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White House Tours: What to Expect when You Visit

The most important thing to know about White House tours is that the require serious planning. Check out our post about how to request White House tickets from your Member of Congress.

The second most important thing to know is what you’re going to see and what you are not. White House tours are an unguided walk and does not include the West Wing. So, unless you are friends with someone in the current presidential administration, you will not get to see the oval office, situation room, or any of the other spaces in the West Wing.

You got White House tickets, now what?

Once you have your confirmed reservation, make sure to review your all the paperwork you get from the White House very carefully. This paperwork will tell you exactly what to bring and also exactly what is prohibited. On the day of your assigned tour, show up on 15th Street NW at least 15 minutes before your assigned time. Photos are allowed on White House tours. However, you are not allowed to take videos.

White House security – what to expect

Security at the White House is tight. There are multiple security checkpoints before you can enter the building. The first checkpoint is the name check, where you will show your photo ID and Secret Service will check your name off the reservation list. Then, you will stand in line to have your photo taken. After that, you will stand in line for the second security check where they have the airport style metal detector. You should plan to spend 30 minutes to an hour in security lines depending on how early in the day your assigned time is.

A very crucial trip hack is to use the restroom before getting in line. The White House has no public restrooms. If there is a restroom emergency, you have to leave the White House grounds and go through the whole security process all over again. The closest public restroom is in the White House Visitor Center at 15th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

What you see during White House tours

Once you clear security, you will enter the East Wing. Once you enter, you will see a corridor of pictures of past presidents. You will also see some photos of first families and first pets.

After that, you will be able to peek into some of the ground floor rooms like the Library, the China Room, the Map room and Vermeil Room. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to enter any of these rooms.

After that, you will go up and you can walk through the rooms on the state floor. First, there is the East Room which is the biggest room in the White House. The East Room is used for ceremonies, receptions, and has hosted several weddings. The Green Room is next – it is a parlor often used to serve cocktails during the reception. Then, there is the Blue Room which is where the president and first lady often receives guests. The Blue Room is where the White House Christmas tree is located. The Red Room is a small parlor and a personal favorite of some former first ladies. Finally, you will then see the State Dining Room which can host up to 130 people. Then, you will exit through the north side of the building.

How long White House tours take

Since White House tours are unguided, you can take as much time as you need to see everything. However, the average person takes 30-45 minutes. There are no tour guides. But, the Secret Service are stationed in all of the rooms and people do ask them questions. They go through special training and do their best to answer everyone’s questions.

Coming to Washington, DC and want us to show you around? Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites.  Click here to check out the upcoming tour options  and to book your tour here today!  Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions.

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White House tours are back: Here's what you need to know

I remember visiting the White House for the first time during former President George H.W. Bush's time in office.

A friend with a friend who worked in the Washington, D.C., landmark at the time — if that isn't a quintessential D.C. thing to say, I don't know what is — was couch surfing at my place and wanted to "pay" me with a tour of the presidential mansion.

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I happily accepted the offer and, not long after, found myself exploring the iconic building. In addition to checking out the usual rooms included in the tour, my friend scored us a peek inside the Oval Office, an experience I'll never forget.

Like many sites in D.C., the White House paused tours of its interior due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But after 14 months, the Biden Administration announced that tours will resume on Friday and Saturday mornings starting April 15.

As was the case before the pandemic, you can't just show up and ask for tickets. Instead, you'll need to plan your visit weeks in advance.

Before you finalize your itinerary, here's everything you need to know about White House tours, plus suggestions for where to stay nearby.

Although the White House is managed by the National Park Service, you can't reach out to the agency to get tickets. Instead, you'll need to request them from your member of Congress (or your embassy, if you're not a U.S. resident). You can do this between three months and 21 days in advance.

Tours are limited to Friday and Saturday mornings (excluding federal holidays or unless otherwise noted) from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, so you'll want to request your tickets as early as possible.

When you submit your request, be sure to include three potential dates for your tour, as well as the number of individuals in your party. Try to avoid the Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day and Christmas holidays, as tickets are a lot harder to come by during these busy times.

While you'll have a set tour time when you receive your tickets, know that unexpected events may occasionally cause your tour to be canceled at the last minute. If this happens, you'll need to submit a new request for a tour.

On the day of your tour, all members of your group who are 18 and older will need to present a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or military ID (or a passport, if they're from another country). Each person's name, date of birth, city and state given for the reserved tickets must exactly match the government-issued photo ID presented.

While face masks are not required during the tour, they will be available on site should you want to wear one. Items you're welcome to bring on the tour include:

• Compact cameras with lenses shorter than 3 inches long.
• Umbrellas without metal tips.
• Small personal items like wallets and cellphones.
• Items needed for medical purposes, such as wheelchairs (which you also can request at the Visitors Entrance), medications and mobility aids.

Keep in mind, though, that the White House's strict security protocols mean certain items are not permitted inside. These include:

• Video cameras, cameras with detachable lenses, tablets, iPads, tripods, monopods and cameras sticks.
• Bags of any kind (handbags, purses, book bags, backpacks, diaper bags and camera bags).
• Any pointed object, including pocket knives.
• Food, liquids, aerosols, tobacco products and personal grooming items (makeup, lotion, etc.).
• Guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons and devices, toy weapons and knives of any kind.

There is no storage available at the White House or the White House Visitor Center, so plan on keeping any prohibited items in your hotel safe or leaving them with a companion who isn't taking the tour.

What you'll see

After you've made your way through security, you'll embark on an hourlong tour that includes stops at several well-known spots in the building, including the family theater, the East Room (which you may recognize from press conferences and special events), the State Dining Room (a banquet hall and ceremonial chamber for official events) and the Blue Room (a reception room famous for its decorations during the holiday season).

Depending on what's going on during your visit (or who you know), you may also have the chance to see other spaces like the Oval Office and the South Lawn, where Marine One (the presidential helicopter) lands and departs.

To supplement your White House tour, check out the adjacent White House Visitor Center . Open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the center is home to roughly 100 historical artifacts and offers an interactive touchscreen tour of the White House.

There's also the nearby White House Historical Association retail store , which sells a great selection of souvenirs, including history books, jewelry, cherry blossom items and the official White House Christmas ornament.

Where to stay

Washington, D.C. is home to many chain, independent and boutique hotels, and luckily, some of the best ones happen to be within walking distance of the White House. Here are some of my personal favorites — and their current room rates for October 2022.

Related: Best hotel credit cards

The Hay-Adams

This historic hotel located between the White House and Lafayette Park regularly shows up on lists of the best hotels in D.C., and for good reason. If you play your cards right, you can snag a room with White House and Washington Monument views.

Speaking of views, the property's top-floor Top of the Hay has French doors that open onto a wraparound balcony with panoramic White House and city skyline vistas. It has a full-service rooftop kitchen, making it a terrific space for meetings and special occasions.

Since The Hay-Adams is a boutique hotel, it does not participate in any major brand's loyalty program. As a result, you'll need to pay cash for your stay. Standard superior rooms start at $439 a night.

Hotel Washington

For a while, this 105-year-old hotel was known as the W Washington DC, but it reverted back to its original name in August 2021.

The chic property is known for the Vue, an open-air space regularly touted as one of the city's best rooftop bars. You'll also find a mix of rooms and suites, including some with jaw-dropping city views.

Cash rates for a standard queen room at this independently operated hotel start at $337 per night, but if you're looking for a show-stopping view, consider upgrading to one of the Monument suites. You'll enjoy sweet views of the Washington Monument for a minimum of $580 a night.

JW Marriott Washington, DC

One of Marriott's flagship hotels just happens to sit right on Pennsylvania Avenue, less than two blocks away from the White House and next door to the National Theatre.

Like other hotels on this list, the JW Marriott Washington, DC boasts rooms with incredible views of downtown and the city's popular monuments. You'll also find a moody bar and an American-inspired restaurant on site, should you crave a cocktail or bite to eat after sightseeing.

While standard rooms do not come with a Washington Monument view, for a slight price increase, you can reserve a king bedroom that overlooks the monument starting at $359 a night. If you have a stash of Marriott Bonvoy points, you can apply 50,000 to 60,000 points per night to cover a stay here.

Willard InterContinental Washington DC

The history of this hotel, which opened in 1818, almost goes back to the start of the republic. As such, it was the place to see and be seen for centuries.

When I moved to D.C. in 1978, the iconic Willard had been closed for 10 years and was just a decaying building on Pennsylvania Avenue. That same year, a team was chosen to redevelop the hotel into the stunning property it is today.

Ever since reopening in 1986, the IHG-affiliated hotel has drawn visitors with its ornate lobby and classically-styled rooms.

To book a king room with a premium view, expect to spend at least $517 per night or apply a minimum of 53,000 to 94,000 IHG Rewards points per night.

Kimpton Banneker Hotel

Located on a tree-lined avenue with a view down 16th Street Northwest to the White House, this Kimpton outpost is slightly off the beaten path ... in a good way.

The property's Lady Bird rooftop bar features a bird's-eye view of D.C., including an unobstructed look at the White House, and a centerpiece U-shaped bar. Rooms and suites feature modern, eye-catching designs with colorful local art and bold accent walls.

Because this property participates in the IHG Rewards program, you can use either cash or points to pay for a room here. A standard room with two queen beds starts at $315 or 53,000 points per night.

