of 53,000 to 94,000 IHG Rewards points per night.

Kimpton Banneker Hotel

white house tours parking

Located on a tree-lined avenue with a view down 16th Street Northwest to the White House, this Kimpton outpost is slightly off the beaten path ... in a good way.

The property's Lady Bird rooftop bar features a bird's-eye view of D.C., including an unobstructed look at the White House, and a centerpiece U-shaped bar. Rooms and suites feature modern, eye-catching designs with colorful local art and bold accent walls.

Because this property participates in the IHG Rewards program, you can use either cash or points to pay for a room here. A standard room with two queen beds starts at $315 or 53,000 points per night.

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the White House in Washington, D.C. [Includes Virtual Tour]

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the White House in Washington, D.C. [Includes Virtual Tour]

History of the White House

Planning your visit, on the day of your tour, the white house experience mobile app (virtual tour), white house garden tour, the white house easter egg roll, what to see at the visitor center, when to visit, the northern trail, the southern trail, other landmarks and buildings, the north side from pennsylvania avenue, 20 facts about the white house, hotels near the white house, final thoughts.

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As the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, the White House is one of the most easily recognizable and iconic buildings in the world. Home to every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800, the White House is a historically and culturally important building that attracts millions of visitors all year round.

The site for the White House was selected by George Washington back in 1791, with the cornerstone laid by Irish-born architect James Hoban 1 year later. The extensive and ambitious build took 8 years to complete, and although it was Washington that commissioned it, he sadly died before it was completed.

Originally known as the President’s House, it was the second President of the United States, President John Adams, and his wife that were the first to take up residence there . However, much of the original building was destroyed by a fire set by rampaging Brits in 1814. The newly built house was completed some 4 years later, and it has been called home by a succession of presidents and their families ever since.

During the early 20th century, various additions were made to the building, including the iconic West Wing that houses the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, the Situation Room, and the Roosevelt Room, among others. During the Great Depression, the White House suffered neglect as a result of dwindling funding, and urgent renovations were needed during the 1940s.

Now one of the most well-cared for and loved buildings in America, the White House as we know it today is home to 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels in residence , as well as 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators. Anyone visiting the capital city of Washington, D.C., should definitely try to pay a visit.

White House Illustration

Getting to the White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is probably one of the most famous addresses in the world. Taking a trip to visit the sprawling presidential home and offices is easy using almost any route.

There is a Metrobus stop located on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street, which is the closest stop to the White House Visitor Center. Pennsylvania Avenue Line numbers 30, 32, 34, 35, and 36 all stop there.

Union Station is around 1.5 miles away from the Visitor Center. Heading northeast along Massachusetts Avenue, you can take in the city as you walk there, or hop on the shuttle bus that leaves from outside the station every 10 minutes.

The Blue, Silver, and Orange lines stop at Farragut West, McPherson Square, or Metro Center stations, all of which are within easy walking distance of the Visitor Center.

There are several parking lots that are located close to the White House Visitor Center, but spaces can be difficult to find and expensive. Downtown D.C. is also rated as one of the worst cities for traffic in the U.S. , so it may be quicker to walk or use public transport than try to undertake the journey by car.

How to Schedule a Tour of the White House

The White House is one of the most popular landmark attractions in the world. Every year, demand for tours outstrips the available places, so before your head off, make sure you know the best ways to maximize your chances of getting a tour inside the world-famous White House.

In order to visit the rooms that are available for public inspection at the White House, you will need to book a tour in advance . Tours are free of charge and self-guided , but you must request permission to visit at least 3 weeks in advance of your arrival in order to receive clearance from the U.S. Secret Service.

You can request tours up to 3 months in advance via your member of Congress , but there is no guarantee that your request will be accepted.

The self-guided tours run from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, but these timings can be subject to change depending on the White House schedules and events. Tours can also be canceled without prior notice, so be prepared.

Tours run in groups of 10 , and you will be placed in a group with other visitors before arrival if there are not enough in your own party. You will need to submit information about every member of your party, including their address, phone number, date of birth, Social Security number, and country of citizenship.

You will need to show your ID upon arrival, and your ID must exactly match all of the information you submitted in your application . A valid U.S. government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or military ID, is acceptable for U.S. nationals, as are valid U.S. passports.

Overseas Nationals

If you are planning on visiting the White House from overseas, you will need to contact your home country’s embassy in Washington, D.C. to submit a tour request before your departure. Foreign nationals must present their passport — no other forms of foreign ID will be considered as acceptable.

Disabilities

If you or anyone in your group is hearing, visually, or mobility impaired, their needs can usually be catered for through your member of Congress, or via your embassy. There is also a TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf) at the Visitor Center, which can be contacted at 202-456-2121. Guide animals are permitted in the White House.

If you need the use of a wheelchair during your visit, you can request the loan of a wheelchair at the Visitor Entrance upon arrival. Unfortunately, reservations are not possible , but if you are able to secure one, there is a ramp to allow access to the entrance on the ground floor, and an elevator to take you from the ground floor to the State floor.

Hot Tip: While no tour company can get you access to the White House, you can take the popular hop-on, hop-off tour of Washington, D.C . on the red loop which takes in the White House, U.S. Capitol, and many more landmarks. 

The White House

If you are successful in your application to book a tour of the White House, there are further instructions and guidelines to consider on the day.

Firstly, you should plan to get to President’s Park 15-30 minutes before your tour is due to start . This will allow plenty of time for presenting your ID to officers, taking toilet breaks, and ensuring that you don’t have prohibited items in your bag. Better still, if you arrive an hour or so before your allocated tour time, you can take in the exhibits and watch a video of the White House at the Visitor Center.

You will enter the White House by the south side of East Executive Avenue near the Southeast Gate , where National Park Service rangers will be on hand to assist you.

As you would expect, security is tight in and around the White House. Visitors must adhere to strict rules about what they can and can’t take with them during the tour.

Prohibited items include, but are not necessarily limited to:

  • Video cameras and cameras with detachable lenses
  • Tablets and iPads
  • Tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, and camera sticks
  • Any bags, including handbags, purses, book bags, backpacks, diaper bags, and camera bags
  • Any pointed object or sharp objects
  • Food and liquids
  • Aerosols and personal grooming items such as makeup or lotion
  • Guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, and mace
  • Martial arts weapons or toy weapons

You should also note that there are no storage facilities at the White House , so if you accidentally bring prohibited items with you, there is nowhere to leave them, and you will be denied entry to the tour. Leave everything on the above list back at home or in your hotel room.

