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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Visit The White House

The President and Dr. Biden are delighted to welcome members of the public to tour the White House. Public tour requests are scheduled through your 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 Representatives Switchboard at 202-225-3121, the U.S. Senate Switchboard at 202-224-3121, or online at  www.congress.gov/members .

Consistent with prior practices, public White House tour requests must be submitted a minimum of 21 days in advance and no more than 90 days in advance of the requested tour date(s). Reservations cannot be accepted for tour dates outside this 21 – 90-day window.  

Public tours are typically available from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, excluding Federal holidays or unless otherwise noted. If your tour is confirmed, please note that you will be assigned a specific time.  All White House tours are free of charge. The White House tour schedule is subject to change, with little notice, based on inclement weather or official use.

If you are a citizen of a foreign country, please contact your embassy in Washington, D.C. for assistance in submitting a tour request.

Identification Requirements

All U.S. citizens ages 18 and older, and foreign nationals of all ages (including children), must present a valid, government-issued photo ID upon arrival for their tour. Acceptable forms of identification are below.

U.S. CITIZENS

• United States Driver’s License
• Valid United States Passport
• United States Military ID

FOREIGN NATIONALS

• Valid Passport
• Alien Registration Card
• Permanent Resident Card
• U.S. State Department Issued Diplomatic ID Card

A U.S. driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification for foreign nationals. No foreign-issued state IDs, foreign-issued driver’s licenses, expired passports, photocopies, other transmissions of these documents, or other forms of identification will be accepted. Individuals without acceptable identification, or whose identification does not exactly match the information previously registered, may be denied entry.

Prohibited Items

• Bags of any kind (including fanny packs and clutches)
• Cameras with detachable lenses
• Electric stun guns
• E-cigarettes
• Knives of any kind
• Martial arts
• Tobacco Products
• Toy Weapons
• Video cameras
• Weapons/devices
• Any pointed object
• Any other item determined to be a potential safety hazard

Please note that storage facilities are not provided during your visit. Individuals who arrive with bags or prohibited items will not be permitted to enter the White House.

Permitted Items

• Baby carriers worn on the body
• Breast pumps
• Cell phones
• Compact cameras with lenses less than 3 inches
• Umbrellas without metal tips
• All items needed for medical purposes (i.e. wheelchairs, EpiPens, medication, etc.)

Getting Here

Use of public transportation is strongly encouraged, as there is no parking available on the White House complex and street parking is limited. The closest Metrorail stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), Metro Center (blue, orange, silver, and red lines), and McPherson Square (blue, orange, and silver lines).

The White House Tour entrance is located in Sherman Park at 15th Street NW and Alexander Hamilton Place NW. If arriving by rideshare, use the White House Visitor Center (WHVC) as the drop-off address. The WHVC is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20230, which is one block from the White House.

Restrooms are located at the White House Visitors Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20230. There are no restrooms available once you arrive for your tour.

Accessibility

The White House tour route is wheelchair accessible. Visitors who wish to use a White House wheelchair should notify a U.S. Secret Service officer upon arrival.

Guide animals are permitted in the White House.

Health and Safety Guidance

Guests who receive a confirmed tour reservation will be issued a White House Tour Pass ahead of their tour date containing pertinent health and safety guidance.

Know Before You Go

• Tours are self-guided and last approximately 45 minutes
• Eat a snack and stay hydrated prior to arrival.
• Dress for the weather, knowing you will be outside before your tour.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
• No late arrivals are accepted.
• All guests must be previously registered via the RSVP link provided by the White House.
• Please silence your cell phone and refrain from phone calls during the tour.
• No flash photography or video recording is permitted during your tour.
• Visitors may call the 24-hour Visitors Office information line at 202-456-7041 for latest updates and information relevant to White House tours.

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

Amar Hussain

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Keri Stooksbury

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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.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

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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The White House: Interior and Exterior Pictures

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The White House is the oldest public building in Washington, D.C. and has been the home of every president except George Washington. Visitors come from around the world to the nation's capital to get a glimpse of the impressive structure. The following White House photos show closeup views of the home and office of the U.S. President. Enjoy this photo tour and learn about the architectural features and more.

White House North Side

Caroline Purser / Getty Images

This photo shows the north side of the building which faces Lafayette Park. This side of the White House is visible from Pennsylvania Avenue and a popular location for visitors to take photographs. 

Exterior Photo of the South Portico

Adam Kinney / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

The south side of the White House has many old trees and the large grassy area that is used to host the annual Easter Egg Roll and other outdoor activities. Marine One, the presidential helicopter, lands on the south lawn to pick up and drop off the President. This side of the building faces the Ellipse and the National Mall.

Lafayette Park

James P. Blair / Getty Images

Lafayette Park, the seven-acre park in front of the White House was named to honor the Marquis de Lafayette, the French hero of the American Revolution. The park is used for public events and is often a gathering place for protesters.

The Entrance Hall

Chuck Kennedy / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

The White House Entrance Hall as seen from the North Portico is a large formal space with pink and white marble with furnishings that include a French pier table purchased by Monroe in 1817, a pair of French settees with carved mahogany swans' heads and Aaron Shikler's portrait of John F. Kennedy. The Entrance Hall is used for ceremonial occasions when the President welcome's visitors.

The East Room

U.S. Department of State from United States / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

The East Room is the largest room in the White House and is approximately 80 feet by 37 feet. It is traditionally used for large gatherings, such as banquets, receptions, concerts, award presentations, and press conferences. The Steinway grand piano was given to the White House in 1938. A full-length portrait of George Washington is one of several painted by Gilbert Stuart and has hung here since 1800.

The Blue Room

White House Historical Association

The Blue Room is the center of the State Floor of the White House where the President formally receives guests. This photo shows the Blue Room during the William J. Clinton Administration. During the holidays, the Blue Room is the location of the official White House’s Christmas tree.

The State Dining Room

The White House / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

This is a view of the table settings in the State Dining Room for a White House Dinner. The room has oak paneling, three eagle-pedestal side tables, Queen Anne-style chairs, and circular tables. Approximately 140 guests can dine in the room for formal events.

The Oval Office

Brendan Smialowski-Pool / Getty Images

The Oval Office is the President's office and a part of the complex of offices that make up the West Wing of the White House in Washington DC. There are three large south-facing windows behind the President’s desk. The ceiling is adorned with an elaborate molding around the edge that features elements of the Seal of the President. The President decorates the office to suit his personal taste.

Glowimages / Getty Images

The White House sits on an 18-acre plot of land in the heart of Downtown Washington, D.C. that is surrounded by parkland. The grounds are maintained by the National Park Service. The grounds include gardens, a putting green, a swimming pool, a tennis court, and a basketball court.

Historic Image (1901)

Ann Ronan Pictures / Print Collector / Getty Images

The White House has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800. The Vice President lives at Number One Observatory Circle. The mansion was designed in a neo-classical style by Irish-born James Hoban. . During the War of 1812, the White House was burned and severely damaged. The building was reconstructed and expanded with the addition of the South Portico in 1824 and the North in 1829. The West Wing was added in 1901 and the first Oval Office was created in 1909. The Executive Residence is made up of six stories, the Ground Floor, State Floor, Second Floor, and Third Floor, and a two-story basement.

This is a photo of the White House as it appeared at the time of William McKinley's assassination in 1901.

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The White House has 132 rooms and its own restaurant. Here's what it's like inside Joe Biden's new home.

