White House Reviews

The White House fence is under renovation. This means there is no full view of the front at this time. We walked around and got a shot of the back. Still missed getting the iconic pic of us out front

this place was so ugly so bad the whole security treated me very badly i didn't like it please fix everything i did not like the way they treated me this is very disgusting fix this please!

We went through the White House tour and absolutely loved it. It was beautiful inside and outside. And seeing the history was wonderful.

It had been several years since I had seen the White House up close. But I has walking by. It’s still cool to think of the history that happened in one particular building. And it looks great.

March is probably the best time to visit Washington DC.. had a spectacular walk in the city where the cherry blossom trees were in full bloom. The city looked beautiful on a bright sunny day with a temperature of 15 degrees. Had typically American huge size mid day meal at one of the Mexican Vans paked near Capitol ... It was decent for the price .. spotted many offical choppers flying over White House . Overall a beautiful day .

From the out side is just as you would see in photos in books. Security is present all around and at any given time would have everyone move back to the opposite side of the street and stay behind barricades. Then when the barriers were lifted then is was a great opportunity to take pictures.
I had a tour time lined up with my wife and in-laws at 8:00 am. We were not aware of the strict no handbag restrictions implemented. So being that my wife and her sister had their hand bag with them we were not able to do the inside tour. Also the line is pretty long so be early if a tour is on you’re agenda.

Yes, seeing all this immensity many of the movies I have seen came to my mind, as well as knowing that this house is a synonym of freedom and democracy, very powerful and spectacular and very sheltered

Too much bling for me and lots of gold spray paint, bad move to unearth the rose garden as for the ballroom need I say anymore?

We wanted to schedule a visit inside but as our group was made of different nationalities we couldn't schedule things properly with our embassies so we gave up. We saw it both sides, but the back was partly cordoned off as the president just came in, so we didn't get close enough to see it, and the front is so far away that you can barely see it. I was definitely disappointed as I was expecting it to be a bit bigger and closer. I did research before we got there and knew a lot about it but still, didn't prepare me for how small and far it was. For decent photos make sure you have a good camera with decent zoom.

We applied to our Congressman to visit the White House at Christmas. We were there the first week of December and DC was not crowed. The White House decorations far exceeded our expectations, it was simply gorgeous. The lines were not that long as we were there in the morning, we waited maybe 20 or 30 minutes to get in and everyone was respectful and were in as much awe as we were. We used cell phones for picture taking; I saw only one person with a camera and it was a small snap and shoot. At the end of the visit, a member of the White House staff, probably a volunteer, took our picture standing in front of the seal with Christmas decor in the background. So very, very nice. Do not miss this if you can possibly get in.

We hadn't been in a couple years but things have changed. You can't get to the fence around the White House so taking pictures is a challenge.

We reserved our tour through our Congressman a couple months in advance. We asked for 2-3 dates, and they give us the time for one of the dates available. We got the 1st tour of the day (0730). The pass tells you to be in line at 0715, but there was already a line when we drove past at 0645. As this was a Saturday, we found 2 hour metered street parking (starting at 0700). If you come during the week, or if you are doing more tourism stuff afterwards, take the metro as parking in the immediate area garages can be as high as $35/day.

They let you in to the initial holding area right on time ( Across from Pershing Park, in the area around General Sherman's statue at 15th and Penn Ave. If you have any purses/bags/etc. you will have to put them in your hotel or car because they WILL NOT LET YOU TAKE BAGS IN! We saw a couple people turned away because of their bags. One lady tried to sneak her small handbag in, managed to get it past the 1st ID check, but her husband ended up walking it out. Don't think he was let back in. Recommend you read the prohibited items list on your pass very carefully, as only compact cameras (no SLRs) are allowed.

We went thru 4 check points after being let into the waiting area by the statue. This whole process took 45 - 60 mins (we were in the back half of the line). Every name and birth date is validated (even our 12 yr old daughter was asked for her birthday twice..kids don't have to have IDs though). Make sure the name you provide online matches the IDs, or there will be problems that could prevent you from being allowed in. One 9 yr old girl in front of us had to wait while they did some checks because her birthdate was wrong - which held us up as well. Also, by the statue, there are park benches to sit on, but once you get into the official security check area, there are no seats. And no bathrooms. And the visitors centers don't open until 0730, so if you are on the 1st tour of the day, you might have to beg one of the hotels to let you use their restroom.

Once inside, the tour can move relatively quickly if you don't stop to look at every picture or read every sign - and people aren't blocking the views. Most people peak into the rooms, take their photo/selfie and move on. The agents are available to answer questions as well as provide security. You see the movie theater, library, red room, blue room, green room, state dining room, and a couple others on 2 floors. All the Christmas Decorations were down by 11 Jan, so we didn't get to see those. My husband was worried our meter was going to run out, so he rushed us through - we saw all the rooms in about 15-20 min and took a photo of each, but didn't get to read about any of them. The further along we went the less crowded it got (we passed the girl scout troop, so that probably helped).

The tour ends on the 2nd floor as you exit thru the front of the building.

NOTE: Although I would recommend respectful clothing for this tour (no obscene or raggedy T-shirts) I would not recommend high heels. Dress for the weather, as you will be outside most of the time. One poor family is front of us was very nicely dressed, the boy and dad in suits, but the mom was freezing in her dress, and none had coats, hats or scarves. The majority of people were in jeans and sweaters. In the summer, I would recommend against flip flops, as there is a great deal of standing around on concrete waiting for the line to move. Lastly, there was a very small shop halfway thru the 1st floor.

Would I recommend this? Depends. You will NOT see the Oval Office and you WON'T see the President, so if that's what you want, forget it. It also might not be good for young children (under 5 yrs) and anyone mobility impaired or having difficulty standing. However, I enjoy history, appreciate that this is the home of our current President and those that came before him, and that touring this building is a privilege very few people these days have the opportunity to enjoy. That said, I may go back if I can get tickets for next Christmas, but for me, once is enough considering the hassle of getting tickets and then getting thru security.

First and foremost, you cannot just walk up to the White House and request a tour. These tours must be planned in advance and require background checks. The request can be made up to three months in advance and in as little as 21 days in advance. I recommend submitting the request 90 days in advance if you know you will be going to D.C. and want to tour the White House. The request is submitted through your Congressman.

This tour is self-guided with Security and Secret Service in every room to answer questions. The gift shop is small and has a limited variety of souvenirs. You only have one opportunity to visit as it's at the beginning of the tour. (I bought my souvenirs at White House Gift Shop located across the street from the side you exit the White House.) The areas of the East Wing you can tour are the Blue Room, Red Room, and Green Room; the State Dining Room; and the China Room. Photos are permitted with the specified camera types.

The Security process is a maze of sorts. I do not say this as a criticism but as someone who was unsure of what to do or where to go. There is a building nearby called the White House Visitor Center but this is NOT where you go if you have a scheduled tour time. The entrance is very unassuming but detailed instructions are provided in your tour confirmation email.

Overall, this is a great experience but not one to be had more than once.

It took about 7 months to get tickets to the White House but we were picked to go while it was decorated for Christmas. The house itself is impressive but being in full decoration for Christmas was amazing. The wait time was only 5 minutes with several checkpoints for security and identification. The tour is self guided and took us about an hour to enjoy all the decorations with some incredible artwork. Secret service were friendly and alert while the inside security staff very knowledgeable, answering questions from the public. You only tour the first floor but it’s cool to be where presidents and dignitaries meet as seen on tv.
Make sure you have printed copy of your tickets and Real ID license in order to enter. Read all the instructions given to you with your tickets to ensure entry. We parked at Willard hotel parking with a short walk to the visitor entrance.

White House is a place to be and get a memorable picture . However do ensure that you have tickets for the guided tour!It’s worth visit !

This was on my bucket list and I finally got to check it off. We applied three months before we were planning on coming. You hear two weeks in advance on wether you made the cut!! Luckily for us we did.

It was so worth it!! The House is decorated beautifully for Christmas. All the wreaths and trees are real so it smells so nice.

It is a self guided tour and you are able to take as many pictures as you want. Just make sure to read all the restrictions when you get your confirmation. Secret Service in every room and they are happy to answer any questions.

Sadly was unable to visit the inside, however got some great pictures from the outside. So nice to actually see something, that for so many years, I had only seen on TV

When I was last in DC many years ago you could take a semi guided tour of elements of the WH, OHH how times have changed, I noticed the WH from the national mall so decided to walk over to it, as it is a major landmark.
I was disappointed by the level of rag tag anti “whatever” demonstrations in front of the WH one of which was a noise demonstration - WTF ?

It somewhat spoiled the nature of the location, without getting into politics respect the office if not the office holder

Still would recommend a visit to this iconic landmark

Takes work to get the tickets, including filling out a lot of personal information and printing "boarding passes." Lots of security checkpoints and NO PURSES, BAGS, HAND LOTION OR VAPES. After all that, you only get a self-guided tour of entry area, East Room, Blue Room, red room, library, green room and State Dining room.

Even with heightened security and being further back from the south lawn, this is simply a must visit location for anyone in the area

The visit was in a tour, however, the guide seemed to be in a hurry and only gave us about 5 minutes to take pictures and in a spot a little far from the White House.

Did not get to see the inside of the White House due to late minute reservation. Otherwise it is what it is.

One saw it hundreds of times in movies and on TV, yet when you see the white house in reality it is much smaller than WHT you expect...

It is sad the amount of propaganda and protesting no matter who is President; however, always nice to stop at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. There was a construction project going on with the fence...kind of hilarious considering the political aspect of the border fences. Great experience overall and would do again sooner than later.

Even if we didn't get in and even if it was incredibly humid... you have to give a lift to this emblematic and famous residence like few in the world

Make sure to reach out to your congressman three months in advance to secure your tour. You might have to reach out to several before you hear back from one. It was a fun experience and free!

Visited Washington DC especially to see White House. It will not be wrong to count White House as most liked attraction in Washington DC. When we visited, the area was crowded with so many people taking their selfies and photos with White House, and offcourse we did the same.

Of course, one of the first destinations you chalk up before your stay in Washington D.C, but perhaps also the one that offers the worst views due to the large security around the building. It is of course completely understandable, but spoils a bit of the experience.

1/3 of it is missing and is not nearly as friendly of a place as it was when I visited it as a child :( I would recommend avoiding it until a change of guard takes place.

The ability to get tickets is pretty limited. Once obtained the security is pretty intense. Still it is worth seeing. The tour allowed you to go through the hallway by the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, by the library, into the East room and past some dining rooms. That's it. I expected a more complete tour of America's House. Worth seeing, but not wonderfully exciting.

This incredibly majestic structure is definitely the People’s House! We couldn’t get close (understandably with all the craziness in our world) but we appreciated the beauty and majesty of the White House from afar, including the beauty and serenity of the grounds! Gorgeous to visit, regardless of your politics. Take your children and show them where 1/3 of our government lives and governs!

If you're in DC this is definitely a must-see. You can't get super close but you get close enough to get the idea and to take some photos. The front side of the house is better for photos.

The favorite part was having a driver take us around to see the sites. I found that the listed tour companies were not so responsive but having a private tour and driver is a much better bet always. This can be arranged even by hiring a cab driver if necessary.

If you do not set up a tour on time this is still a place to walk around, take in any protests & if at Christmas see the National Christmas tree on the other side (fountain side). Plan accordingly if you want to tour it!

Fortunate enough to know someone who had tickets to view the decorations in the East Wing. They had to do a background check prior so you need to provide your information before hand. The decorations were beautiful but also the history of each room was amazing. Loved viewing the rooms & reading about all the history behind each room. Such a great opportunity!

It was an absolute privilege and honor to be selected to tour the White House! Each room was prestigious and elegant secret service was very kind answering anyone’s questions even my own of which president from past they would love to work for (most said Kennedy Obama and teddy bc they threw great events)! Even had signs to was about history of each room! If you have chance and get accepted after going through Congressperson I would def recommend this tour!