There are certain items that you can take with you on your tour, but they may be subject to usage limitations. These include:

  • Compact cameras (can be used for still photography only, no video recording or streaming, and all lenses must be less than 3 inches long)
  • Umbrellas without metal tips
  • Cell phones (remember, though, that talking or texting is not allowed, and phones must be on silent)
  • All items needed for medical purposes will be permitted, including wheelchairs, electronic scooters, glucose tablets, EpiPens, medication, etc.)

Hot Tip: Before and during the tour, you are at the mercy of government officers. In some circumstances, the U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items that you may be carrying.

The White House Experience Mobile App

In these tech-friendly times, smartphone users will be delighted to know that there is a White House Experience Mobile App that you can download to enhance your experience during your visit.

Available on both iOS and Android , this is a useful tool for visitors who have not been successful in finding a place on an official tour, as well as those who have. Users can enjoy a virtual tour of the White House and the surrounding President’s Neighborhood, as well as taking a tour through the history of the White House and how its customs have evolved.

There are also a number of fun features to raise a smile. Snap a selfie with the Presidential Lookalike feature, or take the opportunity to virtually pilot the presidential helicopter around Washington, D.C., using the Fly Like Ike feature.

The Virtual White House tour offers visitors a glimpse of the interiors of the public areas including the East Wing, Family Theater, Library, Vermeil Room, China Room, Diplomatic Reception Room, Map Room, State Floor, as well as the famous rooms of the West Wing such as the Oval Office, Cabinet Room, and Press Room.

You can also sneak a peek into some of the upper floors, including the Treaty Room, the Lincoln Bedroom, the Queen’s Bedroom, and the President’s Dining Room.

While you are out and about, why not try the White House Neighborhood Walking Tour that provides turn-by-turn navigation of the President’s Neighborhood.

This tour stops at a range of historic landmarks, including Decatur House, Lafayette Square, St. John’s Church, Treasury Building, North Lawn, Blair House, Eisenhower Executive Office Building, South Lawn and Ellipse, and the White House Visitor Center. The app also provides information on points of interest at each of these locations.

Melania Trump White House Kitchen Garden

During the spring and fall, the White House opens its stunning and extensive gardens to visitors. With the sun shining on Washington, D.C., garden lovers can stroll through the White House Kitchen Garden, the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the Rose Garden, and South Lawn of the White House, while taking in the tranquil surroundings just outside the home of democracy.

The Spring Garden Tour usually takes place on a single weekend in April, while the Fall Garden Tour will is held over a weekend in September. Both White House Garden Tours are free and open to the public, but they are only open to ticket holders.

Tickets can only be obtained on the day , but there are often long queues of people waiting to get hold of them. Every member of your group must wait in-person to receive their ticket, and tours are timed throughout the day. Children are welcome to join you on your tour, but they will need their own ticket, and there are plenty of plaques and information points to take in during your self-guided tour of the gardens.

The White House Gardens are home to over 50 different kinds of vegetables, as well as berries, herbs, and even a beehive . In 2009, first lady Michelle Obama planted the Kitchen Garden in conjunction with her Let’s Move! Initiative that focused on health and well-being in America. To this day, the White House cooks still use fresh fruit, vegetable, and herbs that are grown there when cooking for the first family and their guests.

The Rose Garden is famous for the lush green lawn often seen in outdoor press conferences, and it can be found just outside the West Wing in view of the Oval Office. The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden is dedicated to the former first lady herself, and the wide-open lawns and gorgeous borders are often used for parties, teas, and awards ceremonies.

The South Lawn is where the president departs and lands on the official presidential helicopter, Marine One, and is also where the famous annual Easter Egg Roll is held. It is also home to a range of magnolia trees that were first planted by President Andrew Jackson back in the 1800s.

Hot Tip: Visitors are welcome to take photos during the tour and are encouraged to share them on Instagram using the #WHGARDEN hashtag to share the beauty of the White House Gardens with the world.

white house easter egg roll

Often drawing as many as 35,000 parents and children on the South Lawn, the world-famous White House Easter Egg Roll is one of the most exciting events of the White House calendar.

This time-honored tradition was first established by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878 . What initially started as a few local families rolling eggs outside the White House on the first Monday after Easter , was extended when the growing crowds convinced President Hayes to invite young children to roll eggs inside the grounds of the White House Lawn instead.

If it hadn’t have been this kind gesture by the then president, the Egg Roll might never have happened, as members of Congress had already passed an Act banning egg rolling outside the White House as they deemed it be too disruptive.

The White House Easter Bunny holds celebrity status, and the giant 6-foot bunny suit has often worn by members of Congress, first wives, and a range of famous celebrities.

Anyone wanting to come and join in the fun must enter a lottery for a place. Children under 13 years are encouraged to attend, and the event is designed to promote healthy and active living. The lottery is usually held during February , and winners are notified via email the following month. There is no charge to enter the lottery , and attendance is literally by the luck of the draw.

Hot Tip: Commemorative White House Easter eggs can be purchased from the White House Historical Association online store and feature the president’s and the first lady’s signatures.

White House Visitor Center

White House Visitor Center

Located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave., the White House Visitor Center is a great place to visit to find out about the history of the building itself, as well as discovering the customs and events that the White House is so famous for.

Offering just shy of 1,600 square feet of museum-quality exhibits and galleries , there is always something new to see at the Visitor Center. There are nearly 100 famous historical artifacts on display, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s desk and a host of other interesting pieces, many of which have never been on public display before.

The Visitor Center is also home to a large-scale model of the White House and a number of interactive exhibits , including a touch screen tour of the interior.

One of the biggest highlights is a 14-minute film, “White House: Reflections From Within,” that is shown every 20 minutes. It features Presidents Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and a few first ladies and other family members reminiscing about their time in the White House. This is a popular attraction within the Visitor Center and a must-see whether you have managed to secure a place on a White House tour or not.

