white house garden tour rules

How to Tour the White House Gardens and Grounds

Since at least 2009, the public has been invited to see the White House grounds one weekend in the spring and another in mid-October. The self-guided tours include exhibits about iconic events on the White House grounds over the years and include entertainment by military bands.

White House Kitchen Gardener-in-Charge Jim Adams is on hand to answer visitor questions.

Clockwise from upper left: presidential helicopter on South Lawn, Caroline Kennedy on pony following her dad into the West Wing, the “Beer Summit”, and an accidental biplane landing.

Architectural details – note the roses.

In addition to reminders of White House history, visitors get to see the White House up close and the views regularly enjoyed by its inhabitants.

View from the South side of the White House

How To Find Out 

The White House doesn’t announce the dates in advance or promote the opportunity beyond the White House’s own website, so here’s how to find out the date in time. For the spring event, start checking in early April by Googling “White House Spring Garden Tour” and the year. The fall event has been in early October in recent years, so in mid-September start checking for the announcement by googlng “White House Fall Garden Tour” and the year.

Before You Go

There’s NO need for advance tickets and NO need to contact your congressperson. It’s easy – JUST GO. Free, timed tickets are distributed at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion located at 15th and E Streets on tour days beginning at 9:00 a.m., one per person, on a first-come, first-served basis. To avoid lines, it’s best to arrive at opening time.

And DO read the update we’ll send you in the Alert. Like  this one , it’ll be loaded with helpful details.

Images above are from a visit in October of 2010.

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Joseph R. Biden

Press release - the white house announces 2022 fall garden tours.

Today, the President and First Lady are pleased to announce plans for the 2022 Fall Garden Tours.

The President and First Lady will continue the annual tradition of opening the White House gardens and South Grounds to members of the public for Fall Garden Tours. This season's tour weekend is scheduled for 10:00 AM ET to 4:30 PM ET on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9.

These tours are free and open to members of the public; however, a ticket is required for all attendees, including small children. The National Park Service (NPS) will distribute free, timed tickets outside the White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9, beginning at 8:30 AM ET. Tickets will be distributed, one ticket per person, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Once you have received your tickets, the South Lawn entry point for all guests will be located near the intersection of 15th Street NW and E Street NW. The ADA entrance will be located at 15th Street NW and Alexander Hamilton Place NW.

The White House will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation based on recommendations from the CDC and other public health officials and medical experts. The White House reserves the right to adjust availability of the tours as necessary to adhere to the latest health guidance. Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, has had any COVID-19 symptoms, or been in close contact with someone confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 within 10 days prior to their visit, may not attend. Face masks will be available when entering the White House complex for those who choose to wear them.

Joseph R. Biden, Press Release - The White House Announces 2022 Fall Garden Tours Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/358121

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How Can I Tour the White House in Washington, DC?

Everything you need to know about planning a visit to the country’s most famous house., requesting a white house tour.

Touring the White House requires some advance planning. Public tour requests must be made through your member of Congress ( find your member of Congress and contact information ) and submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days prior to your visit. If you're an international visitor and wish to schedule a tour, please contact your home country’s embassy in Washington, DC.

You are encouraged to submit your tour request as early as possible as tours fill up quickly and a limited number of spaces are available. Tours are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. All White House tours are free. Please note tours are subject to last-minute cancellations based on the official White House schedule.

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 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Touring the White House - Washington, DC

What to expect on a White House tour

If there is a tour slot available during your visit to DC, you will be given a specific date and time to arrive and be instructed on where to check in. All guests over 18 years old will be required to present a valid, government-issued photo ID upon check-in. Foreign nationals must present their passport. Please bring as little as possible (avoid backpacks, food, large handbags, bottled water, etc.). Note that smartphones and compact cameras with a lens no longer than 3 inches are permitted on the public tour route, but video recording devices and flash photography are not allowed inside the White House. Visitors will go through security prior to entering the White House. There are no restrooms available at the White House. The closest restroom is located at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion nearby.

Public tours of the White House include the public rooms in the East Wing, which includes the Blue Room, Red Room and Green Room; the State Dining Room; the China Room; and a view of the White House Rose Garden. Secret Service members are stationed in each room and are available to answer questions about the history and architecture of each room.

You can also visit the White House Visitor Center   before or after your tour.

Stephen Melkisethian

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.

@abroadwife

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. Please note that a new fence is currently under construction at the White House, as the current 6-foot fence is being replaced by a stronger, wider fence that will be 13 feet.

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 may be able to check luggage in advance at  Union Station . These are located near Gate A. Lockers are available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. A photo ID is required and lockers must be paid for via cash or credit in advance. Rates are $3-$6 per hour per bag depending on the size of your bag. For questions on bag storage, please call 202-906-3000.

Catch up on White House history with the free podcas t The 1600 Sessions and enhance your trip with the  White House Experience app  from the White House Historical Association. The app offers three tour experiences, including a virtual tour of the White House (with rooms you normally don't see on the tour), a neighborhood walking tour and a room-by-room guide for visitors on an in-person tour of the White House.

Now that you have read up on the White House, explore DC’s other awesome  monuments and memorials .

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The White House Garden Tours

A Legacy of First Lady Patricia Nixon

Copyright © April 9, 2019 White House Historical Association. All rights reserved under international copyright conventions. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Requests for reprint permissions should be addressed to [email protected]

• Bob Bostock Curator of the "People Were Her Project" exhibit at the Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library

This photograph is of the South Portico as seen from the lit fountain on the South Lawn of the White House. White House photographer Karl Schumacher took this photo on the evening of December 1, 1970, during the administration of Richard M. Nixon.

Show Me More

When the White House gates open at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 13th, thousands of people will stream through for the start of the 2019 White House Spring Garden Tour. Few of them will know that this special tour – one of only two weekends each year that the grounds of the President’s House are open to the general public – is part of the legacy of First Lady Patricia Nixon.

During her service as First Lady (1969-74), Mrs. Nixon undertook numerous initiatives to make the White House more accessible to visitors from across the country and around the world. Much of her attention was focused on the interior of the mansion itself – increasing its collection of historic furnishings , making it handicapped accessible, and developing special tours for blind and deaf tourists, among others.

But Pat Nixon didn’t limit her efforts to the interior of the White House. An avid gardener, she was also interested in making the White House’s historic gardens and grounds more accessible to the public.

First Lady Patricia Nixon leads Mayor-Commissioner of Washington, D.C. Walter Washington and a group of schoolchildren through the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden on April 14, 1973.

Her focus started with making it easier for the White House to be visible after dark. Unlike the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, the Washington Monument, and other landmarks in the nation’s capital, the White House had never been illuminated at night. First Lady Patricia Nixon decided to change that.

She worked closely with the National Park Service, which is responsible for the White House Grounds, to develop the plan for appropriate exterior lighting. The cost of installing the lighting fixtures was covered by private funds remaining from those raised for the 1969 Presidential inaugural festivities. As a result of her vision, the people’s house has been illuminated every night since Mrs. Nixon ceremoniously turned on the lights on November 25, 1970.

Mrs. Nixon also began the practice of keeping the American flag flying over the White House 24 hours a day, every day. Previously, the flag was brought down every evening at sunset and raised again at sunrise the next day. It took a Presidential Proclamation to authorize the change, which President Nixon issued at Mrs. Nixon’s urging, on September 4, 1970. 1

First Lady Patricia Nixon leads Mayor-Commissioner of Washington, D.C. Walter Washington and a group of schoolchildren along the South Drive on April 14, 1973. The students were winners of a poster contest sponsored by the Society for a More Beautiful Capital, an organization founded by Mary Lasker and First Lady "Lady Bird" Johnson in 1964.