We had an amazing time visiting the White House!! We made lots of wonderful memories. I am so very happy for the opportunity to visit.

before the pandemic, Pennsylvania Ave was open to the public and you could get right up to the gate. Now, you can't even get on the street next to the White House. Nevertheless, it's a must do and very cool to see in person

Everyone should visit at least once. The history is so interesting and the secret service working there answer all your questions about historical
paintings, pictures, use of rooms etc. It was a way better experience than I thought. Really glad I went. You have to apply with your local Senator or congressperson months in advance to gain entrance.

This was my first tour of the White House. The 𝐂hristmas decorations were beautiful. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. It was amazing to see rooms in person that I had seen for years in pictures. I would definitely do this again and highly recommend.

The White House is a must see while visiting DC! In the Covid virus era you cannot expect to tour the president's home. So you get out and walk around the building. In the Christmas season you best see the White House by timing your visit to see the National Christmas Tree. Do this at night. One way to do this is by a bus tour. We live in the DC area. We recommend renting a car and driving through the city. Get out of your car and walk around the White House. While your renting a car make certain you see nearby buildings: Renwick Gallery:Lincoln Memorial; Washington Monument ( you won't be able to walk or ride to the top of this monument during the Covid era}; The US Capital is best viewed by car, park and walk around because you will not be allowed in due to Covid; National Archives (check to see if you can tour inside); the Outdoor monuments including but not limited to the Viet Nam Memorial, The Martin Luther King memorial; and The FDR Memorial. You can see the outdoor monuments during the Covid era.

First of all, how to visit it? It's quite simple. You must contact the District of Columbia representative by email, indicating your availability. Then you will receive an email from the White House to indicate your name and passport reference. Finally fifteen days before you receive the confirmation with the date and time. Of course you have to book in advance (several months) and have several days available because that's two days a week. Entrance is quite easy and you will not be alone. The nice thing is that it's not a guided tour and you can leisurely wander around the east wing. Well it's quite cheap compared to the Elysée or Versailles. We clearly feel that the USA has never been a monarchy. You should know that the interior of the White House was completely redone in the early 1950s, giving it a fairly new appearance. The current layout is due to Jacqueline Kennedy.

It is a real shame that the people can not get close to this building for a closer look. It belongs to the USA and so should be far more accessible than it is. From the far away look that we got it doesn’t look that special. There are lots of security all around. Outside there are a number of protests going on. Lots of tourists wanting to see.

Qualified Invitation from the Canadian PMO.
Went through some of the public rooms including the Gold Room where the Press and Events were greeted.

It was really nice to finally see the white house after all these years of wanting to go! My kids were finally old enough to actually remember the trip to DC too, which is why we waited. The fence was fairly high and we couldn’t really see the building itself. My little one sat on my husbands shoulder to get a better view, he ended up falling off though and got a concussion. The fence put a damper on the trip to the White House, although we still got some nice photos! LOL
Lots of love from Linda!

For me visiting Washington DC means visiting the White house, so even with the cold weather went there and to my surprise most of it is covered with wood panels as they say the fenc eis being changed... really doesn't seem to be any work going on and you can just see the WH from a corner and from far as guards and barriers keep everyone across the street, already crowded. You still see something, but not the direct and nice view that you had before.... a total shame :(
PS in a prior visit I rated it 5 stars

This was an amazing experience! It's not easy to be able to tour The White House as you have to first contact a member of congress to inquire about a tour. A congressional aide will then guide you through the application process that includes background checks of everyone in your group. Once this is done, your group gets sent into a pool and you only find out 2 weeks before your date if you've been chosen and what entry time you've received.

That being said, it's 100% worth the hassle! My wife and I were in town for a conference and we brought 6 of her colleagues on the tour. Everyone said that this was the highlight of their trip. You have to get here early and get in line and the line can be several blocks long depending on how busy it is at the time. You have to go through several security screenings, but once you're in you enter The White House through the East Wing. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and you get to see several historic rooms within the house. It's amazing how different the decor is for all of these rooms and you can see layers of different styles from different presidential families (how often do you tour homes that were lived in by dozens of different people over a couple hundred years?). My two favorite things were seeing the Washington Monument from inside The White House and seeing all of the presidential paintings on the walls; it's amazing to have that view of the monument since so few people have seen it that way and it's always amazing to see pieces of artwork in person when you've known of them and seen them in books your whole life. Touring The White House is truly an amazing experience and we would do it again in a heartbeat!

This was one of the parts of DC that I looked forward to the most and it did not let me down. Yes your only get what some would call a "sneak peak" into some of the rooms but being in the actual white house is such a thrill!! There is so much history there, and thought not very many employees interact with your, the secret service agents were very nice! We walked through about ten different rooms and learned a lot!!

Before you go, remember that you MUST have a ticket. Sounds obvious but there were so many people who were turned away at the gates because they didn't know. You have to reach out to one of the reps in your state, and then go through a background check, plus three different security point before you get in, but it's worth it!!

Quick Tour. Now I can say I’ve been IN the White House. We walked through the famous Red, Blue, Green rooms and the formal dining room, took a quick photo and were done. You have to request a four weeks in advance through your Congressman, although since I did not do this, my son did I cannot comment on the process.

Make sure you get your reservations a few months in advance. It's a self-paced tour so you can go as fast or slow as you like. You get to see rooms such as the movie theater, a couple sitting rooms (with lots of portraits) and a dining area. There is a small gift shop in the middle of the tour and they lady who was working there was very friendly.

The White House is the official residence of the President of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It was the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800, when the national capital was moved from Philadelphia to Washington D. C. The surrounding gardens are beautiful and it is located in an imaginary straight line with the obelisk (Washington Memorial) and Lincoln Memorial.

I have been in the WH many times on tours. It has become more difficult to get tickets. The tickets are supposed to be at the discrection of the WH visitors office. All your Congressperson does is submit your information and the WH takes over. The Congressperson does not get the tickets for you. The most interesting tour was of the West Wing. I had a friend who was an intelligence officer for the office of the Vice President. He took us on a private tour because he worked there BUT we all still had to be vetted by the Secret Service. It was very interesting. At least I can say I have seen the Oval Office(George W. Bush). Another great building to visit is the State Department. It's bigger and better. You will have an escort from the time you enter the building until the time you leave. Different rules. Have Fun.

Arrived at 8 and it was easy to get a picture in front. Shame the railings are so thick. Just what you would expect. Maybe smaller than you would think.

I only went for Photo Ops, its difficult to get a tour, as you have to reserve 2 weeks in advance from your local representative,

If you want the best photos, you need to go early, like before lunch.

You need to get photos from the front and back of the building, You have to walk around and you dont get very close to the building.

If you are lucky you might see the President walking on the South Lawn of the white house

I remember going to the White House as a kid. It was nothing like I remembered. Currently, the White House is like John Cena… You just can’t see it. Between the crowds and the fencing, it’s very challenging to see the White House at all. It was probably, one of the least impressive things I saw while in DC.

After wandering the National Mall, I walked over to the White House. While I could not go beyond the fence, I did get to see the White House and get pictures of the front. It was cool to see the White House in person.

This was one of my favorite things to do in DC! It was a free self guided tour through multiple rooms in the White House. Beautiful decor, many pictures of the presidents and others in the hallways. You must request a pass IN ADVANCE (between 3 months and 21 days) from your member of Congress. We did not receive our pass until about 2 weeks before leaving, but it was worth the wait. As would be expected, security is very tight, and you need to read through the list of prohibited items (almost everything, including pocketbooks!). And, you must have your government issued ID (ex - driver's license). If you cannot navigate the stairs due to a disability, ask to use the elevator; security will request a staff person to escort you.

We got tickets for the White House tour a couple of months before visiting DC. We visited early (8:30 am) before it got really hot. We’ve been to DC many times before but this was our first White House tour. It’s self guided, but numerous aides and secret service agents along the route are more than happy to answer questions. This is a must do if you’re in Washington DC for several days. It’s a great experience!

Holiday decorations this year here are beautiful!!! If you’re able to get a tour, highly recommend it—definitely picture worthy!

Not much to do here aside from taking photos. The road next to the front gate of the white house is only open to pedestrians, so if you are visiting via car, you will need to find parking spaces elsewhere.

There was a white tent of sorts covering parts of the White House, which was unfortunate, and the gate made the White House seem so far away. However, Lafayette Square and nearby greenery were quite pleasing to look at. There were also a few political activists and protestors here and there.

Really wanted to see the white house up closer. If you have a great camera with zoom you will see more. I get the security issues at hand, it still would have been nice to see it closer.

Can't say you have been in Washington, DC without visiting the White House right? So i gave it a try. After taking a long walk from The National Mall i was so very disappointed to see that the building was under renovation and there wasn't much to see. Unless you take the tour inside the house i think is not worth it to go check it out from the outside because it's too far away from the streets which in many cases are closed to the public. There are many others wonderful landmarks in Washington, DC worth your time.

The home of sitting US Presidents, this is very much a historical site. If you can take the tour, and try and check to see if there is any construction ongoing out front - they often do have so be aware you might not be able to get as close as you think.

This was the highlight of my trip. To see the ?White House decorations on my 50th birthday. When I picked my birthday trip , one of things I wanted to see was the White house Christmas decorations. In September I emailed my local Senator to get a tour they suggested to do this in advance because you need to get a background check and screening. Then at a local Veterans Day event, I shook hands and thanked my Senator for the White House tickets. the next day I get an email from the office intern in DC. They gave me a member pass. the tours are from 8-11 am
We had an 8:00 am tour we got there about 8:15 am, though several security checkpoints. They collected my members pass. We walk in OMG the decorations were beautiful, they hand you a nice program book, I also bought the official tour ornament, only available to those on the tour. Every room was more beautiful than the next. My favorite rooms were the card and book themed rooms. they even had a cool advent calendar on the window with all the first ladies. Since it was my birthday. My day was Abigail Adams. Then of course there is a bottle neck with photo ops. But instead of a selfie(selfie sticks are NOT allowed)ask for someone to take your picture., we offer to take their picture and the favor is returned in kind. Also my husband had a cane and the secret service was so nice they took him down to the kitchens to use the elevator. If you had questions they had answers and you learn some fascinating history in the process. I highly recommend the Christmas decorations tour at the White House. As must do At Christmastime in DC

I went to Washington DC as a field trip in fifth grade. It was a reward for us safety patrollers in our school. The White House is a very cool experience, it is nice and neat inside with beautiful designs on some walls. The carpet/flooring is dark red which gives off a very fancy vibe. The exterior is nicely built too. It is nice to go during the warmer seasons than the chilly ones because you will be spending most of your time outside talking to the tour guide.

Best known house in the world.
Beautiful setting and scenery.
Personal is nothing special but to visit if you are in this city.

you have to book the tour in advance, you contact your senate, and they will give you the link to make booking, and you need to wait for the White house reply for the date and time slot for the visit. of course, you need to pass through security check, also need to bring you ID, or passport (if you are foreigner), you can't bring bags inside. it allows you about 45 min to tour, there are several rooms you can see, you better go to the visitor center to see the virtual room and map first, so that you have an idea what you are looking for when you enter the White house. The garden is not included in the tour and the garden just open a few days in a specific time of the year, you have to check with them for the opening time and booking.

Washington DC is not made for folks that are not able to get around well on two feet or are, in other words, not really very ambulatory.

I have horrible knees and there is no cartilage left in them, so I don't walk well. So when my sister and I recently visited DC, I had hopes of being able to at least drive by a few of the monuments and buildings to get pictures.

No such luck. We tried to drive by the White House (albeit at 5:00 A because drivers are terribly intolerant of any hold up in traffic during the daylight hours) and we didn't see any way to even get close enough to see if from the street. If there is a way, it must be during daylight hours, but we had gotten honked at, yelled at and gotten the finger so many times the day before, we decided to site-see in the early AM so as not to irritate the local residents.

