How to get a White House tour?
 

How do you get a tour of the White House? I was told you needed to have a group of 10 but I am hearing others say that it has to be less than 10. I called my congress member and got the information that only groups of 10 were being given tickets.

When I looked into a White House Tour about 15 years ago, I could only get the tour through my congress rep. Since 9-11, I'm sure it's even more difficult. Ask the Congress member's office again and find out if you can join another group while there and tour with them.

I traveled solo to D.C. many years ago (20?) and took a White House tour through a local tour company. No special arrangements needed to be made and I didn't contact my Congress person ahead of time. Apparently, those days are gone forever.

Here is a link to the White house website which has info on tours:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/tours/

I know that White House tours were canceled immediately post 9/11, but are you sure that is still the case? If so, why does the White House website still give info about taking tours? If tours were still forbidden, wouldn't the site say so since it appears the website was updated as recently as July 2003?

The tours were cancelled after 9-11 - BUT in the last few weeks they have announced them being resumed. However you can't just show up. You need advance booking from you Congressman. There must be 10 in the group - BUT since all tours are through a Rep. or Sen., they can put a group of 10 together.

i.e.: You have 4 in your family and someone else asking for a tour has 6 - the representative's office can assemble a group of ten. So contact the local office of your rep or senator and work with them.

The website referenced above says, "Tour requests must be submitted through one's member of Congress and will be accepted up to six months in advance."

Tours are self-guided and are from 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Tuesday-Saturday. The White House Visitors Center is open 7 days a week.

Thanks for all the replies.
When I called I asked about the possibility of combining groups to make the 10 needed and was told "they don't do that". I will try another congress person. Perhaps they will be more sympathetic.