Trip Hacks DC offers both private and public tours of the White House, which is home to the U.S. President. All White House tours are free and self-guided, running 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. Secret Service agents are knowledgeable about the history of rooms and provide background information on the art.
The self-guided tour starts in the East Wing of the White House, where the visitor’s reception area is located. Visitors move from room to room at their own pace, and there are agents in each room that will help. The tours are available from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The tour is self-guided and can be done in 15-20 minutes, but security rules for entering are tight.
Public tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (excluding federal holidays) and are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. The White House Spring/Fall Garden provides more information about upcoming tours.
The tour is self-guided and at your own pace, with pictures encouraged but no flash or video. To download the WHExperience app for a self-guided tour, visit the White House Spring/Fall Garden.
📹 Inside the White House on a Public Tour
Any one can request tickets to visit the White House to take the self guided tour. We spent about 45 minutes walking through.
Can regular people visit the White House?
The White House offers public tours from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, with the exception of federal holidays. Please be advised that tours are free of charge, but may be subject to change due to inclement weather or official use. Should you be a foreign national, you are advised to contact your embassy in Washington, D. C. for assistance in submitting a tour request. It should be noted that all tours are subject to change with minimal advance notice.
How long do White House tours last?
The White House Visitor Center, located at 15th and E Streets, is a vital stop for visitors to explore the White House. Open seven days a week, it showcases various aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders. Visitors can explore exhibits for 20 minutes to one hour, and the White House Historical Association sponsors a sales area. Restrooms are available, but food service is not provided.
Mobility-impaired visitors need to inform the Visitors Entrance officer upon arrival, but reservations are not possible. They are escorted by a ramp and elevator to the ground floor and state floor. Hearing-impaired tours for groups of ten or more can be requested through a Member of Congress.
What disqualifies you from touring the White House?
Foreign nationals are not allowed to enter the White House unless they have a U. S. driver’s license, state ID, expired passport, or other forms of identification. Non-acceptable identification or those who do not match the previously registered information may be denied entry. Prohibited items include aerosols, ammunition, bags, cameras, electric stun guns, e-cigarettes, fireworks, flags, food, guns, knives, lighters, liquids, mace, martial arts, monopods, signs, strollers, tablets, tripods, tobacco products, toy weapons, video cameras, weapons/devices, pointed objects, and other potential safety hazards. Storage facilities are not provided during the visit.
Are purses allowed in the White House tour?
The White House in Washington, DC offers self-guided tours of its history and art, available 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. Public tour requests must be submitted through a Member of Congress. Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis and can be submitted up to three months in advance or no less than 21 days in advance. All tours are free of charge, but last-minute cancellations may occur. For foreign citizens, their embassy in Washington, DC can assist in submitting a tour request.
Can you do a self-guided tour of the White House?
The White House offers a variety of self-guided tours, including a walk-through tour, which is the most frequent way to visit the museum. These tours are scheduled from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a. m. to 12 noon, and visitors can explore the grounds, Vermeil room, Library, State floor, East, Green, Blue, Red, and State Dining rooms. A U. S. Secret Service Tour Officer is stationed in each room to answer questions.
During peak season, free tickets are required, distributed by the National Park Service at the White House Visitor Center. Tickets are timed from 10 a. m. to 12 noon, and advance tickets are not available. Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, starting at 7:30 a. m., and visitors should arrive early to secure tickets. One person can obtain up to four tickets, and each person, including children, requires a ticket. A hand stamp validation is also required. The ticket counter closes at noon or earlier if supply is distributed.
At non-peak times, no tickets are needed, and visitors in line by 12 noon are admitted.
How much is a private tour of the White House?
The White House offers public tours from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, excluding Federal holidays. These tours are free and subject to change due to weather or official use. For foreign citizens, their embassy in Washington, D. C. can assist in submitting a tour request. All U. S. citizens and foreign nationals must present a valid, government-issued photo ID upon arrival. Acceptable forms include a U. S. Driver’s License, valid passport, and U. S. Military ID.
Can I wear jeans to the White House?
Wear casual clothing, including blouses, tops, and conservative jeans or skirts. When traveling to a new place, it’s important to take time to understand its history, especially when visiting museums and historical parks. National Institutions are an excellent way to see and get to know a new place. When touring National Institutions in Washington D. C., follow dress code etiquette, as they don’t have a strict dress code, especially if you’re just visiting as a tourist.
Some people may expect neat and professional business attire, such as suits for men or blazers for women, but this is not always the case. It’s essential to be prepared with the right attire for your visit, as National Institutions in D. C. do not have strict dress codes.
How hard is it to get White House tour tickets?
To secure a tour of the White House, it is essential to adhere to the following guidelines and ensure that your application is duly considered by the relevant authorities. In the event that a congressional tour is unavailable, it should be noted that the majority of locations are available for public tours.
Can you just walk in the White House?
The National Park Service does not schedule or provide tickets for White House tours. Public tour requests must be submitted through a Member of Congress and are available Tuesday through Saturday, excluding federal holidays. Requests can be submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance. The White House tour is free of charge, but last-minute cancellations may occur. Visitors can capture iconic photos with the White House, visit the White House Visitor Center, and earn a junior ranger badge by completing a President’s Park junior ranger book.
What does a White House tour include?
The White House offers public tours of its East Wing, including the Blue Room, Red Room, Green Room, State Dining Room, China Room, and view of the White House Rose Garden. Secret Service members are stationed in each room to answer questions about history and architecture. Visitors can also visit the White House Visitor Center before or after the tour. Metro stations closest to the White House are Federal Triangle, Metro Center, and McPherson Square. Public transportation is strongly encouraged, and no parking is allowed near the White House.
What is the dress code for the White House tour?
The dress code for each tour or event varies; however, the most appropriate attire for West Wing Tours, Easter Egg Rolls, garden tours, and evening Holiday tours of the East Wing is formal. In contrast, casual attire is acceptable for other events.
📹 How to Tour the WHITE HOUSE
Find out how to make a White House tour reservation; learn which rooms you get to see when you visit; and a few other practical …
We were there in 2012 & I was amazed at how much smaller those rooms looked in person but what really struck me was how narrow that driveway looked in the north portico & made me wonder how many times they’ve ‘traded paint’, scrapping up against that last pillar coming out of there… Such a wonderful tour & I’d love to go back, we weren’t allowed to take pictures at the time we went through.
Thank you for this article. We went yesterday and left totally disappointed. The only good part was us stepping inside the White House, which is something many will not ever do in life. Your insight on the rooms made my walk through…well rush through worth saying we went. They literally rushed us through in 10 minutes. Glad it was free
atiraudrī mahādaṃṣṭrā dīrghakeśī kṛśodarī | pramattanayanā ghorā dīrghaghoṇā madānvitā || snigdhagambhīranirghoṣā nīlajīmūtasannibhā | bhrukuṭyāgnīvasandīptā mahāvadanabhīśaṇā || daṃṣṭrāṣṭā kopatāmroṣṭḥī raktadīrghatanūruhā | triśūlairugradordaṇḍā narakīṭapalāśinī || atiraktāmbarā devaraktamāmsāsavapriyā | śiromālāvicitrāṅgī pibantī śoṇitāsavanm || nṛtyantī ca hasantī ca piśācagaṇasevitā | piśācaskandhamāruhya bhramantī vasudhātalam || ṣaṅkarasya mukhotpannā yoginī yogavallabhā | itthaṃbhūtā bhadrakālī mātṛbhiḥ parivāritā ||