We had looked forward to this trip for over a year and planned all the things we would try to see, and saw about 1/4 of them due to inaccessibility and rude people.

I don't see myself ever going back to DC, but if anyone reading this has tips for how to view some of the buildings or monuments and get pictures from the street, I am happy and would be grateful to know in the event we ever try to go back.

This is a must see/do. It’s the home of the president of the United States. It’s the most iconic building in the US. The tour itself is underwhelming, however it was something that we are glad we did. Here are some things to consider before going…..

- You need to contact your Congressman. He will submit your name for access to the tour. There is no guarantee. The earlier you request, the more likely you’ll be able to get tickets.
- Size. The size of the White House from the outside look enormous. Once inside, it’s quite unimpressive sizewise.
- Self-guided tour. The tour is self-guided. There are no plaques or docents there to explain the significance of each room or item. There is the White House Tour app which will talk about each room for about a minute.
- Length of time. Once in the White House, the tour itself will take about 30 minutes.
- Security. It took us an hour to cross multiple levels of security…. Included a lot of waiting in the hot humid DC sun.
- Bathrooms. There are no bathrooms on the tour. You must use the White House Visitor Center’s prior to entering security.
- Stuff. No purses, no bags, no bottles, no liquids, and much else is not allowed. There are also no lockers to store your stuff. That day, plan on brining your wallet, phone, keys, and disposable water bottle (to dispose of before entering).
- Photos. Photography is allowed, however, no flash photography.

We fortunate to get tickets. We requested exactly 90 days out through our Senator. We heard back exactly 2 weeks before so be patient and put the request in at 90 days. There is quite a line to get in so be prepared and you get asked for ID twice before heading to security. And remember no food or drinks or bags of any kind. The ticket will tell you to use the restroom at the visitor’s center but there was a long line to get in there so we were told to go to the Ronald Reagan building down the street (you must go through security).

The tour is self guided. We were lucky to go over Easter weekend so we got to see it decorated. The collection of eggs designed by kids is super impressive. It was nice to the multiple entertainment rooms. There is SS in several rooms to answer questions

Amazing, felt honoured to be allowed in to see the exceptional Christmas decorations.
Can’t really put into words how fantastic it was

Toured the East Wing unguided. The various rooms all have an interesting history and markers to explain their significance. Lots of security to go through to get in, which I appreciated. Spectacular architecture and artwork on the walls. Recommended but a guided tour might be better to get more history.

If you are in the Capital of the United States you can not miss a visit and a photo in front of the White House. Absolutely not open to non-Americans.

Politics aside this is an amazing historic location. We were able to do the tour inside and it was great. The history and the beauty was outstanding.

It’s a must see for a first time visitor to DC. It was a shame the fence is being replaced so the views weren’t the best. Now I’ve seen it I probably won’t bother again.

We did the White House tour and it was very interesting. My Wife and I have been trying to get appointments forever and we finally got them. Would 10/10 go again with other family members. GO USA!

We attended the White House Christmas tour. There is nothing like it. This is the seat of power in the world. Touring it is pretty exciting.

To get tickets, contact your congressional delegation.

Read the fine print on your ticket - no purses or backpacks. You go through significant screenings to get in.

The rooms were beautiful and everything was nicely decorated. There were quite a few rooms and hallways to see.

Take a good camera.

I could go just outside, it’s nice, but I don’t know why I expected more then that. Maybe bigger or taller, the pictures was not that good because has. A lot of police around and is good to know take pictures to have a good one

The main destination when we go to Washington DC is White House, although we only can take a picture from far, but we are happy.

I never thought my eyes would have seen the America’s president house for real.. it’s a shame that on our visit there were too many barricades so you can’t really see closer enough it’s a good peek … worth to see.

The White House was beautiful at night.

But it appeared much smaller than I'd imagined it would be.

It was still beautiful and statuesque in its appearance.

Flanked by cherry blossom trees, the lawn, and surrounded by a fence.

I loved seeing it at night when it's not so crowded.

You can’t go to DC without seeing this iconic house.
I hadn’t pre booked the tour but just going to see this house is a must. Seeing the massive cars, the security, the police on the roof.......

You must make a reservation to do the Whitehouse Tour. It is a self guided tour that takes you through the front door. This is the area that you see on TV when the President and First Lady welcome dignitaries for State dinners and other meetings. You will see several rooms as well as Jacqueline Kennedy’s Garden which is beautiful. There is a small souvenir shop that has some things that can only be purchased on the tour. We loved walking the corridors and seeing all the displays. There are several picture taking places and it is well worth it. There is no charge for the tour and you must pass through Secret Service Security check points. No bag of any kid are allowed. You also must show your ID. Enjoy.

Need to schedule a tour next time. Very good scenery 👌. Can't wait to go back. Teens got some history

What an amazing opportunity we had to go inside of the White House. You only get to see a few rooms in the east wing, but it's cool to say you've been inside of the White House. The line to get in is very long and there's lots of security but once you're inside, you go at your own pace. Though there's many people inside at once. They should limit how many people are in there at once. It's awesome to see the JFK and Reagan paintings hanging up as well as other historic stuff that you're allowed to see. I would love to go back one day!

So we didn't realize how long it takes to get approved for a tour, but that was ok, we still walked over to it lol. It's heavily guarded, and full of secret service all outside. Still a really cool thing, to go and get a photo with it in the background. I still enjoyed it very much, except for the people screaming about politics lol. Maybe they're part of the reason it's so heavily guarded lol.

In order to go inside you have to write to your local officials so you're literally only going to see what you see in the pics. Still who can go to DC and not see the Whitehouse. So much history here.

The White House is amazing and we very much enjoyed our time. All people we talked with were very nice answered all questions. Thank you for allowing us to still visit our Presidents home.

Getting tours to the White House can be challenging, we weren’t able to; however, we took the walk to view and it’s just as beautiful in person as on the big screen.

If you get a chance to visit, I’d highly recommend it.

I don’t know of a more pristinely white and more famous house in the world than the White House.

It’s so iconic, it’s had stage, TV and film replicas of it and there are even small replicas of them in Kosovo too.

It’s such a simple but perfect name for such a house that South Korea has their own Blue house (Cheong Wa Dae) for their president as well.

If you are in DC, this is a must. If you can get a tour, even better. I didn’t prep enough to get in inside tour.

A must see, didn’t disappoint that being said was slightly smaller than I had anticipated. Wonderful experience seeing the White House in person

The White House as a building is impressive however when we were in Washington hightened security for the return of the president the day we were there meant the we were pushed further back at the rear viewing area. And at the front they were replacing railings so there was hoarding obscuring the view and the tourists were pushed back a decent distance spoiling the view and photo opportunities.

Without doubt the cultural, historical and political significance of the White House can not be underestimated. That being said in comparison to some of the other building and monuments this is not one of the best from an estetic point of view.

It is a center of power of United States of America.It is the official residence and office of the President of America..It is a beautiful architectural building which is center of attraction for all tourists.you can see from outside

I put in a tour request through my US Rep more than 2 months prior to our visit and we were able to go. It was very hot the day we went and the line through security was not quick as there were a lot of people. Apparently it is easier to get a tour than I thought. It was worth it though. To walk through the rooms and halls and in the steps of some great American history was an amazing experience that everyone must do at least once. Staff was friendly, helpful and accommodating. Did not feel rushed.

It’s the Whitehouse...

It’s bright white, a little smaller than what I expected but nevertheless it’s the home of the president and his administrative office.

It’s worth visiting as part of a tourist package (not necessarily through an operator) whilst you’re walking around the Mall seeing the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, the Senate, the Washington Monument, lake of reflection, and the selection of Smithsonian museums.

At the moment the front of the house is sectioned off as new barriers are being installed and there’s a guaranteed variety of protestors and entertainers at the front entrance (see photos).

Enjoy your trip.

I toured the white house and saw more rooms than visiting US capital.
Book the tickets in advance and tour is self guided. It was a great experience!

My daughter and I were lucky enough to score tickets to the White House through a polictical friend and we were not disappointed!! Visitors cannot bring any kind of purse or backpack inside so be prepared to only bring your phone and printed pass with. We went through sercurity and had our pass authorized at least twice. This was a self guided tour, but the secret service agents did tell us a little about every room. We were able to see the Green, Blue and Red rooms, the State Dining and Ball rooms, the China room and Library. We found the tour very informative and it was my favorite thing of everything we did in D.C. I could feel the history of all the great men and woman that have lived there. Highly recommended.

Had completed all the hoops for the tour & were thrilled that we finally got to see inside the White House. Everything is completed with a minimal amount of fuss - you have to have your paperwork completed months ahead & the security checks are done on the spot competently & quickly. The only reason I don't give a 5 rating is that I wish there had been someone presenting something in each room. You have the app that they provide, but that is just minimal generic information. The Secret Service/docents that are in each room willingly answer questions - so if we ever do it again, I will have questions prepared to ask so that I can get some behind the scenes information. I did ask in one of the rooms if it was ever really used & they said yes & said that "Jill" used it for occasional tea parties. And in the dining room when asked they said that it had just been used for the South Korean contingency dinner. I just wish I had asked more! But definitely worth signing up to see it!

My husband and I wrote (emailed) to our Congressman in September 2019 and we were surprised to be scheduled a tour on November 1st 2019. We filled out all the necessary information in September and I thought we would be emailed 2 weeks before our tour. I received an email 24 hours before our scheduled tour to let us know we were confirmed. So we were lucky enough to be able to take off work, but I could imagine this being difficult for other working people. The tour itself is very interesting and all the Secret Service Agents know so much about everything in the White House. It is definitely worth a visit! We enjoyed the tour very mucch but wish we could see more of the White House.

Nice to see in real life but less impressive than expected.
We were a bit disappointed by this.
It's not really big.

Your tour begins on 15th street @ 1600 Pensylvaina Ave. Across the Street from the Willard Hotel. Your first contact is with the Forest Service employee at the gate. He checks your "boarding pass" for the correct time and day you have been approved for. The first Security tent is to check your ID with the list on your boarding pass number. The next section of security is the metal detector. No watches, pens, knives...you know the drill. The third and final section of security you go through is the bomb sniff from the dogs. You stand in a room with a huge fan, across from the fan is a counter with a dog on the other side. The Secret Service are all business but cordial. The security lines move quickly and orderly. You walk outside again and you are on the side driveway of the White House. As you enter the White House you are greeted by two smiling employee's and they give you a White House handbook. You are now in the world's most Parotic House. At the end of the tour, you leave by the front door on Pennsylvania Ave. Take lots of photo's. I love it.

Touring the White House is a highlight I won’t ever forget. We saw the President and First Lady board Marine One. We saw the Blue Room, State Dining Room, Theatre, Yellow Room, Red Room and other amazing spots. We walked out the main entrance. The history is mind blowing. Request tickets 6 mos in advance with your a congressman or woman.

Not sure what I expected but after having to provide my ssn & the equivalent of two “tsa” type security checks I expected MORE. They cancel on a whim so be early & aware. The line forms to the south of the building. After a hallway with pictures & a small/exclusive gift shop you’re shown the room meant for entertaining & lead out the lobby in the front of the White House. Good photo pops but not a very jaw dropping experience

I was not able to go inside of the White House, but I was able to take a few pictures outside of it. Right now, the gate of the White House is getting reconstructed and because the impeachment hearings are going on, there are all sorts of Trump supporters and Anti-Trump supporters outside. Both the police and secret service are present so be respectful. If you want to ever visit the White House, you will have to contact your congressman and get approval. You could wait up to six months for a security check and okay to go.

Iconic landmark and a symbol of the country. So much history has happened inside. Fascinating to see it with your own eyes when standing at the fence on Pennsylvania Avenue. Visiting after dark when the building is illuminated is pretty special as it makes for a beautiful sight. However, I much preferred visiting during the last 4 years and would avoid coming here right now given the current sad and embarrassing situation. If you wish to tour the inside of the White House someday, you need to contact your member of Congress (US Representative or Senator) well in advance, and a request may be submitted seven to ninety days before the requested tour date.

