Visiting The White House in Washington, DC

Buy Tickets for The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia – See 20+ Sites on a Primary Overview of Independence Park, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
The President’s House: Slavery & Freedom in America’s Birthplace
The President's House Archeological Dig

The White House

The White House is the residence of the President of the United States, the head of the Executive Branch of the United States Government. Every President except for America’s first President, George Washington, spent at least part of their term living at the White House in Washington, DC. Today, in addition to the White House serving as an active government building, it is also a museum that is open to the public and filled with artifacts and art that span America’s existence.

The History

The cornerstone of the White House was laid in 1792 in a public ceremony designed to help raise funds for the new Capital City. At the time, George Washington was serving as President, and he resided at the President's House in Philadelphia, then the Capital city of the United States.

The construction of the White House in Washington, DC was part of a greater project to build a new Capital city. President John Adams became the first President to live in the White House in Washington, DC in 1800 when the Capital of the United States moved from Philadelphia to its new permanent home in Washington DC.

In 1814, during the War of 1812 against the British, the British briefly held Washington following a victorious battle against American Forces in the Battle of Bladensburg. During their brief occupation, British forces burned many government buildings in Washington including the White House. President James Madison moved back into the White House in 1817 after it was rebuilt following the fire. Since 1817, every President has lived the duration of his term(s) in office at the White House aside for a period of time that President Harry S. Truman was forced to leave the White House so that necessary repairs could be made to the building.

The White House has been the location for many of the most important decisions in American History, from declarations of war to the signing of historic legislation. The Oval Office, the workspace of the President is one of the most famous rooms in the world. Iconic speeches, protests, and more have occurred on the White House grounds throughout American history.

How to Visit the White House

Tours of the White House are free of charge and are generally conducted between 9:30AM 12:30PM Tuesday through Sunday excluding holidays. Tickets are available 30 days in advance and sell out extremely quickly. To get your tickets, you should go to the White House website by clicking here.

White House Visitor Center

Because it is so difficult to get tickets on your own, it is recommended to try to go through your Member of Congress and/or Senator to request a tour of the White House. If you go to the House.gov and Senate.gov Web sites, you can find out who your representatives are in the House and the Senate. The list includes links to your representatives' websites and email addresses. Many representatives try to assist those wanting to visit the White House as a constituent service. On the website of your representative, there is often a special section or form to fill out for those looking for assistance in getting tickets to see the White House. Requests for White House tour tickets made to members of congress should be made at least three weeks in advance and up to 90 days in advance.

The White House Visitor Center

The White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, offers visitors a window into the president's iconic home. Admission is free. The exhibit showcases around 100 historical artifacts, engaging interpretive panels, looping videos with photos and archival footage, and interactive features suitable for all ages. Visitors can enjoy an interactive touchscreen tour of the White House, view over 90 artifacts from the White House collection, and watch a 14-minute film titled White House: Reflections From Within. Afterward, they can browse the White House Historical Association retail store to find the perfect souvenir.

Insider Tips

Keep in mind that every member of your group needs a ticket including children of all ages in order to take a tour
Every guest on the tour must include personal information when they reserve their tickets including their names. Guests 18 and older will need to present a valid government issued I.D. to confirm this information. Make sure to enter this information accurately as it cannot be changed or modified once submitted
Try to be flexible. Even if your ticket is confirmed there is always a possibility that the tour can be canceled if circumstances at the White House don’t allow for visitors to enter for a tour. In the case of a last minute cancellation, contacting your representative is your best avenue toward getting another ticket quickly.

An Uxpected National Park

You may not have realized it, but the President of the United States lives in a National Park. The White House and President's Park to its south comprise one of America's smallest National Parks and is run by the National Park Service. We are used to small, urban national parks here in Philadelphia. Not only is Philadelphia home to Independence National Historic Park, another small National Park located in a city, but Philadelphia is also home to the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial Park, which at .02 acres, is the smallest National Park in the United States. Independence National Park is home to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell and is known as the birthplace of America. The Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Mermorial plays tribute to Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Polish hero and veteran of the American Revolution who once resided where the park is currently located.

East Coast Road Trip

A road trip of America’s East Coast works great because most of the major cities are located so close to one another and are an easy commute by car, train or plane. Amtrak provides frequent service from Boston, MA to Washington, DC.

While historic cities such as Richmond, Charleston and Savanah are all located to the south of Washington, DC, south of Washington the major cities are considerably more spread out and it is more difficult to get from city to city. For this reason, for many, Washington represents the southern most city on an East Coast Tour of America. A visit to Washington and a tour of the White House are a great addition to any tour of America’s East Coast.

The White House