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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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White House

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. 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 8:00 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.

What can we help you find?

While we certainly appreciate historical preservation, it looks like your browser is a bit too historic to properly view whitehousehistory.org. — a browser upgrade should do the trick.

Main Content

Plan Your Visit

Historic Decatur House & Lafayette Square

White House Visitor Center

Can I tour the White House? How do I get tickets? Find out how to make the most of your visit through the White House Visitor’s Center, an interactive museum that we’ve helped to renovate and maintain in partnership with the National Park Service. You might also enjoy our unique cultural and educational programs, many of which take place in the historic Decatur House just a block away from the White House itself.

Attend an Event

Calendar of Concerts, Lectures, & Exhibits

Visit Our Retail Shops

Gifts and Souvenirs that Support Our Mission

The Official 2024 White House Christmas Ornament

BACK TO PREVIOUS

White house visitor center, features many aspects of the white house, including its architecture, furnishings, first families and social events..

The White House Visitor Center is a nearly 1,600 square foot museum-caliber visitor experience featuring interactive exhibits, a large-scale model of the White House, numerous tactile exhibits, museum galleries, a temporary exhibit area, and the White House Historical Association retail shop. The Visitor Center provides a window into the Executive Mansion and its history as a companion to a White House tour, or as a stand-alone experience for those without a tour. Nearly 100 artifacts are on display, some for the first timesuch as President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s desk. The White House Visitor Center is operated by the National Park Service and is housed in historic Baldrige Hall in the Department of Commerce building. The Center includes a flagship retail store for the White House Historical Association that features new and treasured items that support their mission of enhancing the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the White House. The Visitor Center was designed with a strong focus on accessibility for all visitors, and the project team worked closely with the National Center for Accessibility to achieve a fully accessible experience. To plan your visit to the White House Visitor Center, please visit the National Park Service website.

Additional Information

Metro station.

Federal Triangle, Metro Center

1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW U.S. Dept. of Commerce Bldg. Washington , DC 20230 United States

(202) 208-1631.

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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!

White House Public Tour Tickets

This post is an article on how to get White House tour tickets, plus tips for planning your visit, such as tips for dealing with security.

How to apply for tickets is a common question from visitors on our walking tours.

However, if you are asking one of our tour guides after arriving in Washington, DC, you are definitely too late.

So, we've created this post to help you secure tickets plus plan your visit, both before and after your tour.

The White House is open to public tours usually from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Tuesday-Saturday, except for Federal Holidays.

Reservations must be arranged in advance.

It is hard to get a White House tour but the further in advance you request and the more flexibility you offer in dates, the better your chances.

These are to tour the main building, West Wing tours are a different experience and even harder to get tickets. I was lucky enough to get a West Wing tour if you want to see photos!

There is no cost to tour the White House, but you will need to apply for free tickets. Both U.S. nationals and foreign visitors can tour the White House.

To visit the White House, it's important to know that you must  reserve your tickets in advance ,   MONTHS in advance. 

You can submit a request for White House tours up to 3 months in advance and must do so no later than 3 weeks.

Don’t apply early or late or you risk having your request automatically denied.

You can increase your odds of getting a White House tour by requesting a reservation as soon as you possibly can.

For U.S. citizens and residents, requests must go through the office of the Member of Congress for your district ( find your Member here ).

If you are coming during the peak tourism seasons of March-April or June-August, we recommend closer to the 3-month mark.

The White House only accepts requests between 21-90 days before your requested dates.

If you are from a foreign country, you are advised to go through your embassy in Washington D.C. Not all embassies will be interested or helpful in the request.

However, nothing stops you from requesting a tour through any Member of Congress.

There is no real requirement that you be a resident of their district or state to do so. Therefore, it's worth a try.  

Most will ask you for contact information at home and during your stay in DC, dates available for tours, and the total number of persons in your group.

You'll also be required to provide information for security clearance, including:

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

How long before I hear back about my White House request?

Typically, once you have submitted your visitor info, you will receive an email two weeks before your requested dates informing you if you were selected for a tour.

If you do NOT get approved, the communication varies and depends. Some people have gotten rejection letters and some have just never heard back.

Assume if you haven't heard back a few days prior to your trip that you were not approved.