The people working at the White House were so nice and accommodating. Very friendly, willing to answer questions and let you take pictures. The White House of course is historical and very impressive in that way - to think about who has been there and the impact it has had on the country and world. The building itself was OK - for some reason I thought it might be slightly more impressive on the outside - it was a bit fenced off, gated off, and ugly from various angles - still cool.

Made famous by films and TV it looks a lot better than 1814!
At the moment they are replacing the fence at the front, but the rear view is still there. It’s a pity that the President has made it difficult to visit the inside of the building, but c’est la vie.
It’s still worth a view.

You should definitely go visit the White House if you’re in the DC area. We did not go inside on a tour, or even attempt to, but we did view it from the outside. There are officers outside guarding the area. When we went there were also various protestors around. It was generally a nice experience and we hung out by the White House multiple times. If we ever go back, I’d be open to touring as well.

You can't go to DC without seeing the White House! Be sure to contact your state representative well in advance to reserve your free tickets to tour the home. HIGHLY worth it. If you can't get tickets, it's obviously worth it to just walk by, but you can't get very close. It was very humbling to be where so many notable people have walked.

We went to visit two of our grandsons in Ocean City, Maryland, in the summer of 2024 where they were working as lifeguards.
We took the opportunity to see Washington again with a tour of the city on Big Bus multi-stop buses.

And on a visit to the American capital, it is unthinkable not to visit the White House.
If the Capitol is the symbol of the American machinery of government, the great white residence is connected first and foremost to the presidents of this country since John Adams, second holder of the office, the first ladies (First Ladies), their families and even their pets...

The large two-storey building of Georgian architecture is made within its exterior walls of Aquia Creek sandstone. It was completed in 1800 and its address is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The state building is in the centre of a large plot of land, both in its facade and its rear. There are a multitude of apartments, from the President's family home, to his offices, including the famous Oval Lounge and those of his Personal Guard to his Service or Security.

We were unable to visit it inside, but we had a visit to its Welcoming Centre, which is very informative and offers a beautiful view of the presidential residence.

The "tour" is self directed which isn't great. Some people take a long time before moving on to the next thing. The tours at the Capitol were excellent and it's too bad the experience is not the same at the White House. Tickets have to be ordered months in advance through your representative. You see maybe 5 rooms. Overall, better to go than not go but disappointing. Staff friendly.

***Worst thing - women be warned - do not bring a purse of any size! They will not let you enter even with a tiny purse. We had to rent lockers 2 blocks away at the Marriott. Super annoying, bad communication leading to more hassle and expense. This is in tiny writing on ticket which should be made way more clear.

Like the Capitol, the White House is fenced off. All one can do is take some pictures from a distance. Disappointing.

I understand the tour is free, but so are the tours of the Library of Congress, the U.S. Capital, and the FBI building. I would have even paid money to have been able to see around a corner and had some history explained to me. The ranger outside that lined us up was down right rude and after that you are just herded through. Rugs rolled up and furniture placed in the middle of the room is unattractive and unwelcoming. I expected a lot more.

Very beautiful, always seen in movies, live is very beautiful.

Too bad everything's armored by the Secret Service.

I don't know if done specifically as a deterrent but some security systems a little too flashy in my view.

Must-see attractions

Very excited to see The White House in person. It's indeed America's one of most recognizable historical and political symbols and also the home and office of the President of the United States. Love to tour this monument from inside in my next visit to DC, as it takes around 3 months to confirm the reservation.

We did not go inside the White House but we walked around the front with the fountain and took photos outside the gates. Then we walked a bit further back and got even better pictures. We walked around the back but couldn't see much there. After all the times I've seen the White House on TV it was great to actually see it.

The most famous house in the world! As the guide pointed out the building itself is not that impressive compared to an average European castle but great tour even though you will only see parts of the building.

It’s the White House! Of course you should take the time to experience the site. Take a walk buy and take a look at American History!

Visiting the White House was awesome! The tour was short but sweet, packed with history. Big shoutout to the Secret Service police who went above and beyond to help out my mom when she needed some sugar for her low blood sugar. They were super nice and made sure she was okay. Their kindness made the whole experience even better. It's not every day you get to visit such an iconic place!

I saw the White House (from a distance) in July 2021 during my visit to Washington DC. The White House is protected by a long high fence and there is secret service and police security. I still managed to get a very nice photo. I went there two times. Once during lunch time when it was crowded and a second time 7:30 am in the morning when it was not too busy. I also explored Lafayette Square and went to the White House Visitors Center which is located at 15th Street and C.

Our group on a US History Tour was not able to tour the White House itself, but we were taken to the north side of the White House—the less picturesque side in my opinion. It is the side with the square portico. We were told there isn’t a “front” and “back” side of the White House—that they are only designated as the North side and the South side. We were not allowed on the grounds, so were outside the fence. There were a LOT of people there, and we had to wait our turn to even take pictures through the fence. Our tour guide gave us historic information and statistics about the White House and its visitors, both tourists and visitors-of-state. I was surprised that the building was not larger, and although the building and grounds were pretty, this was kind of an anticlimactic visit. I believe that actual tours of the White House are not allowed for large groups, and you have to request tickets through your state congressman.

Nice and impressive, I took some days in a hotel near the White House, and take this opportunity to see and take some pictures.

I was grateful to have seen the White House and to take pictures of it right against the fence! Sometimes, they close the road around it, making it impossible to take a clear picture of the White House, so that's one thing to watch out for.

Since we're non-Americans, we don't have a congressional representative that can take us inside the house. But it's alright, seeing the exterior was enough for us!

With all the terrifying goings on in this amazing city, we were grateful we could still see this historic, and important building. Once you go there and see it, then watch the news, you feel a lot different. And it was good to see people were still able to protest, God bless them! I may or may not agree with what they're protesting, I didn't pay them any heed, actually, but I am thrilled they are allowed to do so, and were doing so respectfully. All considered, this is about as close to the building as I would ever want to go, being Canadian, and so I enjoyed the few glimpses I got of the place.

Make the effort to request an inside tour of the White House from your state representative. Request at least 90 days ahead of time, we did not hear back until exactly 2 weeks to the day of our arrival that we were booked. Well worth it.

Security is very tight, you go through at least 3 checkpoints and cannot bring anything inside, just your cell phone and wallet.

It is a self guided tour but in each room there are security personnel that will answer any questions you have along with placards that describe each room. Very cool to be able to actually say you were inside the White House and that you stood in rooms that are actually used, including the room where the White House Christmas Tree stands. You can go as fast or slow as you want and savor the feeling that you are somebody special!!

a tip- go on the lafayette square side of the white house. although you wouldnt see the side of the building you would see on tv, you can get a muchhh better picture compared to the other side (which is on the north lawn and is very gated).

We went on a random day of the week, around 11am, when it had been drizzling out (but was becoming sunny) so it was pretty quiet in the area.

We weren't sure the best way to view the White House. At the corner of 17th St SW & E St NW, there is a path through a park, which is what we took. It's a little intimidating because there's a security checkpoint right there but it's only for cars and pedestrians can freely walk on the path.

It's pretty hard to see the White House properly after all the added security after 9/11 but it's the reality of the situation. In the end, it's a building so I'm not broken hearted that I can't see it closer.

We made contact with local state Representative and were able to secure tickets for a tour of the White House. We did this months in advance so plan accordingly. it is a generic tour but well worth the effort and time to see the inside of perhaps the best known house in the US.

Viewed the outside of the home of The President. As a tourist visiting Washington DC, this is a definite must see. The building and gardens are immaculate. Security outside was high with police, as you would expect.

Will need to return to Washinton as I was not aware of the tour of the inside of The White House. Put on the bucket list for another trip.

Historically the most important building in US history.
That in itself makes it worth the trip.

Downside is that you are to far off to see and enjoy the architecture.

But still a MUST when visiting DC.

It is special that you can get access to visit this building. After an extensive scan of your passport and yourself, you enter one after the other and walk the route yourself.

There is an app and you get a brochure with an explanation of all the rooms.
There are employees everywhere you can ask questions.

Special because it is a world famous building, but the route you walk is short and for us it looked a lot like previous palaces we had visited such as those in Madrid.

There are no tickets distributed for the White House. Tickets are requested through your local state’s Congressmen or Senators offices six months in advance. Their office will submit your request. You will receive a link couple months before your visit dates. You will have to complete personal info online right away. The Secret Service will do background checks and notify your Congressman or Senator whether you will get a ticket. We got notified and received our tickets just one week in advance of arrival. The protocol for admission and touring are strictly enforced by the Secret Service. Your tour is led by a Secret Service agent who provides history information about former presidents, past events that happened in the WH, various paintings and furnishings. Only a few rooms were made available to be viewed. Tour lasted around 45 minutes. Pay attention to your official WH invitation if you receive one. Nothing hand carried is allowed in. We saw three people with purses/backpack removed from the waiting line and turned away. There is no place to check a bag. There are no public toilets in the White House either.

It looks ok from the outside, but as tourists my wife and I weren't important enough (American) to be allowed to tour the White House. It hasn't been like this forever but apparently in the last 2-3 years walls have gone up to keep non-Americans out. It's not like we didn't try, we asked our embassy there if they could help us out eight months before our trip, just like the White House website said to do. They came back and said it wouldn't happen judging from how things were now going and to try the Capitol Building. We did and the Capital Building was amazing.

I know we're not American, and I'm sure most Americans could care less we couldn't see the White House. I base this after considering America did vote the man in charge into power and it appears to be his decision to put walls up that prevent access. However, it's worth noting that if it was like this the world over, American's may not enjoy the experience of being unwelcome tourist's who are not allowed to see anything because you're not ethnic to the country you're visiting.

Get started early in booking this tour. Took about 2 months to be approved. Self-guided tour, with docents/guides in some areas (East Room, Red Room, Blue Room, etc). NO bags, purses, backpacks, fanny packs, etc allowed on tour. Lots of presidential photos & artwork. Photo op with Presidential Seal above. Enjoyed being there.

The White House has been the official residence and workplace of every President of the United States since John Adams in 1800. Visitors never ceased to be awestruck by the mansion, which is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. By the numbers, it includes six stories, 55,000 square feet of floor space, 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 142 windows, 28 fireplaces, eight staircases, three elevators, five full-time chefs, a tennis court, swimming pool, single-lane bowling alley, jogging track, movie theater and putting green. Designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban, the neoclassical and Palladian style building was constructed between 1792 and 1800 and modeled after Leinstar House in Dublin, Ireland, which today houses the Irish Legislature. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960. Significant changes were made in the White House by President Theodore Roosevelt, who had all work offices relocated to a newly constructed West Wing in 1901; President William Howard Taft, who expanded the West Wing and created the Oval Office in 1909; President Harry Truman, who had the interior rooms completed dismantled and a new internal load-bearing steel frame constructed inside the walls and also added the Truman Balcony in 1948; and Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of President John F. Kennedy, who directed a very extensive and historic redecoration of the White House in 1961-1963. She collected artifacts, antique furniture, fine paintings and decorative fabric and trim for the mansion. The restoration resulted in a more authentic White House of grander stature, which recalled the French taste of Presidents James Madison and James Monroe. Today's White House complex includes the Executive Residence, West Wing, East Wing, Eisenhower Executive Office Building and Blair House. The Executive Residence is massive, consisting of six stories--ground floor, State floor, second floor, third floor and a two-story basement. As actor Michael Douglas, portraying President Andrew Shepherd, stated while standing in the Oval Office in the popular 1995 movie American President: "The White House is the single greatest home court advantage in the modern world." Game, set, match.

Its very hard to get a close look now bc of protesters, which is
sad. Right now, it is packed with protesters and ita jist difficult to see it.

I am told the President lives there, however, I did not see him. Good place to bring your corgi. Men on top of the White House do not want to play fetch. No zooms allowed in lawn. Recommend visiting.