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the White House in Washington, D.C. [Includes Virtual Tour]

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Table of Contents

History of the white house, getting to the white house, how to schedule a tour of the white house, the white house experience mobile app (virtual tour), white house garden tour, the white house easter egg roll, white house visitor center, president ’s park, best place to take pictures of the white house, 20 facts about the white house, hotels near the white house, final thoughts.

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As the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, the White House is one of the most easily recognizable and iconic buildings in the world. Home to every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800, the White House is a historically and culturally important building that attracts millions of visitors all year round.

The site for the White House was selected by George Washington back in 1791, with the cornerstone laid by Irish-born architect James Hoban 1 year later. The extensive and ambitious build took 8 years to complete, and although it was Washington that commissioned it, he sadly died before it was completed.

Originally known as the President’s House, it was the second President of the United States, President John Adams, and his wife that were the first to take up residence there . However, much of the original building was destroyed by a fire set by rampaging Brits in 1814. The newly built house was completed some 4 years later, and it has been called home by a succession of presidents and their families ever since.

During the early 20th century, various additions were made to the building, including the iconic West Wing that houses the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, the Situation Room, and the Roosevelt Room, among others. During the Great Depression, the White House suffered neglect as a result of dwindling funding, and urgent renovations were needed during the 1940s.

Now one of the most well-cared for and loved buildings in America, the White House as we know it today is home to 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels in residence , as well as 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators. Anyone visiting the capital city of Washington, D.C., should definitely try to pay a visit.

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is probably one of the most famous addresses in the world. Taking a trip to visit the sprawling presidential home and offices is easy using almost any route.

There is a Metrobus stop located on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street, which is the closest stop to the White House Visitor Center. Pennsylvania Avenue Line numbers 30, 32, 34, 35, and 36 all stop there.

Union Station is around 1.5 miles away from the Visitor Center. Heading northeast along Massachusetts Avenue, you can take in the city as you walk there, or hop on the shuttle bus that leaves from outside the station every 10 minutes.

The Blue, Silver, and Orange lines stop at Farragut West, McPherson Square, or Metro Center stations, all of which are within easy walking distance of the Visitor Center.

There are several parking lots that are located close to the White House Visitor Center, but spaces can be difficult to find and expensive. Downtown D.C. is also rated as one of the worst cities for traffic in the U.S. , so it may be quicker to walk or use public transport than try to undertake the journey by car.

The White House is one of the most popular landmark attractions in the world. Every year, demand for tours outstrips the available places, so before your head off, make sure you know the best ways to maximize your chances of getting a tour inside the world-famous White House.

Planning Your Visit

In order to visit the rooms that are available for public inspection at the White House, you will need to book a tour in advance . Tours are free of charge and self-guided , but you must request permission to visit at least 3 weeks in advance of your arrival in order to receive clearance from the U.S. Secret Service.

You can request tours up to 3 months in advance via your member of Congress , but there is no guarantee that your request will be accepted.

The self-guided tours run from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, but these timings can be subject to change depending on the White House schedules and events. Tours can also be canceled without prior notice, so be prepared.

Tours run in groups of 10 , and you will be placed in a group with other visitors before arrival if there are not enough in your own party. You will need to submit information about every member of your party, including their address, phone number, date of birth, Social Security number, and country of citizenship.

You will need to show your ID upon arrival, and your ID must exactly match all of the information you submitted in your application . A valid U.S. government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or military ID, is acceptable for U.S. nationals, as are valid U.S. passports.

Overseas Nationals

If you are planning on visiting the White House from overseas, you will need to contact your home country’s embassy in Washington, D.C. to submit a tour request before your departure. Foreign nationals must present their passport — no other forms of foreign ID will be considered as acceptable.

Disabilities

If you or anyone in your group is hearing, visually, or mobility impaired, their needs can usually be catered for through your member of Congress, or via your embassy. There is also a TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf) at the Visitor Center, which can be contacted at 202-456-2121. Guide animals are permitted in the White House.

If you need the use of a wheelchair during your visit, you can request the loan of a wheelchair at the Visitor Entrance upon arrival. Unfortunately, reservations are not possible , but if you are able to secure one, there is a ramp to allow access to the entrance on the ground floor, and an elevator to take you from the ground floor to the State floor.

Hot Tip: While no tour company can get you access to the White House, you can take the popular hop-on, hop-off tour of Washington, D.C . on the red loop which takes in the White House, U.S. Capitol, and many more landmarks. 

On the Day of Your Tour

If you are successful in your application to book a tour of the White House, there are further instructions and guidelines to consider on the day.

Firstly, you should plan to get to President’s Park 15-30 minutes before your tour is due to start . This will allow plenty of time for presenting your ID to officers, taking toilet breaks, and ensuring that you don’t have prohibited items in your bag. Better still, if you arrive an hour or so before your allocated tour time, you can take in the exhibits and watch a video of the White House at the Visitor Center.

You will enter the White House by the south side of East Executive Avenue near the Southeast Gate , where National Park Service rangers will be on hand to assist you.

As you would expect, security is tight in and around the White House. Visitors must adhere to strict rules about what they can and can’t take with them during the tour.

Prohibited items include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Video cameras and cameras with detachable lenses
• Tablets and iPads
• Tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, and camera sticks
• Any bags, including handbags, purses, book bags, backpacks, diaper bags, and camera bags
• Any pointed object or sharp objects
• Food and liquids
• Aerosols and personal grooming items such as makeup or lotion
• Guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, and mace
• Martial arts weapons or toy weapons

You should also note that there are no storage facilities at the White House , so if you accidentally bring prohibited items with you, there is nowhere to leave them, and you will be denied entry to the tour. Leave everything on the above list back at home or in your hotel room.

There are certain items that you can take with you on your tour, but they may be subject to usage limitations. These include:

• Compact cameras (can be used for still photography only, no video recording or streaming, and all lenses must be less than 3 inches long)
• Umbrellas without metal tips
• Cell phones (remember, though, that talking or texting is not allowed, and phones must be on silent)
• All items needed for medical purposes will be permitted, including wheelchairs, electronic scooters, glucose tablets, EpiPens, medication, etc.)

Hot Tip: Before and during the tour, you are at the mercy of government officers. In some circumstances, the U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items that you may be carrying.

In these tech-friendly times, smartphone users will be delighted to know that there is a White House Experience Mobile App that you can download to enhance your experience during your visit.

Available on both iOS and Android , this is a useful tool for visitors who have not been successful in finding a place on an official tour, as well as those who have. Users can enjoy a virtual tour of the White House and the surrounding President’s Neighborhood, as well as taking a tour through the history of the White House and how its customs have evolved.

There are also a number of fun features to raise a smile. Snap a selfie with the Presidential Lookalike feature, or take the opportunity to virtually pilot the presidential helicopter around Washington, D.C., using the Fly Like Ike feature.

The Virtual White House tour offers visitors a glimpse of the interiors of the public areas including the East Wing, Family Theater, Library, Vermeil Room, China Room, Diplomatic Reception Room, Map Room, State Floor, as well as the famous rooms of the West Wing such as the Oval Office, Cabinet Room, and Press Room.

You can also sneak a peek into some of the upper floors, including the Treaty Room, the Lincoln Bedroom, the Queen’s Bedroom, and the President’s Dining Room.

While you are out and about, why not try the White House Neighborhood Walking Tour that provides turn-by-turn navigation of the President’s Neighborhood.

This tour stops at a range of historic landmarks, including Decatur House, Lafayette Square, St. John’s Church, Treasury Building, North Lawn, Blair House, Eisenhower Executive Office Building, South Lawn and Ellipse, and the White House Visitor Center. The app also provides information on points of interest at each of these locations.

During the spring and fall, the White House opens its stunning and extensive gardens to visitors. With the sun shining on Washington, D.C., garden lovers can stroll through the White House Kitchen Garden, the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the Rose Garden, and South Lawn of the White House, while taking in the tranquil surroundings just outside the home of democracy.

The Spring Garden Tour usually takes place on a single weekend in April, while the Fall Garden Tour will is held over a weekend in September. Both White House Garden Tours are free and open to the public, but they are only open to ticket holders.

Tickets can only be obtained on the day , but there are often long queues of people waiting to get hold of them. Every member of your group must wait in-person to receive their ticket, and tours are timed throughout the day. Children are welcome to join you on your tour, but they will need their own ticket, and there are plenty of plaques and information points to take in during your self-guided tour of the gardens.

The White House Gardens are home to over 50 different kinds of vegetables, as well as berries, herbs, and even a beehive . In 2009, first lady Michelle Obama planted the Kitchen Garden in conjunction with her Let’s Move! Initiative that focused on health and well-being in America. To this day, the White House cooks still use fresh fruit, vegetable, and herbs that are grown there when cooking for the first family and their guests.

The Rose Garden is famous for the lush green lawn often seen in outdoor press conferences, and it can be found just outside the West Wing in view of the Oval Office. The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden is dedicated to the former first lady herself, and the wide-open lawns and gorgeous borders are often used for parties, teas, and awards ceremonies.

The South Lawn is where the president departs and lands on the official presidential helicopter, Marine One, and is also where the famous annual Easter Egg Roll is held. It is also home to a range of magnolia trees that were first planted by President Andrew Jackson back in the 1800s.

