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.

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.

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.

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!

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,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.