The White House Visitor Center is operated by the National Park Service . It is housed in historic Baldrige Hall in the Department of Commerce building. In 2014, the center was renovated to offer extra space in which to house a permanent museum gallery, a temporary exhibit area, an improved book sales area, and further visitor information facilities.

The White House Visitor Center is open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day . It is free to enter and can be visited in conjunction with a White House tour if you are lucky enough to get on one, or as a stand-alone attraction.

President ’s Park

White House Aerial View

Located at the heart of downtown Washington, D.C., President’s Park offers 82 acres of stunning open space that includes the parkland and gardens surrounding the White House . The park is home to some of the most famous statues, memorials, and structures in Washington, D.C., and the park is open to visitors all year round.

Throughout the years, the President’s Park has played host to many important events in history. These include marches and rallies held by suffragettes, freedom fighters, and anti-war protestors, as well as welcoming thousands of visitors to enjoy the annual Easter Egg Roll and the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.

The National Park Service promotes 2 very distinct sides of the park for visitors to explore.

Beginning at the White House Visitor Center, visitors can proceed up to 15th Street to Lafayette Park on the Northern Trail . First opened in the 1820s, and redesigned in the 1960s, the park has been used as a race track, a slave market, an encampment for soldiers, and many other things along the way.

The park is also home to St. John’s Church, often referred to as the “Church of the Presidents,” and the whole area became a designated National Historic Landmark in 1970.

Statues and Monuments

The park is home to a number of statues that commemorate the many heroes who helped America during times of war. These include:

General Sherman Statue

Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman has his very own bronze statue that features a square platform with a bronze soldier at each corner. These represent the 4 branches of the U.S. Army: infantry, artillery, cavalry, and engineers.

General Lafayette Statue

Located at the southeast corner of Lafayette Square, this bronze statue was erected in 1891 and portrayed the Marquis de Lafayette petitioning the French National Assembly for assistance to the Americans in their fight for independence. On an adjoining pedestal, there is a bronze female figure, symbolizing America, turning toward him and imploringly lifting a sword.

General Kosciuszko Statue

Commemorating Polish patriot Thaddeus Kosciuszko and his life-long dedication to fighting for freedom in America and Poland, this bronze memorial is located in the northeast corner of Lafayette Park.

General Jackson Memorial

Located in the center of Lafayette Park, this statue portrays General Andrew Jackson reviewing his troops at the Battle of New Orleans. Depicting the general and his horse, the statue was dedicated on January 8, 1853, on the 38th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans.

General von Steuben Statue

Portraying Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (1730-1794) as he inspects American troops during the American Revolution, this statue recognizes not only his leadership but his commitment to raising the standards of sanitization for soldiers during the war.

General Rochambeau Statue

This French general commanded 5,500 Royal French Expeditionary Forces to help with the American forces during the war. The statue depicts Rochambeau directing his troops, as well as a female figure, Liberty, who raises 2 flags in her left hand, symbolizing the unity of the U.S. and France.

Blair-Lee House

Serving as the official guesthouse for the president, Blair-Lee House was built in 1824. Various presidents and foreign dignitaries have stayed at Blair-Lee House throughout the years, and even today, many foreign heads of state are invited to stay there while visiting with the president.

Baruch Bench of Inspiration

Bernard Baruch was a wealthy financier from New York City who also served the country as an economic advisor during both World War I and World War II. Legend has it that he hated been driven to the White House and preferred instead to sit on a bench and wait for a signal that the president was ready to meet him.

In his honor, a commemorative bench with a bronze plaque set in granite block was dedicated on August 16, 1960, Baruch’s 90th birthday.

Navy Yard Urns

These huge ornamental bronze urns were cast using a melted cannon from the Civil War. They sit on giant pedestals at the center of Jackson Place and are a reminder of the hard-fought battles undertaken by Americans during the Civil War.

The Southern Trail begins at the White House Visitor Center and proceeds onto the Ellipse grounds, following a clockwise route around the parkland.

Monuments and Memorials

Butt-millet memorial fountain.

This tranquil fountain was erected to commemorate the deaths of Major Archibald Wallingham Butt and Francis Davis Millet. They both lost their lives on the RMS Titanic in April 1912. The fountain was also designed to double as a water fountain for the horses ridden by U.S. Park Police while on patrol.

Second Division Memorial

Erected to honor the 17,660 dead who served in the U.S. Army during World War I, this memorial was later extended to include a memorial to some of the most significant battles in World War II and the Korean War. It serves as a place of quiet contemplation and remembrance.

Original Patentees Memorial

This simple granite shaft was erected to remember the original 18 patentees whose land grants embraced the site of the federal city. Each side of the monument contains a relief panel carved with a symbol of the early pioneers’ agricultural pursuits, and the names of the original landowners are inscribed on the base.

Boy Scout Memorial

Dedicated to the Boy Scouts of America, this statue stood on the site of the first-ever Boy Scout Jamboree in 1937. The bronze statue consists of 3 figures that represent the aspirations of all past, present, and future Scouts throughout the world. There is also a female figure that symbolizes enlightenment with the love of God and fellow man, justice, freedom, and democracy.

The Zero Milestone

This 4-foot-high shaft of pink granite is the official starting point for the measurement of highway distances from Washington, D.C. It was built to mark the starting point of the first transcontinental military motor convoy that traveled from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.

First Division Monument

This was built in remembrance of the heroism of the soldiers of the First Division of the American Expeditionary Forces who gave their lives during World War I. Further additions were made to also commemorate those who died in both World War II and the Vietnam War, as well as the Gulf War.

Bulfinch Gatehouses

Both of these gatehouses were build to oversee the U.S. Capitol grounds, and since 1889 they have weathered several floods, water, and the effects of acid rain.

The Ellipse

As perhaps one of the most famous areas of President’s Park, the Ellipse is a large open area surrounded by an oval drive. Over the years, the site has been used as a trash dump, horse pens, and even a slaughterhouse, but it is now often the meeting place for demonstrations and celebrations.

The National Christmas Tree

Every Christmas, local public schools erect a Christmas tree on the Ellipse. This age-old tradition is a highly anticipated event, and each succeeding president has participated in since 1923.

Best Place to Take Pictures of the White House

A visit to Washington, D.C. would not be complete without taking a series of snaps of the White House. There are various ways to capture awesome images of one of the world’s most iconic buildings, even if you can’t get right up close to it.