Hot Tip: Visitors are welcome to take photos during the tour and are encouraged to share them on Instagram using the #WHGARDEN hashtag to share the beauty of the White House Gardens with the world.

Often drawing as many as 35,000 parents and children on the South Lawn, the world-famous White House Easter Egg Roll is one of the most exciting events of the White House calendar.

This time-honored tradition was first established by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878 . What initially started as a few local families rolling eggs outside the White House on the first Monday after Easter , was extended when the growing crowds convinced President Hayes to invite young children to roll eggs inside the grounds of the White House Lawn instead.

If it hadn’t have been this kind gesture by the then president, the Egg Roll might never have happened, as members of Congress had already passed an Act banning egg rolling outside the White House as they deemed it be too disruptive.

The White House Easter Bunny holds celebrity status, and the giant 6-foot bunny suit has often worn by members of Congress, first wives, and a range of famous celebrities.

Anyone wanting to come and join in the fun must enter a lottery for a place. Children under 13 years are encouraged to attend, and the event is designed to promote healthy and active living. The lottery is usually held during February , and winners are notified via email the following month. There is no charge to enter the lottery , and attendance is literally by the luck of the draw.

Hot Tip: Commemorative White House Easter eggs can be purchased from the White House Historical Association online store and feature the president’s and the first lady’s signatures.

Located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave., the White House Visitor Center is a great place to visit to find out about the history of the building itself, as well as discovering the customs and events that the White House is so famous for.

What to See at the Visitor Center

Offering just shy of 1,600 square feet of museum-quality exhibits and galleries , there is always something new to see at the Visitor Center. There are nearly 100 famous historical artifacts on display, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s desk and a host of other interesting pieces, many of which have never been on public display before.

The Visitor Center is also home to a large-scale model of the White House and a number of interactive exhibits , including a touch screen tour of the interior.

One of the biggest highlights is a 14-minute film, “White House: Reflections From Within,” that is shown every 20 minutes. It features Presidents Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and a few first ladies and other family members reminiscing about their time in the White House. This is a popular attraction within the Visitor Center and a must-see whether you have managed to secure a place on a White House tour or not.

The White House Visitor Center is operated by the National Park Service . It is housed in historic Baldrige Hall in the Department of Commerce building. In 2014, the center was renovated to offer extra space in which to house a permanent museum gallery, a temporary exhibit area, an improved book sales area, and further visitor information facilities.

When to Visit

The White House Visitor Center is open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day . It is free to enter and can be visited in conjunction with a White House tour if you are lucky enough to get on one, or as a stand-alone attraction.

Located at the heart of downtown Washington, D.C., President’s Park offers 82 acres of stunning open space that includes the parkland and gardens surrounding the White House . The park is home to some of the most famous statues, memorials, and structures in Washington, D.C., and the park is open to visitors all year round.

Throughout the years, the President’s Park has played host to many important events in history. These include marches and rallies held by suffragettes, freedom fighters, and anti-war protestors, as well as welcoming thousands of visitors to enjoy the annual Easter Egg Roll and the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.

The National Park Service promotes 2 very distinct sides of the park for visitors to explore.

The Northern Trail

Beginning at the White House Visitor Center, visitors can proceed up to 15th Street to Lafayette Park on the Northern Trail . First opened in the 1820s, and redesigned in the 1960s, the park has been used as a race track, a slave market, an encampment for soldiers, and many other things along the way.

The park is also home to St. John’s Church, often referred to as the “Church of the Presidents,” and the whole area became a designated National Historic Landmark in 1970.

Statues and Monuments

The park is home to a number of statues that commemorate the many heroes who helped America during times of war. These include:

General Sherman Statue

Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman has his very own bronze statue that features a square platform with a bronze soldier at each corner. These represent the 4 branches of the U.S. Army: infantry, artillery, cavalry, and engineers.

General Lafayette Statue

Located at the southeast corner of Lafayette Square, this bronze statue was erected in 1891 and portrayed the Marquis de Lafayette petitioning the French National Assembly for assistance to the Americans in their fight for independence. On an adjoining pedestal, there is a bronze female figure, symbolizing America, turning toward him and imploringly lifting a sword.

General Kosciuszko Statue

Commemorating Polish patriot Thaddeus Kosciuszko and his life-long dedication to fighting for freedom in America and Poland, this bronze memorial is located in the northeast corner of Lafayette Park.

General Jackson Memorial

Located in the center of Lafayette Park, this statue portrays General Andrew Jackson reviewing his troops at the Battle of New Orleans. Depicting the general and his horse, the statue was dedicated on January 8, 1853, on the 38th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans.

General von Steuben Statue

Portraying Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (1730-1794) as he inspects American troops during the American Revolution, this statue recognizes not only his leadership but his commitment to raising the standards of sanitization for soldiers during the war.

General Rochambeau Statue

This French general commanded 5,500 Royal French Expeditionary Forces to help with the American forces during the war. The statue depicts Rochambeau directing his troops, as well as a female figure, Liberty, who raises 2 flags in her left hand, symbolizing the unity of the U.S. and France.

Other Landmarks and Buildings

Blair-lee house.

Serving as the official guesthouse for the president, Blair-Lee House was built in 1824. Various presidents and foreign dignitaries have stayed at Blair-Lee House throughout the years, and even today, many foreign heads of state are invited to stay there while visiting with the president.

Baruch Bench of Inspiration

Bernard Baruch was a wealthy financier from New York City who also served the country as an economic advisor during both World War I and World War II. Legend has it that he hated been driven to the White House and preferred instead to sit on a bench and wait for a signal that the president was ready to meet him.

In his honor, a commemorative bench with a bronze plaque set in granite block was dedicated on August 16, 1960, Baruch’s 90th birthday.

Navy Yard Urns

These huge ornamental bronze urns were cast using a melted cannon from the Civil War. They sit on giant pedestals at the center of Jackson Place and are a reminder of the hard-fought battles undertaken by Americans during the Civil War.

The Southern Trail

The Southern Trail begins at the White House Visitor Center and proceeds onto the Ellipse grounds, following a clockwise route around the parkland.

Monuments and Memorials

Butt-millet memorial fountain.

This tranquil fountain was erected to commemorate the deaths of Major Archibald Wallingham Butt and Francis Davis Millet. They both lost their lives on the RMS Titanic in April 1912. The fountain was also designed to double as a water fountain for the horses ridden by U.S. Park Police while on patrol.

Second Division Memorial

Erected to honor the 17,660 dead who served in the U.S. Army during World War I, this memorial was later extended to include a memorial to some of the most significant battles in World War II and the Korean War. It serves as a place of quiet contemplation and remembrance.

Original Patentees Memorial

This simple granite shaft was erected to remember the original 18 patentees whose land grants embraced the site of the federal city. Each side of the monument contains a relief panel carved with a symbol of the early pioneers’ agricultural pursuits, and the names of the original landowners are inscribed on the base.

Boy Scout Memorial

Dedicated to the Boy Scouts of America, this statue stood on the site of the first-ever Boy Scout Jamboree in 1937. The bronze statue consists of 3 figures that represent the aspirations of all past, present, and future Scouts throughout the world. There is also a female figure that symbolizes enlightenment with the love of God and fellow man, justice, freedom, and democracy.

The Zero Milestone

This 4-foot-high shaft of pink granite is the official starting point for the measurement of highway distances from Washington, D.C. It was built to mark the starting point of the first transcontinental military motor convoy that traveled from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.

First Division Monument

This was built in remembrance of the heroism of the soldiers of the First Division of the American Expeditionary Forces who gave their lives during World War I. Further additions were made to also commemorate those who died in both World War II and the Vietnam War, as well as the Gulf War.

Bulfinch Gatehouses

Both of these gatehouses were build to oversee the U.S. Capitol grounds, and since 1889 they have weathered several floods, water, and the effects of acid rain.

The Ellipse

As perhaps one of the most famous areas of President’s Park, the Ellipse is a large open area surrounded by an oval drive. Over the years, the site has been used as a trash dump, horse pens, and even a slaughterhouse, but it is now often the meeting place for demonstrations and celebrations.

The National Christmas Tree

Every Christmas, local public schools erect a Christmas tree on the Ellipse. This age-old tradition is a highly anticipated event, and each succeeding president has participated in since 1923.

A visit to Washington, D.C. would not be complete without taking a series of snaps of the White House. There are various ways to capture awesome images of one of the world’s most iconic buildings, even if you can’t get right up close to it.

The North Side From Pennsylvania Avenue

This view of the White House is one of the most famous images in the world. There is a fair distance between the sidewalk and the White House (as you would expect), but it is not impossible to get great pictures.

If you want to pass off the impression that you are inside the grounds of the White House, find a gap in the fence that is big enough to slip your digital camera through. Taking a picture of the White House straight on can make it look like it leans backward slightly. This is because there are no parallel vertical lines in the historical building.

You can either go with it and enjoy its imperfections or if you want your images to look super fancy, use the lens correction tool in Photoshop to fix this.

If you don’t mind seeing the fencing in your photographs, there are also some awesome images to be captured from Lafayette Park, where you can add stunning seasonal flowers into the foreground, too.