• In a recent town hall , President Joe Biden described the White House as a "gilded cage."
• Biden's new home consists of 132 rooms spread across three buildings.
• Here's a look inside the White House's most notable spaces.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

Welcome to the White House, the most famous home in America where Joe Biden will live for the next four years.

It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington, DC, between the US Treasury and Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

He officially moved into the White House with his wife, Jill, and their two dogs, Major and Champ, on January 20.

In a recent CNN town hall, President Biden described his new home as "a gilded cage, in terms of being able to walk outside and do things."

Source: Insider

The massive building contains three connected but distinct sections: the East Wing, the West Wing, and the Executive Residence in the middle. Two colonnades run between them.

In total, the White House has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, and 28 fireplaces.

The six-story Executive Residence building is the White House's largest, consisting of two basement levels, a ground floor where building staff work, a state floor for events and receptions, and two floors where the first family lives and sleeps.

The oval-shaped Blue Room on the state floor is used by the president to formally receive guests. It boasts blue upholstery, blue curtains, and blue carpet and has stayed the same color since 1837.

To the left and right of the Blue Room are two parlors for entertaining. One, featuring bright red walls, is called the Red Room.

The other parlor, featuring green walls, is called the Green Room.

The East Room is the largest room in the Executive Residence. It is used for speeches, ceremonies, concerts, receptions, and dances.

The State Dining Room is where official meals, including state dinners, take place. It can seat as many as 140 guests.

The Lincoln Bedroom, containing furnishings from Abraham Lincoln's era, is one of several private living spaces reserved for the first family on the Executive Residence's top two floors.

The Yellow Oval Room, located above the Blue Room, acts as the first family's formal living room.

On the top floor is the solarium, nicknamed the 'sky parlor' by Former First Lady Grace Coolidge. It boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and opens up to a private balcony.

Throughout the home, there are several rooms for recreation. Beneath the North Portico in the Executive Residence basement is a one-lane bowling alley ...

... and a cinema room runs almost the full length of the East Colonnade. Here, presidents and their families can see any movie they want at any time of the day — even before they come out in theaters.

The East Wing is home to the offices of the White House private secretary, first lady, and their respective staff.

Though not recognized on any public White House map, there is a bunker below the East Wing where White House officials sheltered during 9/11. A second bunker is located beneath the North Lawn.

Source: Business Insider

It is also where public tours of the White House begin.

The West Wing is where the president's staff members work and contains some of the most notable rooms in the White House.

Among them is the Oval Office. It is the president's formal workspace, where he meets or takes calls with with heads of state, diplomats, and his staff.

The Oval Office is home to the famous Resolute Desk, which dates back to the 1800s and weighs over 1,000 pounds.

There are also several paintings, busts, and other decorations. Presidents decorate the office to their taste.

Right outside the Oval Office is the Rose Garden, used for special ceremonies and to greet distinguished guests.

The West Colonnade walkway, also referred to as the "45-second commute" by insiders, leads from the Oval Office to the Rose Garden and to the official residence.

The Cabinet Room is where the president meets with his ministers. It's customary for the president to sit near the center of the table.

In the basement is the Situation Room, a 5,000 square-foot complex where the president receives intelligence and crisis support. It is run by staff from the National Security Council.

A few rooms over, the US Navy operates a restaurant known as the Navy Mess and Ward Room.

One of the West Wing's most photographed rooms is the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room where the White House press secretary gives briefings to the news media.

The Roosevelt Room is often used to announce appointments and nominations of new staff members. It features paintings of both Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The office of the vice president is also located in the West Wing. Like the Oval Office, it consists of a desk and sitting area.

• Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally written by Amanda Macias.
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White House tours are back: Here's what you need to know

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What you'll see

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

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

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

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

Where to stay

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

Related: Best hotel credit cards

The Hay-Adams

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

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

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

Hotel Washington

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

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

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

JW Marriott Washington, DC

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

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

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

Willard InterContinental Washington DC

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

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

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

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

Kimpton Banneker Hotel

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

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

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

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White House Tours: What to Expect when You Visit

The most important thing to know about White House tours is that the require serious planning. Check out our post about how to request White House tickets from your Member of Congress.

The second most important thing to know is what you’re going to see and what you are not. White House tours are an unguided walk and does not include the West Wing. So, unless you are friends with someone in the current presidential administration, you will not get to see the oval office, situation room, or any of the other spaces in the West Wing.

You got White House tickets, now what?

Once you have your confirmed reservation, make sure to review your all the paperwork you get from the White House very carefully. This paperwork will tell you exactly what to bring and also exactly what is prohibited. On the day of your assigned tour, show up on 15th Street NW at least 15 minutes before your assigned time. Photos are allowed on White House tours. However, you are not allowed to take videos.

White House security – what to expect

Security at the White House is tight. There are multiple security checkpoints before you can enter the building. The first checkpoint is the name check, where you will show your photo ID and Secret Service will check your name off the reservation list. Then, you will stand in line to have your photo taken. After that, you will stand in line for the second security check where they have the airport style metal detector. You should plan to spend 30 minutes to an hour in security lines depending on how early in the day your assigned time is.

A very crucial trip hack is to use the restroom before getting in line. The White House has no public restrooms. If there is a restroom emergency, you have to leave the White House grounds and go through the whole security process all over again. The closest public restroom is in the White House Visitor Center at 15th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

What you see during White House tours

Once you clear security, you will enter the East Wing. Once you enter, you will see a corridor of pictures of past presidents. You will also see some photos of first families and first pets.

After that, you will be able to peek into some of the ground floor rooms like the Library, the China Room, the Map room and Vermeil Room. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to enter any of these rooms.

After that, you will go up and you can walk through the rooms on the state floor. First, there is the East Room which is the biggest room in the White House. The East Room is used for ceremonies, receptions, and has hosted several weddings. The Green Room is next – it is a parlor often used to serve cocktails during the reception. Then, there is the Blue Room which is where the president and first lady often receives guests. The Blue Room is where the White House Christmas tree is located. The Red Room is a small parlor and a personal favorite of some former first ladies. Finally, you will then see the State Dining Room which can host up to 130 people. Then, you will exit through the north side of the building.

How long White House tours take

Since White House tours are unguided, you can take as much time as you need to see everything. However, the average person takes 30-45 minutes. There are no tour guides. But, the Secret Service are stationed in all of the rooms and people do ask them questions. They go through special training and do their best to answer everyone’s questions.

Coming to Washington, DC and want us to show you around? Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites.  Click here to check out the upcoming tour options  and to book your tour here today!  Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions.

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• Podcast Ep.54 Every Holiday in Washington DC
• Podcast Ep.53 Why I Don’t Recommend Airbnb in Washington DC
• Podcast Ep.52 Washington DC Experiences to DO and SKIP
• Podcast Ep.51 Rob’s Washington DC Travel Philosophy

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Tour the White House in 360 Degrees

Welcome to the White House 360 Virtual Tour! This immersive experience will bring you inside the halls of the White House and provide access to all the public rooms on the Ground and State Floors. It will also allow you to examine the rooms and objects even closer than you would in person.

For Students and Teachers

The below digital notebook was created by the White House Historical Association to assist students and teachers using “The White House 360 Virtual Tour” in their classrooms. Even if students are learning in a virtual, in-person, or hybrid format, these materials are accessible and will accompany them on their journey through these tours. The materials feature vocabulary, reflection questions, and other activities to encourage students to deepen understandings and create meaning in their exploration of the "People's House."

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This feature was made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.

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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."

