The White House Garden Tour is offered twice a year over weekends in the Spring and Fall (April and October). Guests are invited to stroll around the White House grounds and share photos on social media using the
hashtag #WHGarden. Visitors can tour the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, White House Kitchen Garden and South Lawn
of the White House.
This year's Spring Garden Tour was cut short by one day due to massive protests on Saturday, April 5th.
Tickets are required for all attendees including small children. Free timed tickets are distributed at a National Park Service tent located near the White House Visitor Center in the morning on each tour day. Tickets are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. All attendees must be present in line to receive a ticket (one per person). Ticketing times will be announced a few weeks prior to the event. Tour weekends are usually held in April and October.
The use of public transportation is strongly encouraged. The Metrorail stations closest to the White House are Metro Center (blue, orange, and red lines), Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), and McPherson Square (blue and orange lines).
If you drive, you can find nearby parking here.
Tickets are given out at a National Park Service tent located near the White House Visitor Center.
There are long lines for tickets, so get there early. In the past, tickets have run out after a couple hours. The tickets are timed, so the earlier you get in line, the better chance you have
of getting the time you want.
And, if you don't get in on Saturday, you can try again on Sunday morning. Tickets are distributed one per person so all attendees must be present in line to receive a ticket.
Past Garden Tour attendees have written about their experience and have posted tips and advice for touring. Here are some of the most helpful postings:
All guests will be screened by the U.S. Secret Service. Bags, backpacks and purses will not be permitted inside the White House grounds, (wallet-size clutches no larger than 5" x 7", medical bags and parenting bags no larger than 14" x 14" x 6" will be permitted and subject to security screening). Strollers, wheelchairs, umbrellas (no metal tips), and cameras are allowed.
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to the following: Aerosols, ammunition, animals other than service/guide animals, bicycles, balloons, coolers, drones and other unmanned aircraft systems, e-cigarettes and smoking paraphernalia of any kind, explosives, firearms, glass, thermal, or metal containers, all water bottles, laser pointers, mace/pepper spray, packages, recreational motorized mobility devices, selfie sticks, signs, umbrellas with metal tips, supports for signs and placards, structures, toy guns, weapons of any kind, and any other items determined to be potential hazards. (Source)
