How to visit the White House (Washington): permission, schedules

When in your tourist trip along the East Coast of the United States you get to Washington, one of the visits that may attract your attention is that of the white house building.

In that case, you will not be satisfied with seeing it only through the fence that separates it from the great avenue of Mall.

Is it possible to visit the White House?

Indeed there is the possibility of visiting the White House, but you have to keep in mind that you have to apply for a permit well in advance to said visit.

This is because there is a great demand for visitors, which is why it is essential that before travel to Washington, plan your visit to the residence building of the president of the United States in advance.

Curiosities from the history of the White House

La Casa Blanca was built after a United States Congressional Act, in December 1790, establishing the need to build a presidential residence near the Potomac River.

It wasn't until 1800 when it was finished.

Designed by himself George Washington, white house building shows an unmistakable neoclassical style based on one of the villas built by Antonio Palladio, prestigious Italian architect from the time of the Renacimiento, in the sixteenth century.

But the truth is that the president washington He did not live in the new building.

Later, in 1814 it was destroyed by English soldiers in retaliation for the burning of the building of the Parliament in Canada, which forced the building to be rebuilt.

Since then numerous expansions and improvements were carried out. Thus, in 1902 the famous Oval Office.

In 1901, the president roosevelt gave him the White House name, because until then the building was known as the President's House or President's Palace.

It is also worth highlighting the extensive reform that was carried out during the President Truman, which led to the building being closed between 1949 and 1951.

In this renovation, the already deteriorated structure of wood, bricks and stone was replaced.

For its part, Jacqueline Kennedy He directed the most important redecoration of the interior of the White House, with the incorporation of numerous antique furniture and the personalized design of the main rooms of the building.

In this way, the interior of the White House began to show a style closer to that of a royal palace.

As a curiosity, the White House has 135 bedrooms, 35 bathrooms and 28 fireplaces. Distributed over six floors, it has eight stairs and three elevators.

How to visit and take the 2022 White House Tour

The building of the residence of the president of the United States, later known as the White House, has already been opened to the public visit since practically its inauguration, and usually receives about 5.000 visitors a day.

After being closed to visitors during the pandemic, since April 15 of this year year 2022 It is open for visits again.

What is the application deadline to visit the White House?

You have to keep in mind that, as I have mentioned, to visit the White House you have to make a request with a minimum 21 days notice from the date scheduled for it.

And more specifically, to ensure that you will be able to visit it during the dates you have planned your stay in Washington, it is advisable to request the visit as soon as possible in a period of up to three months in advance.

Ticket prices to visit the White House

La White House visit is carried out through a free guided tour, so you will not have to pay any amount for entry.

How to get to the White House

For your visit, it is advisable arrive by subway, because if you arrive by car, for security reasons you will not have the possibility of parking in its surroundings.

All the nearest metro stations to the presidential building are Federal Triangle, Metro Center y McPherson Square.

White House visit hours

The schedules to visit the White House en WashingtonAfter the tours restart, they are on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12,30:XNUMX p.m., except on holidays, when it is closed to visitors.

On Fridays and Saturdays you can visit it from 7,30:13,30 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

As is easy to assume, visits are subject to the calendar of activities in this presidential building, and may even be suspended at the last minute.

How to request a visit to the White House

For request a visit from the White House once resumed guided tours, North American citizens must submit the request via members of the Congress or Senate with a minimum of 21 days in advance of the date of your visit.

Here Detailed information to request your visit to the White House.

In the case of those of us who are not citizens of said country, the request must be made through U.S. Embassy in our respective countries.

Can you take photos at the White House?

It is interesting to know that during your visit inside the White House It is allowed to take photos without flash.

Of course, just with smartphones or small compact cameras; However, you cannot make video recordings with any type of camera.

White House Virtual Tour

La Casa Blanca also has a Visitors Center where, in addition to the usual grocery storesouvenirs, There is a exposure with complementary information about the history of the building.

In this way, during your visit to the aforementioned center, you can learn about aspects related to the architecture or furniture of the presidential building, or learn curiosities about the presidents who have resided there.

If you wish, your visit will take you about 30-40 minutes, with a opening hours from 7,30:16 a.m. to XNUMX p.m..