• White House

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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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

Best Views of the White House

Many tourists to Washington, D.C. who plan to visit the White House are wondering "How close can you get to the White House?"

Our local tour guides know all the best spots to see the White House from the outside and here we share that knowledge with you!

We also include tips from locals and tourists who belong to our Washington D.C. Travel Tips Facebook Group.

The group has over 58,000 members, consisting of locals, regular visitors to D.C., and newbies to the city. You don't have to be a member to read the posts, comments, and recommendations. So check out the group after you've read this post!

TIP: If you want to tour the inside of the White House, you'll need a reservation from your congressperson. Find out how from our article, How to Visit the White House on a Public Tour .

Where to Park to Visit the White House

• Tips from Locals and Tourists

White House Neighborhood

The best way to view the White House is to join us for a tour - so we can tell you all about it!

It is a featured stop on many of our tours: National Mall (from afar), Lincoln Assassination , Secrets & Scandals and White House Ghost Tours .

North Lawn vs South Lawn:

If you are wondering if you can see the White House from the street, the answer is YES!

There is no official front or back to the White House (though the official entrance is the East Wing).

But when you're at the White House, you can see it from the North side (Pennsylvania Ave NW) or the South side (the National Mall).

You can get closer to the North Lawn than you can the South Lawn and there are fewer fences on the North side as well.

However if you're short on time and already on the National Mall, you can see it from there as well!

Here are the best views of the White House, including views from street level as well as views from high up.

BEST VIEW OF THE WHITE HOUSE #1: Lafayette Square (North Lawn)

Lafayette Square is on the North side of the White House. You can access it by H St NW or 15th and 17th St NW where they intersect with Pennsylvania Ave NW.

This is as close as can you get to the White House without taking a tour.

Because it is within the security perimeter, there may be times that the Secret Service closes the park.

This is usually for only 30 minutes or so while the President arrives or departs or they check a security threat.

Even when the park is closed, you view it from 16th and H St NW on the north side of the Park.

On foot you can get up to the fences on the North lawn, meaning you can take a photo between the fence bars that look as if you're on the grounds of the White House, no fence in sight.

You can drive by the north side of the White House by going westbound on H St NW.

It is one way here and the White House will be to your right. The view is blocked by trees until you get to the intersection of 16th St.

If you're in a car, the White House will be partially blocked by the Andrew Jackson statue in the center of the square.

If you're on the top of a double-decker bus , you'll be high enough to see over the statue.

BEST VIEW OF THE WHITE HOUSE #2: The Ellipse 

The South Lawn of the White House is the Ellipse. You can access it on foot from Constitution Ave NW, 15th and 17th. Again, they may close the area at times but it is temporary.

Because this has more of the residential parts of the structure, you cannot get as close to this side as you can to the north side.

You can drive by the south side of the White House on Constitution Ave NW. If you go eastbound, the White House will be on your right and you won't be blocked by oncoming traffic.

If you're driving westbound, it is on your left but you might find your view blocked by buses!

BEST VIEW OF THE WHITE HOUSE #3: Washington Monument

If you stand at the north side of the Washington Monument you can see the south side of the White House from afar. We use this spot for our National Mall tours to talk about the White House.

It is a view from afar so it's not the best view if you want to get up close but if you're short on time and aren't able to get up close, you can still get good photos while you're visiting the memorials.

If you're able to get tickets to go up to the top of the Washington Monument , you can also see a great view from there!

TOUR GUIDE TIP:  This is a great place to be when Marine One takes off or lands because the helicopter flies right over you! You'll be able to watch it land or take off from the South Lawn of the White House!

BEST VIEW OF THE WHITE HOUSE #4: VUE Rooftop Bar at Hotel Washington

If you want a bird's eye view of the White House, check out some of the rooftop bars nearby!

Hotel Washington's VUE Bar is an upscale bar and restaurant - so there is a dress code and no one under 21 is allowed after 7 pm.

It's just across the street from the Treasury Department, next door to the White House. You'll get a great panoramic view of Washington DC and the east side of the White House.

The White House does not have visitor parking.

You'll need to find street parking in the nearby areas but like parking anywhere downtown, pay attention to the street signs. Some streets don't allow parking during rush hour.

You can park on 15th, 17th and Constitution Ave lining the White House perimeter, but you cannot park too close as the areas nearest to the White House are restricted.

The easiest way to get around DC is using our public transportation, the Metro .

The closest Metro Station to the White House is McPherson Square (White House exit)(Blue, Orange, Silver Lines) but it's also an easy walk from Farragut North (Red Line).

There are also a few buses that stop at Lafayette Square.

Tips From Locals And Travelers

Here are some thoughts on seeing the White House from the street from members of our Washington DC Travel Tips Facebook group.

Again, you don't have to join the group to read the posts, comments, and recommendations.

We asked our group members what is the best location where you can see the White House from the street.

Here are the most common replies, which echo our answers.

Don’t forget that a great way to see the White House from the outside is to take one of our walking tours that stop there. Not only will you get an excellent photo, but also learn about it in the process!

The White House is in downtown DC - the official address is 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW (be sure to put in Northwest!).

The White House perimeter is essentially the block between Constitution Ave NW, 15th St NW, 17th ST NW and H St NW. Pennsylvania Ave NW by the White House is pedestrian only and you cannot drive down it.

The area north of the White House is Lafayette Square and the area south is called the Ellipse (this is where the National Christmas tree is located)

There is a lot of history and stories about the White House Neighborhood - so much that we have a self-guided tour!

SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF WHITE HOUSE'S NEIGHBORHOOD

For a self-guided tour of the White House neighborhood, allow approximately 1.5 hours to have a brisk walk and explore some of the following:

• Lafayette Park
• Treasury Building
• St. John’s Episcopal Church
• Decatur House
• Eisenhower (Old) Executive Office Building
• The Blair-Lee House
• Renwick Gallery
• Octagon Museum
• First Division Monument
• Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Headquarters & Constitution Hall
• Organization of American States
• Second Division Memorial
• National Christmas Tree
• The View from the W Hotel
• White House Visitor Center

Self-Guided Tour of White House & Lafayette Park

Lafayette Square & The Andrew Jackson Statue:

This park in the center of the Washington, DC metropolis boasts of the best view of the White House.

When you have had a chance to walk around this lush seven-acre park and take those momentous pictures, have a little rest on one of the park benches or on the grass and reflect on all that this park has witnessed.

In the past, Lafayette Park has served as a racetrack, a graveyard, an encampment for soldiers and even a zoo. Needless to say, it has been the location of many political protests and historical celebrations.

The most well-known protest is still in progress today. Protesting for nuclear disarmament, Concepcion Picciotto has been manning the Peace Vigil since 1981.

Originally, the square was called the “President’s Park.” In 1824, the park was renamed to honor Marquis de Lafayette and his contribution to the American Revolutionary War. The Southeast corner of the park features a statue of Lafayette.

In fact, all four corners have statues of foreign generals who assisted the colonies in the Revolutionary War: Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Poland, in the northeast corner by the Dolley Madison House; Jean de Rochambeau in the southwest corner of France, and Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, Prussia, on the northwest.

In 1853, an equestrian statue of President Andrew Jackson was installed in the center of the Park. This statue of Jackson on a rearing horse is the first equestrian statue in the United States.

Absorb DC life in this park as you notice the diversity of the tourists, and learn more about the demonstrators and their cause or simply hope that the Presidential motorcade will pass by.