White House North Side

This view of the White House is one of the most famous images in the world. There is a fair distance between the sidewalk and the White House (as you would expect), but it is not impossible to get great pictures.

If you want to pass off the impression that you are inside the grounds of the White House, find a gap in the fence that is big enough to slip your digital camera through. Taking a picture of the White House straight on can make it look like it leans backward slightly. This is because there are no parallel vertical lines in the historical building.

You can either go with it and enjoy its imperfections or if you want your images to look super fancy, use the lens correction tool in Photoshop to fix this.

If you don’t mind seeing the fencing in your photographs, there are also some awesome images to be captured from Lafayette Park, where you can add stunning seasonal flowers into the foreground, too.

The South Side and E Street

White House South Side

On the south side of the White House, there are lots of trees that line the South lawn, which can be prohibitive to your view. There are, however, 2 walkways on E Street that offer you some excellent photographic opportunities.

You can take images through the fence on the north side of the street, or cross over to include people and bustling street scenes to add a sense of perspective.

Taking a short walk further away from the building itself, the Ellipse offers the opportunity for some excellent shots, and if you are lucky, you may be able to get Marine One in there, too. The base of the Washington Monument on Constitution Avenue offers some interesting viewpoints as well, as it has a slightly elevated position.

When to Take Pictures

Different seasons and times of the day offer different opportunities to capture the perfect picture. During the holiday season, the National Christmas Tree is bright and festive, with the White House providing a beautiful backdrop to great Christmas images, while the gardens around the White House look fantastic in both spring and fall.

Summer is the busiest time of year for visitors, so capturing images without bystanders is nearly impossible, but they can add an extra layer of perspective to your finished shots. Early morning and early evening shots add atmosphere, as the building looks magical lit up at night.

Bottom Line: No matter where you find yourself in the surrounding streets and parklands, you should still be able to take photographs that will keep your memories alive.

George Washington Never Lived There

Although he was responsible for commissioning the construction of the White House, his term ended 3 years before the building work was completed, and a year after he died. He is the only U.S. president never to have lived in the White House during their term in office.

He Was Responsible for the Design of the Oval Office, Though

The Oval Office was first used in 1909, and the oval shape was inspired by Washington’s love of unusually shaped rooms. He was believed to have preferred rounded shaped rooms at his home in Philadelphia, as he felt it made them more suitable for hosting formal gatherings.

The White House Was Built by Slaves

Controversial, but true, White House records show that the house was built by African American slaves who were trained as quarrymen, bricklayers, and carpenters to help complete the building project. This fact was brought to the attention of the American public by former first lady, Michelle Obama.

The White House Had No Electricity for Almost 100 Years

The White House was lit by gaslight right up until 1891 when the electricity system was first installed. The idea of electric lighting was still pretty novel at the time, and President Benjamin Harrison was worried about the dangers of touching a light switch. To protect himself throughout his time in office, he always had someone else switch the lights on and off for him.

It Didn’t Have Indoor Bathrooms for Decades, Either

Indoor plumbing systems were not part of the original design of the White House back in 1800. In fact, it wasn’t until 1833 that any kind of indoor plumbing was installed, and even then, not all of the bathrooms had hot and cold running water until some 20 years later in 1853.

It Was, However, One of the First Accessible Government Buildings

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was responsible for ensuring that the White House was and still is, entirely wheelchair accessible. Having suffered from polio, FDR was paralyzed below the waist and spent his time in office bound to a wheelchair.

Because of this, he took it upon himself to add elevators and ramps throughout the White House, making it one of the first wheelchair-friendly buildings in Washington, D.C. and possibly the U.S.

At Least 10 People Have Died in the White House

With such a high turn over of residents, it should come as no surprise that several people have passed away within the confines of its walls, too. Famous demises include Presidents William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor, as well as first ladies Letitia Tyler, Caroline Harrison, and Ellen Wilson, too.

It Is Said to Be Haunted

Many residents, staffers, and guests have all claimed to feel the power of the paranormal during their time at the White House. To this day, rumor has it that the ghost of Abraham Lincoln still walks the hallowed halls and corridors, and there have been many reported sightings of him throughout the house.

There Is a Secret Entrance

The White House has a secret entrance that is only used by the president and secret visitors. This is not unusual in high-profile buildings, but to enter via the secret entrance at the White House, visitors must go through 2 tunnels and an alleyway before reaching the basement.

This intricate entrance system was originally designed during World War II when there was an underground bomb shelter that sat beneath the White House.

There Is Also an Underground Swimming Pool

The White House has an outdoor pool that is enjoyed during warmer months, but it also has an interior pool hidden beneath its floors. First opened in 1933 for use by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the pool still exists today and can be found directly under the Press Briefing Room.

And a Dentist’s Office

If the president suffers from a sudden toothache, a lost crown, or a broken filling, there is a dentist on-site to deal with that. The basement of the White House is home to a dedicated dentist’s office, as well as plenty of other useful services, including a chocolate shop and a florist.

Tom Hanks Gifted Coffee Machines for the Press Briefings at the White House

During a tour of the White House back in 2004, the actor was surprised to see that there were no refreshment services for reporters who attended press briefings at the White House. Hanks immediately sent a coffee machine to be used in the Press Briefing Room and has upgraded the original machine twice since then.

In 2017 he sent a $1,700 espresso machine along with a note that read, “Keep up the good fight for truth, justice, and the American way. Especially for the truth part.”

The White House Nearly Fell Apart

During the Great Depression, there was very little money in the kitty for much-needed maintenance and repairs. Creaking floorboards, a leaking roof, weakened wooden beams, and swaying balconies all put the White House at risk of collapse, but the ongoing damage to the structure was not fully discovered until much later in 1948 when it was fully renovated.

The Current White House Is Not the Original One

During the invasion in 1814, the British burned the White House down, just 14 years after it had been completed. While the modern-day building has stood for hundreds of years, much of the original building was lost to the fire, and the rebuild was not completed until 4 years later.

The West Wing Wasn’t Always There

Home to some of the most famous rooms within the White House, the West Wing wasn’t actually even built until the early 20th century.

