TIP: WHITE HOUSE TOURS

White House Public Tours: East Wing and the Residence

Requests for the White House tour must be submitted through your Member of Congress in either the House or Senate.

These self-guided tours are available from 7:30AM - 11:30AM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; and from 7:30AM - 1:30PM on Friday and Saturday. Tour hours are extended whenever the White House schedule permits.

White House tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis and they must be requested a minimum of 21 days in advance of your visit. Requests can be submitted up to three months in advance. The earlier, the better as only a limited number of spaces are available.

The White House will notify you of your tour request status approximately two weeks before the tour date. Spring and summer tours fill up quickly, so make your request early. Want to see the holiday decorations? Submit your Christmas tour requests in September. All tours are free of charge. You can call the Visitors Office information line 24 hours a day at 202-456-7041 for updates about any last minute schedule changes or cancellations of tours.

Secret tip: If your request for a White House tour is denied, you might be able to get in on a Congressional Member's Pass distributed monthly by the White House Visitors Office.

Photos Are Now Allowed on the White House Tour!

In 2015, the White House lifted its longstanding camera and photo ban on public tours. Guests are now welcome to take photos throughout the White House tour route and are encouraged to share their photos using the hashtag #WhiteHouseTour. Phones and compact still cameras with a lens no longer than 3 inches are allowed.

White House Family Movie Theater Now Included in Tours

As of May 12, 2017, the Family Theater is now included as part of the self-guided public White House tour. Read the official announcement here.

West Wing Tours

At this time, the only way to experience a West Wing Tour is by invitation from the White House or through a personal connection to a White House staffer willing to lead you on an after-hours tour.

White House Spring Garden Tour and Fall Garden Tour

Guests are invited to stroll through the White House gardens during certain weekends in the Spring and Fall. For more information about upcoming tours, visit the White House Fall Garden Tour page.

White House Easter Egg Roll

If you have children, you can enter the Easter Egg Roll lottery for a chance to attend the Easter Egg Roll held every Spring on the South Lawn of the White House.

National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The White House will welcome the 2017 holiday season with the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on November 30. Tickets were distributed by lottery in mid October. Lucky winners were notified on October 30.

White House Christmas Tours

You can view the White House Christmas decorations in December by signing up in advance for a White House tour. These tours are popular, so the sooner you submit your request, the better chance you will have to tour the White House this holiday season.