The White House
Downtown / Penn Quarter—sample rating
Matt H. Wade, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About The White House
The White House, completed in 1800, has been the residence and principal workplace of every U.S. president since John Adams. Designed by James Hoban in a neoclassical style, the building has been expanded, rebuilt after the War of 1812 fire, and renovated many times, and now includes the West Wing, East Wing, and the Executive Residence. Public tours cover the State Floor's public rooms, including the Blue Room, Red Room, Green Room, State Dining Room, Cross Hall, and Entrance Hall, with Secret Service officers stationed throughout to share history about each space. Tours must be requested through a visitor's member of Congress 7-90 days in advance (21-90 days per House guidance) and are free but not guaranteed, subject to scheduling and security considerations; a REAL ID-compliant ID or passport is required for all guests.
Why visit
It's the historic home and office of every U.S. president and one of the most recognizable buildings in the world.
Best time to visit
Request a tour through your member of Congress as early as possible (up to 90 days ahead), since availability is limited.
Recommended duration
Allow about 0.8 hours (45 minutes).
Opening hours
- Friday
- 07:30-13:30
- Monday
- Closed
- Saturday
- 07:30-13:30
- Sunday
- Closed
- Thursday
- 07:30-11:30
- Tuesday
- 07:30-11:30
- Wednesday
- 07:30-11:30
Tours require advance reservation through a member of Congress, 21-90 days ahead; free; REAL ID or passport required; schedule subject to change with little notice.
Information may change — verify details before visiting.
Location
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500
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Nearby attractions
National Mall
A vast open-air national park stretching between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, lined with iconic monuments and Smithsonian museums.
Washington Monument
A 555-foot marble obelisk honoring George Washington, offering sweeping views of DC from its observation level.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
A domed neoclassical monument on the Tidal Basin honoring Thomas Jefferson, surrounded by famous cherry blossom trees.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
A granite memorial on the Tidal Basin featuring a colossal carved likeness of Dr. King emerging from a 'Stone of Hope.'
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
A sprawling outdoor memorial along the Tidal Basin divided into four outdoor 'rooms' representing FDR's four terms in office.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
A stark black granite wall inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 U.S. service members who died or went missing in the Vietnam War.
Nearby restaurants
Zaytinya
Mediterranean · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Ben's Chili Bowl
American / Comfort Food · $ · U Street
Mi Vida
Mexican · $$ · Navy Yard / Waterfront
Ambar Capitol Hill
Balkan · $$ · Capitol Hill
Centrolina
Italian · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Maketto
Cambodian / Taiwanese · $$ · Capitol Hill
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Stay near Downtown / Penn Quarter
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