In 1902, Teddy Roosevelt called to have an executive office building built alongside the residence. President Taft doubled the wing’s size in 1909, which included the Oval Office, making President Taft was the first-ever president to use it.

It Has Been Home to a Wide Variety of Animals

Each new presidential resident and their families are welcome to bring their pets with them when they move into the White House.

This means that over the years, it has been home to lots of cats and dogs, as well as a variety of more unusual animals. These include a raccoon, opossums, and even a pair of tiger cubs that were gifted to President Van Buren.

It Is Also Home to a 7-Seat Hot Tub

Former President Bill Clinton was gifted a 7-seat hot tub that is installed near the South Lawn next to the swimming pool.

Due to rules and regulations on “gifting” items to members of Congress, the hot tub had to be donated as a legitimate therapy appliance. A spokesperson for President Clinton said at the time that the hot tub did indeed help with his injured knee.

It Wasn’t Always Called the White House

Over the years, the building we know as the White House has had a number of different names. Originally known as the President’s Palace, its name was later changed to Executive Mansion sometime around 1810.

It wasn’t actually until 1901 that President Theodore Roosevelt officially adopted the name White House and it has been known by that name ever since.

Nothing Comes for Free

It may surprise you to know that even the presidential family doesn’t get fed for free in the White House. While they don’t have to pay rent or bills while they live there, they are responsible for the costs of their personal food, dry cleaning, toiletries, and even the wages for waiters and other members of staff they employ for private events.

These costs are usually just deducted from their salary.

The Famous Resolute Desk Was Found on an Abandoned Ship

The Resolute Desk in the Oval Office was originally part of an abandoned British Navy vessel found off Baffin Island in the Arctic.

When the ship was decommissioned by the U.K., its oak timbers were used to create a desk weighing more than 1,000 pounds that Queen Victoria later gifted to President Rutherford Hayes.

To this day, we still see the presidents sign orders from behind this fabulous piece of furniture.

Many visitors choose to stay close to the White House during their visit. Here are some of the best to choose from.

Willard InterContinental Washington

Willard InterContinental Washington

This historic hotel is located on the world-famous Pennsylvania Avenue and has been a D.C. landmark for over 200 years. Offering executive suites and luxurious guest rooms, this 5-star hotel has stately interiors and is just a short walk the White House itself.

Stay in style surrounded by city or courtyard views, Keurig coffeemakers, and suites with separate living areas, whirlpool tubs, and even their own foyers. All guests are invited to enjoy the use of the beauty and wellness treatments available at the Mynd Spa and Salon.

You can dine at the authentic French brasserie, Cafe Du Parc, or take advantage of the full concierge service who can help you to make the most of your trip to one of America’s oldest cities.

The Hay – Adams

The Hay Adams

This luxury hotel offers unparalleled White House views from its position on the National Mall, and it is as popular with visitors as it is with Washington, D.C. insiders. Elegant interiors paired with first-class service and facilities make this 5-star hotel one of the most sought after in the city.

Bedrooms are upscale and very well appointed, with many offering fabulous views out across the National Mall. The wood-paneled walls, ornate fireplaces, and chandeliers found in the communal areas give the hotel an incredibly grand feel, and visitors may even recognize The Hay-Adams from television shows, including House of Cards and Homeland.

With a busy bar, a fitness center, and one of the city’s best restaurants all on-site, this hotel offers an authentic taste of upscale D.C.

JW Marriott Washington

JW Marriott Washington DC

Brilliantly located for visiting the White House and numerous other political and cultural landmarks in D.C., this renovated hotel offers luxurious lodgings on Pennsylvania Avenue. This is a modern hotel that has a bright and airy feel, with contemporary bedrooms and plenty of minimalist touches.

Guests love the large windows with fabulous views out across the city, as well as spacious bedrooms and bright and practical communal spaces. The hotel is also home to The Avenue Grill that serves up casual American fare, as well as a lively bar with a daily happy hour and a Starbucks coffee shop. This hotel offers affordable 4-star accommodation in the heart of D.C.

Sofitel Lafayette Square

Sofitel Lafayette Square Washington DC

This glamorous Art Deco style hotel sits just 1 block away from the White House and adds a touch of European flair to this most American of cities. With opulent interiors and seductive French flair, this 5-star hotel is located at the heart of the finest shops, restaurants, and landmarks the city has to offer.

Bedrooms are plush and well-appointed with tall windows and luxury linens, while the communal areas feel decadent. Guests are welcome to enjoy the great-tasting fare at the ICI Urban Bistro or join fellow guests for a cocktail or 2 at the bar. There is also a large basement fitness center, and spa treatments can be ordered to your room.

Club Quarters Hotel

Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC

This mid-range hotel offers comfortable and affordable accommodation just 2 blocks from the White House and right next to Farragut West Metro station, therefore affording easy access to the entire city. Designed very much with business travelers in mind, this hotel offers collaborative workspaces with super-fast Wi-Fi, wireless printing, and Mac and PC workstations.

Bedrooms are bright and airy and offer sleek interiors complete with yoga mats and resistance bands, while suites add kitchenettes and separate living areas. The hotel is also home to the Cafe Soleil that serves up fun, French-inspired food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Hot Tip:  Looking for even more hotels? Explore our best hotels in Washington, D.C. to book with points. 

No visit to Washington, D.C. would be complete without a trip to see one of the most famous buildings in the world. Home to presidents for hundreds of years, the city is steeped in history.

If you are lucky enough to secure a place on an official White House tour, you will not be disappointed. But even if you are unable to get inside the building itself, there is still a wealth of attractions, landmarks, exhibitions, and open spaces for you to enjoy in the world-class parks and open spaces around the White House.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i get tickets to visit the white house.

You can get tickets to visit the White House through your member of Congress only. These tickets have to be requested a minimum of 3 weeks in advance and can be requested as early as 3 months prior to your tour date.

Is it free to visit the White House?

Yes, White House tours are free of charge and self-guided. The tours run from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. You must request tickets through your member of Congress.

Can you tour the Oval Office?

