Spotlight: Washington DC - The White House and Visitor Center

Spotlight: The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. The building was designed in the Neoclassical style by James Hoban, and took 8 years to construct. Every president since John Adams (1800) has lived there. Although part of it was torched by the British during the War of 1812, it was reconstructed in time for James Monroe to move back in in 1817. By the end of the century, the Executive Residence was growing crowded. In 1901, all offices were moved to the newly constructed West Wing. Eight years later, President Taft expanded the West Wing, creating the first Oval Office. An East Wing was later added to serve as a reception area for social events. During the mid-1900s, the interior rooms were completely dismantled in order for an internal load-bearing steel frame to be constructed within the walls. The White House currently contains six stories (two are basements). The complex includes the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (which houses offices for the President's staff and Vice-President) and the Blair House (a formal guest house). The White House is a National Heritage Site and the focal point of the President's Park. In 2007, it ranked second on the American Institute of Architects' list of "America's Favorite Architecture."

Location: The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington DC; the most famous address in the nation. The White House Visitor Center is nearby at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave.

Cost: Self-guided public tours are free. The White House Visitor Center is also free.

Time: Public Self-guided tours take place Tues.-Thurs. from 7:30-11:30 am.; Friday & Sat. from 7:30-1:30 pm. (excluding public holidays). The Visitor Center is open daily from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Description: The White House was originally open to the public. In fact, Inauguration Day parties were held in the White House throughout most of the 1800's, in which thousands of revelers partied on the grounds and in the house with the new President. By the early 1900's, however, safety concerns have continually curtailed access to the House and its grounds. Public tours are still given, as they have been since its construction, but tour passes are hard to obtain. Public tour requests must be submitted through your state's Congressmen or Senators. They are available up to three months before your tour date, and must be obtained at least 21 days in advance. Since the demand for tour requests is much higher than the available slots, the White House has created a digital virtual tour of the White House available to anyone with access to the internet.
     Another option is to visit the official White House Visitor Center. Since we couldn't get passes to a public tour, this is what we did. Visitors can explore an interactive touchscreen tour of the White House and view over 90 artifacts from the White House collection. The Visitor Center also shows a 14-minute film entitled "White House: Reflections from Within." At the information desk, visitors can attend a Ranger program or find out information about other special events occurring with President's Park. Also part of President's Park is the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion Complex.

White House china

The Secret Service is on duty

Replica desk at White House Visitor Center

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: -Since public tour requests are distributed on a first-come, first serve basis, you will want to submit your request as soon as they become available (three months before your tour date). Be aware that all public tours are subject to last minute cancellation. Visitors should call 202-456-7041 to learn if any last minute changes have been made to their tour schedule.
- Foreign visitors should submit public tour requests through their nation's embassy.
- All guests 18 years or older to the White House complex will be required to present a valid, government-issued photo ID. Foreign visitors will be required to present their passports for inspection.
- Since public parking is not available near the White House, visitors are encouraged to use the Metrorail. The closest stations are Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), Metro Center (blue, orange, and red), and McPherson Square (blue and orange).
- The following items are prohibited on White House grounds: video recorders, handbags, book bags, backpacks or purses, food or beverages, tobacco products, personal grooming items (i.e. makeup, lotion, etc.), strollers, any pointed objects, aerosol containers, guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons/devices, or knives of any size. The Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items.

Nearby: Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The National Theatre, Archives-Navy Memorial, Washington Memorial