White House Tours

Attention:

Due to staffing reductions resulting from sequestration, we regret to inform you that White House Tours are canceled effective Saturday, March 9, 2013, until further notice. Unfortunately, we are not be able to reschedule affected tours.

We very much regret having to take this action, particularly during the popular spring touring season. For updates regarding this situation, please contact the White House Visitors Office 24 hour hotline at [phone].

 

Answers to Common Questions About White House Tours

1. When are the White House Tours?
2. How can I arrange a White House Tour?
3. Where do White House Tours begin?
4. Should I arrive early?
5. Will I need to bring a photo ID?
6. What are the prohibited items?
7. Can I bring my medications?
8. Will I be screened?
9. Is there a 24-hour number I can call for current information?
10. Is the White House accessible?
11. Information for Foreign Visitors
    

Detailed information for all visitors is also available on the Tours & Events portion of the White House website.

 

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1. When are the White House Tours?

Public tours of the White House are available. These self-guided tours are generally available from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Fridays, and 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturdays (excluding federal holidays). Hours and availability are always subject to change.

 

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2. How can I arrange a White House tour?

Tours of the White House are only available by advance registration.

Requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress or embassy three weeks to six months in advance of the desired tour date. Each Member of Congress has established his or her own procedures by which to accept tour reservation requests. Please contact the member or members through whom you wish to place the reservation request to learn more about their requirements. The switchboard at the US Capitol and each member's web page will be able to assist you in reaching your senators and representatives. To reach members of the United States House of Representatives or Senate, please call 202-224-3121 or visit house.gov or senate.gov to find your members' webpages.

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.

 

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3. Where do White House Tours begin?

The tour entrance to the White House complex is located at the corner of 15^th Street and Alexander Hamilton Place, NW.

Look for uniformed National Park Service Rangers and volunteers to assist you.

Limited bus parking is available on 15^th Street across from the Department of Commerce. Please carefully check posted street signs for parking restrictions.

 

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4. Should I arrive early?

Individuals or groups with reserved tours should arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled tour time. Late arrivals may not be accommodated.

All tours are significantly enhanced if visitors stop by the White House Visitor Center located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, before or after their tour. The visitor center is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and features exhibits on many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders, as well as a thirty-minute video. Allow between 20 minutes to one hour to explore the exhibits. The White House Historical Association sponsors a sales area. Activities including the President's Park Junior Ranger program and daily ranger-guided walks of the park are also available as staffing permits. Please check the schedule at the visitor center for scheduled walk times.

 

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5. Will I need to bring a photo ID?

All visitors 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 passports. No other forms of foreign identification will 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. Those without proper identification will not be able to go on the tour.

The following forms of photo ID are acceptable for presentation to Secret Service 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
• Note: no other forms of identification will be accepted; photocopies, expired IDs, or other transmissions of these documents are NOT valid.

 

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6. What are the prohibited items?

Certain items may not be brought on White House tours.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following: handbags, book bags, backpacks, purses, food and beverages of any kind, strollers, cameras, video recorders or any type of recording device, tobacco products, personal grooming items (make-up, hair brush or comb, lip or hand lotions, etc.), any pointed objects (pens, knitting needles, etc.), aerosol containers, guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons/devices, or knives of any size.

The United States Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items.

Umbrellas, wallets, cell phones and car keys are permitted.

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

 

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7. Can I bring my medications?

Yes. All necessary medications must be identified and screened by the Secret Service.

 

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8. Will I be screened?

All persons and items entering the White House will be screened through a security process. Individuals may be requested to consent to an interview or additional security procedures before they are admitted to the White House complex.

 

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9. Is there a 24-hour number I can call for current information?

White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation. Visitors may call the 24-hour line at 202-456-7041 for the most current tour information.

 

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10. Is the White House accessible?

• A limited number of wheelchairs are available for use during the tour. If you would like to use one, please ask the Secret Service officers at the Visitor's Entrance upon arrival.

• Other accommodations may be made by advance notice to the office through which the tour was booked.

• Guide animals are permitted in the White House.

 

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11. Information for Foreign Visitors

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.