White House tours do not include the Oval Office and tours of the West Wing are usually reserved for VIPs or guests of the president.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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Diagram of room visited on the White House Tour (click to enlarge)

Diagram of room visited on the White House Tour (click to enlarge)

GETTING INTO THE WHITE HOUSE

Tours of the White House are given on Tuesdays through Thursdays from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Tickets are required, and you must get these through your congressman’s office if you are an American citizen, and from your embassy in Washington, D. C., if you are a foreign citizen. See the How to Get White House Tour Tickets web page here on National Park Planner for more information.

You are requested to arrive fifteen minutes prior to your tour, but this is far from necessary because nothing happens until the Secret Service starts letting people in…at tour time. In fact, you don’t even have to be on time to get in, so don’t panic if you are running late. I was told by a park Ranger that you can enter at any time after your scheduled tour time up until the White House closes for the day to tourists. Keep in mind that tours can be cut short on any given day due to security issues, so if you are too lazy to get out of bed for your 7:30 AM tour, figuring that you can just show up at 10 AM, if tours stop at 9 o’clock that day for some reason, you are out of luck. Furthermore, before heading downtown for your tour call (202) 456-7041 up to 24 hours in advance to make sure that tours are still being held.

If you are interested in taking photos inside the White House, I suggest getting at the very end of the line, or even arriving a few minutes late. Tours run every half hour with 100-150 people per group, so at the start of the tour the place is so packed you can barely move around. There is no time limit to the tour, so you can stay inside the White House until it closes. For good photos, you need to let everyone ahead of you clear out of the rooms. Keep in mind that if you wait around too long that another 150 people are going to show up behind you. I was trying to get a photo of a china cabinet without anyone standing in front of it, but finally gave up. At the time, I didn’t know you could stay as long as you wanted—I learned this after the tour—otherwise I would have waited for everyone to move on ahead.

China cabinet in the Visitor entrance corridor

China cabinet in the Visitor entrance corridor

The Visitor Entrance for the White House Tour is at the corner of 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue near the Sherman Monument . Restrooms are located at the nearby Ellipse Visitor Pavilion, which opens at 7:30 AM. There are no restrooms open to tourists inside the White House. (There are restrooms in the nearby White House Visitor Center , but you must go through a security checkpoint to enter.)

Tour Map (click to enlarge)

Tour Map (click to enlarge)

If you get a spot on a tour, you will receive an email from your congressman or embassy that lists your tour date and time, directions to the visitor entrance, and a list of what you can and cannot bring with you. You do not need this piece of paper to get in, though most everyone brings it with them. If you are a U. S. citizen 18-years-old or older, all you need is a government issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc). Tell the guard who you are, show your ID, and if your name is on the list (exactly as it is on your ID), you’re in like Flynn. Those under 18 just have to verify their name and date of birth, so make sure your young children know when they were born. Foreign visitors of any age must present a passport. There are two ID checkpoints, so keep your ID handy. You must also submit to a standard security screening: metal detector, items out of pocket, etc.

WHAT TO BRING

Visitors can take photos with cell phones and point-and-shoot cameras with lenses that do not protrude more than three inches—no cameras with detachable lenses, tablet computers, and no selfie-sticks. No video can be taken, and you cannot use your phone for texting or calling. Aside from your phone or small camera, you can bring an umbrella if it does not have a metal tip, your wallet, car keys, and any necessary medical items. That’s it. No purses, satchels, or backpacks. No strollers. No food or drink.

If you are coming to Washington for the day with any prohibited items, you need to do research on where you can find a locker, because there are no storage facilities at the White House. I heard that there is a pay-by-the-hour bag check service at Union Station that is very expensive. Expect to leave your bags for at least two hours and possibly three. There are lockers at the Smithsonian museums, but they don’t open until 10 AM. Furthermore, the lockers are for museum patrons only, so go see the museum for a few minutes and then leave. There are so many people in those places that I doubt they can keep track of people and their lockers.

Another option, if you are with somebody other than a child, is to go on the tour one at a time. As mentioned, you do not have to enter the White House at your given tour time, so one person can go in while the other waits outside and holds the non-permitted items. When the first person comes out, the second person goes in.

INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE

A tour of the White House includes rooms on the ground level and first floor (aka the State Floor). The second and third floors where the president lives are not part of the tour, nor are any offices in the East and West Wings. The tour is self-guided. There are very few information panels available, but there are Secret Service agents on duty in each room who can answer your questions.

Guide tells about the Green Room on the State Floor

Guide tells about the Green Room on the State Floor

I really wish the tours were guided, or at least that visitors were provided with an audio tour device like at Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site . In the chaos of the large group and the lack of some sort of narration, you get caught up in looking at the paintings, the furniture, and the decorations—you get caught up in the White House as a building. It never sets in that you are standing in a room where Thomas Jefferson once dined. Or where Abraham Lincoln once walked. Or where Elvis once gave a performance. There is no one to remind you of such things. Yes, the agents can answer questions, but only if you ask them.

If you want to get technical, no President prior to 1948 (Harry Truman) ever physically walked on the floors in the current White House. In 1948, the White House was in such poor shape that it was completely gutted. Not a single piece of original interior floor or wall remains. In fact, it was debated to just tear down the entire house and build a new one, but it was decided to leave the exterior walls and renovate the interior back to the original design as closely as possible. Though many changes were made—most undoing recent renovations and returning the house to how it looked in the early 1800s—the general layout of the rooms remained the same. Fixtures, mantels, and some paneling were saved and reinstalled, but most everything else was new.

Photo by Abbie Rowe, National Park Service. Harry S. Truman Library & Museum

Photo by Abbie Rowe, National Park Service. Harry S. Truman Library & Museum

For those who have toured other private mansions in the United States, such as the Biltmore House, Vanderbilt Mansion, Hermitage, etc., the thrill of coming to the White House is coming to the White House. Yes, the rooms and their decorations and furniture are impressive, but no more so than any other historical mansion you may have visited. The White House is not Versailles or Buckingham Palace—those are places that no matter how many mansions you’ve been in, your jaw drops upon entering each room. The White House is a much more humble stately home, for when it was built, the United States was just starting out and did not have the financial resources to build a palace, nor would one have been desired. Still, at nearly 100,000 square feet it is one of the Top Five largest homes in the United States. The largest, the Biltmore Mansion, has 135,000 square feet. (The aforementioned palaces, Versailles and Buckingham, have 720,000 and 828,000 square feet respectively.)