The South Side and E Street

On the south side of the White House, there are lots of trees that line the South lawn, which can be prohibitive to your view. There are, however, 2 walkways on E Street that offer you some excellent photographic opportunities.

You can take images through the fence on the north side of the street, or cross over to include people and bustling street scenes to add a sense of perspective.

Taking a short walk further away from the building itself, the Ellipse offers the opportunity for some excellent shots, and if you are lucky, you may be able to get Marine One in there, too. The base of the Washington Monument on Constitution Avenue offers some interesting viewpoints as well, as it has a slightly elevated position.

When to Take Pictures

Different seasons and times of the day offer different opportunities to capture the perfect picture. During the holiday season, the National Christmas Tree is bright and festive, with the White House providing a beautiful backdrop to great Christmas images, while the gardens around the White House look fantastic in both spring and fall.

Summer is the busiest time of year for visitors, so capturing images without bystanders is nearly impossible, but they can add an extra layer of perspective to your finished shots. Early morning and early evening shots add atmosphere, as the building looks magical lit up at night.

Bottom Line: No matter where you find yourself in the surrounding streets and parklands, you should still be able to take photographs that will keep your memories alive.

George Washington Never Lived There

Although he was responsible for commissioning the construction of the White House, his term ended 3 years before the building work was completed, and a year after he died. He is the only U.S. president never to have lived in the White House during their term in office.

He Was Responsible for the Design of the Oval Office, Though

The Oval Office was first used in 1909, and the oval shape was inspired by Washington’s love of unusually shaped rooms. He was believed to have preferred rounded shaped rooms at his home in Philadelphia, as he felt it made them more suitable for hosting formal gatherings.

The White House Was Built by Slaves

Controversial, but true, White House records show that the house was built by African American slaves who were trained as quarrymen, bricklayers, and carpenters to help complete the building project. This fact was brought to the attention of the American public by former first lady, Michelle Obama.

The White House Had No Electricity for Almost 100 Years

The White House was lit by gaslight right up until 1891 when the electricity system was first installed. The idea of electric lighting was still pretty novel at the time, and President Benjamin Harrison was worried about the dangers of touching a light switch. To protect himself throughout his time in office, he always had someone else switch the lights on and off for him.

It Didn’t Have Indoor Bathrooms for Decades, Either

Indoor plumbing systems were not part of the original design of the White House back in 1800. In fact, it wasn’t until 1833 that any kind of indoor plumbing was installed, and even then, not all of the bathrooms had hot and cold running water until some 20 years later in 1853.

It Was, However, One of the First Accessible Government Buildings

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was responsible for ensuring that the White House was and still is, entirely wheelchair accessible. Having suffered from polio, FDR was paralyzed below the waist and spent his time in office bound to a wheelchair.

Because of this, he took it upon himself to add elevators and ramps throughout the White House, making it one of the first wheelchair-friendly buildings in Washington, D.C. and possibly the U.S.

At Least 10 People Have Died in the White House

With such a high turn over of residents, it should come as no surprise that several people have passed away within the confines of its walls, too. Famous demises include Presidents William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor, as well as first ladies Letitia Tyler, Caroline Harrison, and Ellen Wilson, too.

It Is Said to Be Haunted

Many residents, staffers, and guests have all claimed to feel the power of the paranormal during their time at the White House. To this day, rumor has it that the ghost of Abraham Lincoln still walks the hallowed halls and corridors, and there have been many reported sightings of him throughout the house.

There Is a Secret Entrance

The White House has a secret entrance that is only used by the president and secret visitors. This is not unusual in high-profile buildings, but to enter via the secret entrance at the White House, visitors must go through 2 tunnels and an alleyway before reaching the basement.

This intricate entrance system was originally designed during World War II when there was an underground bomb shelter that sat beneath the White House.

There Is Also an Underground Swimming Pool

The White House has an outdoor pool that is enjoyed during warmer months, but it also has an interior pool hidden beneath its floors. First opened in 1933 for use by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the pool still exists today and can be found directly under the Press Briefing Room.

And a Dentist’s Office

If the president suffers from a sudden toothache, a lost crown, or a broken filling, there is a dentist on-site to deal with that. The basement of the White House is home to a dedicated dentist’s office, as well as plenty of other useful services, including a chocolate shop and a florist.

Tom Hanks Gifted Coffee Machines for the Press Briefings at the White House

During a tour of the White House back in 2004, the actor was surprised to see that there were no refreshment services for reporters who attended press briefings at the White House. Hanks immediately sent a coffee machine to be used in the Press Briefing Room and has upgraded the original machine twice since then.

In 2017 he sent a $1,700 espresso machine along with a note that read, “Keep up the good fight for truth, justice, and the American way. Especially for the truth part.”

The White House Nearly Fell Apart

During the Great Depression, there was very little money in the kitty for much-needed maintenance and repairs. Creaking floorboards, a leaking roof, weakened wooden beams, and swaying balconies all put the White House at risk of collapse, but the ongoing damage to the structure was not fully discovered until much later in 1948 when it was fully renovated.

The Current White House Is Not the Original One

During the invasion in 1814, the British burned the White House down, just 14 years after it had been completed. While the modern-day building has stood for hundreds of years, much of the original building was lost to the fire, and the rebuild was not completed until 4 years later.

The West Wing Wasn’t Always There

Home to some of the most famous rooms within the White House, the West Wing wasn’t actually even built until the early 20th century.

In 1902, Teddy Roosevelt called to have an executive office building built alongside the residence. President Taft doubled the wing’s size in 1909, which included the Oval Office, making President Taft was the first-ever president to use it.

It Has Been Home to a Wide Variety of Animals

Each new presidential resident and their families are welcome to bring their pets with them when they move into the White House.

This means that over the years, it has been home to lots of cats and dogs, as well as a variety of more unusual animals. These include a raccoon, opossums, and even a pair of tiger cubs that were gifted to President Van Buren.

It Is Also Home to a 7-Seat Hot Tub

Former President Bill Clinton was gifted a 7-seat hot tub that is installed near the South Lawn next to the swimming pool.

Due to rules and regulations on “gifting” items to members of Congress, the hot tub had to be donated as a legitimate therapy appliance. A spokesperson for President Clinton said at the time that the hot tub did indeed help with his injured knee.

It Wasn’t Always Called the White House

Over the years, the building we know as the White House has had a number of different names. Originally known as the President’s Palace, its name was later changed to Executive Mansion sometime around 1810.

It wasn’t actually until 1901 that President Theodore Roosevelt officially adopted the name White House and it has been known by that name ever since.

Nothing Comes for Free

It may surprise you to know that even the presidential family doesn’t get fed for free in the White House. While they don’t have to pay rent or bills while they live there, they are responsible for the costs of their personal food, dry cleaning, toiletries, and even the wages for waiters and other members of staff they employ for private events.

These costs are usually just deducted from their salary.

The Famous Resolute Desk Was Found on an Abandoned Ship

The Resolute Desk in the Oval Office was originally part of an abandoned British Navy vessel found off Baffin Island in the Arctic.

When the ship was decommissioned by the U.K., its oak timbers were used to create a desk weighing more than 1,000 pounds that Queen Victoria later gifted to President Rutherford Hayes.

To this day, we still see the presidents sign orders from behind this fabulous piece of furniture.

Many visitors choose to stay close to the White House during their visit. Here are some of the best to choose from.

Willard InterContinental Washington

This historic hotel is located on the world-famous Pennsylvania Avenue and has been a D.C. landmark for over 200 years. Offering executive suites and luxurious guest rooms, this 5-star hotel has stately interiors and is just a short walk the White House itself.

Stay in style surrounded by city or courtyard views, Keurig coffeemakers, and suites with separate living areas, whirlpool tubs, and even their own foyers. All guests are invited to enjoy the use of the beauty and wellness treatments available at the Mynd Spa and Salon.

You can dine at the authentic French brasserie, Cafe Du Parc, or take advantage of the full concierge service who can help you to make the most of your trip to one of America’s oldest cities.

The Hay – Adams

This luxury hotel offers unparalleled White House views from its position on the National Mall, and it is as popular with visitors as it is with Washington, D.C. insiders. Elegant interiors paired with first-class service and facilities make this 5-star hotel one of the most sought after in the city.

Bedrooms are upscale and very well appointed, with many offering fabulous views out across the National Mall. The wood-paneled walls, ornate fireplaces, and chandeliers found in the communal areas give the hotel an incredibly grand feel, and visitors may even recognize The Hay-Adams from television shows, including House of Cards and Homeland.

With a busy bar, a fitness center, and one of the city’s best restaurants all on-site, this hotel offers an authentic taste of upscale D.C.

JW Marriott Washington

Brilliantly located for visiting the White House and numerous other political and cultural landmarks in D.C., this renovated hotel offers luxurious lodgings on Pennsylvania Avenue. This is a modern hotel that has a bright and airy feel, with contemporary bedrooms and plenty of minimalist touches.

Guests love the large windows with fabulous views out across the city, as well as spacious bedrooms and bright and practical communal spaces. The hotel is also home to The Avenue Grill that serves up casual American fare, as well as a lively bar with a daily happy hour and a Starbucks coffee shop. This hotel offers affordable 4-star accommodation in the heart of D.C.