Mrs. Nixon next turned her attention to the White House Grounds themselves. Since 1878, the South Lawn had been opened nearly every year to young children and their families for the annual Easter Egg Roll . And throughout much of the 19th century and in the early part of the 20th century, people could stroll the grounds unescorted. Never before, however, had the grounds been opened for an informative tour that would, in Mrs. Nixon’s words, allow visitors to “share with us their present beauty and past history.” 2

Mrs. Nixon planted the seeds for the first Garden Tour in early 1972. Michael J. Farrell, who headed the White House Visitors Office, outlined Mrs. Nixon’s vision for the first Garden Tour in a brief memo. The tour would include the Rose Garden, much of the South Grounds, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. Visitors would receive a brochure that provided an overview of the grounds, and a military band would play during the tour.

The scope of the tour expanded during the planning process. Small groups of visitors would be allowed to walk through the Children’s Garden, gifted by the President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson shortly before they left Washington in January 1969, and the Ground Floor corridor and the rooms on the State Floor of the White House would also be open.

First Lady Patricia Nixon points out and explains photograph displays along the South Drive on April 14, 1973.

Considerable energy went into making the first Garden Tour a success. Under Mrs. Nixon’s direction, the Visitors Office coordinated the effort, involving many other White House offices. The photography office produced oversized photos of various events that took place on the grounds. The White House carpenters shop built the easels on which the photographs and signs highlighting special points of interest (such as commemorative trees) were placed. The Social Secretary’s office arranged for music. And Irvin Williams (who served as head gardener at the White House from 1962-2008) and Bill Ruback of the National Park Service would be on hand during the tour to answer visitors’ questions.

By the time the Garden Tour kicked-off, more than fifty different people were involved in planning and carrying out this first-ever Garden Tour. To show her appreciation for their effort, Mrs. Nixon personally inscribed and signed copies of the brochure for each person involved in creating this new White House event.

When the first day of the tour arrived, the sky was clear and sunny and the temperatures were cool – perfect weather for enjoying the White House gardens and grounds. Mrs. Nixon kicked off the tour, leading the mayor-commissioner of Washington, D.C., Walter Washington, and a group of local schoolchildren through the grounds. Among the students was, Duane Bolton, the first-place winner of a poster contest sponsored by the Society for a More Beautiful National Capital. Two families who were waiting in line were also invited to join the First Lady’s tour.

Duane Bolton, first-place winner of the poster contest sponsored by the Society for a More Beautiful Capital, presents his poster to First Lady Patricia Nixon and President Richard Nixon on April 14, 1973.

Starting in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, First Lady Patricia Nixon escorted her group around the grounds. As they walked, she pointed out such historic elements of the landscape as the Jefferson Mounds, which our third president is said to have created to provide visual interest to the otherwise flat lawn, various trees planted by presidents ranging from an American Elm planted by the sixth president, John Quincy Adams , to a Giant Sequoia planted by California native, President Richard Nixon , and the colorful spring flowers blooming around the fountain.

After walking along the South Drive, the group entered the Rose Garden, where they were joined by President Nixon. As they entered the Rose Garden, they passed by the towering Southern Magnolia. According to legend, it was planted by President Andrew Jackson in 1829 as a tribute to his late wife, who died shortly before Jackson became president.

By the time the first White House Garden Tour concluded the next day, nearly 11,500 people had helped launch a tradition that continues to this day. In the 46 years since, as many as one million people have walked the grounds during the spring and fall White House Garden Tours. And over the years, the White House Grounds have continued to evolve.

President Richard Nixon speaks with Duane Bolton near the Rose Garden during First Lady Patricia Nixon's White House gardens tour on April 14, 1973.

The American Elm planted by John Quincy Adams in 1826 finally succumbed to old age. In 1991, it was replaced by a seedling raised from that tree, planted by First Lady Barbara Bush . In 2009, F irst Lady Michelle Obama planted the White House Kitchen Garden to provide “home-grown” fresh, organic vegetables for the first family. In late 2017, the Jackson Magnolia was severely cut back as its branches grew so weak they proved to be a safety hazard. First Lady Melania Trump made sure, however, that wood removed was saved and that seedlings were propagated that could, one day, replace the ancient tree. And every president since the first Garden Tour has added at least one new tree to the White House Grounds.

One thing hasn’t changed, however. The tradition of opening the White House gardens and grounds to the public, started by First Lady Patricia Nixon in 1973, continues to delight visitors. Thanks to her vision, as visitors amble through the White House grounds, they are following in the footsteps of every president and first lady since President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams became the first residents of the White House in November 1800.

To learn more about the White House grounds, see The White House Garden by William Seale, published by the White House Historical Association. Memoranda about the planning for the Garden Tour are in the collections of the Richard Nixon Presidential Museum and Library of the National Archives, Yorba Linda, California.

First Lady Patricia Nixon and President Richard Nixon walk through the Rose Garden with schoolchildren on April 14, 1973.

This was originally published on April 9, 2019

Footnotes & Resources

• https://www.presidency.ucsb.ed...
• "White House Gardens and Grounds” brochure, Welcoming letter from Patricia Nixon, April 1973.

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White House tours are back!

Vanessa Romo

White House tours are once again open to the public, offering people a glimpse into the East Wing of the first family's temporary home, including the Blue Room, Red Room and Green Room; the State Dining Room; the China Room; and a view of the White House Rose Garden. Ron Edmonds/AP hide caption

White House tours are once again open to the public, offering people a glimpse into the East Wing of the first family's temporary home, including the Blue Room, Red Room and Green Room; the State Dining Room; the China Room; and a view of the White House Rose Garden.

There's great news for curious lookie-loos: Public tours of the White House have resumed.

Officials announced that the free tours will initially be available from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, excluding federal holidays. Rules for visiting the presidential work-live manse remain the same. According to the White House:

Public tour requests are scheduled on a first come, first served basis and must be submitted through a Member of Congress and their Congressional Tour Coordinator. Constituents may reach your Member of Congress and Congressional Tour Coordinator through the U.S. House of Representative's Switchboard at 202-225-3121, the U.S. Senate Switchboard at 202-224-3121, or online at www.congress.gov/members .

Would-be visitors will also have to get the timing just right. Requests must be submitted 21 days to three months in advance of the desired visit.

The People's House has been periodically closed to the public through part of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, those who are lucky enough to book a slot can get an IRL look into several rooms in the East Wing of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, including the Blue Room, Red Room and Green Room; the State Dining Room; the China Room; and a view of the White House Rose Garden.

The Secret Service can also be a part of the experience. In addition to keeping an eye on the valuables, it's available to answer questions about the history and architecture of each room.

Here's a bit of what visitors can expect to see:

President Barack Obama looks at a portrait of President John Adams while waiting in the White House's Blue Room prior to a news conference in the East Room on Feb. 9, 2009. The White House/Getty Images hide caption

President Barack Obama looks at a portrait of President John Adams while waiting in the White House's Blue Room prior to a news conference in the East Room on Feb. 9, 2009.

The Blue Room wasn't a thing until 1837, when President Martin Van Buren — the eighth president of the U.S. — introduced the color blue into the decorating scheme.

Before that, there had been a bit of a kerfuffle over how the large oval room, which later became the inspiration for the design of the Oval Office, should be decorated.

Apparently, President James Monroe wanted to deck out the room in a French Empire style and placed an order for a suite of French mahogany furniture through the American firm Russell and La Farge, with offices in Le Havre, France, according to White House records.