Tip : At any given moment the Secret Service may close the park. This is done for many reasons and doesn't always indicate that the president will be leaving.

It can last anywhere from 10 minutes to the entire day. Be prepared to follow Secret Service instructions.

U.S. Department of the Treasury:

The Main Treasury Building is located immediately to the left of the White House when you are looking from the Andrew Jackson statue in Lafayette Square.

This is the third oldest building in Washington, one of immense architectural and historical significance.

The building houses the Treasury Department which is responsible for the economic affairs of the country, more specifically, the federal finances, matters of tax and currency and the national trade and finance policy.

This impressive architecture features 36-foot-tall columns carved out of a single piece of granite and any first-time visitor to DC can immediately sense the contemporary significance of this office through a first glance at the building’s exterior.

On the north side of the Treasury Building that you're facing, you'll see a statue of Albert Gallatin, who was the longest-serving Secretary of the Treasure (1801-1814).

Gallatin was born in Switzerland so was much criticized during his tenure for his French accent.

Inside the building are the highlight galleries such as the Burglar-Proof Vault and the marble Cash Room, not to mention the offices used by past presidents.

Guided public tours of the building are available at no cost; however, they require prior reservations. To learn how to book a tour, visit the Treasury Building Website .

If you are interested in seeing the production of United States currency, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing offers separate tours in its own office located just one block south of the Washington Monument.

It’s a not-to-miss stop on your White House Neighborhood tour!

St. John’s Episcopal Church:

Every sitting president has attended this “Church of the Presidents” since James Madison.

The Church serves as the chapel to the White House and is happily situated across from Lafayette Square. It was completed in 1816 making it one of the oldest buildings in the neighborhood.

The bell in the tower is an original Revere bell, one of two in DC and the only one still in use. It was cast by Joseph Revere, son of Paul Revere.

The church is often open outside of services to the public. The President's Pew, today numbers as Pew 54, is reserved for any US President who wishes to visit.

Decatur House:

The Decatur House is a historic Washington home and also the primary center of for the White House Historical Association, a fitting location as this is one of the oldest houses in the district.

Built in 1818, it was a creation of noted architect Benjamin Latrobe, who helped design the Capitol dome.

The house is located at the northwest corner of Lafayette Square and H Street.

In addition to a lovely store, there is a museum, which features a range of temporary and permanent exhibits, while the gardens offer themselves to many shows and concerts dedicated to jazz and the arts, with an effort to explore African American history.

The historic home is open to the public for tours on most Mondays at 11am, 12:30pm and 2pm. For more information, visit their website.

Eisenhower (Old) Executive Office Building:

The Eisenhower Executive Office Building has previously been called the Old Executive Office Building and the State, War, and Navy Building.

It is located to the right of the White House and presently houses several offices of the White House staff and the Office of the Vice President of the United States.

This massive architecture has 566 rooms and about ten acres of floor space.

This style of architecture was not favored at the turn of the 20th century and the building was slated to be torn down.

It was saved by the Great Depression when the city could not afford to tear down buildings unnecessarily.

The Blair-Lee House:

The Blair-Lee House is part of the President’s Guest House complex. This stunning house steps away from the White House is where foreign dignitaries and diplomats are put up during their official visits to Washington.

If you find yourself facing the building blocked by temporary fences a visiting head of state or official is likely staying there.

You will see an American flag flying most of the time but that is replaced by the flag of the country of the official guest.

When looking at the complex it looks like three separate homes but the inside has been renovated to provide one large residence.

So large in fact that it has more square footage than the residential part of the White House!

The Blair House was home to President Truman when the interior of the White House was under renovation. While he was staying here, Puerto Rican nationalists attempted to assassinate him.

You'll find a plaque outside to commemorate this event and the loss in the line of duty of White House police officer Leslie Coffelt.

Renwick Gallery:

Located across from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the Renwick Gallery is a part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

A visit is free and requires no tickets, though expect a lengthy line!

This beautiful building was designed by James Renwick (famed for St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City) as the Corcoran Art Gallery making it one of the oldest buildings designed specifically as an art museum.

After many years of renovation, the Gallery is now open. It focuses on craft and decorative arts and is considered one of the most art-filled rooms in Washington.

As with most Smithsonian Museums, it is open 10am-530pm every day but Christmas Day. For more, visit their website .

Octagon Museum:

Octagon House is named such due to its unique architectural style. One of the oldest buildings in Washington DC, it was built between 1798 and 1800 by William Thornton, the first architect of the Capitol.

It was the home of the Tayloe's and for a short while, of President James Madison and his wife Dolley.

The museum is open for visitors and we highly recommend checking out the building. It is free to visit the Octagon House on a self-guided tour Thursday-Saturday 1pm-4pm.

Private guided tours are available by appointment for groups of 5 or more. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and are $10/adults and $5/students.

They require 24 hours' notice to schedule a private tour. Schedule a guided tour at [email protected] or 202-626-7439

First Division Memorial:

No federal funds were used to create this memorial to the men who served in the First Division. It was created to honor the service during WWI, with later additions for WWII, Vietnam and Desert Storm.

The memorial was designed by Cass Gilbert, who also designed the Supreme Court building, and Daniel Chester French, who sculpted Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Headquarters & Constitution Hall:

Daughters of the American Revolution Headquarters has a museum, library and the renowned Constitution Hall.

Every president since Calvin Coolidge has attended an event at the concert hall. Constitution Hall is the city's largest concert hall and was built in 1929.

In addition to attending an event at Constitution Hall, visitors can explore the DAR Museum, dedicated to preserving artifacts from pre-industrial America.

The  DAR Museum  is open Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm and Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. It is closed on Sundays and federal holidays. A visit has no admission charge, but larger groups can reserve a tour for $3 per person.

Organization of American States:

This beautiful building was built in 1910 and houses a diplomatic organization to serve American nations.

The 35 member nations are from North and South America to foster cooperation and solidarity and were founded in 1948.

Out front, you will see a statue of Queen Isabella of Spain. This artwork was donated by Spain in 1966 to honor the Spanish royalty who sent Christopher Columbus to the West.

On either side of the doors to the building, there is a bald eagle (associated with North America) and a condor (associated with South America) forming a bond between the two continents.

Visitors can tour the building and attend a briefing by the Director of the Department of International Affairs and senior specialists from the various departments of the organization.

Briefings and tours do have a cost of $100 for a group, with increasingly higher rates for larger groups. You can book a tour or briefing here .

Nearby, however, you can find a free art museum dedicated to work from across the Americas. The Art Museum of the Americas is open 10am-5pm Tuesday through Sunday.

It is the oldest museum of modern and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art in the United States.

Second Division Memorial:

Similar to the First Division Monument above, this was originally dedicated in 1936 to honor the men who served in the 2nd Division of the US Army.

A later dedication in 1962 honors those for WWII and the Korean War.

National Christmas Tree:

It’s the season to be jolly, so why not include some holiday sparkle during your time in Washington, DC!

Every year, the sitting president lights the tree in early December marking the beginning of the festive season.

The energy-efficient design of the lighting system ensures that only one-fifth of the energy is used to light the tree from dusk to 11 pm as compared to a traditional lighting design.

The tree is located in the northeast quadrant of The Ellipse near the White House and becomes a holiday event throughout December.

Read more about the National Christmas Tree in our post!

The View from the Hotel Washington:

If you are looking for a break from historical explorations and want to see and be seen in the Washington glamour circle, ascend to the rooftop lounge of the Hotel Washington, VUE Rooftop Bar. It boasts of the best view of the capital, and the experience is worth the slightly pricey drinks.