I really wish there was more to see here without having to get tickets way in advance. It is of course an iconic building you'll want to at least see from outside. Take a few pictures and if you have the chance take the tour!

There were lots of people around. Could not take a picture in the front. However, this place is amazing. For sure, worth visiting.

Our Congresswoman arranged for us to go inside the White House. The security is very strict but worth it. You view most of the East Wing and exit through the front door. Very cool to be inside. Reserve well in advance with your Representative and you will have a good chance to get in. Certainly well worth it!

Go onto the White House it’s something that change my life I never thought that I’ve ever seen this amazing place in person

I was disappointed that we couldn't get close enough to see it. I could not believe that it was locked down like that.

Alas, during our time in Washington, they were doing repairs and you couldn't even get close to the fence to get a better look at the White House.
It was only possible to do so at a considerable distance. That's too bad.

They kind of hurry you through in about 25 min. Security took a full hour with a scheduled appointment. Be sure to use the restroom before. The White House was my least favorite thing in DC.

You can not get that close to the white house (understandably), it is covered with security. It is nice to be able to take pictures of something you see on the news on a regular basis. When I was there somebody important was coming in, and the pathway was closed whilst the important person was police escorted into the white house. I assume this happens on a regular basis. Well worth a visit. Plan ahead if you want to be able to go inside the white house.

It is a visit of the part of the tour as a visit to the city, and without a doubt it is a part of the visit that is necessary to make and see the setup that is in the area, people protesting, people camping, fully protected facilities, but... yes it is interesting to visit

IF you want to take the tour inside like we did, you will find there is a process that you'll want to start 60 days or so in advance. You have to be "approved" after they do a soft background check on you. Of course, this does make sense BUT the issue we had was it was a LOT of work to be approved.
Expect to be waiting in line outside for 30 to 60 mins, (dress appropriately) before starting the tour. A ton of security checks and then you'll start your 30-45 min walk through of 5 to 6 rooms in total. I took the tour a long time ago and it was much better and more involved.
So was it a good tour and worth it? Somewhat. Yes it is really cool to be in our White House. But, don't expect too much as to what you'll see. It was underwhelming.
The highlight for us was we actually saw Marine One coming in to land on the south lawn. Frankly that was the best part of the whole tour. See photos.
Like this if this review helps you decide on taking the tour or not.

We were very fortunate to get a tour during this time of limited tours. It is a privilege to be able to see the house in which our president and past presidents lived. There were a couple of people stationed at different points to answer questions, but I wish there had been more as there were some places that we had questions and there was no one there to answer them. ALL of the staff from checking in (3 different stations), to along the tour, to security when we exited were very helpful and friendly. They all seemed to enjoy their jobs and were glad we were there. I always wish we could see more than we are allowed, but I understand the need for security and safety.

We only got to see the outside of the White House but it was nice to see at night. It was pretty with all the lights. Seems like the fence gets bigger and taller everytime I visit.

A place you can’t miss if you’re in Washington, with guards constantly watching or several people taking photos before the iconic House of the President, which houses one of the world’s most powerful men
world.
The White House is the White House, if you agree or disagree with the policy of the United States.
And look, in real life, it was still pretty impressive. What do I like most?
Four or five barriers between the garden visitors after the house is standing.
And shooters on the roof to close you down, for the slightest suspicious movement. The police won't let you get close to the house, so you have to go far away.
The police won't let you get close to the house, so you have to go far away.
However, the fountain in front of the house is very beautiful.

First and foremost you should definitely consider checking out the White House. It’s the home of the most powerful man in the world. Now if you want to get a tour then you need to book in advance and get a representative to schedule. Doesn’t make it very easy.

Unfortunately with the added security measures, you cannot get a good view of the White House (front or back). I understand why this is necessary, but it's disappointing not to be able to see the whole building.

How many times have we seen it on TV, I had the privilege of seeing it twice and this time too the feeling of wonder in front of the no. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the same. It almost all seems unreal given how perfect everything is (and I would like to see). The thing that makes me smile is that I got to talk about football with an armed guard at the White House. Some things only happen here in the USA.

It was a wonderful journey till here. I had an immersive experience with the team present here. They helped me a lot, and I'm really satisfied with the service I got.

We visited Washington DC for the first time and of course we wanted to visit also White House. But we found you needed to contact "our local Senator" to be given some kind of approval to go and visit. What about the foreigners? So we just stood outside at E Street NW and we took the photo of it. Unfortunately it's behind bars. Suddenly my husband saw a cars coming from the junction of E St NW/ 17th St NW and the guards (I guess) pushed all people to go away from this point - top of The Ellipse where is the best view at White House. At least we saw where is the traditional Christmas tree and read about the history of it on the display panel. So this is why I gave only 3 stars.

a time in history it was remarked in my family's book the decor was amazing my famliy step were George Washington did very good

If you are foreign tourist you have to be very lucky to get the entry permissions to visit the White House.

We were travelling from India and we had sent out our request to local congressman there in DC 4 months in advance. We were lucky that we got the permission just a week prior to our journey dates.

Once arrived, one has to pass through various security check points and no kind of metal is permitted to be carried inside.

Tourists are allowed to visit just one floor.

So first time to Washington so had to see
From the front not as impressive as from the back.
Easy to walk around but with the arrival and departing of the president expect disturbances
Go night or day of both if you have the time. Easy transport all around

Pretty cool to be able to see the grounds in person. There’s a lot of people so it was not possible to get a photo right in front, but we moved to the park across the street and got a distant selfie. Lots of security around, obviously, and it was a quick walk through.

Requested tickets from our Congressman way in advance giving three dates. We were confirmed two weeks in advance and they picked the date

Small visitors center one block away. Really not much in it aside from a nice model of the White House with an interactive timeline. The guard told us that the main reason to enter would be to use the bathroom.

Extensive security, which is understandable, and requirements (eg essentially nothing than your cell phone). Security, was in unpleasant industrial style temporary trailers with most of the wait outside in a week of extreme heat.

No introductory material other than little terse signage, a little brochure and an optional, very boring app. No specific material for children. Saw a few rooms, with some interesting artwork (like the Gilbert Stuart painting of Washington). Very few artifacts on display (I was expecting perhaps tableware or at least the dining room staged)

Self-guided tours, take as long as you want (which in our case wasn’t very long). No guides but they told us that we could ask the staff in each room questions. They were not well informed. When looking at the Washington portrait, I explained to our grandchildren about the burning of Washington in 1814, Dolly Madison saving papers of state and the painting. I couldn’t remember the name of the building where the Madison’s temporarily lived and where the treaty of Ghent was signed. I asked, and the guy was clueless.

No amenities, no bathroom, no cafe, tiny gift shop. We ate lunch in the food court at the Reagan building.

Suffice it to say, everyone in our group was very disappointed by the White House. They don’t have to allow the public, but if they are going to have visitors, they should ensure that it is a pleasant experience. Frankly, I thought it was an embarrassment for Americans who are traveling from around the country, spending a ton of money on their perhaps one and only trip to DC.

Especially since there are barricades all around you can't really get all that close, even for photographs, and since the building is such an icon there is really nothing to see in person that you haven't already seen on TV or in magazines.

The White House is the symbol of American leadership and history. Its iconic architecture and political significance make it a focal point of national history.

A visit worth every time you are in Washington DC. Magnolia trees blooming here in Ed of March so that makes central DC even nicer. Fence is currently being modified from 6” to 13” height which for safety is understandable but sad to think it is needed.

First off, you will not be able to enter the White House without permission from your representative in Congress (if American). Probably apply for it at least 3 months in advance. We found out we could go literally a week before we planned to be in DC. But before you actually stand in the long line to get through security, spend an hour or so at the White House Visitor Center. It will explain the rooms, history of the White House, etc. in great detail so that it will make more sense when you get to walk by/through them in the actual White House. The tour of the White House is self-guided. They will give you a map with similar, but less detail than what you'd see at the visitor's center, and you will walk through each room on your own (there are people that work there that can answer questions you have, though). You will get to see the theater room, china room, library, vermeil room, east room (where the famous George Washington painting that was saved during the White House fire in 1814), green room, blue room, red room, state dining room, and the entrance to the grand staircase. There are a lot of paintings and statues of former presidents of the US throughout the tour.

And there is The famouw White house!! You have seen It on tv And now You see it for real. Impressing. Absolutely great and a must see

...a bit underwhelming. Spent about as much time in the outside queue and going thru security check(s) as we did inside touring a few rooms.

It was free, and based on what we saw, I would say it was priced accordingly.

I chose the 'very good' rating as a courtesy, given the building and its importance are far more than average.

Somewhat of a Chevy Chase / Vacation moment...

Don't try to approach the White House, the perimeter is completely cordoned off, only a view of more than 300m over the central park is possible but with the trees you can't see much and on the side nothing at all. As a reminder, to visit it you must be an American citizen.

Pretty to see from afar. But, fencing keeps you at a distance. It was raining, so we had to walk through standing water in the street to get a picture of the White House. And, it was so crowded that it was difficult to do. This should have been a highlight of our trip, but we were disappointed.

Loved our tour of the White House! It was different than I expected. Felt more like a museum than the West Wing TV Series. Lol. Great to see the people’s house. We Americans own it! We elect presidents to occupy. We did the self tour. Contact your Reoresentative for tickets.

I've been to DC many times, and I had never done the White House Tour. Despite being a "self-guided" tour, I enjoyed it a lot. There are Secret Service all over who will answer questions if you ask them. Obviously don't get to see the Oval Office or other areas, but still worth doing (at least) once.

Definitely a MUST see when visiting Washington D.C. regardless if you support what the current President of the U.S. is doing or not.

Sadly, pictures of the northern facade are being blocked by intrusive hoarding at the work site as they work their way to replace the old fence proteccting the White House.
The new fence will be almost double the height of the old one and will lack the beautiful details of the old one.

The southern facade can still be photographied as the fence replacement works have not reached that area yet, but the are a number of physical barriers impeding tourists from reaching the main fence to take pictures between the bars. A big difference from when I last visited in 2012 when people were able to take pictures through the fence. Now almost all pictures will have a fence in them. Sigh.

If you travel to Washington you will surely visit the White House. A beautiful house in a beautiful area but you cant get really close.

Short tour that does not yield much of any information, A great way to kill a day! The Security check and preliminary background check are way more extensive then the 1/2 hour tour through a back part of the White House that is never used for anything.

Unfortunately, during our visit in October 2024, the 'familiar' side of the White House was closed, so we had to make do with the view from the large lawn.
Nevertheless, a beautiful monument to have seen.

The tour of the White House was pretty mediocre itself, but being inside the White House was a cool feeling. I think every American should experience the tour. Was

Not quite what I expected but still a neat site to visit. Lots of security. Limited access to see house.

There is something special about the place that our nation's presidents have called home and it's more special at Christmas time. Just walking around the outside is special.

One of the first things I thought when I saw it from the front and then the back...it looks so small! I did enjoy seeing the change of shifts going on up on the roof when the guys were walking around with their guns...

Lots of effort for a very cursory "tour". Read all the rules carefully - we saw people turned away, after a long wait in line, for an expired license (not good id). We did arrive 15 minutes before our scheduled time but waited an hour in line before actually getting inside. The rooms are nice and there is interesting history - but there are just a few rooms. If you have questions - extremely knowledgeable Secret Service agents are available.

We were lucky enough to have a tour arranged for us and, once we’d gone through many layers of security, we commenced the walk around. It was amazing and a great insight into the history and previous, as well as present, Presidents. Trip of a lifetime.

We were disappointed in our tour.
It’s a short tour with no guides. They tell you to ask the SS agents questions. Some are talkative most are not. Only a small potion of the house is shown and they are period rooms. Tour itself was maybe 30-40 min.
Tips for going:
-contact your senator via the website months in advance and request a tour
-don’t take anything with you other than your photo ID and a camera ( smartphone and smart watches are okay as well)
- be prepared to go through at least three security checkpoints
-Transportation. Metro is a good option but spendy with a few people in your group. The best parking we found was at 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. in the Ronald Reagan international trade building. You can park for $25 a day. This gives you the opportunity to leave all your stuff in the car, go on your WH tour and come back to the car and get your things. You can do that all day long. Plus there are other sites around the area to visit too.