"However, the firm shipped gilded furniture instead, asserting that 'mahogany is not generally admitted into the furniture of a Salon, even at private gentlemen's houses.' "

Refreshed wall fabric brightens the Red Room in September 2019. Patrick Semansky/AP hide caption

Refreshed wall fabric brightens the Red Room in September 2019.

The Red Room was mostly yellow until 1845, when President James K. Polk and first lady Sarah Polk added red- and green-covered rocking chairs, ottomans, armchairs and lounges. That's when it went from being called the Washington Parlor to the Red Room.

In March 1877, it became the scene of President-elect Rutherford B. Hayes' historic swearing-in, which in some ways paralleled the Electoral College vote count of Jan. 6, 2021.

The White House Historical Association states on its website:

"Political tensions ran high after his bitterly contested election over Samuel J. Tilden, so Hayes secretly took the Oath of Office at the White House. Inauguration Day fell on a Sunday that year, and this swearing-in avoided a 24-hour delay in the transfer of power and any perceived danger of a coup."

Paintings of past presidents adorn the walls as a crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling of the Green Room on Jan. 21, 1963. AP hide caption

Paintings of past presidents adorn the walls as a crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling of the Green Room on Jan. 21, 1963.

John Quincy Adams, the United States' sixth president, came up with the idea of calling this room the Green Drawing Room sometime between 1825 and 1829, according to the White House.

"The inspiration for the name may have come from Thomas Jefferson's use of the space as a dining room, when he covered the floor with a green-colored canvas for protection."

During its most recent renovation, then-first lady Melania Trump added a portrait of former first lady Edith Roosevelt, wife of President Theodore Roosevelt.

State Dining Room

President Biden speaks about the January jobs reports during an event in the State Dining Room on Feb. 4. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

President Biden speaks about the January jobs reports during an event in the State Dining Room on Feb. 4.

The State Dining Room has been through some wild makeovers, growing from an intimate space to a cavernous hall that can seat up to 140 guests.

While today's version, most recently revamped by then-first lady Michelle Obama, is calming and elegant, with ivory walls and a muted blue rug, earlier versions included intricate wall paintings and walls in "many shades and textures of yellow and highlighted in silver," according to the White House Historical Association.

President Theodore Roosevelt expanded the dining room and added some personal touches that were very on-brand for the outdoorsman: He hung "a large moose head above the fireplace and placed other game trophies on the natural oak panels," states the association's website.

The Truman china set is displayed on a table in the White House's China Room. This set, selected by first lady Bess Truman in 1951, is the first state china service to feature the presidential coat of arms as redesigned by President Harry Truman in 1945. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

The Truman china set is displayed on a table in the White House's China Room. This set, selected by first lady Bess Truman in 1951, is the first state china service to feature the presidential coat of arms as redesigned by President Harry Truman in 1945.

This room is entirely dedicated to holding and displaying china used by dozens of U.S. presidents. It was first called the Presidential Collection Room, but in 1917, Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, President Woodrow Wilson's second wife, decided to display the growing collection of White House china throughout the room.

The Associated Press reported that first lady Mamie Eisenhower "was instrumental in locating the personal china of Presidents Johnson, Taft, Harding, Coolidge and Hoover to complete the collection."

White House Rose Garden

Tulips add an annual burst of color during spring in the White House Rose Garden. J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press hide caption

Tulips add an annual burst of color during spring in the White House Rose Garden.

Yes, it's called the Rose Garden, but countless other blooms are to be found, depending on the season.

While the garden was established in 1913, it was President John F. Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy who in 1961 decided to breathe new life into the space.

The White House Historical Association states that the couple was inspired after a state visit to France, England and Austria: "The President had noted that the White House had no garden equal in quality or attractiveness to the gardens that he had seen and in which he had been entertained in Europe. There he had recognized the importance of gardens surrounding an official residence and their appeal to the sensibilities of all people."

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How to Visit the White House

Last Updated: March 18, 2021 References

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 4,937 times.

About 70,000-100,000 people visit the White House every month—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do! [1] X Research source If you want to stop by this famous building, which serves as the home of the American president, you’ll need to request a tour through a congressmember or, if you’re not a U.S. citizen, through your country’s embassy in D.C. Your tour is always subject to cancellation for security or events purposes, but if you’re able to visit this beautiful, historical building, it’ll make for a day you’ll never forget.

Requesting a Tour through a Congressmember or Embassy

• To find who your local congressmember is, go to https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative .

• You’ll be asked to give the dates that you’re available for the tour, the number of people, and your contact information.

White House Visiting Hours Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30am-11:30am Friday-Saturday, 7:30am-1:30pm

Note: The White House is closed to the public on federal holidays, or when otherwise noted.

• Try to be patient in the meantime! Plan the rest of your trip to the capital to keep yourself busy. You might want to see other sights, like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, or Capitol Hill.

• Your embassy officials will let you know what steps you’ll take to request a tour.
• You can find your embassy’s contact information at https://www.embassy.org/embassies/ .

• Call the Visitors Office at 202-456-7041.

Doing the White House Garden Tour

• You won’t be able to go inside the White House, but you will be able to walk around the gardens, grounds, and lawns.

• The tours are typically held in April and October.

• Keep an eye out for ticketing time announcements, which will be decided a few weeks before each tour. The ticket tents typically open in the morning. [11] X Research source

Pick up Garden Tour tickets at the National Park Service tent on the corner of Constitution Ave and 15th St NW.

• Suitcases and oversized backpacks
• Food and beverages
• Selfie sticks
• Weapons and toy weapons

Arriving at the White House

• Avoid wearing clothes with anti-U.S. slogans.

• Federal Triangle, on the blue and orange lines
• Metro Center on the blue, orange, and red lines
• McPherson Square, on the blue and orange lines

• The information on your ID must exactly match the name, date of birth, and address you gave the White House when booking the tour.
• Photocopies and expired IDs won’t be accepted.

Items prohibited from White House tours include:

Video recorders (smartphones are OK, although you won’t be able to use any cellphones inside the White House)

Handbags, purses, book bags, and backpacks

Food or beverages

Tobacco products

Personal grooming items like makeup or lotion

Pointed objects

Aerosol containers

Guns, ammunition, fireworks, knives, and any other weapons

Expert Q&A

• West Wing tours are available by invitation from the White House, or if you have a personal connection to a White House staffer. [17] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you can’t make it to DC for a tour, you can also take a virtual White House tour. Several apps are available that offer different experiences and educational opportunities. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you're good at drawing, why not make a memento of your visit by making a drawing of the White House to add to your travel journal? Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/05/us/politics/05visit.html
• ↑ https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/tours-events/
• ↑ https://scottpeters.house.gov/visitdc
• ↑ https://scottpeters.house.gov/toursfaq
• ↑ https://www.tripsavvy.com/the-white-house-guide-1038246
• ↑ https://whitehouse.gov1.info/visit/white-house-garden-tour.html
• ↑ https://whitehouse.gov1.info/visit/tour.html

About this article

To visit the white house as a United States Citizen, fill out the online form on your congressmember’s website to request a public, self-guided tour. You’ll need to submit your request up to 3 months ahead of time, and then you will receive a confirmation email 2 weeks before the date of your tour. If you’re not a U.S. citizen, call your country’s embassy in Washington, D.C. to have your tour arranged through the State Department. To find out how to do the White House Garden Tour, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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White House Tours 2024: All the Details You Need Before Going

The most coveted tour in Washington DC is always the White House. It has been the home to 44 different presidents and their families. The White House has been at the center of American History since the beginning.

It’s been burned down, rebuilt and remodel. But one thing is for sure, it will always be a symbol for our nation.