You can also visit the White House Visitor Center . It's actually a few blocks from the White House, but it's a great alternative to interior tours.

You can always see the White House from the street, as well.

There are a number of great views of the White House that we talk about - but the closest is from Pennsylvania Avenue NW by Lafayette Square.

But, if you are accepted, then read on for tips on planning your trip.

• Plan Your Visit
• Virtual Tour
• Visitor Center
• Things to Do in DC
• Free Tours by Foot

PLAN YOUR VISIT

In this section, we go over where to enter the White House grounds, how to get there, as well as security and prohibited items . 

WHITE HOUSE TOUR ENTRANCE

We strongly recommend using our Google Maps for directions to the tour entry point . 

There is no White House Metro Station.

The closest metro stop to the tour entrance is Metro Center ( red , orange , blue, and silver lines ) (take the 13 th Street exit), which is just a 7-minute walk.

When you come up the escalators, you will be facing 13th Street.

Take 13th Street southbound (downhill) and make a right turn on E Street and proceed straight until you reach 15th Street.  

McPherson Square Metro station ( orange , blue, and silver lines)  is also close to the White House.

Public transportation is recommended for reaching the White House.

If you must drive, you can find a parking spot at a nearby garage through a service called SpotHero .

This website allows you to reserve guaranteed parking spots ahead of time, often for a cheaper price than the garage itself would charge.

If you've been granted a tour, you need to arrive before your meeting time at the visitors' entrance.

Note: This is NOT at the Visitor Center.

Click here for a 360-degree view .

The tour lines up along 15th Street NW on the west side of the street by the William Tecumseh Sherman Statue.

It's across the street from where Pennsylvania Avenue NW dead-ends at 15th St NW.

You'll check in with the National Park Service Park Ranger standing guard outside the temporary fence.

There is no specific street address or sign - you just have to know you're in the right place, but since there is often a line it should be easy to spot.

You can click on the 360-degree view to familiarize yourself with the surrounding area. 

SECURITY AND PROHIBITED ITEMS

Security is a concern everywhere in Washington, but nowhere more than in the White House.

You will need a valid government-issued photo ID or passport to gain entry into the White House for every member of your group. Foreign nationals must use their passport.

You will have to stand in line for security, so make sure to arrive at least half an hour before your tour time. (longer in peak seasons, or with a group).  

WHITE HOUSE DRESS CODE

There is no dress code to tour the White House, but due to the importance of the building, you should want to dress neatly.

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

• no video devices; video cameras including any action camcorders, cameras with detachable lenses, tablets, tripods, monopods, and camera sticks are not permitted. Video recording is not permitted.
• no strollers.
• no food, beverages, tobacco products, liquids, gels, or lotions.
• no guns, firearms, knives, other sharp objects, martial arts equipment, etc.
• no purses, backpacks, handbags, etc.   * If you need a place to store these kinds of items, some nearby hotel concierges may be willing to store the bags for a small fee.

The list of things you can bring to the White House is not extensive:

• umbrellas 

Cameras are now permitted on tour!

Smartphones and compact cameras with a lens no longer than 3 inches (stills only) are permitted on the public tour route as long as their use does not interfere with other guests’ enjoyment of the tour. 

Flash photography or live streaming as well as talking or texting on cellular phones is not permitted while on the tour.

Where can I leave the rest of my belongings while I tour the White House?

If you can't leave your belongings at your hotel, then consider storage facilities.

For $6/bag for up to 24 hours, you can store your bags in nearby stores, souvenir shops, and even other hotels.

Once you are inside, the tour is self-guided and will take about half an hour.

NOTE: There are no restrooms on the White House tour.

Though the White House has 132 rooms in total, you are only shown through several rooms that they use for entertaining. 

You will NOT see the family living quarters, the Oval Office, or the West Wing ( read about my experience of the West Wing tour! ) So, don't expect to meet President Joe Biden on your White House Tour.

Small tip: there are secret service agents in every room, you can interact with them and ask them questions, they are usually really nice and very informative.

After you line up along 15th Street, you'll have your reservation checked and then line up again for an ID check.

You'll cross a street and then have your ID checked again.

All of these checks are outdoors so keep that in mind when preparing for your visit - you're outside for around 30 minutes before your tour.

You then go through security to enter the East Wing of the White House.