My favorite part so far, was The White House. I just took some pictures in front, but was very emotional for me as an immigrant have the opportunity to finally be there.
The rest of the day I spent walking around, visiting the monuments and memorials that are really close. I highly recommend the II World War Memorial. Sit around the fountain, relax and breathe. If you

Since we couldn't get a White House tour, all we could do is walk around the White House and see both sides. I did get a tour back in 1985 but on both of our recent visits (June 2022 and March 2023), no dice. It's a shame more Americans cannot even go inside the White House or Capitol.

Well, the whole world talks about the White House and this is definitely a must see place in Washington D.C during your visit.

We did not have the ability to plan our trip far enough in advance to arrange anything on the 'inside' of the WH. This takes many weeks of request/screening/planning. So we did the mass tourist thing and just walked by and snapped a few pictures. Given modern security needs, you are obviously not allowed very close. Everything as you'd expect, lines of people waiting to take a picture with the WH well in the distance. It's neat to see the WH, but don't expect to be blown away.

What IS worth doing is just a block or so away the WH museum run by the national park service. This has many historic and neat artifacts, as well as a gift shop and the WH national park stamp station.

As with many of the reviews and when listening to others who have went through the "tour", there is a large populace who believe that this 30 min. or so "tour" is underwhelming.

Be aware of this. This visit is not remarkable at all. 35 years ago, it was a guided tour in which important and presidential family stories were told. Today, you enter into a room that looks like a museum wall, with plagues and pictures hanging on walls of previous moments . Then you go past the White House theater and you can stretch your neck into it. The rest consists of a series of rooms where there are secret service agents who are willing to answer your specific questions--but they are not tour guides and are not giving info. unless you ask. Does anyone wish to ask more than five questions during the 30 minutes? Probably not, especially when there is a line of people behind you.

Out of the 132 rooms in the White House, you only see 8 of the 10 rooms on the ground floor. This area is the where VIPs and dignitaries have dinner and specials events are held. So, everyone from Miles Davis to Tom Brady to President Xi get to drink and talk for awhile in this area; some even get to spend big bucks because of a charity cause to laugh and dance in this area. It's the social area for the rich and powerful and the ropes are removed as everyone is on their best behavior not to break anything. As for the common person, we get to look at a bunch of paintings that have little meaning or context without a guide.

Then you leave (somewhat abruptly). You look at the building from the outside and at the Peace Vigil protester.

That's it.

Truly remarkable.

I've seen much more of the White House on tv, including Lyndon Johnson fixing breakfast for himself and his wife in the kitchen.

Very small, too many walls around it, the smell of Mexican food made it bearable. If you’re visiting Washington DC don’t make the the no1 on your list to go!

We had to queue up and then undergo security checking which was done in a very organized manner. The wait time was short and security personnel were polite. The tour of the different rooms, green, red, blue, banquet and the famous stairs were very interesting. The gardens were immaculate.

Yo so cool! There is a huge gate kind of far away from the White House itself, but you still can see it and take pictures. Definitely a must-do if you’re in DC

It was a bit surreal standing outside the railings of the White House as it seemed smaller in scale than what my impression of it was, prior to seeing it in reality. An impressive building nonetheless! Super wide-angle lenses have a lot to answer for!

After contacting your US state senator, going through background checks, plus four security screenings on site, this is a meandering self paced tour. USSS are in select rooms but with the amount of people, one can’t grasp the beauty and historical context of the public rooms. We expected a more structured educational experience.

I did not expect the white house to be in the heart of downtown DC, I was a little sad that we could not see it very well or get very close. They were doing 'fence' construction so there was a big wall up in front and you could only see the white house from one side. I wanted to get closer to the white house christmas tree, but it was all blocked off so we could only see if from a distance. We were there in December, so I was excited to see it all decorated for christmas and was sadly disappointed. I have never been to DC before, so was glad I got to see what I did, but will plan better for the next trip

What a completely boring building. This "Capitol" of this country is such a great disappointment I was disappointed for your poor country and its disappointing representation of your culture. I hope one day you'll learn something from your mother country England.

We were so disappointed with our stop in DC. We just wanted a few photos of the big sights, but it was awful. Everything we wanted to see was caged off by big fences and lots of security, so we couldn't even get close enough for a decent picture. There wasn't a bathroom to be found, and traffic/parking was difficult. Perhaps in a calmer political climate and without corona it would be worth it, but not now.

Taking a tour of the White House requires reservations and clearance. Writing to your Congressperson may help with the process. You cannot carry a bag or purse, but a wallet and phone can be on your person. The tour is self paced and allows you to walk the halls and see several rooms of the home of the President. Staff is stationed throughout and are able to provide interesting historical information about the furnishings, portraits, decor, presidents, and people of interest since the original house was built. We took our time and took several photos. This was a bucket list item for most of our group and we were very happy to be here. It was wonderful and inspirational. So glad we came.

2st May. We Started our tour of The National Mall and all the tourist attractions at The white house, we viewed both sides and my wife in particular was happy as she is an avid fan of 24

The White House is beautifully decorated for the Christmas season. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. There was a little too much standing/waiting and walking for the senior citizen in our group.

To make day and night this emblematic place of the United States can leave no one indifferent. Even if non-Americans can no longer visit the interior, going around White house is a very nice mini walk

Without a tour, you aren't able to get close. It isn't as large as the other sites along the mall and looks rather small.

Went on a Thursday afternoon, and all was smooth. The tour is set at your own pace and takes you through the halls, getting a glimpse of a few rooms. Takes approximately 30 minutes, depending on how much you read.

I was selected to be a volunteer Christmas decorator for the White House. I was able to work in many of the rooms. The history and grandeur of the People's House was over whelming. I felt greatly honored to be there. If you get a chance to tour it do it, you will remember it always!

One of the things we really wanted to do during our family trip to Washington DC was tour the White House. Of course, this isn’t something you can just show up and do. It requires advanced planning, security clearance, and a bit of luck.

Our tour included the East Wing and several of the famous rooms we’ve seen countless times on TV and in movies. The tour was self-guided with informational plaques throughout, and Secret Service Agents were present in every room, ready to answer questions. We loved how knowledgeable and open the agents were, sharing fascinating facts and even details about how the First Family lives. We challenged our girls to ask at least one question in each room, which kept them engaged and curious.

The White House visit was definitely a highlight of our trip. It’s not something you get to do every time you visit Washington DC, but it’s absolutely worth doing at least once. The girls loved every moment!

Very informative, but a lot of people. If you can get a tour scheduled with your local congressman, definitely do it! and remember that the secret service agents are there for security, but will also answer any questions you might have. It will get crowded towards the end (the front door area) from people taking pictures, but it's still a really neat experience.

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, who doesn’t know this address? And what can I say about the mansion located at this address? I know that many European tourists are disappointed by the White House… well, forget the majestic and lavish European palaces such as Schönbrunn, Versailles or the Reggia di Caserta and think about it as a normal mansion ;)

Found the staff very rude unhelpful and aggressive. They even criticised my clothes before I was escorted from the premises.

VZ.

I didn't join the tour, so I just watched it from the outside, but I was still impressed to actually see places I'd only seen on TV.

I think i will remember all my life of this tour because we can see a lot of differents places like the réception room or Lincoln bedroom, we learn many things about people who live in, like Roosevelt or Donald Trump. We learn even unusual fact about Lincoln ghost. The only memories i keep, it was great.

It was fascinating to be able to walk through a portion of the White House and view the various opulent rooms. Of course, the kids were more impressed with all the security checks we had to go through before we were allowed inside.

The tour of the White House was not really worth the effort that it took for the tour. The process to get this approved and process to get in with security, almost made this not worth it. The tour is self-guided and does not take long at all. We took longer to get inside than we did the actual tour. We were done in under 30 minutes. The only plus that made it worth it for us, is that we were able to see the President board Marine One.

It’s a building so we weren’t expecting a lot. On a drizzly day in April, there was hardly anyone there.
The security barriers obscure about a third of the house so, hopefully, they will think of something better.
It’s actually quite a small building.

Washington DC was a great place to visit. There is so much to do and see that you will never see it all in one trip. The museums and monuments were well worth the time.

I thought it was bigger!
The flower arrangement around it was attractive and it was neat and very clean, except for the beggars who were roaming around.

Larger than expected, its a beautiful house with well maintained yards. Very impressive and historic attraction. Goes without saying that this is a must stop for everyone who is visiting the area. Note: you can view the front and the back, the back is shortish walk around and you can view the backyard. Note for parents, there are protests happening in and around the viewing areas.

Not as big as I thought it was going to be, and not as impressive. Capitol building was much better and impressive.

Visiting Washington DC for the first, and possibly only time, meant touring The White House was my number one priority for the trip.

As the British Embassy was unable to help me I had to reach out to those who sit in the Capitol for their help. The offices of Adam Schiff put me forward for a tour and a week before I travelled my request was approved. Okay, it was only for the East Wing, so no Oval Office or Press Room etc but I was still excited.

The day of the tour arrived on day 3 of my DC stay. After going through multiple security checkpoints it was so exciting to finally step inside the iconic building.

Obviously, most of the rooms were viewable from a fenced off doorway only but others were able to be walked through such as the State Dining Room.

It took about 45 minutes to complete the tour. I wasn't rushing it and the staff didn't rush people through either.

Without doubt it was the highlight of my trip. Walking down the driveway after exiting the building felt somewhat surreal but as an experience it was one I will remember fondly.

I just wish I could have seen the West Wing too but I know those are even harder to get permission for, especially as a UK resident.

Really looked forward to this and booked ages in advance but OMG ! Its like a cross between a Nevada bordello and a Dictators palace. Tacky gold bling everywhere ! Definitely worth seeing if just for the horror of it. I assume the next occupant will restore some taste to it.

What a privilege to walk the same halls as some of the greatest historical figures of our country. And seeing the White House decorated for Christmas was a special treat. A big check off of my bucket list!

We were able to do a tour and there is so much history to see. Everything is beautiful! We really enjoyed our time here! Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get through security!

This is symbol of USA administration and president, representing place of power. Snow white colour is what gave its name, but as building is not impressive as Capitol. In front there will be always some group protesting. For visit you must arrange it 90 days in advance.

Before I start, we did not go inside the building, only viewing from outside.
Jet lagged after a long flight,we ventured out on to the streets at 04:00hrs in the dark. We eventually found our way to The White House and were greeted by very friendly Secret Service Agents.
We initially viewed from the North Side - where the media tents are set up. Smaller than I expected but impressive all the same. Later in the day we returned to see the south side. Very iconic.

It is a cool place surrounded by lots of police. Sometimes you will feel creapy xaxa
But all police look super cool. It is nearby MCsquare metro station. You can easily walk from there.

Amazing experience to see the White House. You can see it through the fence, take easily photos. It was impossible for international tourists to see it from inside. American tourists can apply for permission to visit it from inside via their congressmen.

We have a family member who works in the Old Executive Office Building and took the time to treat a small group to a private tour of the West Wing and it was outstanding. The Oval Office, the Rose Garden and the Press Briefing Room were particularly interesting because they are so small compared to how large they look on TV. Nevertheless, it was good to see the inside of the very place where the levers of power for our country and virtually the world take place. Of course, like most folk, I was disappointed that you couldn’t take pictures inside, but I definitely get it. After traveling to 75+ countries, I’m glad to call the USA “home” even with all our problems.