After my third visit to DC, looking upon the White House from outside its gates, I finally got to walk inside and visit the White House and do the full tour experience. I’m sharing with you all the secrets and everything you need to know before visiting.

And a little bit about what they don’t tell you in my White House Tour review.

I have been on the White House tour twice now. One during the Trump Administration and back again with the entire family during the Biden Administration.

Most of the pictures reflect the 2023 adventure, but I’ve included some 2019 visit too to compare.

The White House Tour in 2024

Tours are available in the morning (8:00 AM to 12:30 PM) Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, excluding federal holidays.

Interestingly enough, this used to be Monday – Friday during the previous administration.

Tours are free of charge.

Part One: Odds of getting a White House Public Tour

How to get white house tour tickets.

The White House public tour is one of the most in-demand tours to get in our Nation’s Capitol. Public Tour request must go through your Member of Congress .

A tour request must be submitted up to three months in advance. They must be a minimum of 21 days in advance and no more than 90 days. Officially it’s on a first come, first serve basis.

Here is the kicker: even though you submit a request for a tour of the White House, you may not get in. Even if you do everything right.

And they only confirm your tour tickets a couple of weeks before you arrive. So you’ll have to be flexible in planning your trip.

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

To increase your chances, request tickets as early as possible. Yes, three months in advance. Most state representatives have a formal process on their website to get your tickets. An intern will be the one taking care of everything for you.

Once the White House gets your request, they will reach out to you to complete an extra screening process. You’ll provide basic background check information for you and everyone in your party. Guest 13 years and older do not need to provide an SSN.

If you are not a US citizen, you can still visit. You need to give your passport details as your ID.

I recommend submitting this as soon as possible. My notice told me I needed to finalize registration by 6 weeks before the tour.

After submitting your request, sit tight. Start planning like you will get in. You will hear back approximately 2-3 weeks prior to the requested tour dates.

One mistake I made was being too flexible in the request. I requested a tour of both the White House and the US Capitol, giving a window of two days. When I got approval for the White House Tour, it was at the same time as my US Capitol Tour.

I was able to reach out to the intern and get my tours rearranged. I can’t say requesting the tours on two separate days would have improved or hurt my chances, but remember this could be a possibility.

Part Two: You’re In, You’ve got your Tour Date, Now What?

What to bring with you to tour the white house.

The White House has some serious rules and regulations around what is allowed inside the White House.

To sum it up, plan on leaving everything at the hotel. Bags, purses, fanny packs, and just about everything you normally carry with you.

On their website, they have an official list. If you have medical-related things, it’s fine… but otherwise, don’t bring them. Wallets and phones are still fine, just not the purse.

You can bring in a compact camera , as long as it doesn’t interfere with the other people on the tour. There is no storage available at the White House to store stuff. That’s why they suggest leaving your belongings in your room.

If your hotel is out of the way, there are lockers at the Smithsonian ’s and the Metro Stations . I also heard that nearby hotels like the JW Marriot will store items for you for a fee.

Camera Restrictions

No small action cameras like a GoPro. No DSLR Cameras with removable lenses.

You can bring in a traditional style pocket camera, like a Canon Power Shot . The lenses cannot extend past 3 inches. Security has a good idea of what’s allowed and what isn’t just by looking at it. They didn’t even question mine.

If you are concerned about what you have, swing by the White House a day or two early and ask some of the secret services offers hanging out around people. You can use your cellphone too.

Actually, they encourage it. I’ll get to that part later. But the camera can only be used for photos, not videos.

The Secret Service has the right to confiscate anything you may bring. So if you get caught misusing it… beware.

I was super paranoid about picture quality. My Canon Power Shot took great pictures and is pocket friendly.

Where to go for Public Tours of the White House?

Your confirmation email provides you with an official map of where to get in line. The tour line starts in the back of the Treasury Department. A group of National Park Service personnel will greet you. 

It’s recommended to line up about 15 minutes before your starting time. Talking with people in line, they did not hold you to that time. It took me about 30 minutes to get through security, so officially I was 15 minutes late for my timed entry.

One copy of the ticket will work for everyone in your group.

Everyone 18 and older will need to present a valid government-issued photo ID upon entering the White House complex. Kids will not need a government-issued photo ID, like adults need. They just need to know their Date of Birth.

We quizzed the kids before to make sure they knew their dates. They both did great!

Make sure to have your ID out until you cross through the second Secret Service personal. They ask for you to present a valid ID multiple times.

PRO TIP: Keep your ID in hand. They ask for it several times.

You will spend a good part of your time in line outside, without shelter. There are some sections that have a tent cover, to give you a break.

They recommend that you’re hydrated before getting there because you cannot bring water in with you. While I agree, don’t overdo it because there are no restrooms available.

Wear sunscreen , coat and take any other precautions you normally would. And dress for the weather. DC heat is relentless in the summer.

Part Three: The Public White House Self-Guided Tour

Where is my tour guide.

The White House tour is all self-guided. This one took me by surprise too.

Before going, download the official app- The White House Historical Association . It walks you step by step through each room on the tour. It also has information about some of the artifacts and key pieces in their collection.

There are also Secret Service agents positioned around the rooms to help answer any additional questions you have.

This took a little bit of time to get used to. In my mind, these people are on duty to protect and serve. Outside the White House during the security process, it was intense.

If you were not where you should be, they are quick to let you know and to keep the line moving. Don’t leave gaps while you take pictures. You didn’t mess around.

But inside, the Secret Service is very friendly. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure we were being watched at all times. But they welcomed questions and were even quizzing each other on the history of the rooms. It was very light-hearted.

Pro Tip: Review the White House App before going. Soak in as much information as possible, so you can use can be in the moment while you are there.

There are also plaques in each room in case you didn’t have your phone or want to follow along.

What will you see on a White House Tour?

Main entrance.

You’ll enter the house through the East Wing door. It’s not flashy, but it does the job.

East Wing Lobby

They call it a lobby, but it was a hallway into the White House. Make sure to check out the photos on the wall. They have historical shots of the presidents through the years.

Family Theater

The Family Theater was created by Franklin D. Roosevelt for viewing wartime newsreels. Since then, First Families have used it as a theater room.

It is also used as a coatroom during large events.

East Garden Room

The Garden Room looks out onto the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. When Trump was in office, the soccer net was outside. They have since added a lot more flowers.

Ground Floor Corridor

More of just a hallway, the first floor corridor is where you can peek your head into other rooms. But more notably it holds the Baltimore Sheraton Breakfront Bookcase housing some China and other pieces from past presidents.

You’ll also find Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton’s Portraits there. Half of the hallways are blocked off as it is access to the West Wing of the White House.

You’ll also find a gift shop. These items are exclusive to the White House and proceeds go to help supporting the building’s preservation.

The Library was built in 1935 and houses more than 2,800 different books representing the best of American history and literature. According to the Secret Service member on site, this is President Bidens favorite room.

Vermeil Room

The Vermeil Room was originally a lady’s sitting room. But after the White House acquired a collection of gold-plated silver or vermeil, it now is the home of those pieces.

The China Room hosts different China from each president and their wives. Like with all of the rooms on this floor, you cannot enter it.

The only way to see some of the pieces is to visit the Smithsonian American History Museum .

After seeing these rooms, you’ll head upstairs.

By far the most intimidating of all the rooms for a few reasons. First, it’s the largest and used for ceremonial events, portrait unavailing, and metal of honor awards. It’s used for presidential funerals and bill signings.

It also includes the portrait of George Washington that Frist Lady Dolley Madison had servants save as they fled the White House when the British invaded in 1814.

