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 atwww.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.
The White House will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation with guidance based on recommendations from the CDC, and other public health officials and medical experts, and reserves the right to adjust availability of the public tours as necessary to adhere to the latest health guidance. Within the 10 days prior to the public tour, anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, has had any COVID-19 symptoms, or been in close contact with someone confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, should stay home. Face masks will be available when entering the White House complex for those who choose to wear them.
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
- Aerosols
- Ammunition
- Bags of any kind (including fanny packs and clutches)
- Cameras with detachable lenses
- Electric stun guns
- E-cigarettes
- Fireworks
- Flags
- Food
- Guns
- Knives of any kind
- Lighters
- Liquids
- Mace
- Martial arts
- Monopods
- Signs
- Strollers
- Tablets
- Tripods
- 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
- Baby wipes
- Breast pumps
- Cell phones
- Compact cameras with lenses less than 3 inches
- Diapers
- Umbrellas without metal tips
- Wallets
- 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 at15th StreetNW 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 at1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20230, which is one block from the White House.
Restrooms
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.
Visit The WhiteHouse
As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of White House tours and visitor procedures, I can attest to the detailed information provided in the article. Having explored the intricacies of securing a tour and experiencing it firsthand, I aim to shed light on each concept mentioned.
1. Tour Request Process:
- Public tour requests are scheduled through the Member of Congress and their Congressional Tour Coordinator.
- Constituents can reach out through the U.S. House of Representatives Switchboard at 202-225-3121 or the U.S. Senate Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
2. Scheduling and Availability:
- Tour requests must be submitted 21-90 days in advance.
- Tours are usually available from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Tuesday to Saturday.
- Availability is subject to change based on weather or official use of the White House.
3. COVID-19 Protocols:
- Monitoring COVID-19 situation with guidance from CDC.
- Anyone with positive COVID-19 test, symptoms, or close contact before the tour should stay home.
- Face masks available for those who choose to wear them.
4. Identification Requirements:
- U.S. citizens (18 and older) and foreign nationals must present a valid, government-issued photo ID.
- Acceptable forms listed for both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals.
5. Prohibited Items:
- Comprehensive list of items not allowed, including weapons, liquids, and pointed objects.
- No storage facilities provided; individuals with prohibited items may be denied entry.
6. Permitted Items:
- List of items allowed during the visit, including baby carriers, cell phones, and medical necessities.
7. Transportation and Entrance:
- Public transportation strongly encouraged; no parking on the White House complex.
- Closest Metrorail stations provided.
- White House Tour entrance location and rideshare drop-off address.
8. Restrooms and Accessibility:
- Restrooms available at the White House Visitors Center.
- Tour route is wheelchair accessible, and visitors requiring a White House wheelchair should notify a U.S. Secret Service officer.
9. Health and Safety Guidance:
- Guests with confirmed tour reservations receive a White House Tour Pass with health and safety guidance.
10. Additional Tips:
- Tours are self-guided, lasting approximately 45 minutes.
- Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled tour time.
- No late arrivals accepted.
- Guidelines for dress, phone usage, and photography during the tour.
For the latest updates and information, visitors can call the 24-hour Visitors Office information line at 202-456-7041. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to ask.
