Complete information about visiting President’s Park and the White House is now on National Park Planner!
The White House is actually a National Park and is open to self-guided tours from Tuesday through Saturday. Tickets are free but must be obtained through your United States congressional representative’s office or your embassy in Washington D. C. at least 21 days in advance. The tour includes visits to rooms on the ground and first floor of the building. No access is permitted to the two upper floors where the President lives, nor to offices in the West Wing, which is not part of the original White House anyway.
President’s Park also consists of a Visitor Center located in the Herbert Hoover Building. Former presidents recollect their stay at the White House in a 15-minute film that shows every twenty minutes, and the history of the White House comes alive through exhibits worthy of a Smithsonian museum. It is by far the fanciest Visitor Center in the National Park system. Visitors are also welcome to walk the grounds surrounding the White House, but keep in mind that this does not include the North and South Lawns, grounds that are only open to the President, his family, staff, and security. On the south side you can walk or jog around the Ellipse, and on the north side you can visit the monuments in Lafayette Park.
DIRECTIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
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Last updated on November 24, 2025