While in this room, turn around and take a look at the long hallway. A lot of press conferences are held here. Include the one where President Obama announced the death of Osama Bin Ladin.

Before entering the Green Room, you’ll have the option to go down either side of the rooms. The center is less congested, but you won’t get to see the view outside the windows.

It’s one of my favorite’s views in historic properties, so I recommend doing the second entrance.

The Green Room is used as a sitting room for teas, interviews, and small parties.

The Blue Room is directly across from the front entrance of the White House. It has an Oval Shape, and is used as the official White House Christmas tree in it every year.

When the British burned the White House down in 1817, the furnishing all needed to be replaced. When James Monroe moved in, he brought in the 53-piece suite of furniture made in Paris by Pierre-Antoine Bellange for the Oval Room.

Most of the pieces were sold over the years. Before Jacqueline Kennedy’s restoration project, presidents were responsible for furnishing the house themselves. Thankfully some of these pieces were donated back to the White House.

The Red Room is where smaller gatherings and dinner parties are held. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt held women-only press conferences in this room as well.

State Dining Room

The State Dining Room was Thomas Jeffersons’ office. During Theodore Roosevelt’s time, in 1902 the room was enlarged.

It is the primary place for formal dinners to honor heads of state and other dignitaries. Kings and Queens have dinner here.

The hallways connect the State Dining Room and the East Room. In the hallway, you’ll notice a lot of portraits including John F. Kennedy and Ronald Regan.

Entrance Hall

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.

The Entrance Hall is a place where the President and First Lady have always used to greet guests. A couple of fun things to watch out for are the Steinway Piano and the pictures of George W. Bush and Obama.

There is also a plaque embedded on the floor that most people miss, marking the dates of the construction, and major renovation years the White House underwent. The stars represent the number of states present when the stone was first installed.

North Portico

The North Portico, or the main entrance to the White House, is the most ionic. This is probably the only place you’ll be able to get a shot of the White House without the fence.

Interesting change from my 2019 visit in 2023 the second barricade was removed, and you can now walk right up to the White House fence again. This was a great surprise allowing people to get an undisturbed picture of the Whiteh House between the fence poles.

Why does the White House feel like a museum?

A good chunk of the rooms are blocked off, with the exception of a few that you can walk through a designated path. They don’t want you getting too close to touch anything for obvious reasons. Think of it as a walk through a museum.

Around 1pm, the tours stop and the executive family takes full control of the White House again.

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 part of the reason why they don’t let you know if you’ve been approved until a couple of weeks before your visit.

Additional Tips Before your White House Tour

• If you are unsure at any time in DC or have questions about things, smile at a secret service member, police or anyone nearby. If they smile back, you are good to ask a question. Even silly questions like “What Happened to the Top of the Tree?”
• If you have time, go through the White House Tour app before going on your tour. This way you will have an idea of what to expect and some of the fun facts about the White House before your visit. As someone who spends most of their time using their phone for pictures, I did not want my nose in the phone reading as I entered each room. I also feel that knowing your history before visiting always makes the visit more memorable. Like knowing where the State Dinners are held, and in that room, they hosted Queen Elizabeth and other Dignitaries. It elevates a room from just an old room to a History.
• Do not feel rushed. Yes, you have to be moving in with the flow of traffic. But if you want to get a picture of something, linger a little longer. This is probably going to be the only time you set foot in here again, so make it memorable.
• As always be respectful. It doesn’t matter who holds the office and where you land politically, this is the White House. It’s a symbol of our history. And one thing I appreciated on my tour was that everyone left politics aside. There were no MAGA hats. There was no one talking in favor or against the current president’s politics. They were just excited about getting to walk through the gates.
• When you walk outside the front doors of the White House, don’t be afraid to look back. It’s going to be one of the best views you’ll get from the White House.

Part Four: What if I don’t get in?

If you get the rejection letter, don’t worry. Chances are they had too many requests. Try again on your next visit.

The White House Visitor Center

Stop by the White House Visitor Center and see a lot of the historical pieces and learn more about the White House.

Do a Virtual Tour

Download the WH Experience virtual tour and walk through each of the rooms on your smart phone.

Take a walk around the White House. It’s an experience all on its’ own. Around 7 am during the week, you will have an unobstructed view of the White House.

You will have to stay a block away from the White House on each side and in the back. You can walk on Pennsylvania Ave in front.

As it gets later in the day, you’ll be dealing with tour groups, protesters, and preachers broadcasting in front. It can get intense.

Consider taking a walking tour of the great architecture around Washington DC. There is a great Federal Triangle Architecture Tour , led by a local guide. You’ll start in front of the White House neighborhood and then move down Pennsylvania Avenue, learning about the history of the town.

Check out some other free things to do in DC

• Tips for Visiting the Library of Congress in Washington DC
• Getting Around Washington DC on a Budget with Public Transportation
• Watching Millions of Dollars Flyby at the Bureau Of Engraving And Printing
• An Unforgettable Self Guided Bike Tour Of DC Monuments at Night

Recommended Reading

Before you go, I recommend brushing up on your White House Facts. There is no shortage of great books on the topic from all different points of view. Politics aside, here are my favorite recommendations.

• Inside the White House: Stories From the World’s Most Famous Residence . This book has interesting stories for the First Families through the ages. Including great images from their time. It’s a great way to give you a sense of what to expect and the events that happened here.
• The Hidden White House: Harry Truman and the Reconstruction of America’s Most Famous Residence . Dealing with one of the biggest crises to happen to the White House in recent day, find out what went into the biggest renovation in the Houses history.
• The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House . Told from the perspective of a White House usher, this book brings new insight into what it’s like to live inside these walls. It’s my favorite book in the collection because it tells one person’s story.
• Politics aside, Becoming by Michelle Obama . The book gives a lot of insight into what it’s like navigating raising children inside the Whitehouse.

other Questions about the White House Tour

How far in advance should i book a tour of the white house.

White House Tours should be reserved three months in advance and as late as three weeks beforehand. The earlier you book, the better chance you’ll get in.

How hard is it to get White House tour tickets?

White House Tour Tickets are easy to get, as long as you do some advanced planning. You can request tickets from a member of congress, at least three weeks in advance. Both U.S. Nationals and Foreign visitors can visit the White House.

What kind of tours can you do when visiting the White House?

The White House has one type of tour available to the public. It’s a self-guided tour of the first and second floors of the building. It includes all the formal reception rooms. Private facilities and the executive wings are not included. 

Is White House tour worth it?

The White House tour is worth it, if you enjoy American history. You’ll enter rooms and stand where kings and queens have stood. You’ll be walking through history. From the architecture and artwork, you’ll be amazed. The White House is a historic and iconic symbol of the United States and is a must-see tour.

Would I do a tour of the White House Again?

Entering the White House was one of the coolest experiences I’ve had. I’d definitely do it again. I got the opportunity to visit during two different presidencies. One thing that’s nice to see, is much of the house stays the same. But it’s nice to see how the current president makes minor changes to give it their own feel.

White House tours are free. The public with a house tour has a limited number of spaces are available. Tours fill up quickly so you’ll need to request your tickets as soon as possible.

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Minnesota native and Midwest travel expert Jennifer provides insider tips and budget-friendly trip ideas for families looking to explore the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Through her travel blog DayTripper28, she draws on first-hand experience to recommend the best hidden gems, outdoor adventures, road trips, and weekend getaways around Minnesota and the Midwest. With her passion for uncovering local flavors and culture along the backroads, Jennifer shares affordable itineraries for creating memorable experiences across the region.