Room histories and photos can be found on the following web pages:

GROUND FLOOR ROOMS

STATE FLOOR ROOMS

Watch the White House in 3D for a tour of the outside of the White House.

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Civil War & Emancipation Day (or CWED) is a commemorative day marking the history & impact of the Civil War and the end of slavery in Richmond. Join us April 6th for a day of family-friendly storytelling, music, crafts, and a visit from Abe Lincoln as we use the arts to explore the Civil War, slavery, and emancipation.

White House of the Confederacy

White House tour capacity will be at 18 visitors per tour and include the two-floor full tour.

Address 1201 E. Clay St. Richmond, VA 23219 ( Directions )

Phone 804–649–1861 ext. 300

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The White House of the Confederacy

Built in 1818, this national historic landmark served as the confederate executive mansion during the war. guided tours of the restored house–the elegant public rooms as well as the private living quarters–explore the lives of the people who lived and worked there., click here for additional information about the white house of the confederacy, guided tours & ticket information, the acwm offers guided tours of the historic home, during the white house of the confederacy tour, visitors will have the opportunity to walk through two floors of the house with a trained guide from the american civil war museum. they are permitted to take pictures while experiencing the lifestyle of the people who lived and worked in the white house of the confederacy. the tour will last for 50 minutes and can accommodate up to 18 visitors per tour..

white house tours parking

Reservations Due to the limited capacity of our tours, we strongly encourage that you purchase your tickets ahead of time.

Parking the vcu health facilities surround the white house . parking is free for visitors and is available at the vcu medical center parking deck (529 n. 12th street, richmond, va 23219) . parking in this deck is free for museum visitors with validation. validations are available at the information desk located at the back of the white house of the confederacy. museum visitors should bring their parking ticket inside to get them validated for free . for more information, click here ., accessibility accessibility: due to the historic nature of the home, the white house of the confederacy is not physically accessible to wheelchairs and walkers of any size, as all entries to the house have stairs. however, wheelchair users can take the tour via zoom as their traveling companion tours with an ipad. if you are a wheelchair user and wish to visit the home without the aid of a companion, please call (804) 649-1861 ext. 121 at least 48 hours before your desired visit time to arrange a virtual tour..

white house tours parking

Interested in visiting multiple ACWM locations? The ACWM values our visitors! Allow us to add value to your visit and receive discounted admission to multiple locations with a multi-site pass. Visitors can use a multi-site pass to visit multiple sites on the same day or redeem admission to a single site at a later date. Admission to each site can only be redeemed once.  For additional questions or assistance with booking, contact our front desk at 1-(804)-649-1861.

* at this time, the multi-site pass discount can only be applied when purchasing tickets at our front desk., discounted admission offers :.

Museums for All logo.

Through Museums for All , those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 1,000 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card and a photo ID. Learn more about free admission eligibility here .

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The Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM) Reciprocal Membership Program is a network of museums in North America and beyond who extend the benefit of reciprocal free admission to one another’s members (as determined by each museum individually) . Learn more about free admission eligibility here .

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The North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association is an extensive network of hundreds of cultural institutions across the United States. It connects their memberships for unprecedented access to arts, science, history, botanical gardens, and more. Learn about free admission eligibility here .

About the White House of the Confederacy

white house tours parking

Completed in 1818, the house at the corner of 12 th and Clay Streets was built for Dr. John Brokenbrough. The architectural style, as well as supporting evidence, points to Robert Mills as its designer. The home passed through two other owners before Lewis D. Crenshaw, a wealthy Richmond flour merchant, purchased it in 1857. Crenshaw made major changes to the house, adding the third story, gas lighting, and a bathroom, and completely redecorating the interior. 

When Richmond became the Confederate capital in May 1861, the City Council began a search for a home for Jefferson Davis, the Confederate President. Mr. Crenshaw offered his house, complete with all its furnishings, to the city for just under $43,000. The city, then, rented the house to the Confederate government. In August 1861, Jefferson Davis, his wife Varina, and their three young children moved in.

During the war, the house functioned as both an official residence and a family home. The Davises, however, were not the only occupants. There was a staff of twelve to fifteen enslaved and free servants, some of whom lived on the property. At least three of the enslaved individuals—James Pemberton, Betsey, and Robert Brown—were brought to the house by the Davises. Other enslaved workers were hired out, or leased, from people in the area. 

Just prior to Richmond’s fall to U.S. forces, the Davises left the house and fled south. After the Union army marched into Richmond, Major General Godfrey Weitzel set up his headquarters in the home on April 3, 1865. The next day, President Abraham Lincoln spent about two hours in the house, meeting with Weitzel and others. Lincoln’s visit occurred just five days before Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses Grant and just ten days before his assassination.

For the next five years, the house served as a residence for U.S Army officers as they administered Reconstruction. After Virginia was readmitted to the Union in 1870, the army returned the house to the city. The city used the house as a public school—Central School— for the next 20 years.

In 1890, Richmond leaders decided to demolish the house in order to build a new school. However, a group of women organized as the Confederate Memorial Literary Society and intervened. They acquired the house and began collecting items associated with the Confederacy, opening the Confederate Museum in 1896. 

The house served as the museum until 1976. It then underwent an extensive 12-year restoration project, and, in 1988, the house opened to the public as The White House of the Confederacy, a name seldom used during the war but chosen to help identify the role the house played. 

Today, visitors are treated to an immersive experience as interpretive staff lead them through two floors, fully furnished with period items, many of which were in the home during the war. Visitors learn about the impact of the war on the individuals—black and white, enslaved and free—who lived and worked in the home and about Abraham Lincoln’s visit. Information on the servant staff can be found on our online exhibit, “In Service and Servitude.”

Shop White House of the Confederacy

Why Confederates Fought: Family and Nation in Civil War Virginia

Civil War & Emancipation Day

Upcoming events, loose cannons x, “forgotten friday: the april 7, 1865, actions in cumberland county, va” with patrick schroeder, commemoration of the surrender & freedom day, “myth’s about lee’s surrender” with patrick schroder, book talk with john hopkins – “the world will never see the like: the gettysburg reunion of 1913”.