Sofitel Lafayette Square

This glamorous Art Deco style hotel sits just 1 block away from the White House and adds a touch of European flair to this most American of cities. With opulent interiors and seductive French flair, this 5-star hotel is located at the heart of the finest shops, restaurants, and landmarks the city has to offer.

Bedrooms are plush and well-appointed with tall windows and luxury linens, while the communal areas feel decadent. Guests are welcome to enjoy the great-tasting fare at the ICI Urban Bistro or join fellow guests for a cocktail or 2 at the bar. There is also a large basement fitness center, and spa treatments can be ordered to your room.

Club Quarters Hotel

This mid-range hotel offers comfortable and affordable accommodation just 2 blocks from the White House and right next to Farragut West Metro station, therefore affording easy access to the entire city. Designed very much with business travelers in mind, this hotel offers collaborative workspaces with super-fast Wi-Fi, wireless printing, and Mac and PC workstations.

Bedrooms are bright and airy and offer sleek interiors complete with yoga mats and resistance bands, while suites add kitchenettes and separate living areas. The hotel is also home to the Cafe Soleil that serves up fun, French-inspired food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Hot Tip:  Looking for even more hotels? Explore our best hotels in Washington, D.C. to book with points. 

No visit to Washington, D.C. would be complete without a trip to see one of the most famous buildings in the world. Home to presidents for hundreds of years, the city is steeped in history.

If you are lucky enough to secure a place on an official White House tour, you will not be disappointed. But even if you are unable to get inside the building itself, there is still a wealth of attractions, landmarks, exhibitions, and open spaces for you to enjoy in the world-class parks and open spaces around the White House.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i get tickets to visit the white house.

You can get tickets to visit the White House through your member of Congress only. These tickets have to be requested a minimum of 3 weeks in advance and can be requested as early as 3 months prior to your tour date.

Is it free to visit the White House?

Yes, White House tours are free of charge and self-guided. The tours run from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. You must request tickets through your member of Congress.

Can you tour the Oval Office?

White House tours do not include the Oval Office and tours of the West Wing are usually reserved for VIPs or guests of the president.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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How Can I Tour the White House in Washington, DC?

Everything you need to know about planning a visit to the country’s most famous house., requesting a white house tour.

Touring the White House requires some advance planning. Public tour requests must be made through your member of Congress ( find your member of Congress and contact information ) and submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days prior to your visit. If you're an international visitor and wish to schedule a tour, please contact your home country’s embassy in Washington, DC.

You are encouraged to submit your tour request as early as possible as tours fill up quickly and a limited number of spaces are available. Tours are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. All White House tours are free. Please note tours are subject to last-minute cancellations based on the official White House schedule.

Public, self-guided tours are 45 minutes and are run between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays unless otherwise noted. For complete details on White House tours, visit the White House tours and events page or call the White House Visitors Office 24-hour information line at (202) 456-7041. The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Touring the White House - Washington, DC

What to expect on a White House tour

If there is a tour slot available during your visit to DC, you will be given a specific date and time to arrive and be instructed on where to check in. All guests over 18 years old will be required to present a valid, government-issued photo ID upon check-in. Foreign nationals must present their passport. Please bring as little as possible (avoid backpacks, food, large handbags, bottled water, etc.). Note that smartphones and compact cameras with a lens no longer than 3 inches are permitted on the public tour route, but video recording devices and flash photography are not allowed inside the White House. Visitors will go through security prior to entering the White House. There are no restrooms available at the White House. The closest restroom is located at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion nearby.

Public tours of the White House include the public rooms in the East Wing, which includes the Blue Room, Red Room and Green Room; the State Dining Room; the China Room; and a view of the White House Rose Garden. Secret Service members are stationed in each room and are available to answer questions about the history and architecture of each room.

You can also visit the White House Visitor Center   before or after your tour.

Stephen Melkisethian

How to get to the White House

The closest Metro stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (Blue and Orange lines), Metro Center (Blue, Orange and Red lines) and McPherson Square (Blue and Orange lines). Please note there is NO PARKING near the White House. Public transportation is strongly encouraged.

@abroadwife

How to tour the White House Garden

Another opportunity to visit the White House is to attend either its fall or spring garden tour. Check whitehouse.gov in early October and April. The announcement of the garden tours is usually made within a week or two of when they take place. Garden tours generally run for two consecutive days. They may be canceled due to poor weather. A ticket is required for all attendees (including small children). Usually, tickets are distributed by the National Park Service at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion on 15th and E streets NW on each tour day beginning at 9 a.m. Review the announcement for specific details.

Will I still be able to see the White House without going on a tour?

While visitors are not allowed entry to the White House without requesting a tour through your congressional representative, you will still be able to see the White House from Pennsylvania Avenue NW at Lafayette Square and view the White House and the South Lawn from the Ellipse. Please note that a new fence is currently under construction at the White House, as the current 6-foot fence is being replaced by a stronger, wider fence that will be 13 feet.

Where can I store my belongings during the tour?

It is important to note that security at the White House is extremely high. If your hotel is nearby, we suggest leaving your belongings in your room during the tour. If this is not possible, there are a few other options. You can designate one member of your tour group to hold everyone’s belongings. That person can take the self-guided tour once his or her group has finished the tour.

If you're a ticketed Amtrak customer, you may be able to check luggage in advance at  Union Station . These are located near Gate A. Lockers are available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. A photo ID is required and lockers must be paid for via cash or credit in advance. Rates are $3-$6 per hour per bag depending on the size of your bag. For questions on bag storage, please call 202-906-3000.

Catch up on White House history with the free podcas t The 1600 Sessions and enhance your trip with the  White House Experience app  from the White House Historical Association. The app offers three tour experiences, including a virtual tour of the White House (with rooms you normally don't see on the tour), a neighborhood walking tour and a room-by-room guide for visitors on an in-person tour of the White House.

Now that you have read up on the White House, explore DC’s other awesome  monuments and memorials .

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Visitor's Guide to The White House

Visitors from around the world come to Washington, DC to tour the White House, the home, and office of the U.S. President. Built between 1792 and 1800, the White House is one of the oldest public buildings in the nation's capital and serves as a museum of American history. George Washington selected the site for the White House in 1791 and chose the design submitted by Irish-born architect James Hoban. The historic structure has been expanded and renovated many times throughout history. There are 132 rooms on 6 levels. The decor includes a collection of fine and decorative arts, such as historic paintings, sculpture, furniture, and China.

Public tours of the White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, are limited to groups of 10 or more and must be requested through a member of Congress. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis, Requests can be submitted up to six months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance. To contact your Representative and Senators, call (202) 224-3121. Tickets are provided free of charge.

Visitors who are not US citizens should contact their embassy in DC about tours for international visitors, which are arranged through the Protocol Desk at the State Department. Visitors who are 18 years of age or older are required to present a valid, government-issued photo identification. All foreign nationals must present their passport. Prohibited items include cameras, video recorders, backpacks or purses, strollers, weapons, and more. The U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit other personal items.

Transportation and Parking

The closest Metro stations to the White House are Federal Triangle, Metro Center and McPherson Square. Parking is very limited in this area, so public transportation is recommended.

Visitor Center

The White House Visitor Center has just been renovated with brand new exhibits and is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Watch a 30-minute video and learn about many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders.

Lafayette Park

The seven-acre public park located across from the White House is a great spot to take photos and enjoy the view. It is a prominent arena often used for public protests, ranger programs, and special events.

Garden Tours

The White House Garden is open to the public a few times a year. Visitors are invited to view the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Children's Garden, and South Lawn. Tickets are distributed the day of the event.

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Visiting the White House with Children and Teens

A surefire way to get your kids and teens excited about American history is to plan a family or class visit to the White House. Here are some suggestions to make the visit pleasurable and interesting.

• Plan Ahead • Set a Date for Your Visit • Information You Need for Your Visitor Request • The Day of Your White House Visit • Preparing the Young People in Your Life for a Visit to the White House • Resources

In our post-9/11 increased-security world, visiting the White House cannot be a spontaneous decision. Any member of the general public can tour the White House, but you must prepare in advance and make a formal request to visit the house. Public tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (excluding federal holidays or unless otherwise noted). Tour hours will be extended when possible based on the official White House schedule. Tours are scheduled for groups of ten or more people. Here are the steps you need to take to ensure a successful White House visit.

Set a Date for Your Visit

If you want to make a tour of the White House a part of your vacation or visit to Washington, D.C., you must choose the date of your visit and get your request in at least a month before that date. Requests are accepted up to six months in advance. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as possible because a limited number of tours is available.

Requests must be submitted through your Congressional representative—your local Congress person or one of the senators from your home state. Some representatives have online request forms; others do not. You must contact your Congressional representatives to find out what their particular office requires before you send in your request.

To locate your senators and their contact information, visit the Senate.gov website .

To find your Congressional representative and his or her contact information, you must first look up your four-digit zip code extension, which you can do using the zip4.usps.com website . Then, using that zip code information, go to the House of Representatives website .

Or, once you know who your representative and senators are, visit their individual websites to obtain their contact information.

There are no fees or admission charges to visit the White House or the White House Visitor Center. Visits are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. All visitors should call the 24-hour Visitor Center information line at 202-456-7041 to determine if any last-minute changes have been made in the tour schedule as events can alter White House accessibility.

