• View of the White House's north side from Layfatte Park

    President's Park (White House)

    District of Columbia

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  • White House Tours canceled effective Saturday, March 9, 2013

    We regret to inform you that White House Tours are canceled effective Saturday, March 9, 2013, until further notice. For updates regarding this situation, please contact the White House Visitors Office 24 hour hotline at (202) 456-7041.

  • White House Visitor Center Rehabilitation and Closure Information

    The White House Visitor Center is closed for rehabilitation. A temporary visitor center is located near the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion, just west of the intersection of 15th and E streets, NW.

White House Announces 2012 Fall Garden Tours

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Date: September 14, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC - This fall, the White House will be opening its gardens and grounds to visitors on four occasions: Saturday, October 13th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Sunday, October 14th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Friday, October 19th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Saturday, October 20th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. During these fall garden tours, visitors can view the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, and South Lawn of the White House. Additionally, the White House Kitchen Garden - the first vegetable garden at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt's Victory Garden - will be accessible to tour guests.

These garden tours are free and open to the public; however, a ticket is required for all attendees (including small children). The National Park Service will distribute free, timed tickets at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion located at 15th and E Streets on each tour day beginning at 8:00 AM. Tickets will be distributed -- one ticket per person -- on a first-come, first-served basis.

There will be no tours of the East Wing and Executive Residence on the dates of the garden tours.

Please note the following items are not allowed on the White House grounds:

  • Aerosols of any kind
  • Animals (except guide dogs)
  • Backpacks (oversized)
  • Balloons
  • Food or beverages of any kind
  • Duffle bags/suitcases
  • Any pointed object
  • Electric stun guns
  • Fireworks/firecrackers
  • Insulated metal containers
  • Guns/ammunition
  • Knives of any kind
  • Mace
  • Tobacco

The US Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items. However, strollers, wheelchairs, umbrellas, and cameras are permitted.

All items needed for medical purposes will be permitted on the tour (e.g. wheelchairs, electric scooters, glucose tablets, EpiPens, etc.). Please identify and explain all items needed for medical purposes to US Secret Service upon arrival.

In the event of inclement weather, garden tours may be canceled. Please call the 24-hour information line at (202) 456-7041 to check on the status of the event.

Did You Know?

Franklin Pierce, 14th President: 1853-1857

Franklin Pierce was the first president to introduce the Christmas tree to the White House in 1856 for a group of Washington Sunday School children.