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COMMENTS

  1. Visit The White House

    The White House Tour entrance is located in Sherman Park at 15th Street NW and Alexander Hamilton Place NW. If arriving by rideshare, use the White House Visitor Center (WHVC) as the drop-off ...

  2. How to tour the White House

    Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Requests can be submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as possible as a limited number of spaces are available. The White House tour is free of charge. Please note that White House tours may be ...

  3. The White House Visitor Center parking

    Morgan Boulevard Metrorail Station - Kiss and Ride Lot. 69 spots. $2 2 hours. 60 + min. to destination. Find parking costs, opening hours and a parking map of all The White House Visitor Center parking lots, street parking, parking meters and private garages.

  4. How to Book White House Tours When Visiting Washington DC

    Contact your state representative (Congressman or Congresswoman, or state senator) to submit a request for tour tickets. All public tour requests must go through your congressional office. Wait for confirmation of your ticket request for public tours of the White House. Wait to hear when your scheduled date and time of your tour will be.

  5. How Can I Tour the White House in DC?

    Public, self-guided tours are 45 minutes and are run between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays unless otherwise noted. For complete details on White House tours, visit the White House tours and events page or call the White House Visitors Office 24-hour information line at (202) 456-7041. The White House is located at 1600 ...

  6. White House Visitor Center

    The White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW ( map ), offers visitors a window into the president's iconic home. Admission is free. The park's operating hours and seasons webpage lists the current hours. Security screening, similiar to TSA-style airport security, is required for entry to the visitor center.

  7. On the Day of Your Tour

    The nearest restrooms to the White House are located in the White House Visitor Center. Restrooms and public telephones are not available in the White House. Current Information. All visitors should call the 24-hour Visitors Office information line at 202-456-7041 to determine if any last minute changes have been made in the tour schedule.

  8. White House Parking

    White House Tours are one of the top attractions in Washington, D.C. The White House is located near the Capitol Building and major historic sites and museums on the National Mall. Also nearby are George Washington University, Ford's Theatre, and the Capital One Arena. White House Parking is available at several secure garages within walking ...

  9. White House Parking

    Parking Near White House. The White House is a top landmark in Washington, D.C., located just north of the National Mall. The building is a prime example of the neoclassical architecture that defines many of the landmarks in the nation's capital. You can view the White House from the Ellipse, a park area that overlooks the South Lawn, or from ...

  10. Visiting the White House- How to Get a White House Tour and What to

    Visitors will have to pass through strict security prior to entering the White House. You'll need to present your boarding pass, and ID cards (twice). The State Dining Room is where Lewis and Clark planned out their expedition of west. Since 1809, it has served as a dining room for as many as 140 guests.

  11. White House Visitor Center Guide

    The White House Visitor Center is open daily 730pm-4pm. It's completely free to visit! There is plenty to see in the White House Visitor Center so we recommend setting aside 30minutes-1hour to explore it. Within the White House Visitor Center, you can watch a 14-minute film that takes you inside the White House and the lives of the First Families.

  12. Plan Your Visit

    Your visit to The White House and President's Park will be a truly unique national park experience. As you stroll along historic Pennsylvania Avenue you may witness our First Amendment freedoms in action through an organized protest. While posing for a photo on the south side of the White House you may be surprised to see the president's helicopter, Marine One land on the South Lawn.

  13. Plan Your Visit

    White House 360° Tour A 360° Tour of the Executive Mansion with Digital Notebooks for Teachers & Students; ... Visitor's Center, an interactive museum that we've helped to renovate and maintain in partnership with the National Park Service. You might also enjoy our unique cultural and educational programs, many of which take place in the ...

  14. White House Visitor Center

    The White House Visitor Center is a nearly 1,600 square foot museum-caliber visitor experience featuring interactive exhibits, a large-scale model of the White House, numerous tactile exhibits, museum galleries, a temporary exhibit area, and the White House Historical Association retail shop. The Visitor Center provides a window into the Executive Mansion and its history as a companion to a ...

  15. White House tours are back: Here's what you need to know

    To supplement your White House tour, check out the adjacent White House Visitor Center. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the center is home to roughly 100 historical artifacts and offers an interactive touchscreen tour of the White House. ... This historic hotel located between the White House and Lafayette Park regularly ...

  16. How To Visit the White House & Get A Tour [+ Virtual Tour]

    The White House Visitor Center is open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. It is free to enter and can be visited in conjunction with a White House tour if you are lucky enough to get on one, or as a stand-alone attraction.

  17. Directions

    The White House Visitor Center is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. President's Park boundaries are between 17th and 15th Streets NW on the west and east and between H Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW on the north and south. If you are taking a White House tour, please line up at 15th and Hamilton Streets NW.

  18. President's Park (White House)

    The Visitor Entrance for the White House Tour is at the corner of 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue near the Sherman Monument. Restrooms are located at the nearby Ellipse Visitor Pavilion, which opens at 7:30 AM. There are no restrooms open to tourists inside the White House. (There are restrooms in the nearby White House Visitor Center, but ...

  19. The White House 2023 Spring Garden Tours

    The National Park Service (NPS) will distribute free, daily timed tickets at a tent stationed outside the White House Visitor Center (1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) each tour day beginning at 8:30 ...

  20. The White House and President's Park (U.S. National Park Service)

    The White House and its park grounds also serve as an iconic place for civil discourse. How to Tour the White House. Tours must be scheduled through your Congressperson or embassy. White House Visitor Center. Exhibits and artifacts tell the story of the White House as a symbol, stage, and home.

  21. White House of the Confederacy

    White House tour capacity will be at 18 visitors per tour and include the two-floor full tour. Address. 1201 E. Clay St. Richmond, VA 23219. ( Directions) Phone. 804-649-1861 ext. 300.

  22. Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions. Where is the White House Visitor Center? Is parking available? Is there public transportation? When is the park open? How do I get a tour of the White House? There is no fee to visit any area in President's Park. Where can I get a permit to exercise my First Amendment rights? Is there a junior ranger program at ...

  23. White House Garden Tours

    White House Garden Tours for Fall 2023 will be held on October 14 and 15, 2023. Free timed tickets will be distributed from a tent outside the White House Visitor Center at 8:30am each day. All attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Aerosols, ammunition, animals other than service/guide animals, backpacks and bags exceeding size ...