Sip your cocktail as you take in the breathtaking views of the Washington Monument, the White House and the heart of downtown DC.

It’s a perfect way to wind up your self-guided tour or to create an unforgettable DC visit memory.

You can find the hotel bar at 515 15th St NW

TIP: There is a dress code

• Please no athletic wear, baseball caps, flip flops, tank tops, casual/athletic sneakers or tattered/worn clothing.
• Collared shirts are preferred.
• No bags, other than handbags, are allowed in after 9 pm.

White House Visitor Center :

Learn more about visiting the White House Visitor Center in our post.

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Inside the White House

Tour the west wing, ww tour nav.

History   |   Interactive Tour   |   --> West Wing Tour   |   Executive Office Building Tour   |   Video Series   |   Décor and Art   |   Holidays

WW tour president letter

Letter from the president.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the West Wing of the White House. In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt relocated his office from the second floor of the residence to this newly constructed building. The West Wing has expanded and undergone several renovations since then, but it has remained the official workplace of the President.

President Thomas Jefferson first opened the White House for public tours because he understood then, as we do now, that this house belongs to the American people. I am proud to continue his tradition. In our country, the halls of government are not reserved for a privileged few, and the President’s workplace should be no exception. Your visit today helps to fulfill my goal of creating the most open and accessible administration in American history.

Once again, welcome to the West Wing, and please accept my best wishes for an enjoyable tour.

Watch on Youtube

This Is A Tour Of The West Wing (In Sign Language)

West Wing Receptionist Leah Katz-Hernandez narrates a tour of the West Wing in American Sign Language, visiting the West Wing Lobby, the West Colonnade, the Rose Garden, the White House Press Briefing Room, the Cabinet Room, the Roosevelt Room, and the Oval Office. Watch here for a full audio description.

WW Tour ADA video

Ground floor.

1. Navy Mess

The Navy Mess at the White House, June 25, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Navy Stewards have provided food service to the Commander in Chief since 1880. The modern White House Navy Mess was established under President Harry S. Truman in 1951. The Navy’s culinary specialists prepare and serve fine foods in the West Wing.

Seated reservations are available to senior officials including commissioned officers, Cabinet Secretaries, and their guests. Staff located in the West and East Wing can enjoy food made in the Navy Mess from a take-out window located adjacent to the dining hall.

2. Situation Room

The Situation Room of the White House, Dec. 30, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. Seated, from left, are: Brigadier General Marshall B. “Brad” Webb, Assistant Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command; Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough; Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Standing, from left, are: Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; National Security Advisor Tom Donilon; Chief of Staff Bill Daley; Tony Blinken, National Security Advisor to the Vice President; Audrey Tomason Director for Counterterrorism; John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Please note: a classified document seen in this photograph has been obscured. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Months after being sworn into office, President John F. Kennedy was confronted with the Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba and insisted that intelligence information feed directly into the White House. The Situation Room was established in 1961 to meet President Kennedy’s request.

The current “Sit Room” is a 5,000-square-foot complex of rooms that is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to monitor national and world intelligence information. Televisions for secure video conferences and technology can link the President to generals and world leaders around the globe.

First floor

3. West Colonnade

President Barack Obama walks along the Colonnade of the White House to the Oval Office, Feb. 14, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Also known as the “45 second commute,” the West Colonnade was built for Thomas Jefferson to run alongside service spaces underneath the West Terrace, such as the ice house and storage rooms for coal and wood. The open columned walkway is now used by the President and his staff to travel between the West Wing and the Executive Residence.

4. Rose Garden & South Lawn

State Dinner in the Rose Garden of the White House, June 7, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama walks through the Rose Garden of the White House with National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, April 14, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

The Rose Garden was created by First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson in 1913. It was redesigned by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to serve as a Presidential reception area. President Nixon’s daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, was married here in 1971.

Marine One arrives at the South Lawn of the White House, Nov. 2, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

The South Lawn is the site of the President’s Marine One arrivals and departures and includes the White House tennis court, putting green, and, as of March 2009, a kitchen garden. The White House Kitchen Garden includes over 50 kinds of vegetables, as well as berries, herbs, and a beehive.

5. Cabinet Room

President Barack Obama holds a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Jan. 31, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

In the Cabinet Room, the President meets with the Cabinet Secretaries, members of Congress, the National Security Council, and foreign Heads of State on topics ranging from energy efficiency to national security.

When the President meets around the large mahogany table with the Cabinet Secretaries, each is assigned a chair based on the date their department was established with the oldest Cabinet departments seated closest to the center. The President sits at the center of the table with his back to the Rose Garden doors and opposite the Vice President.

As a reflection of their inspiration and governing style, Presidents select the portraits that hang in the Cabinet Room. In May 2009, President Obama chose Frank O. Salisbury’s portrait of President Harry S. Truman to join the portraits of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt already displayed in the room.

6. Oval Office

President Barack Obama works at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, Feb. 11, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

As the official office of the President and his primary place of work, the Oval Office provides the President with easy access to his senior advisors and the Executive Residence.

Beyond its distinctive shape, the most famous feature of the Oval Office is the Resolute Desk. Made from timbers of the H.M.S. Resolute – a British navy ship – it was presented by Queen Victoria to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880. Since then, the desk has been used by every President with the exception of Presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Ford.

Other notable furnishings in the Oval Office are the two paintings that flank the south windows. The Avenue in the Rain by Childe Hassam, 1917, depicts Fifth Avenue in New York City adorned with flags and banners in support of the Allied war effort during World War I. The Statue of Liberty by Norman Rockwell was prepared for the cover of The Saturday Evening Post to commemorate the Fourth of July in 1946.

Each President decorates the Oval Office to suit his tastes, but some features remain constant including the white marble mantel from the original 1909 President’s Office, the Presidential Seal on the ceiling, and the two flags behind the President’s desk – the U.S. Flag and the President’s Flag.

In addition to covering the walls with hand-painted striped wallpaper, President Obama added a new oval-shaped rug, which is made of 25% recycled wool. This rug features the Presidential Seal in the center and five historical quotations of meaning by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy around its border.

7. Roosevelt Room

The Roosevelt Room occupies the original location of President Theodore Roosevelt’s office when the West Wing was built in 1902. This room was once called the Fish Room because President Franklin D. Roosevelt used it to display an aquarium and his fishing mementos. In 1969, President Nixon named the room in honor of Theodore Roosevelt for building the West Wing and Franklin D. Roosevelt for its expansion.

On the southeast wall hangs President Theodore Roosevelt’s Congressional Medal of Honor awarded posthumously on January 16, 2001 to honor his heroism in the Spanish-American War in 1898. To the left of the fireplace hangs President Theodore Roosevelt’s Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 1906, for his mediation of the Russo-Japanese War peace settlement. This was the first Nobel Prize awarded to an American.

8. West Wing Lobby

The West Wing Lobby of the White House, Dec. 30, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

The West Wing lobby is the reception room for visitors of the President, Vice President, and White House staff. The current lobby was renovated by Richard Nixon in 1970 to provide a smaller, more intimate receiving space.

The large gilt clock was likely created from assembled parts (both old and new) to imitate an early nineteenth century clock, similar to those used in churches and other public buildings. The artist inscribed the name “Simon Willard,” an important clock maker at the turn of the nineteenth century.

The English-made mahogany bookcase (c.1770) is one of the oldest pieces of furniture in the White House collection.