What Will I See on a Public Tour of the White House?

The tour is self-guided though there are occasionally guards who can answer some questions.

Each room has a placard or two explaining what you're seeing with some information.

The tour is self-paced and you can go back if needed to previous rooms, but you will not be able to exit the building and reenter.

You will see the East Garden from the hallway, the movie theatre, the China Room, the Vermeil Room, the East Room, the Green Room, the Blue Room, the Red Room, and the State Dining Room.

Throughout you'll also see a number of presidential portraits.

There is a gift shop inside the White House that sells the famous White House Christmas ornament and many other items from the White House Historical Association.

You'll exit the White House from what used to be the primary entrance facing the North Lawn and exit out the gates by the Lafayette Statue.

Will I See the President on a White House Tour?

You are unlikely to meet the President or First Lady on the White House tour, but you never know who you might see at the White House complex, including cabinet members or prominent visitors.

VIRTUAL TOURS OF THE WHITE HOUSE

These videos offer virtual tours inside various parts of the White House that you do not get to see on White House public tours.

Inside the Residence

Tour of the West Wing

Video Tour of the Situation Room

Learn About the West Wing Marines

Watch Marine One Land on South Lawn

You will see many helicopters during your visit to Washington, D.C. and they usually won't be transporting the President.

Most of the helicopters fly along the National Mall - over the Tidal Basin and Potomac River.

When you see three helicopters fly across the National Mall, right past the Washington Monument (that is why there are the red flashing lights on the top), one of those is Marine One.

So how do you watch Marine One take off/land?

For advance planning, you can keep an eye on the President's Schedule. It will give an approximate time when the president departs the South Lawn.

Keep in mind, it sometimes is early or late and they don't give any warning!

Marine One is often used to transport the President to Joint Base Andrews to board Air Force One.

If you're already in the area, you might notice some of the ways they prepare for Marine One:

• Snipers are always on the roof of the White House, but when the President is leaving the White House, you'll also see them on the corners of area buildings.
• Two decoy/escort helicopters will accompany Marine One but not land. You will always see a group of three helicopters.
• The walkway to the South Lawn fence is closed. While you're normally can walk right up to the South Lawn fence, they won't let you get that close when Marine One is landing.

Where to stand to watch Marine One land?

The best place to watch Marine One land if you want to be as close as possible is on the south side of the White House, an area called The Ellipse.

Normally, the circular sidewalk that forms the ellipse is open to the public but when the President is leaving - the side closest to the White House is closed.

You can, however, walk directly on the grass to the center of the Ellipse.

If you line yourself up with the Washington Monument behind you and the White House South Lawn Fountain in front of you, the helicopter will fly right over your head!

If you want to watch Marine One with some DC landmarks in the frame, stand at the WWII Memorial, facing the Washington Monument.

The three helicopters will fly in front of the Washington Monument lining up for a great photo op.

What kind of helicopter is Marine One?

Officially, any helicopter that the President is on is Marine One.

That is the call sign for any USMC aircraft that has the President on board, just like Air Force one denotes whatever plane is carrying the President.

It is usually operated by Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1 "Nighthawks"), only four pilots have this honor every year.

The type of helicopter is often a VH-3D Sea King:

or the VH-60N "WhiteHawk"

Marine One helicopters have standard military anti-missile countermeasures, and ballistic armor and can continue to fly even if it loses one of the three engines.

It can fit 14 passengers but is quiet enough that the President can use a normal tone of voice on his secure line to the White House.

NOTE: A few times a year when the President is out of the country, you will see a helicopter take off and land on the South Lawn on repeat for about half an hour - this is training!

The President isn't actually on the helicopter - but your Instagram followers won't know that!

THE WHITE HOUSE VISITOR CENTER:

After an extensive revamping, the White House Visitor Center is now open again to the public.  

Read our overview of the museum and visitor center for more information.

The restoration work took over 2 years and cost $12.5 million, much of which came from private donations through the White House Historical Association.

There are over 90 new artifacts on display, many of which have never before been on display.

Some of our favorites are the desk that Franklin Delano Roosevelt sat at when he delivered his famous fireside chats and a scaled model of the White House.

Within the White House Visitor Center, you can watch a 14-minute film that takes you inside the White House and the lives of the First Families. 

