white house tours?

[mtemm]

what is the best way to go about getting tix for a white house tour? I did it years ago on a high school trip and thought it was pretty interesting and would love to go back, and my dh and kids have never been and would like to. we usually go down to my sister's house in VA over april vacation and plan to again this year. any thoughts on how to do this?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/tours-and-events

Public tours of the White House are available. Requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Fridays, and 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturdays (excluding federal holidays). Tour hours will be extended when possible based on the official White House schedule. Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Requests can be submitted up to six months in advance and no less than 30 days in advance. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as possible since a limited number of tours are available. All White House tours are free of charge. For the most current tour information, please call the 24-hour line at 202-456-7041. Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.

If you wish to visit the White House and are a citizen of a foreign country, please contact your embassy in Washington, DC for assistance in submitting a tour request.

Also it's important to note prohibited items:

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following: handbags, book bags, backpacks, purses, food and beverages of any kind, strollers, cameras, video recorders or any type of recording device, tobacco products, personal grooming items (make-up, hair brush or comb, lip or hand lotions, etc.), any pointed objects (pens, knitting needles, etc.), aerosol containers, guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons/devices, or knives of any size. The U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items. Umbrellas, wallets, cell phones and car keys are permitted.

Please note that no storage facilities are available on or around the complex. Individuals who arrive with prohibited items will not be permitted to enter the White House.

 

[louey]

We did the tour last year, I had to call my congressmans office and get on a list. You give them some available dates that you are thinking about then they contact you to let you know which date you got. I called them way in advance and remember bugging them a few times to be sure I was still on the list before I got my date and time. At that time you have to give them everyones name and SS# that is in your party. I am glad we went, it is basically a self guided tour of the some of the first floor rooms. Didn't take too long but so glad we went!!! Washington is great so much to see and all the museums are free. Have fun

 

[dawson5]

My neighbors took their kids about two years ago. I know they asked for tickets a few months in advance and weren't able to get them. I think they go quick, but they did go at spring break so that might have had something to do with it.

Our kids are going in May with the 8th gr class. The teachers/organizers don't hold much hope in being able to tour the WH either.

She did say before they went, before knowing if they could or couldn't get tickets, that everyone had to have an ID. I don't see that in the link. We were just talking about this the other day because I misplaced my DL and was digging to find out acceptable forms of ID to take in to get it replaced. Thankfully I found my DL under the bed (odd).

 

[minniebeth]

The other posters have given you great information~it is way too late to put in a request now for April. It's definately a plan way ahead type of thing and even then, chances for tix. are up in the air, unless you get in with some type of group. Not trying to discourage you, just the reality of it.
Can't hurt to try, just don't get your heart set on it.
Enjoy Washington, it's beautiful in the spring time!

 

[mtemm]

thanks all. I did try to go thru our congressman last year several months in advance but never got them, so was wondering if there was another way. guess we'll probably wait till next year and start early again...and keep bugging them!