Washington Crossing the Delaware (1851) by Emanuel Leutze and Eastman Johnson is a recreation of Leutze’s monumental life-size painting of the same subject. The painting has numerous historical inaccuracies, including the depiction of the American flag which was designed more than a year after the crossing took place.

Vernal Falls is an 1889 view of a waterfall in the Yosemite Valley in California by Thomas Hill. Belonging to the permanent White House collection, this painting complements the c.1881 view of Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone by Albert Bierstadt that hangs on the same west wall of the reception room.

9. James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

President Barack Obama gives a press conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, June 23, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

During the Nixon Administration, more space was required to accommodate the growing press corps. Therefore, in 1970, the briefing room was constructed on top of the emptied pool that was installed for President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s physical therapy.

In 2000, the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room was named in honor of former Press Secretary James Brady. He was shot and disabled during a 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. Today, the current White House press corps is made up of about 200 members. With just 49 chairs (arranged 7 by 7), it is up to the White House Correspondents Association to decide who gets these coveted seats. A plaque on each seat displays the name of the news organization to which it is assigned.

WW Tour styles - do not display

White House lifts longstanding ban on cameras

Effective immediately, guests can take photos throughout a White House tour and "keep those memories for a lifetime," the statement said. Here are some photos taken by social media users on the first day photography was allowed. Related story .

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Big news! Starting today, we’re lifting the ban on cameras and photos on the @WhiteHouse public tour. Visitors are now able to take photos and keep those memories for a lifetime! 📷 To learn how to schedule a tour with your friends and family, visit whitehouse.gov. A video posted by First Lady Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Jul 1, 2015 at 4:47am PDT

Inside #TheBlueRoom at the @whitehouse. #WhiteHouseTour A photo posted by TODAY (@todayshow) on Jul 1, 2015 at 8:15am PDT

the blue room @whitehouse. #whitehousetour A photo posted by @amandasavinon on Jul 1, 2015 at 8:26am PDT

This may be silly, but I am so proud of this @whitehouse invite. I have been to some absolutely amazingly exclusive events with the hubs, @mrjamesw, but each envelope had his name or Mr/Mrs. This was my first invite (and hopefully not my last) for just me and my business... {See the whole tour on SnapChat 👻: LacePerspective} #WhiteHouseTour A photo posted by Lacey Faeh (@laceperspective) on Jul 1, 2015 at 9:30am PDT

The Blue Room 🙌 #WhiteHouseTour #aCreativeDC 🇺🇸 A photo posted by Morgan Hungerford West (@pandaheadmorgan) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:48am PDT

When the president addressed the country from @whitehouse he walks this hallway and walk to where I'm standing! #WhiteHouseTour A photo posted by Bun B (@trillog) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:27am PDT

Presidential Hallways | #whitehousetour pic.twitter.com/05Vi052v2h — Jarrett Hendrix (@Jarrett_Hendrix) July 1, 2015

I met @petesouza! #whitehousetour A photo posted by Jarrett Hendrix (@brilliantartistry) on Jul 1, 2015 at 6:22am PDT

Inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, where the first selfies, snaps, hyperlapses, #fromwhereistand tags and many more are being brought to life from within The White House. Way to go, @whitehouse! #WhiteHouseTour A photo posted by Zach Glassman (@zachspassport) on Jul 1, 2015 at 8:08am PDT

photography encouraged. #whitehousetour A photo posted by @amandasavinon on Jul 1, 2015 at 9:09am PDT

Cross Hall into East Room

Say Cheese! But leave your selfie stick at home. First time in 40 years visitors can take photos inside the White House. #WhiteHouseTour @natgeoyourshot A photo posted by Becky Harlan (@beckharlan) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:23am PDT

Greeted at the beginning of our #whitehousetour by @whitehouse dogs Sunny and Bo. #WhiteHouse A photo posted by TODAY (@todayshow) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:13am PDT

Bo and Sunny with Tay and Bray @whitehouse #WhiteHouseTour A photo posted by Bun B (@trillog) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:09am PDT

At the first #WhiteHouseTour to allow cameras in 40 years and hanging with Sunny... Get to SnapChat ASAP (👻: LacePerspective) for all the #BTS... A photo posted by Lacey Faeh (@laceperspective) on Jul 1, 2015 at 6:10am PDT

Bo and Sunny Obama with their trainer (and Lincoln!) in the East Wing. This is the first #whitehousetour in 40 years that has allowed photography. @natgeoyourshot #natgeoproof A photo posted by Jeanne Modderman (@jeannemodd) on Jul 1, 2015 at 6:38am PDT

Bo and Sunny ready to be photographed by the public today. #whitehousetour A photo posted by Pete Souza (@petesouza) on Jul 1, 2015 at 6:11am PDT

SUNNY OBAMA, GETTING DOWN! Photos from this morning's first-ever, camera + social media-friendly #WhiteHouseTour are up at the #aCreativeDC blog – we were honored to be there. 🇺🇸 Link in profile 🇺🇸 A photo posted by A Creative DC (@acreativedc) on Jul 1, 2015 at 8:39am PDT

They now allow photos inside the White House! #whitehousetour #thanksobama A photo posted by Adam Nekola (@nekolaweb) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:53am PDT

Excited to be on the spot where the POTUS stands! #whitehousetour A photo posted by JB (@dajob2000) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:38am PDT

Got to enjoy an awesome tour of the White House this morning #igdc #whitehousetour @whitehouse For the first time in 40 years you can now take photos during tours. Thanks to @anthonyquintano for getting me invited to this excellent event. A photo posted by Andy Feliciotti 🔥 (@someguy) on Jul 1, 2015 at 8:01am PDT

Entrance Hall

Bray thinks everything is a car haha #TrillFieldTrip #WhiteHouseTour @whitehouse A photo posted by DJ Princess Of The Trill (@princessofthetrill) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:43am PDT

Celebrating the first day of photos allowed on the White House! Last time we tried to get in here the Oklahoma City bombing happened. #whitehousetour A photo posted by Adam Nekola (@nekolaweb) on Jul 1, 2015 at 8:16am PDT

Entrance Hall stairs to living quarters

President Clinton. #whitehousetour A photo posted by leonor mamanna (@leonorjr) on Jul 1, 2015 at 6:27am PDT

Entrance Hall view into Blue Room

I had a blast visiting @whitehouse today. Now for the first time we can share photos on the #whitehousetour! A photo posted by Kevin Lu (@sweatengine) on Jul 1, 2015 at 8:23am PDT

#Selfie in the White House #WhiteHouseTour A photo posted by chloe (@chloesbeyonce) on Jul 1, 2015 at 8:15am PDT

im in the white house #WhiteHouseTour A photo posted by chloe (@chloesbeyonce) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:43am PDT

after over 40 years, @whitehouse has lifted their photo ban policy. now, while touring the east wing of the white house, you can take photos and share them on social media! #whitehousetour A photo posted by @amandasavinon on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:54am PDT

Family dining room

The family in the @whitehouse Family Dining Room! #WhiteHouseTour A photo posted by Bun B (@trillog) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:44am PDT

Front Entrance

So DC right now. #whitehousetour A photo posted by Whitney Bossin Burns (@whitbburns) on Jul 1, 2015 at 8:20am PDT

One of the first photos ever allowed on #whitehousetour A photo posted by Jamie Silver (@jgsilver) on Jul 1, 2015 at 8:19am PDT

One of many couches in #TheGreenRoom in the @whitehouse. #whitehousetour A photo posted by TODAY (@todayshow) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:58am PDT