Information You Need for Your Visitor Request

Everyone who visits the White House must have clearance from the United States Secret Service.

If your party alone does not make a group of ten, request to be matched up with another small party of visitors. The person requesting the visit should specify in the request all personal contact information including address, phone number, and fax and email address if pertinent. You should be notified approximately one month before the requested date.

In your visitor request you must list the name and date of birth for any person who is under the age of eighteen by the date of your visit. For those in your party who are over eighteen years of age, you must list their names, dates of birth, social security numbers, and countries of citizenship. The National Park Service states that this security information must be received by the office through which tickets are obtained no later than five business days prior to the tour date. Groups without security information will be cancelled.

Note in your request if any of your party is hearing, visually, or mobility impaired. Tours for hearing-impaired groups of ten or more may be requested through one’s member of Congress. The Visitor Center TDD (telephone device for the deaf) is 202-456-2121. Tours for visually-impaired groups of ten or more may be requested through one’s member of Congress. Guide animals are permitted in the White House.

Know that for a wide variety of reasons, White House tours can be cancelled at any time. For the most current tour information, please call the 24-hour line at 202-456-7041.

The Day of Your White House Visit

Plan to get to the Presidential Park at least fifteen minutes beforehand if you are touring the building. You and your family will enter the White House by the south side of East Executive Avenue near the Southeast Gate. National Park Service rangers and volunteers are posted at the corner of 15th and E Streets to assist you. For directions to the White House, parking information, travel information—and everything else related to a White House visit—go to the National Park Service website .

We suggest that you arrive about an hour before you visit so that you and your family or students can stop at the White House Visitor Center to see the exhibits and watch a video of the White House. You can also go there after your visit. The White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is open from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. daily (except January 1, Thanksgiving, and December 25). Admission is free.

“At the White House Visitor Center, you can explore an interactive touchscreen tour of the White House, view over 90 artifacts from the White House collection, shop at the White House Historical Association retail store, and view the 14-minute film, ‘White House: Reflections From Within.’ Visit the information desk to inquire about special ranger programs and events at President’s Park.” There are also public restrooms at the center. For information about the White House Visitor Center, go to WhiteHouseHistory.org .

All guests 18 years of age or older will be required to present a valid, government-issued photo identification (detailed below). All foreign nationals must present their passport. All other forms of foreign identification will not be accepted. All information submitted (e.g. name, date of birth, city, etc.) must exactly match the government-issued photo ID you will present when arriving at the White House.

The following forms of photo ID are acceptable for presentation to U.S. Secret Service upon entry to the White House complex:

• Valid government-issued United States identification card (e.g. drivers license, military ID, etc.)

• Valid United States or other official government-issued passports

No other forms of identification will be accepted; photocopies, expired IDs, or other transmissions of these documents are NOT valid. Individuals whose identification does not exactly match the name or date cleared will be denied entry to the White House.

You cannot take the following items on the White House tour: video recorders; handbags, book bags, backpacks, or purses; food or beverages; tobacco products; personal grooming items (i.e. makeup, lotion, etc.); strollers; any pointed objects; 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, car keys, and cell phones (including those with cameras) are permitted. However, guests will not be allowed to use cell phones inside the White House. Phones used inside the White House may be confiscated by U.S. Secret Service.

Please note that video cameras, including any action camcorders, cameras with detachable lenses, tablets, tripods, monopods, and camera sticks are not permitted. Flash photography, live streaming, and talking or texting on cellular phones are not permitted while on the tour.

As of July 1, 2015, smartphones and compact cameras with a lens no longer than 3 inches (stills only) are permitted on the public tour route as long as their use does not interfere with other guests’ enjoyment of the tour.

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.

Scheduled visitors who require the loan of a wheelchair should notify the officer at the Visitors Entrance upon arrival. Unfortunately, wheelchair reservations are not possible. Visitors in wheelchairs, or with other mobility disabilities, use the same Visitors Entrance and are escorted by ramp from the entrance level to the Ground floor, and by the elevator from the Ground floor to the State floor.

Parking: The closest Metrorail stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), Metro Center (blue, orange, and red lines) and McPherson Square (blue and orange lines). On-street parking is not available near the White House, and use of public transportation is strongly encouraged.

Restrooms: The nearest restrooms to the White House are in the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion (the park area south of the White House). Restrooms and public telephones are not available at the White House.

Preparing the Young People in Your Life for a Visit to the White House

Read and share the Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out book and website with your kids and teens before you visit our White House. And be sure to look through and share other books and websites about the White House, the presidents, the first ladies, their families, pets, and staff before you visit Washington. You will find many great book and website suggestions in our bibliography “ Presidents, the President’s House, and More: A Select List of Books for Young People .”

After sharing a book or two with young people, ask them what they think the White House is—is it a home; a museum; a place of work? You might also look at pictures in books that show the exterior of the house and the public rooms—and pick out details of interest that your children and students can find on their tour. For fun, make up a White House scavenger hunt checklist of items that interest you and the young person, including furniture details, presidential portraits, paintings, architectural details, etc., and after your visit see how many of those details you saw on your tour.

Before you go you and your kids can take a virtual tour of the White House on the White House website WhiteHouse.gov .

Whatever the age of your children or students, take a moment and talk to them about your expectations for the visit. Talk to them about appropriate behavior and conversation at the White House. Sometimes it helps to compare and contrast behaviors for various kinds of situations. For example, you might say that it is appropriate to yell and shout at a baseball or basketball game, but in someone’s home, like the president’s home, that is not acceptable behavior. Let them know it is all right to ask questions during the tour. And let them know that they need to follow rules and directions.

If you plan your trip in advance and prepare your family or students for the visit, you will all have a great time at our White House!

Websites that will help you plan your trip:

• Tours and event information on the White House website: WhiteHouse.gov/participate/tours-and-events
• White House tour information on the National Park Service website:  nps.gov/whho/planyourvisit/the-white-house-tour.htm

Additional White House educational information and materials are available on the White House History website: WhiteHouseHistory.org/teacher-resources

©2016 Mary Brigid Barrett; The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance

A family travel blog

Visiting the White House- How to Get a White House Tour and What to Expect

Visiting the White House is the opportunity of a lifetime. The White House tour is one of my most memorable experiences from all of my trips to Washington, DC. It requires a bit of planning to schedule a tour of the White House. Trust me when I say that it is well worth the effort!

Table of Contents

How to Schedule a Tour of the White House

The National Park Service no longer schedules tours of the White House. Instead, in order to secure a public tour, you must reach out to a Member of Congress ( find your representative here ). Requests must be made at least 21 days in advance, and up to three months out. We suggest submitting your request as early as possible since a limited number of spaces are available.

Tours are typically available from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM Tuesdays through Saturdays excluding federal holidays. The tours are free of charge.

At this time, embassies are not scheduling tours for international visitors.  

After contacting your Congressperson, you’ll receive an email letting you know whether or not there are any White House tours available during your visit to Washington, DC. You will receive an email 2-3 weeks before your requested dates indicating whether or not the date is available.

If there are time slots available during your visit, you are assigned a specific day and time for your White House tour. Weirdly, when we requested our tour we received an email telling us there were no tours available. A couple of days later, I received a second email confirming our visit. At this time, I submitted our social security numbers and full names to the White House.

Once we received clearance, we received a “Boarding Pass” that we had to present to the Secret Service Agents, along with our IDs.

Required Documentation

In order to gain access to the White House, you’ll need to bring a copy of the letter of approval (a digital copy is okay) and a government-issued photo ID.  Acceptable forms of identification include driver’s license, passport, military ID.

Items Prohibited on the White House Tour

• Aerosol sprays
• Bags of any kind (including backpacks, purses, diaper bags, fanny packs, etc).
• Cameras with detachable lenses
• Weapons of any kid
• E-cigarettes, lighters, matches, tobacco products, drugs
• Foods and drinks
• Liquids of any kind
• Monopods & Tripods
• Toy weapons
• Video Cameras
• Pointed objects
• Any item determined to be a potential safety hazard

There are no storage facilities available during the White House tour.  There are also no restrooms available for public use.  We suggest using the restroom at the White House Visitor Center prior to your tour.

So... what can you bring...?

Honestly, you should plan on bringing as little as possible.  We brought our boarding pass, IDs, a credit card, a camera, a metro card, and an inhaler.  

Visitors will have to pass through strict security prior to entering the White House.  You’ll need to present your boarding pass, and ID cards (twice).

• Baby carriers worn on the body
• Breast pumps
• Cell phones
• Compact cameras with lenses less than 3 inches
• Umbrellas without metal tips
• Necessary medications

Remember, there is no storage available at the White House for guests.  If your hotel is nearby, we suggest leaving your belongings in your room.  If your hotel is far away, you can get a locker at Union Station.  The lockers are located near Gate A and are available from 6 am until 10 pm.  You’ll need a photo ID to get a locker.  The cost is $3-6 per hour depending on the size of your bag.

Arriving for the White House Tour

Parking around the White House is limited, so we strongly suggest using public transportation. The White House is easily accessible via the metro.

The closest metro stations are Federal Triangle (Blue/Orange lines), Metro Center (Blue/Orange/Silver/Red lines), and McPherson Square (Blue/Orange/Silver lines).

