The White House Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the exterior of the White House. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• DC Monuments and Memorials Night Tour
• Experience Washington DC’s Monuments by Moonlight on a Trolley
• DC National Mall Night Tour with 10 Stops, Reserved Entry Tickets
• Washington DC in One Day: Guided Sightseeing Tour
• DC Monuments and Capitol Hill Tour by Electric Cart

Tours of the White House are free but must be arranged through the visitors’ congressional representative 21 to 90 days in advance. It’s also free to visit the White House Visitor Center. Many Washington DC sightseeing tours stop outside The White House, with tours starting at around US$44 and up.

Yes, members of the public can tour the White House. All requests should be made up to three months (and no fewer than 21 days) in advance via your Member of Congress. If you’re an international visitor, submit a tour request directly to your country’s Washington DC embassy.

Visitors to the White House go through an in-depth screening process and should bring an approved photo ID. A number of items (including bags, cameras with detachable lenses, video cameras, and strollers) are prohibited. In general, bring as little with you as possible, as those with prohibited items cannot enter.

White House tours are typically held Tuesday–Saturday (excluding public holidays), from 9:30am until 12pm. If your tour request is approved, you will be assigned a specific visiting time slot. Note that White House tour times can change with little notice due to official government business or inclement weather.

You can see a range of White House rooms during your tour of the landmark, including rooms in the East Wing (like the Blue Room, the Red Room, and the Green Room), the China Room, and the State Dining Room. You’ll also get views of the White House Rose Garden.

No, there is no official dress code for the White House. However, it’s recommended to dress for the weather, as visitors must wait outside before entering. Avoid bringing bags of all types and other prohibited items, and it’s best to dress respectfully and avoid wearing anything too revealing or controversial.

The White House is near many of Washington DC’s best-known attractions, thanks to its proximity to the National Mall. Some of the highlights include the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Many Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, are nearby.