The White House West Wing is one of Washington, D.C.’s most recognizable places, but seeing it from the inside is a rare and memorable experience.
Washington D.C.
30 Minutes
Any
Free
Overview
When you think about visiting Washington, D.C., the White House is probably one of the first places that comes to mind. While millions of people visit the White House grounds, President’s Park, and the surrounding area each year, getting a glimpse inside the White House West Wing is a very different experience.
The West Wing is where much of the day-to-day work of the presidency takes place. It is home to the Oval Office and offices used by senior White House staff, and it is a working part of the Executive Office of the President rather than simply a historic attraction. The White House describes the building as both the home of the president and a living museum of American history.
For us, getting to walk through the West Wing was an especially memorable part of a private White House tour. We weren’t able to take photographs inside the West Wing, but we were able to take photos outside, so I still have pictures that remind me of the experience.
Important: A private or special-access visit to the West Wing should not be confused with the standard public White House tour. Current public tours focus on the historic public rooms on the State Floor, including the Blue Room, Red Room, Green Room, State Dining Room, Cross Hall, and Entrance Hall.
History
The story of the West Wing begins with President Theodore Roosevelt and a major renovation of the White House complex.
In 1902, Roosevelt began a significant renovation that moved the president’s offices out of the main residence and into a newly constructed office building. That building became what we now know as the West Wing. The project was designed by the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White.
The West Wing has changed considerably since those early days. In 1909, President William Howard Taft remodeled and expanded the West Wing, including construction of the first Oval Office. President Franklin D. Roosevelt later made major changes in the 1930s, adding another floor and a larger basement and moving the Oval Office to its present location.
Over the decades, the West Wing has become one of the most recognizable places associated with the American presidency. It is where presidents, advisers, staff members, journalists, and visitors have participated in some of the most important moments in modern American history.
The West Wing is also part of a larger White House complex that includes the main residence and other executive offices. The White House notes that many senior presidential advisers work in the West Wing, while much of the Executive Office of the President operates from the nearby Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
West Wing of the White House Plan
When we were planning our time in Washington, D.C., we wanted to see as much of the city as possible, and visiting the White House was definitely on our list.
We had the opportunity to go on a private tour of the White House, which made the experience very different from simply standing outside the White House fence or taking the standard public tour. During our visit, we actually got to walk in the West Wing, which was something I never expected to experience.
Walking through a working part of the White House was fascinating because it felt completely different from visiting a traditional historic building. This wasn’t simply a museum where everything was behind glass. The West Wing was an active workplace.
We couldn’t take photos inside the West Wing, which was understandable given the security surrounding the area. Instead, we took photos outside the West Wing and around the White House grounds. Those exterior photographs are still some of my favorite reminders of our Washington, D.C., trip.
Because access to the West Wing isn’t part of the regular public White House tour, I would consider our private tour experience an unusual opportunity rather than something visitors should expect when requesting a standard White House tour.
Our group at the entrance to the West Wing
Getting There
Location
Washington, D.C., is located on the East Coast of the United States along the Potomac River, between Maryland and Virginia. The nation’s capital is packed into a relatively compact area, making it possible to visit a surprising number of famous landmarks in a single trip.
The White House sits in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C., along Pennsylvania Avenue NW. President’s Park surrounds the White House, with Lafayette Square to the north and the National Mall beginning a short distance to the south.
This central location makes the White House an easy stop when you’re spending several days exploring Washington, D.C. attractions, national monuments, museums, memorials, and historic sites.
Best Time to Go
Washington, D.C., is a year-round destination, but spring and fall are especially pleasant times to visit.
Spring is one of the most popular seasons because of the cherry blossoms and beautiful gardens around the city. The weather is generally comfortable for walking, although the city can be extremely busy during peak cherry blossom season.
Fall is another great option, with cooler temperatures and colorful foliage making it enjoyable to walk between the White House, National Mall, and nearby attractions.
Summer can be hot, humid, and crowded, but it is also a popular time for family vacations. If you’re visiting during the summer, plan your sightseeing for the morning when possible and allow plenty of time for breaks.
Winter tends to be quieter, although the weather can be unpredictable. Holiday decorations and events can also make December an interesting time to visit Washington, D.C.
For a White House visit specifically, always check the official schedule before making plans because tours can change or be canceled due to weather, scheduling conflicts, or other circumstances.
Standing at the pavilion by the West Wing, we were only allowed to take photos outside the building
West Wing of the White House
Who Can Go?
The answer depends on which type of White House access you’re talking about.
The standard public White House tour is available to visitors who successfully arrange a tour through the appropriate process. U.S. citizens request tours through a Member of Congress, while international visitors can contact their embassy for assistance.
For current public tours, visitors of all ages must submit their personal information before arrival. Adults and foreign nationals must have acceptable government-issued identification, and current White House guidance states that guests must meet REAL ID requirements or use an acceptable alternative such as a passport.
Children can visit, although minors 17 and younger who are not accompanied by an adult guardian will not be admitted.
West Wing access is different. The West Wing is a working executive office area and is not included in the regular public White House tour. Our opportunity to walk through the West Wing was part of a private tour, so I would not plan a Washington, D.C., vacation assuming that West Wing access will be available.