If arriving via rideshare , use the White House Visitor Center as the drop-off address. The White House Visitor Center is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

The White House Tour entrance is located in Sherman Park at 15th Street NW and Alexander Hamilton Place NW.  We suggest stopping by the White House Visitor Center prior to your tour to use the restroom since there are no restrooms available for public use at the White House.

Know Before You Go

• Tours are self-guided and last about 45 minutes.
• Dress for the weather – you’ll need to wait outside until your tour beings.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time . Late arrivals may be turned away.
• A National Park Ranger will help ensure you’re lined up with the proper group and will have Junior Ranger booklets available.
• All guests must be previous registered via the RSVP link provided by the White House (via email).
• No flash photography or videography is permitted (there will be Secret Service agents in every room)
• Although the tour is self-guided, the Secret Service Agents can be a wealth of knowledge about the items found in each room.

What Rooms Will I See on the White House Tour?

Prior to our trip I did a lot of research on what rooms we’d be able to see during our White House Tour.  Every website I checked listed the Blue Room, Red Room, Green Room, the State Dining Room and a view of the White House Rose Garden.

Much to my surprise, we actually got to see additional rooms!  One our tour, we toured both the State Floor and the Ground Floor.  We saw the movie theater, library, the East Room, Vermeil Room, China Room, State Dining Room, Green Room, Blue Room, and Red Room.

The White House tour was interesting.   Walking into the White House, I expected it to be just as opulent as  the Biltmore House and palaces such as the Tower of London and Versailles in Europe.  I was rather surprised to find that the rooms were much less stately.  The vibe felt a little more like going to visit your grandparents house, rather than the head of a country’s home.

That being said, it was really cool being able to marvel at the historical artifacts that decorate the White House.  We got to see Shikler’s portrait of JFK along with other portraits of past presidents, first ladies, and influential Americans like Benjamin Franklin.  It was very cool walking through the halls of the White House and retracing the footsteps of our nation’s leaders.

Secret Service agents are posted in each of the rooms.  Although the tour is self-guided, the Secret Service agents are a wealth of knowledge and will happily tell you about the history of the rooms and even give you the background information the art (and even artists!) and decor in each room.  Don’t be afraid to ask them questions- these ladies and gents are much more approachable than the guards at Buckingham Palace. 

Having the privilege of taking a tour of the White House is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  It is definitely something every American should do at least once in their lifetime!

What is There to do Nearby?

• The White House Visitor Center
• Ford’s Theatre
• National Children’s Museum
• National Archives Museum
• National Portrait Gallery
• National Museum of African American History
• Museum of Natural History
• National Museum of American History
• National Air and Space Museum
• National Gallery of Art
• National Museum of the American Indian
• Library of Congress
•  US Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Washington Monument
• World War II Memorial
• Lincoln Memorial
• Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial

FAQ About the White House Tour

Can you visit the white house as a toursit.

Yes! You do not need an invitation for the White House tour.  You do, however, need to request a tour via a Member of Congress. 

Who is allowed to take a White House tour?

All U.S. citizens 18 years and older are able to request a tour of the White House.  Visitors 18 and older need to present a valid, government-issued ID.  At the time of publication, only American citizens are able to visit the White House.

Are kids allowed in the White House?

Yes!  This is a great place for kids to experience.  When we visited our twins were 4 and our daughter was 8.  This is a great way for kids to develop background knowledge for things they’ll learn in school!

Fun Fact:   While we were in the White House, we had to remind one of the boys not to touch anything.  In response, he made a face at Ashley behind her back. One of the Secret Service Agents laughed and said, “Man, you should have seen the face he gave you.”

Is there a dress code for the White House?

There is no set dress code for the White House.  Since we were visiting multiple places on the day of our tour of the White House, we wore jeans.

Visitors should plan on waiting in a line outside of the White House, prior to their tour, and should plan to dress for the weather outside.

How long does the White House Tour take?

Since the White House tour is unguided, you can take as much time as you need to see everything.  Most people spend about 30 – 45 minutes.

Can you take photos in the White House?

Photography is permitted so long as it does not interfere with other guests tour experience.  Phones and cameras with lenses no longer than 3 inches are allowed inside the White House.

Can I meet the President on the White House tour?

No, tours are limited to the East Wing.  The West Wing, and the Oval Office, are reserved for VIPs or guests of the President.

Save Our Info on Scoring a White House Tour

For future reference, be sure to save our post on getting a tour of the White House!   Pin one of the images below to Pinterest.  Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest  while you’re at it!

If you’re planning a trip to Washington, DC, check out our 4 day itinerary and our list of 15 Must See Places in Washington, DC .  

Be sure to give us a like on  Facebook  or follow us on  Instagram   and  Twitter   for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

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Hello, thank you for the post about how to visit the White House! I was happy to find something beyond just the official government website. When you requested a tour via email, did you have to do anything besides ask? Do they pick and chose based on why a person is visiting? Just wanting to know how much information to put into my email request! Thanks!

Elle MacRae

Hey, Casey! In my initial email, I just sent the dates that we would be in DC and listed the names of each person in my group. Most states will send out a form for you to fill out with any specific information needed.

Dear _____,

My name is _____________. My family will be visiting Washington, DC between _______ and _______. We are interested in touring the White House and hope you could help us facilitate this. The following people will be traveling with me: ________________. Please let me know what further details you need in order to set up a tour during our visit.

Respectfully,

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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Tour Request

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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

Best Views of the White House

Many tourists to Washington, D.C., who plan to visit the White House wonder, "How close can you get to the White House?"

Our local tour guides know all the best spots to see the White House from the outside, and we're here to share that knowledge with you!

We also include tips from locals and tourists from our Washington D.C. Travel Tips Facebook Group. The group has over 75,000 members, including locals, regular visitors to D.C., and newcomers to the city.

TIP: If you want to tour the inside of the White House, you'll need a reservation from your congressperson. Find out how from our article, How to Visit the White House on a Public Tour .

Where to Park to Visit the White House

• Tips from Locals and Tourists

White House Neighborhood

The best way to view the White House is to join us for a tour - so we can tell you all about it!

It is a featured stop on many of our tours: National Mall (from afar), Lincoln Assassination , Secrets & Scandals and White House Ghost Tours .

North Lawn vs South Lawn & Front vs Back of the White House:

If you are wondering if you can see the White House from the street, the answer is YES! There is no official front or back to the White House (though the official entrance is the East Wing).

But when you're at the White House, you can see it from the North (Pennsylvania Ave NW) or the South (the National Mall).

You can get closer to the North Lawn than the South Lawn, with fewer fences on the North side. However, if you're short on time and already on the National Mall, you can also see it from there!

Here are the best views of the White House, including views from street level and high up.

BEST VIEW OF THE FRONT OF WHITE HOUSE #1: Lafayette Square (North Lawn)

Technically, there is no front or back to the White House, but many people consider the north side to be the front.

Lafayette Square is on the North side of the White House. You can access it by H St NW or 15th and 17th St NW, which intersects with Pennsylvania Ave NW.

This is as close as you can get to the White House without taking a tour. Because it is within the security perimeter, there may be times that the Secret Service closes the park.

This is usually for only 30 minutes while the President arrives or departs or they check a security threat.

Even when the park is closed, you can view it from 16th and H St NW on the park's north side.

On foot, you can get up to the fences on the North lawn, meaning you can take a photo between the fence bars that look as if you're on the grounds of the White House, with no fence in sight.

You can drive by the north side of the White House by going westbound on H St NW.

It is one way here, and the White House will be right to you. The view is blocked by trees until you get to the intersection of 16th St.

If you're in a car, the Andrew Jackson statue in the center of the square will partially block the White House.

You'll be high enough to see over the statue if you're on the top of a double-decker bus.

BEST VIEW OF THE BACK OF THE WHITE HOUSE #2: The Ellipse 

The South Lawn of the White House is the Ellipse. You can access it on foot from Constitution Ave NW, 15th and 17th. Again, they may close the area at times, but it is temporary.

Because this side has more of the residential parts of the structure, you cannot get as close to it as you can to the north side.

You can drive by the south side of the White House on Constitution Ave NW. If you go eastbound, the White House will be on your right, and you won't be blocked by oncoming traffic.

If you're driving westbound, it is on your left, but you might find your view blocked by buses!

BEST VIEW OF THE WHITE HOUSE #3: Washington Monument

If you stand on the north side of the Washington Monument, you can see the south side of the White House from afar. We use this spot for our National Mall tours to discuss the White House.

It is a view from afar, so it's not the best view if you want to get up close. However, if you're short on time and cannot get up close, you can still take good photos while you're visiting the memorials.

If you can get tickets to go up to the top of the Washington Monument , you can also see a great view from there!

TOUR GUIDE TIP:  This is a great place to be when Marine One takes off or lands because the helicopter flies right over you! You can watch it land or take off from the South Lawn of the White House!

BEST VIEW OF THE WHITE HOUSE #4: VUE Rooftop Bar at Hotel Washington

Check out some rooftop bars nearby if you want a bird's eye view of the White House!

Hotel Washington's VUE Bar is an upscale bar and restaurant, so there is a dress code, and no one under 21 is allowed after 7 p.m.

It's just across the street from the Treasury Department, next door to the White House. From here, you'll get a great panoramic view of Washington, D.C., and the east side of the White House.