This was a high point of our visit and I didn't expect it to be. I had read on line reviews that downplayed the visit to the White House as underwhelming. I disagree - just to be inside the gates seeing so many historic views of the White House, and then inside the East Wing is stunning. The scope and quality of the building, the marble walls and floors, the rooms we have seen on the news for decades - all were worthwhile. Some travel tips: Getting into the White House is not a last-minute plan. You must contact the office of your state representative or Senator weeks ahead. I requested the tour in August for an October visit. You have to fill out a form for a background check and you are checked through ID and a metal detector three times before entering the White House. PURSES OF ANY KIND ARE NOT ALLOWED. My husband caught this just as we were leaving our AirBnB and had he not I would not have been allowed in because they also don't allow you to leave bags, backpacks, etc. outside the White House.

I'm so glad we read reviews ahead of time so we could understand what the "tour" is and is not.
It is NOT a guided tour with a docent talking to you about rooms. It is NOT any of the cool rooms you see in photos or movies. The west wing, Oval Office, etc. (Can't we just see the kitchen?!) Security in the rooms will answer questions, but that's about it.
It IS historic and really cool just to be in the White House. It is neat to see the original painting of George Washington that we all know and love from photos, and so cool to come out of the front steps at the end of the tour.

With how hard it was to get tour tickets, we expected this to be something different - but once we read reviews we realized it is a lot more low key. Which is fine. We still got to go in the White House!

Worth doing for a few hours in DC.

Absolutely fantastic, no other words can describe my visit to the White House. The visit was confined to the East Wing but trust me you’ll see many rooms such as the State Ball/Dining Room. You will see portraits of presidents and their wives. Majority of the people who visited the White House were dressed business casual, and a small percentage came in shorts.

Came to take a few photos during my time in DC. White House is currently fenced off, but still looks quite nice from the outside.

My main gripe is with the congregations surrounding the White House. I am not trying to get political nor endorse any side of a debate - but what was going on was just simply annoying to see. I was handed several political flyers and right outside the White House fence was a tent full of flags and speakers supporting notable independence movements - Tibet, East Turkestan, Palestine, and Tigray notably.

I came to see the executive home, not to have my ears and eyes blasted with your causes, no matter how noble or not they may be. It's just a shame that the House is closed to tours so there wasn't much redemption to be had.

What a great place- the tour is self directed and you get to see quite a bit. If you are going to Washington DC this is a must see

Get your tickets in advance. We got ours before we left our hometown by calling our congressman's office. I actually enjoyed waiting in line outside because I got to study the statues of various heroes in our country's history.
One of the most surprising details was inside one of the formal dining rooms. Amid all the chandeliers and elegant details were some reliefs above the doors... of Native- American Indian chiefs. I asked a docent about them, but he had never noticed them before. So he asked some other docents. One of them theorize that President Teddy Roosevelt had them installed because of his fascination with the Indian culture.

The White House tour was amazing. Great well kept clean and beautiful property. Smaller then I imagine

We were able to get 11 free, timed tickets for the tour from our NM Congresswoman. Line looked long but it moved quickly. Read directions -- do not bring a purse/bag.

You can't really get close to it. There is a large fence at the front through which you can barely see the White House. You can walk around it and then you see the side you know from TV. Still impressive to be there. We have only been there during the day. It's full of police people, secret service people and who knows what else.

Our trip to the White House included seeing the national Christmas tree with all the train sets going around the base. Very neat to see the small trees from each state decorated by a school from that state. We took pictures from both the north and south lawns - outside the fence :)

My parents brought me to DC almost every Christmas. That was 40 years ago. We saw many things and learned even more. I've never toured the White House. It always seemed to me that any such tour would just impede the business of putting out fires and cleaning up everyone's messes. Who needs taxpayers watching the sausage get made? Not me. However, it also used to be that I could be close enough to get a decent picture. But thanks to the self appointed warriors for whatever self righteous Justice cause they claim, the immense security has ruined the party for the rest of us who know how to have an opinion without damaging property and causing unrest.

We have five grades to see the White House throw . It’s insane. We do not have a way to take a de ent picture and we was so excited to see that inside . It was better to go the capitol and the Lincoln memorial

We had a great time in the DMV area . We enjoyed trolling the street of Washington, eating good food and free museums. We enjoyed the convenience of visiting Maryland and Virginia. Everything is within driving distance. The kids had a lot of and learned so much during our visit in DC. We also spent an afternoon in downtown Bethesda where we enjoyed some ice cream and boba . We discovered Nando’s and other piri piri (es) . It was incredible. It is a trip l would do again.

All previous U.S. presidents have lived in the White House, and the White House is their home. National Killing Day: Election Year also sets the story scene in the White House (recreating a White House in Rhode Island)

We were lucky enough to have a friend book us in for the White House tour during our most recent trip to DC. After you pass through the expected security checks you are able to gain access to the building itself and meander along at your own pace through some recognisable rooms before making your way outside providing a unique perspective. Some fantastic photo opportunities along the way and one to tick off the bucket list.

Best advice would be to book as early a slot as possible to avoid the lengthy queue,

I only saw it from the outside but it was still an amazing experience after I've been interested in politics for such a long time.

For me, the biggest 'must-see' of the trip- feel lucky.

I was happy to see The White House in real life but overall the building is slightly underwhelming when compared to the capital.

I understand the differences between the buildings and there significance. Comparatively the home of the UK prime minister is absolutely dull as it's just a door.

Great to tick off the list but would not rush back to see it.

We visited the Whitehouse during the holiday season and it did not disappoint! All the rooms had different themes. Beautiful!

We feel so privileged to have gone on the White House tour. We were able to see a lot and to imagine the history is just awesome. It’s so beautiful. We were allowed to take pictures. Can’t say enough about how great this was!

Visiting the White House was truly an honor and an unforgettable experience The interiors are beautiful and filled with history and the green garden outside adds to the charm There was a long line for security but once the process started everything moved quickly and efficiently This is definitely a once in a lifetime experience! Just make sure to plan ahead you need to make a reservation in advance to secure your spot Highly recommend it to anyone visiting Washington, DC!

My wife and I scheduled a tour of inside the white house it was the shortest tour and the biggest waste of time I have ever did I would not recommend it to anybody totally worthless and you only get to see a couple rooms and that's it don't waste you're time.

Strange to rate. I think it's specific to each person but it was interesting to see during the holidays. It was dressed up even more because of the season. Gave a cute and yummy chocolate at the end. Have that ID ready cause it will be checked to death. Like....a lot but makes sense. Pictures are possible but everyone will photo bomb you mistakenly as theres many people on the tour in a limited space. Downloaded the app but it wasn't much help beyond entrance.

I went on a trip to Washington DC just to see this! And you know what? When I got there, I wasn't allow in! I had booked a spot in the tour months in advance, and yet I couldn't. My children were so excited to see the wonderful building where dreams come true. Well, now the dreams of my children have been crushed. They cried for hours after the gate guard told us they weren't allowing tours that day! I had to take them to get ice cream, which really squeezed my wallet tight, considering how I had already paid for the NON-REFUNDABLE tour of the White House and the plane tickets. It is very expensive to fly all the way over from California, but we did it just for this glorious building, which we were NOT allowed to see the inside of. Tommy, my eldest, has said that he wants to be president since he could speak, and yet, after six years of chasing that dream, he has given up because of this horrid trip. I will never forgive the person who LIED to me and said that the White House was open for tours all of that week. I have already filed a complain with the booking company and the White House staff, though it is doubtful that stye will respond to mine with all the other complains they must surely be getting from other unhappy customers.

Visited this week such a great and iconic house from the outside. Even though there was alot of surrounding streets cordoned off by police and the remnants of gates and fences from previous disruption, it was very easy and clear to see. We were able to stand right in front and take in the atmosphere which was great for the kids albeit we all thought it would be bigger 😄

Located on Pennsylvania Avenue is the White House, which is a very popular tourist attraction.
I only photographed the front of the building through the gates, and captured the rear of the building and gardens from the National Monument.
I also saw Marine One in the sky, but I don't believe it was occupied by the President.

It was very easy getting our White House passes. The day of the tour the line moved very quickly and every and I mean every Secret Service personnal were professional and friendly. The tour is self guided so you can move at your own pace. It was great to see and we were glad that the White House is back open to the public. I would highly recommend !

At the time of writing you couldn’t go into the White House due to covid restrictions but I read that was changing soon.
What amazed me the most about the White House, in a city where every building is ginormous - is how small it is!
We couldn’t get right up to it owing to barriers but even seeing it from the barriers and from the Washington monument I was amazed at how small it is compared to my expectations! Never the less it is such an iconic and historical building that seeing it made me smile.

Seen thousand of times in the media in Holland n Indonesia n finally see it with my own eyes n hear the sound around it where my favorite Obama n Bush has been seated for 8 years. They are good politicians, love their country n people n are not afraid for Arabian terrorists. It was a sunny cold january saturday afternoon and it was not too crowded. I loved it and will be back if I visit DC.

A bucket list visit from this UK couple. The house and grounds look lovely. Our whole visit to Washington DC was simply amazing.

Supposedly there are public tours of the White House. Requests are handled through US Representatives and Senators offices. I contacted my Representative's office to request a tour and they never responded. I interpret this as you have to know someone to have access to a tour. The "public" tours are another example of perks that are available exclusively to the Washington elite.

Once in a lIfetime experience to have an opportunity to visit the WHITE HOUSE! Permissions, security and long planning required to get an entry into world's most secured Home and Office of the POTUS. Try your luck!

An iconic landmark of America. A work that appears in many American film productions. A pride of the American people. A destination that attracts tourists from all over the world. An indispensable stop in the journey to visit D.C

I'd heard it before, but you really can't appreciate how small the White House is until you see it in person. The rear entrance is fairly impressive, and I see why they use this side in most movies. But the front is really quite small. However, to make matters even worse, there are outside fence/gate rennovations ongoing. This means this small house has an obscured view from the front, making the small house even smaller/narower to view. Good way to spend 20 mins and then move on to the more interesting sights in Washington.

Amazing iconic building with beautiful garden and stunning fountain and statues. We couldn't arrange a tour but our daughter arranged a tour of the Capitol building and that was amazing.

Even if, like us, you have not had the chance to return (the French embassy, unlike other countries, hardly provides any possibilities!), do not hesitate to take a complete tour of the property to find this famous monument
On the other hand, the Visitor Center is not exciting

It was really a memorable experience for us to be part of history for some time,when we were able to pose in front of THE WHITE HOUSE for some photos and soak in the surrounding atmosphere.

Small little house among the trees. Quite a good view from the Washington memorial. Looks bigger on TV :)

Free. We planned ahead for this tour, requesting tickets from our US Congress Representative. The line was long but moved quickly. The tour is self-guided, and there's lots to see. Several rooms, roped off until 2 PM, are on the tour and you see them just as they are used today. West Wing is off-limits of course. At 2PM, they take down the ropes and the residence goes back to its use by the Bidens. Photography without tripods, selfie sticks or flash is allowed. I would recommend.

When in DC you definitely have to visit our President's home -The White House! A Simply Gorgeous and Massive place! Secret Service Police presence is overwhelming. The gardens are perfectly manicured beyond your monthly lawn maintenance's wildest dreams🤣! Tourists are in abundance so prepare to wait for a chance to get some good pics up against the property fenceline! GetSome!!

This is a good tour, with more to see than the Supreme Court but not as in-depth as the Capitol. Reservations are only available through your congress person and needs to be booked well in advance. Expect heavy security screening and large crowds. Once inside, it’s similar to other places like Mt Vernon or Monticello, with less signage. An app is available to enhance the tour but changes in preference may mean that items being pointed out are not on display or have been moved.

A central monument of the city, the visit for foreigners remains possible, at least still in 2024. You should contact the District of Columbia Congressman (Eleanor Holmes Norton) 3 months in advance. Then follow the instructions by email exchanges. Then you have to be patient. Confirmation is given 15 days before the requested visit date. This is what happened to us while we were in New York and we received our confirmation with joy and excitement without believing it.
The tour allows you to see many ceremonial rooms, photos or paintings of former presidents and get closer to the heart of American power. For photos, in addition to phones, one can take compact cameras that are accepted. The control protocols are very numerous and enhance the visit which lasts 30 minutes once inside. This will remain a highlight of our trip to the United States.