What You'll See
A standard White House tour allows visitors to see historic public rooms on the State Floor.
Depending on the current tour route, visitors can see rooms including:
- Blue Room
- Red Room
- Green Room
- State Dining Room
- Cross Hall
- Entrance Hall
These rooms are filled with presidential history, artwork, period furnishings, architectural details, and stories from the many presidents and first families who have lived and worked at the White House.
The West Wing is a completely different experience.
The area is associated with the Oval Office, presidential advisers, senior staff, the press, and the daily work of the executive branch. The White House confirms that many senior advisers work in the West Wing, making it an active workplace rather than simply another historic room on a sightseeing route.
For me, one of the most memorable parts was simply realizing that we were actually walking through a place that I had seen countless times in photographs and on television.
And because we couldn’t take photographs inside, I had to make a point of paying attention to the experience instead of trying to document every detail.
The Presidential Seal at the West Wing
What to Bring & Wear
A White House visit involves security screening, walking, waiting, and potentially spending time outdoors.
I recommend wearing comfortable shoes because you’re likely to do quite a bit of walking while exploring Washington, D.C., and you’ll want to be comfortable before and after your White House visit.
Dress appropriately for the weather, too. The White House notes that part of the public tour is outdoors, and visitors may need to wait outside before entering.
A few other things to remember:
- Bring the required government-issued identification.
- Make sure the information submitted for your tour matches your identification.
- Leave prohibited items at your hotel or somewhere secure.
- Don’t bring food or drinks inside the White House.
- Silence your cell phone before entering.
- Don’t plan on bringing large bags for storage because storage facilities aren’t available at the White House complex or Visitor Center.
- Download the White House Experience App before your visit.
- Bring weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
The current White House guidance also prohibits flash photography and video recording during the public tour.
Where to Go
The White House complex is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
However, don’t assume that the address tells you where to enter for a White House tour.
For the current public White House tour, the designated tour entrance is at the northeast corner of Lafayette Square, at H Street NW and Madison Place NW. The McPherson Square Metro station is approximately a five-minute walk from the tour entrance.
If you’re visiting the West Wing through a private or special-access tour, follow the instructions provided to you by whoever arranged your access. Security procedures and access points can differ, and the West Wing isn’t an ordinary public attraction where you can simply walk up and request admission.
If you don’t have special access, you can still get an excellent look at the White House and West Wing area from public spaces around the complex.
The White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, is another worthwhile stop. It is free to enter and includes historical artifacts, interactive exhibits, photographs, videos, and information about the White House.
How Long Does it Take?
The current standard White House public tour takes approximately 45 minutes and is self-guided.
But don’t plan your entire Washington, D.C., sightseeing schedule around those 45 minutes.
You’ll want to allow additional time for getting to the White House, security screening, waiting, and exploring the surrounding area. The National Park Service recommends arriving early, and the White House recommends arriving at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour.
If you’re combining your White House visit with President’s Park, Lafayette Square, the White House Visitor Center, the National Mall, and nearby monuments, you can easily spend several hours in the area.
Our private tour was different because we were able to experience areas beyond the regular public tour, including walking through the West Wing.
Cost
One of the best things about visiting the White House is that the standard public White House tour is free.
That doesn’t mean the experience has no planning involved. You’ll need to arrange your tour in advance, provide the required information and identification, pass through security, and follow all White House visitor rules.
A private or special-access tour is a different situation. Costs, arrangements, and availability can vary depending on who is organizing the experience, so don’t assume that a private West Wing experience is available for purchase as a normal White House attraction.
For our visit, the West Wing experience came through our private tour opportunity, rather than through the standard public White House tour.
Tips for The West Wing
- Don't assume the West Wing is part of the public White House tour. Current public tours focus on the State Floor public rooms.
- Plan your White House visit well in advance. Tour requests need to go through the appropriate congressional process, and availability can be limited.
- Bring the correct identification. Your submitted information needs to match the identification you present when you arrive.
- Arrive early. The White House recommends arriving at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You'll likely be doing plenty of walking around Washington, D.C., in addition to the White House visit.
- Dress for the weather. Part of the experience can involve being outside and waiting outdoors.
- Travel light. Prohibited items aren't allowed, and there isn't a storage facility where you can simply leave them.
- Don't count on taking interior photographs. Follow the photography and security rules in effect during your visit.
- Download the White House Experience App before you go. It can add additional historical information to the tour and can be used without Wi-Fi once downloaded.
- Use the Metro when possible. Parking around the White House is limited, and the official guidance strongly encourages public transportation.
- Visit the White House Visitor Center. It's free and provides a great introduction to the history of the White House before or after your tour.
- Explore President's Park while you're there. The surrounding area gives you opportunities for exterior photographs and lets you see the White House from several public viewpoints.
- Make the White House part of a larger Washington, D.C., itinerary. There are so many monuments, memorials, museums, and historic sites nearby that it's easy to combine several attractions in one day.
- If you receive an opportunity for private West Wing access, appreciate how unusual it is. Our chance to walk through the West Wing was one of those travel experiences that couldn't be replicated by simply following the normal sightseeing route.
- Put the camera away and enjoy the moment. Since we couldn't take photographs inside the West Wing, I made a point of remembering what it felt like to actually walk through such a historic and important part of Washington, D.C.