Touring the White House - Washington, DC
Everything you need to know about planning a visit to the country’s most famous house.
How to Request a White House Tour
White House tours are free, self-guided and must be requested in advance.
U.S. visitors: Submit a tour request through your Member of Congress between 7 and 90 days before your preferred date. Find your representative here.
International visitors: Contact your embassy in Washington, DC, to arrange a tour.
Tour Schedule
Tours typically take place Tuesday through Saturday and last about 45 minutes.
- Tuesday–Thursday: 7:30–11:30 a.m.
- Friday–Saturday: 7:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Tour hours may be extended depending on the official White House schedule.
Good to Know
- All tours are first-come, first-served and fill up quickly. Request early.
- Tours may be canceled or rescheduled with little notice due to weather or official White House events, even after confirmation.
For more details, visit the White House tours and events page or call the White House Visitors Office at (202) 456-7041 (available 24/7).
Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC
What to expect on a White House tour
Arrival and Check-In
- If your tour is confirmed, you’ll receive a specific date, time, and check-in location
- All guests over 18 must show a valid, government-issued photo ID
- Foreign nationals must present a passport
What to Bring (and Not Bring)
- Travel light: avoid backpacks, food, large handbags, and bottled water
- Smartphones and compact cameras (lens no longer than 3") are allowed
- No video recording or flash photography inside
- All visitors go through security screening
Facilities
- No restrooms at the White House
- Closest restroom: Ellipse Visitor Pavilion
Tour Highlights
- East Wing public rooms: Blue Room, Red Room, Green Room
- State Dining Room and China Room
- View of the White House Rose Garden
- Secret Service members in each room can answer questions
Enhance Your Visit
- Stop by the White House Visitor Center before or after your tour
How to get to the White House
The closest Metro stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (Blue and Orange lines), Metro Center (Blue, Orange and Red lines) and McPherson Square (Blue and Orange lines). Please note there is NO PARKING near the White House. Public transportation is strongly encouraged.
How to tour the White House Garden
Another opportunity to visit the White House is to attend either its fall or spring garden tour. Check whitehouse.gov in early October and April. The announcement of the garden tours is usually made within a week or two of when they take place. Garden tours generally run for two consecutive days. They may be canceled due to poor weather. A ticket is required for all attendees (including small children). Usually, tickets are distributed by the National Park Service at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion on 15th and E streets NW on each tour day beginning at 9 a.m. Review the announcement for specific details.
Will I still be able to see the White House without going on a tour?
While visitors are not allowed entry to the White House without requesting a tour through your congressional representative, you will still be able to see the White House from Pennsylvania Avenue NW at Lafayette Square and view the White House and the South Lawn from the Ellipse.
Where can I store my belongings during the tour?
It is important to note that security at the White House is extremely high. If your hotel is nearby, we suggest leaving your belongings in your room during the tour. If this is not possible, there are a few other options. You can designate one member of your tour group to hold everyone’s belongings. That person can take the self-guided tour once his or her group has finished the tour.
If you're a ticketed Amtrak customer, you can store luggage for up to 24 hours for $10 per item. Storage is available at the Checked Bag counter near Gate A and is not self-service. A valid photo ID is required. For questions, call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Catch up on White House history with The White House 1600 Sessions, a podcast from the White House Historical Association that shares untold stories and personal accounts of life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or Facebook.
Now that you have read up on the White House, explore DC’s other awesome monuments and memorials.
