The White House (Washington DC)

When I think of all of the Monuments, Museums and Attractions in Washington DC, I consider the White House to be the Crown Jewel. Many of the sites in Washington are free to the public. The majority of these attractions can be visited on a whim without prior planning, reservations or notification. The White House is not that easy. The White House is the private residence of the President of the United States as much as it is a public building. Scheduling a tour of the White House requires prior planning which still does not guarantee a visit.

Short of knowing someone, the best way to obtain a tour of the White House is by submitting a request to your State Senator's office. When you submit your request, you should include the names, social security numbers and dates of birth for everyone you intend to bring with you. This will ensure that the proper background investigation can be conducted prior to your arrival. Submitting the request more than a month in advance will enhance your chances of getting a tour. You can submit requests up to six months in advance which would be even better. By having a flexible schedule for your vacation, you may increase the likelihood of securing a visit. By providing a wider range of dates, your representative in Congress will have a better opportunity to secure your date. For additional information regarding White House tours, you can call the event line at 202-456-7041 (24 hours a day). The White House also has a visitor's center located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue.

If you are lucky enough to secure a tour date you will be provided information about your tour. If your Aunt Mildred decides she wants to come along with you on vacation at the last minute, she may as well stay at the hotel during your White House trip. Last minute additions are not permitted. There is a guest list maintained at the entrance to the tour. If your name is not on the list, you don't visit. Pretty simple. Leave your bags at the hotel, too. You are not allowed to bring purses or other bags on the tour with you and there are not any lockers available to secure your possessions. Cameras are also not permitted on the tour, so you should leave them at the hotel with Aunt Mildred. After you are confirmed on the guest list, you will be required to pass through a magnetometer prior to beginning your tour.

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