The White House

The White House

The parts of the White House currently open to visitors are mainly in the East Wing, including the ground floor’s Diplomatic Reception Room, China Room, Vermeil Room, and Library, as well as the first floor’s State Dining Room, Red Room, Blue Room, Green Room, and East Room. It is the only official residence of a head of state in the world that is regularly open to the public. The free tour of the White House is very popular but unfortunately available only during limited periods. However, the White House Visitor Center at the Department of Commerce plays videos about the interior of the White House at all times, showcasing everything from the luxurious decor of the State Rooms to profiles of the First Family, press conferences, and meetings with world leaders. White House Visitor Center

Address: 1450 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Website: www.nps.gov/whho

Subway: Orange/Blue Line to McPherson Sq Station

Hours: 7:30am–4pm　Highlights

The State Dining Room is a two-story white-walled room, originally built in 1792. Since President John Adams, the second U.S. president, it has been used as the official residence by successive presidents. The East Room is the largest room in the White House, primarily used for government ceremonies, balls, and other events.

The Green Room was once where President Jackson dined and is named for its green silk-wallpapered decor.

The Blue Room earned its name when Jacqueline Kennedy changed the originally white walls to blue. It is often used by the presidential couple to entertain guests. The Red Room is primarily used by the First Lady to host small dinners and gatherings, with a red color scheme. The State Dining Room is used for formal banquets and can accommodate up to 140 guests. It features a portrait of President Lincoln.

The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, located on Pennsylvania Avenue in the heart of Washington, D.C., facing the towering Washington Monument. It gets its name from its white sandstone exterior. The site was selected by George Washington, the founding father and first U.S. president, and construction began in 1792, being largely completed by 1800. The renowned Irish-American architect James Hoban was the designer. However, it was not called the White House at the time; that name was officially adopted by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. Covering over 73,000 square meters, the White House consists of the main building and the East and West Wings. The East Wing is open to tourists (Tuesday to Saturday each week), while the West Wing is the office area, housing the Oval Office. The ground floor of the main building includes the Diplomatic Reception Hall, with the South Lawn outside where welcoming ceremonies for visiting heads of state are usually held. The second floor of the main building is where the presidential family resides. The building also contains a Library, Map Room, and exhibits of gold, silver, china, and porcelain with rich collections. In addition, there is the “Jacqueline Kennedy Garden” on the east side of the White House and the “Rose Garden” on the west side. The State Floor, entered through the main entrance, includes five main rooms from west to east: the State Dining Room, Red Room, Blue Room, Green Room, and East Room. The East Room is the largest room in the White House and can hold up to 300 guests, mainly used for large receptions, balls, and commemorative ceremonies. Because the White House faces north, the South Lawn serves as its backyard, commonly known as the Presidential Garden. Every spring during Easter, the President and First Lady host a traditional Easter Egg Roll here.

Transportation

Subway: Orange/Blue Line to Farragut West Station

Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Website: www.whitehouse.gov Phone: 202/456-7041 Tickets | Opening Hours Free entry, but advance reservation through a member of Congress is required.

Opening Hours: 10am–11am, Tuesday to Saturday

Washington, D.C., USA