Allow anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour for your visit here.

VISITOR TIP : The White House Visitor Center has a great gift shop. There is also a gift shop at 701 15th St NW called White House Gifts. Here can take a photo of yourself sitting behind a replica of the Presidential desk in the Oval Office!

Related Content:

• How to Get Tickets to the Washington Monument
• How to Tour the U.S. Capitol Building
• Can I tour the FBI Building?
• Watch Marine One Land on the White House Lawn
• White House Garden Tours
• White House Christmas Tours
• Easter Egg Roll

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About The Author

Canden Arciniega

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

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.

White House Tours & Information

White House Tours

The White House announced on March 15 that tours will resume on April 15.

Public tour requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (excluding federal holidays or unless otherwise noted). Tour hours will be extended when possible based on the official White House schedule. Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Requests can be submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance.

Please note that it is not guaranteed that the White House will schedule you for a tour. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as possible as a limited number of spaces are available. All White House tours are free of charge. (Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.)

If you wish to visit the White House and are a citizen of a foreign country, please contact your embassy in Washington, DC for assistance in submitting a tour request.

What do you need to know?

Forms of Identification

All guests 18 years of age or older will be required to present a valid, government-issued photo identification (detailed below). All foreign nationals must present their passport. All other forms of foreign identification will not be accepted. All information submitted (e.g. name, date of birth, city, etc.) must exactly match the government-issued photo ID you will present when arriving at the White House.

The following forms of photo ID are acceptable for presentation to USSS upon entry to the White House complex:

Valid government-issued United States identification card (e.g. drivers license, military ID, etc.)

Valid United States or other official government-issued passports

***No other forms of identification will be accepted; photocopies, expired IDs, or other transmissions of these documents are NOT valid.

Prohibited Items

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following:

Video Recorders

Handbags, book bags, backpacks or purses

Food or beverages, tobacco products, personal grooming items (i.e. makeup, lotion, etc.)

Any pointed objects

Aerosol containers

Guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons/devices, or knives of any size

As of July 1, 2015, Smartphones and compact cameras with a lens no longer than 3 inches (stills only) are permitted on the public tour route as long as their use does not interfere with other guests' enjoyment of the tour.

Video cameras including any action camcorders, cameras with detachable lenses, tablets, tripods, monopods and camera sticks are not permitted.

Flash photography or live stream as well as talking or texting on cellular phones is not permitted while on the tour.

The U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items. Umbrellas, wallets, car keys, and cell phones (including those with cameras) are permitted. However, guests will not be allowed to use cell phones inside the White House. Phones used inside the White House may be confiscated by US Secret Service.

***Please note that no storage facilities are available on or around the complex. Individuals who arrive with prohibited items will not be permitted to enter the White House.

The closest Metrorail 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). On-street parking is not available near the White House and use of public transportation is strongly encouraged.

The nearest restrooms to the White House are in the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion (the park area south of the White House). Restrooms or public telephones are not available at the White House.

Mobility-Impaired / Wheelchairs

Visitors scheduled for tours who require the loan of a wheelchair should notify the officer at the Visitors Entrance upon arrival. Unfortunately, reservations are not possible. Visitors in wheelchairs, or with other mobility disabilities, use the same Visitors Entrance and are escorted by ramp from the entrance level to the Ground floor, and by elevator from the Ground floor to the State floor.

Hearing & Visually-Impaired

Please contact your Member of Congress if you have a hearing or visual impairment and require assistance during your White House tour. Guide animals are permitted in the White House.

Current Information

All visitors should call the 24-hour Visitors Office information line at 202-456-7041 to determine if any last-minute changes have been made in the tour schedule.

How do I get scheduled for a tour?

Obtaining a White House tour can be very difficult. It is very important to follow the below guidelines for your application to be considered.

-It is highly recommended that White House tours be submitted 3-6 months in advance particularly for the high tourism months of March -August and December.

-Tours are only available Tuesday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

2108 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Email Me (202) 225–5672

Washington DC Tours and Tickets

If you are a resident of the 48th Congressional District of California and are planning a trip to Washington, D.C., Congressman Issa's office is here to assist.

U.S. Capitol Building

Free, public tours are offered between 8:30am - 3:20pm ET, Monday through Saturdays. Holidays and special events excluded.

