How to Book White House Tours When Visiting Washington DC

Table Of Content

• White House Tours: What to Expect when You Visit
• The list of what you can’t bring into the White House is extensive:
• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the White House in Washington, D.C. [Includes Virtual Tour]
• How to Book White House Tours When Visiting Washington DC
• Are there storage lockers at the White House for my items?
• Will I See the President on a White House Tour?

No federal funds were used to create this memorial to the men who served in the First Division. It was created to honor the service during WWI, with later additions for WWII, Vietnam and Desert Storm. As with most Smithsonian Museums, it is open 10am-530pm every day but Christmas Day. This style of architecture was not favored at the turn of the 20th century and the building was slated to be torn down.

White House Tours: What to Expect when You Visit

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. 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 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.

The list of what you can’t bring into the White House is extensive:

These videos offer virtual tours inside various parts of the White House that you do not get to see on White House public tours. Typically, once you have submitted your visitor info, you will receive an email two weeks before your requested dates informing you if you were selected for a tour. There is no cost to tour the White House, but you will need to apply for free tickets. Both U.S. nationals and foreign visitors can tour the White House. How to apply for tickets is a common question from visitors on our walking tours.

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

No, White House tours, including Christmas tours, are always free of charge. However, reservations are required, and must be reserved with your state representative well in advance. Secret Service personnel that you meet have gone through special training and will try to answer as many questions as possible. Many are surprisingly knowledgable, giving you historical facts you won’t find many places. Please keep in mind that the White House can change your tour date or time, and even cancel your tour entirely with very little notice. The day before my last tour of the White House I was informed that my tour time was being pushed back a day.

Visiting D.C. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy - Senator Bill Cassidy

Visiting D.C. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy.

Posted: Wed, 15 Nov 2023 18:48:40 GMT [source]

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. Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation. Use of public transportation is strongly encouraged, as there is no parking available on the White House complex and street parking is limited. The closest Metrorail stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), Metro Center (blue, orange, silver, and red lines), and McPherson Square (blue, orange, and silver lines). About 70, ,000 people visit the White House every month—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do!

How to increase your chances of getting a White House Tour?

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. 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 is part of the reason why they don’t let you know if you’ve been approved until a couple of weeks before your visit. It’s one of my favorite’s views in historic properties, so I recommend doing the second entrance. These items are exclusive to the White House and proceeds go to help supporting the building’s preservation. Outside the White House during the security process, it was intense. Before going, download the official app- The White House Historical Association.

Individuals who arrive with bags or prohibited items will not be permitted to enter the White House. "Suicide affects everyone. It doesn't matter your age, race or gender," Emhoff said. "One hundred and thirty-two people die by suicide each and every day."

Will I See the President on a White House Tour?

Inside the building are the highlight galleries such as the Burglar-Proof Vault and the marble Cash Room, not to mention the offices used by past presidents. In 1853, an equestrian statue of President Andrew Jackson was installed in the center of the Park. This statue of Jackson on a rearing horse is the first equestrian statue in the United States. Originally, the square was called the “President’s Park.” In 1824, the park was renamed to honor Marquis de Lafayette and his contribution to the American Revolutionary War. The Southeast corner of the park features a statue of Lafayette.

If the family wants to use the room during tour hours, the staff has the ability to close particular rooms or even shut down the tours altogether. This is a favorite place to get your photo in the White House. Take it under the presidential seal located above the entrance of the Blue Room.

You can request tickets up to 90 days in advance, and you must have you request in 21 days before you hope to visit. You must submit your request at least 21 days before you wish to tour the White House. Once you are approved (about 2-3 weeks before your requested dates), you will then have to fill out security forms with your social security number, birth date and other legal information to verify your identity. There is a due date for this information, so make sure you enter the information for everyone in your party, or your tour will be forfeit.