Welcome to the new #WhiteHouseTour! For the first time in 40 years the public can now take pictures as they tour the East Wing. @natgeoyourshot had a great time celebrating with photos there this morning. #whitehouse @whitehouse @michelleobama A photo posted by Marie McGrory (@mariemcg23) on Jul 1, 2015 at 9:00am PDT

So long #whitehousetour photo ban! Selfies all around! A photo posted by Amanda Nichols (@amandajadenichols) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:12am PDT

Ban lifted! #whitehousetour A photo posted by Shannon Augustus (@saugustus84) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:03am PDT

A quick selfie with George W before the Secret Service get me! @whitehouse #whitehousetour #inviteonly #georgew #dc A photo posted by mselle_ny (@mselle_ny) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:24am PDT

Yep! #whitehousetour A photo posted by JB (@dajob2000) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:21am PDT

Guess the name of this room #whitehousetour A photo posted by Brian Kelly (@thepointsguy) on Jul 1, 2015 at 6:48am PDT

Whole lotta crimson cropping up on #whitehousetour A photo posted by Perry Hewitt (@perryhewitt) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:04am PDT

Enjoying the ornate details inside #TheRedRoom of the @WhiteHouse. #WhiteHouseTour A photo posted by TODAY (@todayshow) on Jul 1, 2015 at 9:33am PDT

State Dining Room

Feeling stately this morning during my visit to the @whitehouse. 🙌🏾 Follow me on Snapchat 👻 for 📷 fun: diego_downtown #WhiteHouseTour #DC #honestabe #diegodowntown A photo posted by Diego Gonzalez-Zuniga (@diegodowntown) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:06am PDT

The State Dining Room is stunning... #WhiteHouseTour A photo posted by Lacey Faeh (@laceperspective) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:16am PDT

View off Portico to South Lawn

[Views] | #WhiteHouseTour "He who closes his ears to the views of others shows little confidence in the integrity of his own views." - William Congreve A photo posted by Jarrett Hendrix (@brilliantartistry) on Jul 1, 2015 at 7:35am PDT

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‘It matters’: Aces visit with Biden at White House — PHOTOS

WASHINGTON — A’ja Wilson doesn’t make the same mistake twice.

She had to abandon her pumps and go barefoot when she visited the White House last year. On Thursday, the 2023 WNBA Finals MVP opted for a pair of white sneakers.

The comfortable choice paid off, as the Aces’ return to the White House was a bigger, better and more expansive affair.

Before the event officially began, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris pulled out all the stops for the back-to-back champions. The team was greeted with warm cookies, which they didn’t get last year.

The surprise was followed by another new perk: a tour of the Oval Office.

Biden, who missed the 2023 celebration, emphasized the importance of women’s sports during his comments.

“It matters to girls and women, finally seeing themselves represented, and it matters to all of America. That’s why, as a nation, we need to support women’s sports,” Biden said during the East Room ceremony. “I want to thank you for showing that the future of women’s sports is brighter than the Vegas lights.”

As was the case last year, first lady Jill Biden wasn’t in attendance, this time missing the event for a fundraiser in Portland, Oregon. Harris was once again joined by her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff.

Harris made the first comments, praising the Aces for being good role models and bringing “such joy” to the court.

She enthusiastically recalled the highlights of the title-clinching Game 4 of the 2023 WNBA Finals, a win over the New York Liberty that made the Aces the first franchise to repeat as champions since 2002.

Wilson and point guard Chelsea Gray presented Harris and Biden with custom jerseys in another callback to last year’s visit. Upon receiving his new gear, the president joked that he was ready to get in a game.

During his address, Biden honored WNBA legend Candace Parker, mistakenly calling her “one of the greatest all-time coaches.” Parker, a player who was injured for most of last season, retired the day before the Aces’ training camp began.

When Aces president Nikki Fargas approached the podium, she took Biden’s message about the importance of women’s sports and expanded upon it.

She opened with a history lesson from 1992, when four women won U.S. Senate seats — a record at the time.

Fargas said writers labeled the election as the “Year of the Woman,” a moniker that then-newly re-elected Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., didn’t like. Fargas interpolated the former senator’s words about women in politics, applying them to the league the Aces are dominating.

“We are not a fad. We are not a fancy. We are not a year,” Fargas said. “We are the WNBA, 28 years strong and counting.”

After the ceremony, the Aces were led to a balcony with a view of the South Lawn for one last upgraded White House experience. They waited patiently for Biden’s departure, holding down strands of hair amid the warm winds created when Marine One landed.

The president waved to the Aces and their guests as he approached the helicopter and flew away.

Moments after the event ended and the Aces were ushered out of the building, the WNBA issued an official release to confirm that a full leaguewide program for charter flights will start with the regular season.

It was a fitting time for the league to make such an announcement.

For 2024 draftees, private travel will be the norm. The league’s improvement will be all they know, just like Thursday’s improved celebratory visit set a new standard for first-time White House guests.

“I thought it was going to be the same, but it actually was very different this time,” Wilson said afterward. “And it never gets old. I mean, this is what it means to be a champion.”

Contact Callie Lawson-Freeman at [email protected] . Follow @CallieJLaw on X.

©2024 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Visit reviewjournal.com.. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Taylor Swift unveils new ‘Tortured Poets Department’ outfits at Eras Tour in Paris

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Just call it tortured couture.

Following a two-month break, Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour resumed in Paris, France, on Thursday — and along with adding several songs from her latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” to the already-sprawling setlist, the superstar treated lucky ticket holders to some fresh fashion, too.

Swift performed new tunes “But Daddy I Love Him,” “So High School,” “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?,” “Down Bad” and “Fortnight” wearing a white taffeta dress with a corseted bodice, dramatic hip draping and her own lyrics (“I love you, it’s ruining my life”) scrawled down the high-low skirt — a custom design by Vivienne Westwood, as the brand confirmed to Page Six Style.

She accessorized with one of the house’s signature three-row Orb chokers ($720) and, before launching into “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived,” topped off her gown with a matching white trench coat featuring military-style epaulettes and frogging.

Swift then switched things up with an on-stage costume change, stripping down to a second Vivienne Westwood ensemble: a black crystal-embellished bra top and briefs, which she layered beneath a metallic gold tailcoat with black crystal-embellished lapels to close out the “TTPD” section with “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.”

The new costumes are perfectly in line with the literature-inspired looks Swift’s been exploring while promoting “TTPD” — think corsets, pleated skirts and plenty of black and white .

“There’s definitely a ‘literary academia’ style that’s going on,” Taylor Swift Style blogger Sarah Chapelle told Page Six Style last month. “The [visuals] are telling a very cohesive story, which is clearly pointing to being inspired by female poets of the past.”

The “Black Dog” singer collaborated with a number of major fashion houses on her stage styles for the Eras Tour, all of which are inspired by her past album aesthetics .

Standouts include the bedazzled Atelier Versace bodysuits Swift wears during the “Lover” section of her performance, the sparkling Roberto Cavalli crop-top-and-miniskirt combos she sports for the “1989” segment and the flowing, fluttering Alberta Ferretti gowns that add ethereal drama to the “Folklore” portion of the show.

And given that the aforementioned brands provided several different color variations of each look for Swift to rotate between as her tour rolls on, additional “TTPD” costumes are practically guaranteed to pop up at the shows ahead.

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9 places to nosh on bagels in southern Maine

From old-school spots to foodie favorites, there's a 'hole' lot to try.