Reservations are recommended.  Constituents of the 48th Congressional District may request a reservation using the form below.  Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be extremely limited during peak visitor times.

Groups should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their reservation time.  Please be aware that the tour will take approximately 90 minutes and will require about .5 miles or more of walking and stairs.  Handicap accessibility is also available. 

You may view a Map of Capitol Hill, here .  

To take a virtual tour, please visit:   visitthecapitol.gov

The White House

Public tour tickets are available via reservation only.  Tours are offered from 8:00am-12:30pm ET on limited days, excluding holidays and special events as determined by the White House. 

Constituents of the 48th Congressional District may request a tour using the form below.  The tour schedule and tickets offered are extremely limited and at the sole discretion of the White House. Please request at least 60-90 days before your travel dates.

The White House is a self-guided tour and guests should allocate approximately 90 minutes. 

Library of Congress

The Library of Congress, Jefferson Building is located on Capitol Hill on First Street and Independence Avenue, SE.

Public tour tickets are available via reservation.  Entry tour passes are available 10:00am - 4:30pm ET Tuesday through Saturday, except holidays.  The Library is closed for public visits on Sundays and Mondays.  Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be extremely limited during peak visitor times.

Constituents of the 48th Congressional District may request a tour using the form below. Or, constituents may self book at:  Visiting the Library  |  Library of Congress (loc.gov)

Guests should allocate approximately 90 minutes for this self-guided tour.  

The FBI Experience

The FBI Experience is a self-guided tour of the FBI headquarters in Washington DC.  

Operating hours are 9:00am -4:00pm ET, Monday through Friday, holidays excluded.

Constituents of the 48th Congressional District may request a tour using the form below. Reservations are extremely limited and must be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the desired visit date.

OTHER DC VISITORS INFORMATION

Supreme Court of the United States

The Supreme Court is located on Capitol Hill on First and East Capitol Streets, NE. The Visitor Entrance is at the Northwest doors via First St NE.

No reservations are required.  The Supreme Court exhibitions are currently open to walk in visitors on a self-guided basis.

Visitors are welcome 9:00am - 4:30pm ET, Monday through Friday, holidays excluded. The building is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.  The business of the Court may from time to time affect public access to the building.  

The building is located on First Street NE between East Capitol Street and Maryland Avenue, adjacent to the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing

**The Bureau is currently closed to public tours.**

Smithsonian Museums and Zoo

The Smithsonian offers more than a dozen Washington DC area museums and galleries.  Explore your options:  Virtual Visitor Center | Smithsonian Institution

United States National Mall

The National Mall in Washington D.C. is an open, national park available to the public. The Mall extends from the West steps of the Capitol Building and across the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial.

A full map of the National Mall can be found here .

Washington D.C. Metropolitan Transit System

The Washington D.C. Metropolitan Transit System (Metro) features bus and rail operating lines.

For navigation, stop information, and directions regarding the Metro, please visit:  https://www.wmata.com/schedules/maps/ .

For costs and fares associated with the Metro, please visit: https://www.wmata.com/fares/index.cfm .

All tickets are provided to constituents on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the large number of visitors, please request them as early as possible in order to maximize your chances.

Please choose three dates everyone in your party is available to tour the White House. Tours are available Tuesday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The tours are self-guided.

White House tours may be submitted up to 6 months in advance, but no later than 3 weeks before the requested tour date.

Each person in your tour party must submit security information to the White House via a link they provide.

Please specify the dates that you are available for tours below. You can specify a range of dates along with additional dates outside of that range for availability.

Range of Dates Available

Please specify the date range that you are available for tours.

Additional Dates Available

If you have additional dates that you are available, list them below. Add more dates by using the 'Add Another Date' option.

What are the options for 'Phone Type?'

Constituents who are hard of hearing or use a video phone have the option to choose TDD or VP based on the type of device they are using. This allows our office to respond to them accordingly. The default option 'Voice' is a standard audible telephone.

Cast of ‘A Different World’ reunites on tour and makes a stop in DC

Mike Murillo | [email protected]

April 10, 2024, 4:10 AM

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The cast from the 90s hit show “A Different World” was in D.C. on Tuesday as part of a 10-city tour to historically Black colleges across the country. The event, called “Hillman Day at Howard,” not only celebrated the show and its contributions to HBCUs, it also focused on boosting enrollment at the schools.

