As anyone toured the White House recently? What did you do with your stuff? We are going on a bus trip with our township and at the last minute they found out they were able to get us WH tix, which is really cool. But the bus drops us off at 10am and doesn't pick us up until 5pm. I'm used to traveling light, but with no handbag, etc?

here's what their web site says:

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following: handbags, book bags, backpacks, purses, food and beverages of any kind, strollers, cameras, video recorders or any type of recording device, tobacco products, personal grooming items (make-up, hair brush or comb, lip or hand lotions, etc.), any pointed objects (pens, knitting needles, etc.), aerosol containers, guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons/devices, or knives of any size. The U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items. Umbrellas, wallets, cell phones and car keys are permitted.

Please note that no storage facilities are available on or around the complex. Individuals who arrive with prohibited items will not be permitted to enter the White House.

Hi karens,

We toured in May 2007. I feel your pain. Seriously. They aren't kidding about no bags and it was killing me because I couldn't take my camera. It was killing my husband because I made us walk to the White House the day before to take pictures (out of our way and made for a late night). I knew I couldn't get any pictures the next morning before or after our tour because I couldn't take my camera.

Our tour was at 7:00 am. We left everything in our hotel room except husband's wallet (with my ID also), cell phones and hotel keys. After the tour we did a little more walking around, then took the subway back to the hotel for a nap and check out at 11:00.

I guess your situation is even worse. You could take the chance and trust someone who is sitting outside to watch your stuff while you tour. I read many people on Trip Advisor who did this. (like other people who show up with bags and can't go in either. I don't mean one of the bums nearby!)

You can take turns watching your stuff, like the husband goes through alone, while the wife watches the stuff, then they swap. Miserable option, but an option. Might not work if you're on a group bus tour with lots of people and there's a time constraint. Maybe one of you can sacrifice and babysit bags.

Also read on TA there are lockers somewhat nearby, but not completely trustworthy and not exactly right there.

Hope you can figure out something reasonable! The tour is worth it! (we thought)

Is your group chartering the bus? Perhaps items can be stored in the bus and then retrieved after the tour?

You might consider leaving your handbag at home and travelling with a wallet. It will hold your money and credit cards and then use a makeup case or some other case to hold essentials in you luggage that you'll leave on the bus.

One major point though - the White House tour is approximately 1 1/2 hours so you are possibly being given time to tour around the White House area (Corcoran Art Gallery, Treasury, etc) but you might want to recheck when that bus will be picking you up. 7 hours is a long time.

I'm eager to hear how this worked out for the OP. It seems a logistics nightmare, unless you had someone trustworthy to stay with your stuff outside. Seven hours without my chapstick or hand lotion! Yikes.

Hi. We went on a bus trip through my township, and they arranged to have the bus meet us at the White House Visitor Center after the tour. (Thank goodness)

They don't allow you in much of the White House - about 8-9 rooms, and the tour was self-guided. It only took us about 25 mins. to go through.

It was very interesting to be able to tour, but the limitations do make it difficult for tourists.

You really can't trust anyone to watch your stuff b/c the White House is a large area - it's not like you originate the tour from the Visitor Center or a confined place.