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Bread and bagels at The Works Cafe in downtown Portland. Photo by Aimsel Ponti

From New York-style boiled bagels to Montreal-inspired wood-fired ones, there’s lots of great bagels in southern Maine and several shops have the accolades to back that up.

In 2023, Bon Appetit named bagels from Rose Foods and Rover Bagel among the best in the country.

Two years before that,  Food & Wine Magazine put Rover, Forage and Scratch Baking Co. on its list of best bagels in the U.S.

Whether you like yours toasted with cream cheese or as the bread for your breakfast sandwich, you can find plenty of styles and flavors from Biddeford to Brunswick.

BEACH BAGELS

The offerings at Beach Bagels include a French toast and marble bagel, and the cream cheese menu comprises spreads like strawberry, olive and honey walnut. Along with breakfast sandwiches, Beach Bagels has hearty breakfast options like omelets and pancakes. Best of all, you’re steps away from a beach stroll. Just don’t let the seagulls steal your bagel. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily WHERE: 34 Old Orchard St., Old Orchard Beach. beachbagels.yolasite.com ______________

Dutchman’s opened in 2022 as a pop-up housed at Nomad pizza in Brunswick’s Fort Andross building. It’s since become a permanent fixture there and uses the pizzeria’s wood-fired ovens to bake its bagels. The hand-shaped, honey-boiled bagels come in plain, roasted garlic, poppy and a bagel-of-the-day flavor.

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday to Sunday WHERE: Fort Andross, 14 Maine St., Brunswick. dutchmans.me ______________

FORAGE MARKET

Making bagels at Forage Market involves a two-day aging process. The bagels are naturally leavened with wild yeast starter and baked next to a hardwood fire. There are usually five flavors available, including sesame and garlic. Breakfast sandwiches (including vegan options) are available. Forage also has a location in Lewiston. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 123 Washington Ave., Portland. foragemarket.com _____________

MISTER BAGEL

There are 10 or so Mister Bagel locations in Maine, including South Portland and Falmouth. It all began with the Portland location, which was the first bagel shop to open in Maine. The late Rick Hartglass started Mister Bagel in 1977, and it is still a family business. Music fans will appreciate the breakfast sandwich menu, which includes The David Bowie (bacon, egg and American cheese), the Jimmy Buffett (egg with roast beef and cheddar) and The Lady Gaga (avocado, salt and pepper, with or without egg).

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 599 Forest Ave., Portland. misterbagelforestave.com ______________

At Rose Foods, the menu varies depending on the day, but there are usually six to eight flavors available. For example, should you pop in on a Friday, you’ll find a poppy and onion bialy (a cousin of the bagel that is not boiled). Rose Foods also makes a number of bagel sandwiches, including the Classic Nova with Nova lox and the Classic Whitefish. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily WHERE: 428 Forest Ave., Portland. rosefoods.me

______________

ROVER BAGEL

At Rover Bagel, you’ll find wood-fired plain, poppy, sea salt, sesame and everything bagels available most of the time, and the spread game here is strong with cream cheese options like lemon-thyme-honey cream and chili-garlic.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 10 West Point Lane Suite 10-204, Biddeford (Pepperell Mill). roverbagel.com

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SCRATCH BAKING CO.

You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the line of devoted fans waiting for Scratch Baking Co. to open, especially on weekend mornings. Along with the popular Maine sea salt, plain and other everyday flavors, Scratch has a daily special bagel. There’s honeyed rosemary on Wednesday and jalapeno cheddar on Thursday. Scratch is also famous, at least to locals, for its P-Cheese spread. It’s a pimento cheese recipe made with cheddar, mayo, roasted red peppers and seasoning and was passed down to co-owner and head baker Allison Reid by her grandmother, Mern.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 416 Preble St., South Portland. scratchbakingco.com ___________

THE MAINE BAGEL

The Maine Bagel is a drive-thru with several breakfast and other kinds of sandwiches available. With a bagel list that features egg and bialy among the standards, the family-owned spot is the perfect place to stop on your way to Pine Point Beach. The Maine Bagel really shines with a dozen kinds of cream cheese spreads, including raisin-walnut, lox, strawberry, cranberry-nut and bacon-chive.

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. WHERE: 117 Route 1, Scarborough. themainebagel.com Advertisement

THE WORKS CAFE

The Works Cafe is an institution on the edge of the Portland’s Old Port. It opened in 1990 as Bagel Works before it changed its name in 2002. The original shop in this regional chain opened in Manchester, Vermont, in 1988, and there are 11 locations around New England, though just the one in Maine. Gone are the ’90s-era banana-walnut bagels and cold pizza cream cheese, but The Works Cafe is still a reliable place to grab a salt, multigrain or cinnamon raisin bagel, among others. The menu also has bowls, sandwiches and smoothies.

WHEN: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily WHERE: 15 Temple St., Portland. workscafe.com

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Jennifer Aydin Just Gave Her House a Jaw-Dropping Upgrade (VIDEO)

The Real Housewives of New Jersey  cast member showed off the "practical and functional" space. 

Every housewife needs a massive closet to house all her incredible goods, and  Jennifer Aydin  is no different. 

How to Watch

Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey  Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo and stream next day on Peacock .

In addition to a  main  closet,  The Real Housewives of New Jersey   cast member actually has a new  spare  closet, as she recently showed in a May 6 Instagram post. "So happy my spare closet is finally ready!" Jennifer exclaimed about the space you can tour below. 

Jennifer Aydin shows off her new spare closet 

In her video, Jennifer thanked New Jersey organizing company Closet Factory  who came in to assist with the new home project. "[They] came through quick and seamless," she shared, also shouting out professional organizer Shirley Samuels for her assistance with the project. 

Jennifer Aydin Just Transformed Her House for Halloween: “So Cute”

"I told Shirley I wanted practical and functional and she made it look gorgeous!" she exclaimed of the work. 

Don’t miss out on the latest Bravo news:

Gia Giudice Shares What a "Perfect Day" Looks Like With Her Dad, Joe Giudice

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In the video, Jennifer showed off an incredibly expansive space with beautiful wood floors and several rows of floor-to-cieling shelves in glass cases, presumably for shoes and/or bags. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝘑𝘌𝘕𝘕𝘐𝘍𝘌𝘙 𝘈𝘠𝘋𝘐𝘕 (@jenniferaydin)

On the other side of the room were more floor-to-cieling units with clothing rods to hang clothes and also more shelves plus an area in the middle with several drawers. Lights overhead and a window at the end of the closet provided plenty of light and air coming into the space, with a double-decker closet area also at the end of the room.  

Jennifer Aydin shares before-and-after photos of the playroom in her home 

In addition to her new spare closet space, Jen also recently showed off her cleaned-up and organized "playroom" area . 

Jennifer Aydin Gives a Tour of a Room in Her House "That Nobody Touches" (PHOTOS)

"We are cleaning the playroom," the  RHONJ  mom  began in the video. "There's a room in the house that nobody touches; it's a playroom for children who don't play." 

Jen continued by saying the playroom had become "just a haven of mess," revealing that she enlisted her children to declutter the space. "We are purging the stuff," she explained. "We don't need toys anymore." 

Following that Story, the New Jersey resident showed off the sufficiently cleaned up area. "Alright, we did pretty good," she shared. "Teamwork makes the dream work." 

Press play on the video above to tour Jennifer's sprawling New Jersey abode. 

• Jennifer Aydin

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

• Home And Design

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