“This is a perfect moment for us to uphold HBCUs and put a spotlight back on them so that people know how vital they are to our community,” said Cree Summer, who played Freddie Brooks on the show.

“A Different World,” which was on air between 1987 and 1993, was a spinoff of the Cosby Show that followed Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) to Hillman College — a fictional, historically Black college located in Virginia.

Dawnn Lewis, who played Jaleesa Vinson — Taylor, said the show was able to put a prime time spotlight on the Black college experience.

“The experience of fellowship, of seeing yourself, being seen, appreciated or being encouraged in this kind of environment and nurtured amongst your own,” she said.

Jasmine Guy, who played Whitley Gilbert, said the show offered her a chance to be an artist.

“[Not having] to hold up the whole race because I’m the only Black character on the show, gave me a creative freedom that I hadn’t experienced before,” Guy said.

The show’s diverse cast allowed it to bring a variety of lifestyles in the Black community to TVs across the country.

“We are not a monolithic group of people,” Guy said.

The show also touched on difficult topics, such as racism and date rape. Kadeem Hardison, who played Dwayne Wayne, recalls an episode dealing with date rape, which included a discussion about that topic with Coach Walter Oakes (Sinbad).

“It taught me something. And I got to be vulnerable, because I really was looking for that knowledge. And I got it on the show,” Hardison said.

Glynn Turman, who played Col. Brad Taylor, said the show was also very popular because while tough topics were discussed, there were also laughs.

“I think we can lose sight of the fact that through all of this very heavy commentary that the show did tackle, there were great laughs, the show was fun. It was uplifting,” Turman said.

When asked if there would be a reboot of the show, Darryl M. Bell, who played Ron Johnson, said he used to respond to that question, “never.”

“Now, I say ‘never say never,'” Bells said.

After a press panel, the cast took part in a closed panel discussion with students at the college. Howard University was the second stop for the cast.

Leading into the Howard visit, the cast also accepted an invitation to the White House, which Summer said she enjoyed.

“I’m still flying to tell you the truth. When I come down from this levitation, I’ll let you know,” Summer joked.

The next stop for the cast will be this fall in Montgomery, Alabama, for an event hosted by Alabama State University and Tuskegee University.

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here .

© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Mike Murillo is a reporter and anchor at WTOP. Before joining WTOP in 2013, he worked in radio in Orlando, New York City and Philadelphia.

• @MikeMurilloWTOP

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Politics latest: RAF 'flew into the face of danger to protect civilians', says PM as pilots 'shot down' Iranian drones

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned Iran's "reckless attack" on Israel "in the strongest terms".

Sunday 14 April 2024 16:07, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

• 'Number of drones' shot down by RAF - Sunak
• PM condemns Iran's 'reckless attack' on Israel in 'strongest terms'
• Minister confirms RAF jets flew to Middle East overnight  | What did they do?
• Dominic Waghorn: UN and G7 will try to choreograph a united call for calm and restraint in Middle East
• 'Perfectly reasonable' for Starmer not to see Rayner's legal advice
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler

But before you go, here are the headlines:

• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that a "number of drones" sent by Iran were shot down by the Royal Air Force in the Middle East overnight;
• He said: "What we now need is for calm heads to prevail";
• Members of the G7 partook in a video call today to discuss the developments, which saw Iran launch 300 missiles and drones towards Israel;
• Health Secretary Victoria Atkins was unable to say whether an airline has been found to send asylum seekers to Rwanda - despite suggesting the scheme will be running "within weeks";
• Angela Rayner has said she will "do the right thing and step down" if she is found to have committed a crime in the police investigation into her former living arrangements.

We'll be back from 6am with all the latest.

Angela Rayner is set to become the UK's deputy prime minister if Labour wins the next general election. 

Here's what you need to know about the party's deputy leader - from her early life and career in politics to the abuse and controversy she has faced...

Also on the agenda today, we will likely get continued reaction to deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner's admission that she will "step down" if she is found to have committed a crime.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed on Friday it was re-examining allegations the deputy Labour leader may have broken electoral law over information she gave about her living situation a decade ago.