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

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Table of Contents

History of the white house, getting to the white house, how to schedule a tour of the white house, the white house experience mobile app (virtual tour), white house garden tour, the white house easter egg roll, white house visitor center, president ’s park, best place to take pictures of the white house, 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.

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.

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.

Planning Your Visit

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. 

On the Day of Your Tour

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What to See at the Visitor Center

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.

When to Visit

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.

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.

The Northern Trail

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.

Other Landmarks and Buildings

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

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.

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.

The North Side From Pennsylvania Avenue

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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I got to tour the West Wing!

Getting a tour of the West Wing of the White House is perhaps the toughest ticket in Washington, DC, but if you do get one, it’s the Golden Ticket.  

Several guides at DC By Foot have toured the West Wing.

It is much easier to tour the White House on a public tour or take our Intro to DC tour to see it from outside with one of our guides.

They are scheduled from 7:30 in the morning until 9:30 at night, though you cannot tour the West Wing during business hours or when the President is working.

Unfortunately, we can’t help you arrange a tour of the West Wing, but we can tell you who can visit the West Wing, how to apply, and what you will see.

HOW TO GET A WEST WING TOUR

Your best chance of getting a tour is to be a friend or family of a White House employee. 

So, who do you have to know? It’s an exclusive club:

• Friends and family of authorized White House employees
• Celebrities and political activists
• Friends and prominent supporters of members of Congress

Celebrities and prominent political activists must apply directly to the White House Office of Political Affairs.  If you are a friend of a prominent member of Congress, that member may apply to the Office of Political Affairs on your behalf.

If you are fortunate enough to be booked on a West Wing tour, you will receive a link directly from the WH asking you to provide the following information: 

• Date of Birth
• Social Security Number (only U.S. residents 18 and older)
• Citizenship
• City and State of Residence

Once you provide that information, you will receive a strict set of rules for your visit. The most important one is bags: the size must not exceed 4x6 inches. Also, no phones are allowed, so you’ll have to lock it away upon entry. 

In the days before your tour, the Secret Service will conduct a rigorous background check, and when you arrive at the White House for your tour, there is additional security screening. Don’t forget your government-issued ID.

The check-in point is at 17 th and E St NW. Upon arrival, you will be given a temporary badge that you will wear for the duration of your tour. Yes. You have to return it following your visit. 

After passing through security, you will follow your guide (the White House employee) past the south façade of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where you will round a corner to the left. 

And there it will be: the entrance to the West Wing! It is an extensive tour, allowing you to see the inner workings of the West Wing and the surrounding exterior grounds, all under the watchful eye of Secret Service members, who will happily answer questions and tell you stories. Be sure to ask about the ghosts in the White House. There are lots of them! 

So, what exactly do you get to see? 

• Situation Room
• West Colonnade
• Rose Garden & South Lawn
• Cabinet Room
• Oval Office
• Roosevelt Room
• West Wing Lobby
• James P. Brady Press Briefing Room

As you are not allowed to bring your phone (or cameras) into the West Wing, the only place where photos are allowed is the Press Briefing Room.

As part of a West Wing tour, you will also visit the adjacent Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where you will see the following: 

• Second Gentleman’s Office Suite (exterior only)
• The Vice President’s Ceremonial Office
• Secretary of War Suite
• The Cordell Hull Room
• The Diplomatic Reception Room
• The Indian Treaty Room
• The War Library
• The East and West Rotundas
• Truman Bowling Alley

So, if you are lucky enough to get this Golden Ticket, a tour of the West Wing will surely be a highlight of your time in Washington, DC.

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Your guide to the Celtics’ championship parade: What to know if you’re going, and how to watch if you can’t

Follow along with live updates from the Celtics’ championship parade

Clear your schedules, and plan to take the day off on Friday for the Celtics’ NBA Championship parade.

If you’ve forgotten the procedure in the six years since the City of Boston last hosted a championship parade, here’s a refresher: As many as 25 duck boats will begin their slow roll through the streets of Boston Friday at 11 a.m., starting in front of TD Garden on Causeway Street and ending on Boylston Street near the Hynes Convention Center.

Temperatures are expected to cool slightly Friday after a sweltering week in Boston , but it’s still going to be a hot one, so Mayor Michelle Wu reminded fans to stay hydrated.

The celebrations began Monday night after Boston blew out the Dallas Mavericks, 106-88, in Game 5 at TD Garden to win their NBA-record 18th title.

Read on for everything you need to before Friday, including the route, road closures, safety information, and more.

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Celtics parade in Boston: What you need to know

• Date and time: Friday, June 21 beginning at 11 a.m.
• Location: The parade route will run from in front of TD Garden on Causeway Street, past City Hall Plaza and the Boston Common on Tremont Street, and end on Boylston Street by the Hynes Convention Center.
• Events: The Celtics players and staff will not give speeches along the parade route. Instead, they’ll host a pre-parade event at TD Garden before getting on the duck boats.
• Forecast: The temperature is expected to be in the mid-80s. Keep up with the latest forecast here .
• Getting there: Wu urged residents to take public transit on Friday as the MBTA will be increasing service on all transit lines. Parking on certain streets in the West End, Downtown, and Back Bay will be closed just after midnight on Friday morning, Wu said.
• Road closures: Streets along the parade route will be shut down to traffic starting at 9 a.m. Friday morning, Wu said. A list of closed street is available on the city’s website .

When is the Celtics parade?

The duck boats will depart from TD Garden Friday at 11 a.m. — the usual start time for the dozen other parades Boston Duck Tours has held between February of 2002 and February 2019 for the Patriots (six), Red Sox (four), Bruins (one), and Celtics (one).

Ed Davis, the former Boston Police Commissioner in the middle of the Title Town parade run that included the Celtics’ 2008 rolling rally, said that a morning start is a hedge against adult-beverage-fueled unruliness.

“From a police perspective, having something in the morning, it’s less likely to have violence associated with it because of alcohol consumption and things like that, so it just makes it a safer time,” said Davis.

Insider tip: Stake out your spot early. It’s best to get there a few hours before the parade begins if you want to get close to the action.

What is the route for the Celtics parade?

The parade will run from in front of TD Garden on Causeway Street, following Staniford Street to Cambridge Street, which turns into Tremont Street, and then along Boylston Street until the duck boats reach the Hynes Convention Center.

Here’s the full route:

What’s the weather forecast for the Celtics parade?

According to Globe meteorologist Ken Mahan, this week’s heat wave is expected to lift just in time for Friday’s victory parade. The forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies with highs in the mid-80s and a heat index — how it actually feels outside — of 87. The humidity, however, may be high, making it feel extra warm and muggy.

Be sure to drink plenty of water, and pack your sunscreen if you’re planning to camp out along the route.

The city’s Office of Emergency Management will have misting tents ats City Hall Plaza and the Boston Common to help fans cool off.

Check out the full forecast here.

Celtics parade rules and safety information

The celebrations on Monday night were relatively tame, as police arrested eight people, mostly for disorderly conduct. Boston police commissioner Michael Cox said there were no other major security or safety issues reported, which he hopes will be the case Friday as well.

“For the most part it was a good crowd,” Cox told the Globe Tuesday. “It’s always a little much when you have that many people, sometimes not everyone listens, but for the most part all our fans did well last night, hopefully they’ll continue to do well going into this. . . . We just want people to celebrate responsibly.”

Mayor Michelle Wu said Tuesday that fans should expect a heavy presence of police — including both uniformed and plainclothes officers — and first responders outside TD Garden and along the route.

“We are also encouraging everyone to celebrate safely, and look out for each other,” Wu said. “Although the weather will cool off slightly by Friday, this is our first heat wave of the year, and we are expecting temperatures in the mid- to high-nineties through Thursday.”

