What It’s Like Inside the White House, Washington, DC

Ever wonder what it’s like to take a public tour of the White House in Washington, DC? Well, I visited recently and wanted to share my experience. Maybe you’re also planning to visit soon or maybe you just want to peek inside without traveling to DC, either way, here we go.

Side note: This is part of my 12-part series of travel posts all summer long! All my travel posts including this series and all posts from the last 12 years can be found here. All my July posts are specifically about travel within the United States, and all my Travel USA posts are linked to here.

About the White House

The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. and is considered one of the most famous buildings in the world.

The White House has a rich history and has played a significant role in the political and cultural life of the United States. It was originally built between 1792 and 1800 and was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban. The building has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, but its classic design remains largely unchanged.

Throughout American history, the White House has been a symbol of the presidency and the United States itself. It has been the site of many important events and decisions, including presidential inaugurations, state dinners, and international summits. It is also a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year.

The White House has been the home of every president except George Washington, who lived in a variety of residences during his time in office. The building has been the setting for both triumph and tragedy, including the War of 1812, when it was burned by British troops, and the attack on September 11, 2001.

The White House also serves as a cultural center, hosting concerts, exhibitions, and other events that showcase American arts and culture. It is a reminder of the power and responsibility of the presidency and the important role the President plays in shaping the course of the nation and the world.

How to Get a Tour

Everything you need to know is here on the official White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/visit/

Reach out to your Senator or Representative and their website will have options to request a tour ticket. Their website will have a tab for ‘constituent services’ or ‘White House tour’ for you to find a form to complete. You must do this at least three weeks ahead of time but not more than three months. But that may change, so trust the website above over me for these details.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you need to go through your embassy, but double check that on the website above.

At the moment, masks are required during the tour.

Before You Go

A few things you NEED to know to tour the White House.

The place to congregate for the tour on the White House website isn’t mappable. ‘Sherman Park at 15th Street NW and Alexander Hamilton Place NW’ as a combination confuses Google Maps. Navigate to the White House Visitor’s Center if you aren’t familiar with the area. The queue to go on the tour physically congregates along 15th Street NW on the south side of the intersection with E Street NW. It’s across from Pershing Park.
Do not bring any bag, purse, or briefcase. No bags of any kind. There are exceptions for an infant’s essentials. But if you show up for a tour with a bag, you have to go stow it someplace then come back. Because it’s near the White House with lots of security and watchfulness, you can’t just toss your bag in a nearby shrub and collect it later.
There is a list of prohibited items. It is serious and there is no wiggle room. Read the complete list on the official White House website linked to above. It goes beyond what is allowed by TSA when flying into very specific items. If you need to bring a specific medication, bring a doctor’s note just in case or leave the RX label on it.
Make sure when you get on the tour list via your Congress member (or whomever), you provide your full legal name on whatever ID you will bring on the day of the tour. If the names differ slightly (like maiden vs married name), you need to wait while they run another security check.
You don’t get to see the West Wing offices, the Oval Office, or the President. One of the most memorable White House tour scenes in a movie to me is ‘Dave’

A Peek Inside

I’ve toured the White House four times in my life and I feel like fewer rooms are on the tour than there used to be. Understandable given the rise in popularity and to manage crowds. It is a wonderful glimpse inside a stunning building and the architectural features are exquisite.

If you want to see more and read about the specific artwork that has been in the White House, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama created a detailed and beautiful online tour.