I think this is something that you must do whenever you will be there at least once!
So we did as soon as we arrived before lunch!

It was a good day and weather ! Take a walk around and dont forget to make some epic pictures!

enjoy it!

Awful, smelled of sulphur and decay. The stuff the tour guide said were complete lies. We need Hercules to clear out this stable. Unfit for America

Years ago you could go to the fence of the White House , now the distance is much greater and therefore the visibility worse

Visited: 08/07/2023

We didn't do a tour or go inside, we didn't have time, but we went to view it from the Ellipse lawn (where majority of other viewers were too) simply to say we had seen it.

It really isn't too spectacular from here. From the lawn you have a massive fence in the way. It's for security (obviously), but yoou can't really see too much of the building and so we wouldn't recommend going for a look. It might be better to book a tour to go inside, maybe, but haven't done that so cannot comment.

Renovations spoil the view for many as they are repairing the fence.. I am not sure why this entails the closing of an entire street and the erection of hoardings to obstruct all view but reason is not the American way.

Alternative views can be had from the Christmas tree side but this will be at some distance. Shame really, doesn’t compare to some of the other wonderful landmarks which Washington has to offer.

Let’s face it, if you’re in DC you’ve got to at least have a look at the White House. It’s an iconic building, but for us a little underwhelming.

This was very awesome. This was on my bucket list for obvious reasons. It was so surreal to see it in real life. We took so many pictures. Sadly, the fence makes it hard to see. But it's makes sense because the president lives there. It's a definite must-see.

We had the pleasure of visiting the holiday-decorated White House. To do so, you must contact your representative's office and place a request or be a close and personal friend of a Secret Service Agent or West Wing Staffer. You'll have to supply a lot of personal info because you will be screened. We did ours in September and planned a trip to DC around it. Warning: the wait to get into the White House at your scheduled time will take as long, or maybe longer, than your actual visit, but it is definitely worth it. The day we arrived, temperatures were in the teens and, from start to finish, mostly outside in the weather, we went through 5 checkpoints including face recognition. Dress warmly! Once inside, after passing the obligatory DC gift shop, the self-guided tour flows through a number of historical rooms....the Blue Room, Red Room, China Room, etc.....all dressed up in their holiday best. According to a guide, volunteers apply for a lottery to assist in decorating the White House and participants are selected from every State. After Thanksgiving, the decorating is completed in 3 days and the First Lady does a final walk through followed by a dinner for the volunteers in the White House itself. Pretty cool!. Many of the rooms have specific themes like one decorated with a gambling theme (Trump casinos?) but all are magnificent. The main hall was all crystal and little white lights and it was truly beautiful. Go next year if you can get a ticket!

So many great reviews so far. I will simply say that I completely agree this is worth the effort and planning necessary to be able to get in on a tour. The best parts of the tour are the interesting historical tidbits and anecdotes you'd never get in school.

If you realize the history and the people who have walked these halls, it is truly incredible and awe-inspiring. It's best when paired with a Capitol tour. Amazing history and history in the making.

I'm old enough to have toured the WH pre-911 when they actually let you walk into the rooms. Although a lot of the rooms are now roped-off, the attending agents were very friendly, knowledgeable and willing to answer questions.

Entry is never guaranteed. You request a pass through your Representative. The White House staff will follow up with a possible date, and even then, as it is a working building, they may not be able to honor it.

It was quite a privilege to attend the tour and I appreciate the effort our government goes to in keeping our government houses accessible to the public, even moreso after those who tried to damage our country on Jan 6th.

Construction Barricades All Around

In March, we were in Washington, DC, for my wife to attend several days of meetings on Capitol Hill, so I got to roam solo. We were staying at the Hay-Adams Hotel, so I took a stroll through Lafayette Park to the White House. The weather was gloomy, but that is not what struck me about the White House - there were construction barricades all around it, at least on the north side, by Lafayette Park. The weather was the least of distractions. Seems that the fencing was being replaced in a fairly major construction project. Now, I have visited the White House on previous trips, plus I could see it from our room in the hotel, but it was just not a welcoming site, behind the barricades this time.

One positive was that the masses of protestors, usually camped out along the North Lawn, had been moved, for the construction, so all was not lost.

On this trip, the best views were from the Hay-Adams.

We will be back in DC later in the year, and I hope that this project will have been finished by then, as from ground level, there was just not a lot to see - a disappointment.

Going to the White House is a must if you are in Washington.

In this period there are many protests, so it’s difficult to find a spot to see the building. This of course regardless of the legitimacy of the protests, I am talking only for a tourist around Washington.

We had the privilege of attending the White House when it was beautifully decorated for Christmas. The rooms were such a sight to see. The security is very strict with their presence everywhere. If you have an opportunity to go it is a must!!!

Make sure you make reservation at least three months in advance with your senator. It was a pretty busy week as we went on Spring Break. The tour is self-guided and there’s a WH staff in each room if you have any questions along with a sign with the description of each room. The tour only includes the east wing, and is short but very satisfying.

Plan ahead and contact your congress person to make this visit happen for you. Was very interesting and I am very happy we were able to tour!

It was really exciting to tour the White House. The tour route was documented so we could read about the rooms and history as well as look at pictures of activities in the rooms. The room guards were able to answer additional questions in detail. In order to visit, we contacted our state representatives. Then we had to register with the White House through their official tour site. We finally received confirmation of our tour about 10 days before our trip.

The White House is without a doubt the most famous landmark in our nation's capitol. Except George Washington, every U.S. president has lived here. I prefer the capitol to the White House. The White House tours feel rushed to me and I understand why. The Capitol, I feel, is not as rushed and you can see more. Again I understand why you can't see some areas of the White House. As noted already, book in advance.

Pennsylvania Avenue was blocked off for vehicle traffic and only foot traffic was allowed. We were able to walk up to the black gates surrounding the White House and take pictures. You can't go to D.C. without going to see the White House. I didn't see any tours taking place but you could still get some great pictures.

In order to get a tour ticket you have to email your congressman. They have you fill out a form and pick three dates. Time is not a choice. The White House will send out a questionaire then a week before your approved date you'll get a ticket. To get in you line up against the wall and the times are every 30 minutes starting at 8:30 AM. Don't show up too early because they won't let you in until your group is ready to be let in. Yes, someone is checking the times on your ticket. As for the dress code, there isn't any. Some people dress up and some don't. It's a tourist destination so no one is judging you. I wore shorts and flip flops and no one gave me any looks. There's two security checks and a metal detector to get into the tour. All in all, the tour is short. You'll walk through some rooms and take some photos of the Presidents and their wives on the wall. I would say it's less than 10 rooms. People tend to stop and take photos so the line gets jammed up. Before you know it, you'll be outside and that's the end of the tour. The White House Visitor Center is across the street, but that is underwhelming too. If it's on your bucket list then do it, if not go to the Smithsonian. To be honest, the Windsor Castle tour was much more impressive than this tour. If you're ever in England check it out.

I visited there during my business trip but it was expected than I thought. It is surrounded by hundreds of policemen which is impressive but it is nit really interesting.

The White House, as expected, came as little surprise. World famous and one of the most secure, the building is located in the center of the city. For ordinary visitors, only the facade is visible. Despite the high fence, you have the opportunity to take a couple of good snapshots to remember. In general, you can't see and you can't get much impressions from an external inspection.

We were around 9 am and it was nice. Few people were around and we could take pictures without people passing through. It was worth it to see.

Surely if you are in Washington it is mandatory to pass for a photo, after all it is the home of the most powerful man in the world, immortalized in millions of movies. The important thing is that one does not expect great things and above all to be able to approach or visit the interior. Wherever it says that you can visit the interior by contacting your embassy of reference in Washington (for foreigners) and your congressional delegate (for Americans), it is actually years that no permits are left to foreigners and talking to Americans, it seems that even for them it has become impossible, at least since 3 administrations ago, with Obama. What about..... there is, here everywhere they do checks with the metal detector, even to enter the church, but that you can even photograph it from a sidereal distance, seems a bit excessive. Absurdly the photos come better near the obelisk than near the gates.

Always wonderful to see the White House. It was great to see it lit up and decorated for Christmas. Beautiful at night. Even better no protesters. The DC area seems very safe and clean. We did see police presence and national guard presence.

Unfortunately because of recent events, we were only able to see the White House through a tall fence. No tours were going on obviously. It was pretty to see from the sidewalk.

Our first time visiting the White House during December and it wasn't disappointing. Beautifully decorated of course, but all the history and art made it really something special. Order your tickets through your U.S. Congress person or Senator website.

Beautiful building. Great to see such an iconic world famous statehouse in real life. We couldn't get to visit inside but looked through the railings like most of the other onlookers. Best views from Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Before 9am is quieter for the best photos

At the moment you can no longer visit the White House inside if you are not an American citizen (on the website they indicate that this is possible by contacting your embassy in Washington, but from personal experience I confirm that in reality it is not possible because the United States Government does not then issue permits to the various embassies in this regard). However, it remains a must as from the outside, at least in the rear part, you can directly access the gates and therefore you can take nice photos even up close. The front part, however, is not accessible except from many meters away, always heavily guarded by the police who prevent anyone from approaching it. They recommend a "virtual" visit via the "White House Visitor Center", located nearby, but it didn't seem anything special or unmissable to me.

It had been several years since I’ve been around the White House. I see we are kept across the street now further from the perimeter fence that it used to be.

Lots of protesters, lots of armed security, lots of homeless, and lots of black SUV’s.

Well, this is White House. The residence of the US President is too famous to allow further introduction. Amid anti-terrorism scare, the fence is two-people high and a tour inside is too difficult to actualize. It is perhaps a reflection of the US political attitude.

As you can imagine, the security was intense to get inside the White House. We saw the East Wing. Starting with the gardens, and then moving inside to see the Library, the china that the presidents used, and then moving upstairs to see the Red, Blue and Green rooms. The tour ended with the opportunity to take a photo in front of the seal with the flag.
There is a gift shop about half way through. You won't get a chance to go back to the gift shop, so make sure to make your purchases when you get there.
There is NO bathroom during your visit. Make sure to go beforehand. The White house visitor center is nearby and has bathrooms to use.

As others have mentioned you must get tickets through a congressperson's office several months in advance. You must also read the information they send you with the confirmation. You must follow the rules exactly. There is no changing the rules of going through security and what you can take with you. If you dont follow the rules then you have no one to blame but yourself if denied entry.

Having said all that you get a glimpse of the White house . I think it is incredible that we can see as much as you do. They do a great job of allowing you to take pictures and walk through at your own pace. To me it was well worth the time and effort

Note that you take a chance that all tours can be canceled for most any reason. Our tour was canceled yesterday but they allowed anyone who was booked to come today. Just a larger crowd but it flowed well.

So, I can now tick this one off my bucket list. My son and I walked around the outside of the White House taking the usual photographs of this legendary place from the permitted distance. I was surprised to see so many Secret Service police present everywhere and showing themselves openly with their uniforms and cars. I later learned that Joe Biden was in residence on that day – he'd been signing some enormous increase in the national debt ceiling. Pity that we didn't get invited in for an afternoon cup of tea and the chance to give him some hints of running the country.

No, we didn't go inside. So we missed the chance for any tours. But maybe next time...

The tour of the White House is not one to be missed, but it does take some advance planning as you need to request a date about 90 days in advance. The security is tight and they will check you closely. No purses or bags - yes it worse than going through airport security. The house is beautiful and it is hard to believe that they hold tours and the rollback out the rugs and vacuum and mop and it doesn't look like several hundred people just wandered through. By 1030 it is like they were never there and usage goes back to the first family. Well worth the time and effort to arrange your visit ahead of time.

Yes there were not long lines due to the registration process through your local representative. Organized but no docent explained or answered questions as in the previous visits.