GMP made the decision after Tory MP James Daly informed the force of claims made by neighbours that allegedly contradicted Ms Rayner's statement that her property on Vicarage Road, Stockport, was her main residence and not her husband's - as some have claimed.

According to electoral law, it is an offence to knowingly provide false information in a voter registration application form.

Ms Rayner has repeatedly said her house on Vicarage Road was her main address and not Lowndes Lane, the home owned by her then-husband Mark Rayner that is situated about a mile away.

You can read more from Sky News below:

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has called on the international community to "demand" players in the region abide by UN Security Council resolutions.

Mr Yousaf said he "condemns" Iran's attempted attack on Israel as he has "all and every regional escalation".

"There is not going to be a military solution to the conflict we see in the Middle East, there is only going to be a political and diplomatic solution," he said.

"We know that violence begets violence and therefore it's imperative now that the international community demand - not request, but demand - that all parties abide by UN security resolutions, such as a call for an immediate ceasefire (in Gaza)."

The first minister added: "We can't afford to see any more loss of life, because innocent civilians have already had to pay far too high a price for the actions of a number of countries and therefore we need to see de-escalation as opposed to further escalation in the region."

The Sky News live poll tracker - collated and updated by our Data and Forensics team - aggregates various surveys to indicate how voters feel about the different political parties.

As the local election campaign gets under way, Labour is still sitting comfortably on a roughly 20-point lead, averaging at 43.3% in the polls, with the Tories on 23.6%.

In third is Reform UK on 12.5%, followed by the Lib Dems on 9.4%.

The Green Party stands at 6.3%, and the SNP on 3.0%.

See the latest update below - and you can read more about the methodology behind the tracker  here .

As the fallout from the Westminster honeytrap scandal continues to unravel, Beth Rigby, Jess Phillips and Ruth Davidson explain why contacts are so valuable in Parliament and ask what William Wragg's resignation tells us about Rishi Sunak's leadership.

And, with Labour riding high after two major polls predicted landslide victories at the upcoming election, should Keir Starmer be worried about voter complacency?

Plus, Beth, Ruth and Jess talk about the impact of Dr Hilary Cass’ review into gender identity services for under-18s in England.

👉 Listen above then tap here to follow Electoral Dysfunction wherever you get your podcasts 👈

Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at [email protected] , post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.      

Warning: some strong language. 

By Adam Boulton , Sky News commentator 

Soul searching about the UK's role in the world has broken out again following the publication of a pamphlet by senior diplomats including Mark Sedwill, a former Cabinet Secretary and National Security Adviser.

The World in 2040: Renewing The UK's Approach To International Affairs is being denounced for suggesting the Foreign Office should change its name and tone down its grand headquarters built in 1868 at the height of Great Britain's imperial pomp.

The authors believe a lower profile would befit the reality of our station in the world.

"The UK finds itself today in a changed role as a medium-sized 'off shore' power", the report asserts without explicitly mentioning Brexit.

"Our future has more in common with G20 nations like Japan and in Europe like Norway and Switzerland whose economies are closely linked to major economic neighbours."

Over a year ago, Rishi Sunak made five pledges for voters to judge him on.

The prime minister met his promise to halve inflation by the end of 2023.

But with the general election approaching, how is Mr Sunak doing on delivering his other promises?

You can see the progress for yourself below:

Israel's air defence system is one of the most effective in the world.

The Iron Dome began operating in 2011, largely in response to the 2006 war that ended with Hamas taking control of Gaza the following year.

It uses radars to detect and intercept short-range rockets, missiles and drones.

The Iron Dome was developed by Israel's state-owned Rafael Advanced Defence Systems with US support.

The system consists of a series of truck-towed mobile units placed strategically throughout the country.

By Faye Brown , political reporter

A cabinet minister was unable to say whether an airline has been found to send asylum seekers to Rwanda - despite suggesting the scheme will be running "within weeks".

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: "We want them (flights) to take off as quickly as possible... We very much plan to have it within weeks."

Asked whether the government has a carrier yet, Ms Atkins said: "The Home Office is working on this, and so believe you me, the Home Office is ready to go."

"They haven't got one, have they?" Phillips asked.

Ms Atkins said: "We have seen some real progress in the last year with the reduction in small boat crossings by a third... but this is one part of our overall plan to cut illegal migration."

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