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President's Park (White House)Park Ranger assisting a family from Texas (NPS Photo by J. Feeney)
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President's Park (White House)
Plan Your Visit
 
White House Visitor Center

If you have 20 minutes to one hour, visit the White House Visitor Center located inside the north end of the Department of Commerce Building between 14th & 15th Streets on Pennsylvania Avenue (1450 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW). The Center is open daily from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

• Walk through six permanent exhibits relating to the White House including the First Families In the White House, Symbols and Images, White House Architecture, White House Interiors, Working White House, and Ceremonies and Celebration. 

• View a thirty-minute video "Where History Lives" (closed-captioned for the hearing impaired)

• Visit the White House Historical Association Museum shop

• Participate in our interpretive programs, children's learning center, living history programs, military concerts or guest lectures. Look for a park ranger or volunteer for more current information on these programs or click here for Activities Calendar.

• Stop at the information booth for a free map and brochures. Pick up a free updated listing of area's popular attractions, hours of operation and phone numbers or click here President's Park - Washington, D.C. Attractions.

• From the Center, it's about a five-minute walk to see the south view of the White House, which is a great place to photograph!

• Tourmobile Sightseeing stops in front of the White House Visitor Center daily.

The White House
The White House
How to arrange a White House tour
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White House Historical Association Museum Shop
White House Historical Association
Visit the museum shop
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Tourmobile Sightseeing
Tourmobile Sightseeing
Best Way to See Washington, D.C.
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Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Click here for subway and bus routes
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South view of the White House, 2001  (Photo by J. Feeney)  

Did You Know?
These two trees are living reminders of our nation's holiday traditions. The Oriental spruce was lit in December 1941 by both President Roosevelt and Sir Winston Churchill. The current National Christmas Tree is the Colorado blue spruce and has been lit by the President each year since 1978.

Last Updated: January 26, 2009 at 08:00 EST