Cox reminded residents “there is no public drinking or use of marijuana on the route in any way.” He also said there should be no climbing or standing on mailboxes, bus vestibules, rooftops, or light polls. If fans do not get down from those areas when asked by police, they could be arrested, he said.

“Any disruptive behavior, fighting, things of that nature, will not be tolerated,” Cox said. “Let’s remember that this is a family-friendly event and we expect everybody to act accordingly.”

Prohibited items at the parade include alcoholic beverages; large bags, coolers, or glass containers; drones; weapons (or replicas of weapons); and fireworks.

During the Celtics’ 2008 parade, police made more than 20 arrests for a variety of reasons, ranging from disorderly conduct to assault and battery.

Road closures and T service during the Celtics parade

Streets along the parade route will be closed starting at 9 a.m. Parking will also be heavily restricted in the areas surrounding the parade route starting just after midnight on Friday. For a full list of street that will be shutdowns and parking restrictions, visit the city’s website.

Wu urged fans to use public transportation to get downtown. The MBTA will provide increased service and modified Commuter Rail schedules to accommodate the anticipated large crowds. For more information, visit the MBTA’s website.

How can you watch the Celtics parade at home?

If you can’t make it downtown for the parade but don’t want to miss out on the fun, you can watch the festivities on NBA TV and the NBA App.

NBC Sports Boston and NBC10 Boston will have live, all-day coverage of the celebrations beginning at 5 a.m. and running through the end of the festivities. Brian Scalabrine will host the coverage and will be joined by analysts, reporters, current and former players, and other special guests.

How many duck boats are involved?

Cindy Brown, CEO of Boston Duck Tours, said Friday that the company is expecting to deploy anywhere from the high teens to 25 vehicles to transport Celtics players, coaches, staffers, and assorted Green legends through throngs of fans along the route.

The company will run a full schedule-through the day before, and then spend the evening and overnight preparing the duck boats for a parade. That includes taking out the seats on the top deck and installing a platform high enough for the celebrants to be seen over the railing as the convoy slowly moves past the throngs of spectators.

Boston Duck Tours doesn’t get paid for the use of its boats and it doesn’t pay the city or the team to use its boats. The company will have to cancel pre-booked tours on the day of the parade and swallow a day’s worth of revenue that is “far into six figures,” said Brown.

“Obviously the marketing opportunity and the pure joy for our staff to be involved in something so important to the city is worth it,” said Brown.

Michael Silverman contributed to reporting.

Emma can be reached at [email protected] or on X @_EmmaHealy_ .

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IN THE GARDEN

How One Couple Turned Their Backyard Into an Arboretum

Their passion for fruit you’ve never heard of started small. Now they have a botanical garden that’s open to the public.

By Margaret Roach

This is what happens if you stay put, and keep digging holes: An effort that begins innocently enough — planting a garden at home — may grow on you. And it could morph into an arboretum.

Hortus Arboretum & Botanical Gardens , a 21-acre expanse in Stone Ridge, N.Y., with about 11 acres under cultivation, got its start as Allyson Levy and Scott Serrano’s much smaller backyard. It has been 25 years since the couple, both visual artists, moved from San Francisco to Ulster County, where they now count more than 240 genera in their plant collection.

And it all began, as most gardens do, by making space for irresistible finds from local nurseries — no master plan involved.

More than a few were plants that bore fruit.

“Scott was channeling his inner bear, planting a lot of berry plants,” Ms. Levy recalled. They both favored species whose leaves or seeds might inspire their artwork.

A few years in, with a young family and a budget to consider, she forced a reckoning, voicing the concern that they should focus their gardening efforts. “If we’re going to plant salvias,” she proposed, “let’s just have different species. If we’re going to plant anything, let’s start thinking about an overall design, and how we’re planting and where.”

Before long, they had exhausted the possibilities at nearby garden centers and began ordering tiny rooted cuttings of shrubs and trees from rare-plant nurseries. Others, they grew from seed — even trees.

They once lived three blocks from Strybing Arboretum (now the San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum). That was “our first really hard-core introduction to trees,” Mr. Serrano said. “And we have planted a lot of what we saw there. A lot of that stuff lingers in our heads.”

An early visit to Brooklyn Botanic Garden made an impression, too.

“I said, ‘Oh, I would like a house dropped right here,’” Mr. Serrano recalled. “I wanted more fruit trees and more things I can eat, but I wanted a house dropped in a place like this. And so we set about just surrounding our house with an arboretum, slowly.”

At first, it was a process that he acknowledged was “sort of reckless.” But pretty quickly it became systematic, with proper record-keeping.

By 2009, the couple had added an eight-acre parcel across the road from their original three-acre yard. By 2012, they had applied for accreditation to the Morton Arboretum’s ArbNet, a registry of woody plant-focused collections and public gardens. Their arboretum, a nonprofit organization since 2019, is now open on weekends and by appointment through mid-November.

Collections Within the Collection

Early on, themes began emerging: They amassed a diversity of Chinese plants, and of hardy cactus. They went deep into beloved genera, collecting various Stewartia trees (a dozen in all); magnolias (about 20); and viburnum (more than 30). They also had lots of plants that were good to eat.

Many of those edibles became the focus of the couple’s 2022 book, “Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts: 50 Easy-to-Grow Plants for the Organic Home Garden or Landscape,” which profiles their successful selections from around the world.

That includes native fruits like pawpaw (Asimina triloba), American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), chokeberries (Aronia) and juneberries (Amelanchier).

But many are from much farther away and are much less familiar, including real oddities like Himalayan chocolate berry (Leycesteria formosa), a showy shrub related to honeysuckle, with a small fruit they describe as tasting like “dark chocolate, espresso, burned caramel and blackberry — all at the same time.”

Its self-fertile flowers, produced from spring through fall, are surrounded by burgundy bracts that are particularly flashy when set off against the gold leaves of the cultivar Golden Lanterns.

Another honeysuckle relative, honeyberry or haskap (Lonicera caerulea), is an exceptionally hardy shrub with a circumpolar native range in Asia, Europe and North America. Its fruits, among the earliest ripening, are distinguished by their blue color. Because honeyberry is not self-fertile, two varieties with overlapping bloom times are required for cross-pollination.

In the book, the couple describe their arboretum as “an aesthetically arranged experiment station to test interesting and useful plants.” They don’t hesitate to push zones (the chocolate berry, for instance, is rated as Zone 7, but they do fine with it in Zone 6 by using winter mulch). They take a special interest in endangered plants, including natives like Stern’s medlar (x Crataemespilus canescens), a naturally occurring hawthorn-medlar hybrid from Arkansas, and the Virginia round-leaf birch (Betula uber).

What there aren’t a lot of are the usual fruiting suspects: the peaches, apples and plums that, although familiar, are not so easy to grow by the organic practices they follow, at least not in the Northeast.

“If you plant a peach tree in our environment,” Mr. Serrano said, “it’s like going to war. You sit back, and you wait to be attacked over and over and over and over.”

The common European pear tree (Pyrus communis) can also be susceptible to disease in the Northeast and can take a decade to reach fruiting age. Instead, they suggest trying an Asian pear (mostly hybrids of Pyrus pyrifolia), many of which are more disease resistant and bear fruit younger.

But if you’re planting an Asian pear, you’ll have to plant two, as Asian pears are generally not self-fruitful; cross-pollination by another variety that blooms concurrently is needed. For smaller gardens, there’s a workaround: Specialty nurseries sell combination or multi-grafted trees, with several varieties on a single plant, satisfying both the pollination requirements and the gardener’s appetite. The arboretum has a multi-grafted specimen of the flavorful varieties Chojuro, Yongi and Kosui.

Medlar and Goji Berry, Magnolia Vine and Che

If you’re planting medlar (Mespilus germanica), you’ll need to make room for just one to get a harvest.

Ms. Levy describes the self-fruitful rose family member, a relative of quince and apple, as “a beautiful, gnarly looking medieval tree” of rounded, shrubby stature, reaching maybe 15 by 15 feet. Its large, camellia-like white spring flowers are followed by one- to two-inch russet-colored fruits.

Figuring out when the fruit is ripe enough to eat, however, is a bit of a puzzle. It isn’t until well after the thick, shiny foliage goes butter-yellow in the fall and drops. What is required is a period of bletting: achieving an overripe state just short of rotting, manifesting an applesauce-like consistency and flavor inside. Frost exposure can help, as can a storage period.

One species in the Hortus collection more commonly found in health-food products than gardens is goji berry (Lycium barbarum), which has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine. Thankfully, it fruits on new wood, because pruning is required to keep it from being too messy.

“It’s a vine kind of disguised as a shrub, or a shrub that’s disguised as a vine,” Ms. Levy said. “It doesn’t quite know what it wants to be.”

Their solution has been to plant the small, fountain-shaped shrub where it can drape over a bit of stone wall. Goji flowers will self-pollinate, but a heavier crop of the fruit — which tastes like a combination of cranberry and licorice, and is sweetest when eaten dried — results when you plant more than one shrub.

The berries of Schisandra (S. chinensis), the magnolia vine, appear in records of Chinese medicine from more than 4,000 years ago, the couple write, but the plant is almost never seen in American gardens or catalogs. The vine, which needs a trellis or other support and a spot in partial shade, produces grapelike fruit clusters tasting of “lemon peel with a little bit of berry,” Mr. Serrano said. When sweetened, he noted, they taste something like strawberry lemonade.

Schisandra is naturally dioecious — the plants are either male or female — so at least one of each is required to produce fruit. But the cultivated variety Eastern Prince is reliably self-fertile (and can be found at Logee’s Greenhouses , among other specialist nurseries).

Another little-grown fruiting tree that Mr. Serrano and Ms. Levy hope more people will try: che, or Chinese melon berry (Maclura tricuspidata). Take the flavor of mulberry and fig (both che relatives), and add watermelon and lychee, they said, and you approximate the taste of these fruits, which ripen in October and resemble those of the kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa).

To get around the pollination issues of the male and female plants — and to avoid a mouthful of seeds — seek out a seedless, self-fruitful female variety.

The arboretum’s edibles list goes on — it also includes lingonberries, gooseberries, quince and more — and is not limited to woody plants. Despite warnings that they are too tender for Zone 6, the couple have succeeded in getting myoga ginger (Zingiber mioga) and wasabi (Eutrema japonicum) to grow as perennials at the arboretum.

Not everything works, of course, and sometimes they must let go. Various of those needy, disease-prone Prunus — plums, cherries, sour cherries, peaches — have been felled since last October to make way for a meadow, another extension of Mr. Serrano and Ms. Levy’s botanical education.

Visitors will often point to some specimen and lament, “I tried to plant that, but …”

The couple’s answer is invariably the same: “How many times?”

“Most of our learning is really by doing and failing, sometimes failing several times,” Ms. Levy said.

Eventually, they figure out a plant’s needs, she added: “You’ve done your homework; you’ve seen how it grows in a certain spot.”

Perhaps one of their plants would flourish in a corner of the expanding collection in your own backyard?

Margaret Roach is the creator of the website and podcast A Way to Garden , and a book of the same name.

If you have a gardening question, email it to Margaret Roach at [email protected], and she may address it in a future column.

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Is y our garden missing something ? An imposing work of pottery can be as important to the design of a landscape as any well-placed plant. And no, not just flower pots.

Want to create a living fence? Or maybe you’d like to produce a harvest of leaves and twigs to feed livestock, or simply enliven the landscape with color? There’s a willow for that .

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To make all that hard work in the garden easier, you will need the right gear. Here are some must-have items , from a sun hat to comfortable sandals.

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FACT SHEET: President   Biden Announces New Actions to Keep Families   Together

Since his first day in office, President Biden has called on Congress to secure our border and address our broken immigration system. As Congressional Republicans have continued to put partisan politics ahead of national security – twice voting against the toughest and fairest set of reforms in decades – the President and his Administration have taken actions to secure the border, including:

• Implementing executive actions to bar migrants who cross our Southern border unlawfully from receiving asylum when encounters are high;
• Deploying record numbers of law enforcement personnel, infrastructure, and technology to the Southern border;
• Seizing record amounts of fentanyl at our ports of entry;
• Revoking the visas of CEOs and government officials outside the U.S. who profit from migrants coming to the U.S. unlawfully; and
• Expanding efforts to dismantle human smuggling networks and prosecuting individuals who violate immigration laws.

President Biden believes that securing the border is essential. He also believes in expanding lawful pathways and keeping families together, and that immigrants who have been in the United States for decades, paying taxes and contributing to their communities, are part of the social fabric of our country. The Day One immigration reform plan that the President sent to Congress reflects both the need for a secure border and protections for the long-term undocumented. While Congress has failed to act on these reforms, the Biden-Harris Administration has worked to strengthen our lawful immigration system. In addition to vigorously defending the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood arrivals) policy, the Administration has extended Affordable Care Act coverage to DACA recipients and streamlined, expanded, and instituted new reunification programs so that families can stay together while they complete the immigration process.  Still, there is more that we can do to bring peace of mind and stability to Americans living in mixed-status families as well as young people educated in this country, including Dreamers. That is why today, President Biden announced new actions for people who have been here many years to keep American families together and allow more young people to contribute to our economy.   Keeping American Families Together

• Today, President Biden is announcing that the Department of Homeland Security will take action to ensure that U.S. citizens with noncitizen spouses and children can keep their families together.
• This new process will help certain noncitizen spouses and children apply for lawful permanent residence – status that they are already eligible for – without leaving the country.
• These actions will promote family unity and strengthen our economy, providing a significant benefit to the country and helping U.S. citizens and their noncitizen family members stay together.
• In order to be eligible, noncitizens must – as of June 17, 2024 – have resided in the United States for 10 or more years and be legally married to a U.S. citizen, while satisfying all applicable legal requirements. On average, those who are eligible for this process have resided in the U.S. for 23 years.
• Those who are approved after DHS’s case-by-case assessment of their application will be afforded a three-year period to apply for permanent residency. They will be allowed to remain with their families in the United States and be eligible for work authorization for up to three years. This will apply to all married couples who are eligible.  
• This action will protect approximately half a million spouses of U.S. citizens, and approximately 50,000 noncitizen children under the age of 21 whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen.

Easing the Visa Process for U.S. College Graduates, Including Dreamers

• President Obama and then-Vice President Biden established the DACA policy to allow young people who were brought here as children to come out of the shadows and contribute to our country in significant ways. Twelve years later, DACA recipients who started as high school and college students are now building successful careers and establishing families of their own.
• Today’s announcement will allow individuals, including DACA recipients and other Dreamers, who have earned a degree at an accredited U.S. institution of higher education in the United States, and who have received an offer of employment from a U.S. employer in a field related to their degree, to more quickly receive work visas.
• Recognizing that it is in our national interest to ensure that individuals who are educated in the U.S. are able to use their skills and education to benefit our country, the Administration is taking action to facilitate the employment visa process for those who have graduated from college and have a high-skilled job offer, including DACA recipients and other Dreamers. 

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