The White House does not have visitor parking.

You'll need to find street parking in nearby areas, but pay attention to the street signs like parking anywhere downtown. Some streets don't allow parking during rush hour.

You can park on 15th, 17th, and Constitution Ave, which line the White House perimeter, but you cannot park too close to the White House, as the areas nearest to it are restricted.

The easiest way to get around DC is using our public transportation, the Metro .

The closest Metro Station to the White House is McPherson Square (White House exit)(Blue, Orange, Silver Lines) but it's also an easy walk from Farragut North (Red Line).

There are also a few buses that stop at Lafayette Square.

Walking to the White House

Because the White House is located downtown, you can easily walk here from:

• National Mall— The south side of the White House (which some people consider the back) is viewable from the Mall, so it's an easy walk. If you want to continue up 17th Street NW or 15th Street NW from the National Mall, you can easily access the front of the White House on the north side.
• US Capitol - it is a mile down Pennsylvania Ave NW. Walking to the White House from the Capitol will take you past the National Gallery of Art, the National Archives, US Navy Memorial, and Freedom Plaza.
• Dupont Circle - if you're in the Embassy Row neighborhood, the White House is a 15-minute walk down Connecticut NW.
• Georgetown - it's doable, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Tips From Locals And Travelers

Here are some thoughts on seeing the White House from the street from members of our Washington DC Travel Tips Facebook group.

Again, you don't have to join the group to read the posts, comments, and recommendations.

We asked our group members where the best location is to see the White House from the street.

Here are the most common replies, which echo our answers.

Don’t forget that a great way to see the White House from the outside is to take one of our walking tours that stop there. Not only will you get an excellent photo, but you will also learn about it in the process!

The White House is in downtown DC. The official address is 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW (be sure to put in Northwest!).

The White House perimeter is essentially the block between Constitution Ave. NW, 15th St NW, 17th ST NW, and H St NW. Pennsylvania Ave NW by the White House is pedestrian-only, and you cannot drive down it.

The area north of the White House is Lafayette Square, and the area south is called the Ellipse (this is where the National Christmas tree is located)

There is a lot of history and stories about the White House Neighborhood—so much so that we offer a self-guided tour!

SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF WHITE HOUSE'S NEIGHBORHOOD

For a self-guided tour of the White House neighborhood, allow approximately 1.5 hours to have a brisk walk and explore some of the following:

• Lafayette Park
• Treasury Building
• St. John’s Episcopal Church
• Decatur House
• Eisenhower (Old) Executive Office Building
• The Blair-Lee House
• Renwick Gallery
• Octagon Museum
• First Division Monument
• Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Headquarters & Constitution Hall
• Organization of American States
• Second Division Memorial
• National Christmas Tree
• The View from the W Hotel
• White House Visitor Center

Map of the White House Area

Self-Guided Tour of White House & Lafayette Park

Lafayette Square & The Andrew Jackson Statue:

This park in the center of the Washington, DC metropolis boasts of the best view of the White House.

When you have had a chance to walk around this lush seven-acre park and take those momentous pictures, have a little rest on one of the park benches or on the grass and reflect on all that this park has witnessed.

In the past, Lafayette Park has served as a racetrack, a graveyard, an encampment for soldiers and even a zoo. Needless to say, it has been the location of many political protests and historical celebrations.

The most well-known protest is still in progress today. Protesting for nuclear disarmament, Concepcion Picciotto has been manning the Peace Vigil since 1981.

Originally, the square was called the “President’s Park.” In 1824, the park was renamed to honor Marquis de Lafayette and his contribution to the American Revolutionary War. The Southeast corner of the park features a statue of Lafayette.

In fact, all four corners have statues of foreign generals who assisted the colonies in the Revolutionary War: Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Poland, in the northeast corner by the Dolley Madison House; Jean de Rochambeau in the southwest corner of France, and Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, Prussia, on the northwest.

In 1853, an equestrian statue of President Andrew Jackson was installed in the center of the Park. This statue of Jackson on a rearing horse is the first equestrian statue in the United States.

Absorb DC life in this park as you notice the diversity of the tourists, and learn more about the demonstrators and their cause or simply hope that the Presidential motorcade will pass by.

Tip : At any given moment the Secret Service may close the park. This is done for many reasons and doesn't always indicate that the president will be leaving.

It can last anywhere from 10 minutes to the entire day. Be prepared to follow Secret Service instructions.

U.S. Department of the Treasury:

The Main Treasury Building is located immediately to the left of the White House when you are looking from the Andrew Jackson statue in Lafayette Square.

This is the third oldest building in Washington, one of immense architectural and historical significance.

The building houses the Treasury Department which is responsible for the economic affairs of the country, more specifically, the federal finances, matters of tax and currency and the national trade and finance policy.

This impressive architecture features 36-foot-tall columns carved out of a single piece of granite and any first-time visitor to DC can immediately sense the contemporary significance of this office through a first glance at the building’s exterior.

On the north side of the Treasury Building that you're facing, you'll see a statue of Albert Gallatin, who was the longest-serving Secretary of the Treasure (1801-1814).

Gallatin was born in Switzerland so was much criticized during his tenure for his French accent.

Inside the building are the highlight galleries such as the Burglar-Proof Vault and the marble Cash Room, not to mention the offices used by past presidents.

Guided public tours of the building are available at no cost; however, they require prior reservations. To learn how to book a tour, visit the Treasury Building Website .

If you are interested in seeing the production of United States currency, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing offers separate tours in its own office located just one block south of the Washington Monument.

It’s a not-to-miss stop on your White House Neighborhood tour!

St. John’s Episcopal Church:

Every sitting president has attended this “Church of the Presidents” since James Madison.

The Church serves as the chapel to the White House and is happily situated across from Lafayette Square. It was completed in 1816 making it one of the oldest buildings in the neighborhood.

The bell in the tower is an original Revere bell, one of two in DC and the only one still in use. It was cast by Joseph Revere, son of Paul Revere.

The church is often open outside of services to the public. The President's Pew, today numbers as Pew 54, is reserved for any US President who wishes to visit.

Decatur House:

The Decatur House is a historic Washington home and also the primary center of for the White House Historical Association, a fitting location as this is one of the oldest houses in the district.

Built in 1818, it was a creation of noted architect Benjamin Latrobe, who helped design the Capitol dome.

The house is located at the northwest corner of Lafayette Square and H Street.

In addition to a lovely store, there is a museum, which features a range of temporary and permanent exhibits, while the gardens offer themselves to many shows and concerts dedicated to jazz and the arts, with an effort to explore African American history.

The historic home is open to the public for tours on most Mondays at 11am, 12:30pm and 2pm. For more information, visit their website.

Eisenhower (Old) Executive Office Building:

The Eisenhower Executive Office Building has previously been called the Old Executive Office Building and the State, War, and Navy Building.

It is located to the right of the White House and presently houses several offices of the White House staff and the Office of the Vice President of the United States.

This massive architecture has 566 rooms and about ten acres of floor space.

This style of architecture was not favored at the turn of the 20th century and the building was slated to be torn down.

It was saved by the Great Depression when the city could not afford to tear down buildings unnecessarily.

The Blair-Lee House:

The Blair-Lee House is part of the President’s Guest House complex. This stunning house steps away from the White House is where foreign dignitaries and diplomats are put up during their official visits to Washington.

If you find yourself facing the building blocked by temporary fences a visiting head of state or official is likely staying there.

You will see an American flag flying most of the time but that is replaced by the flag of the country of the official guest.

When looking at the complex it looks like three separate homes but the inside has been renovated to provide one large residence.

So large in fact that it has more square footage than the residential part of the White House!

The Blair House was home to President Truman when the interior of the White House was under renovation. While he was staying here, Puerto Rican nationalists attempted to assassinate him.

You'll find a plaque outside to commemorate this event and the loss in the line of duty of White House police officer Leslie Coffelt.

Renwick Gallery:

Located across from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the Renwick Gallery is a part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

A visit is free and requires no tickets, though expect a lengthy line!

This beautiful building was designed by James Renwick (famed for St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City) as the Corcoran Art Gallery making it one of the oldest buildings designed specifically as an art museum.

After many years of renovation, the Gallery is now open. It focuses on craft and decorative arts and is considered one of the most art-filled rooms in Washington.

As with most Smithsonian Museums, it is open 10am-530pm every day but Christmas Day. For more, visit their website .

Octagon Museum:

Octagon House is named such due to its unique architectural style. One of the oldest buildings in Washington DC, it was built between 1798 and 1800 by William Thornton, the first architect of the Capitol.

It was the home of the Tayloe's and for a short while, of President James Madison and his wife Dolley.

The museum is open for visitors and we highly recommend checking out the building. It is free to visit the Octagon House on a self-guided tour Thursday-Saturday 1pm-4pm.

Private guided tours are available by appointment for groups of 5 or more. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and are $10/adults and $5/students.

They require 24 hours' notice to schedule a private tour. Schedule a guided tour at [email protected] or 202-626-7439

First Division Memorial:

No federal funds were used to create this memorial to the men who served in the First Division. It was created to honor the service during WWI, with later additions for WWII, Vietnam and Desert Storm.

The memorial was designed by Cass Gilbert, who also designed the Supreme Court building, and Daniel Chester French, who sculpted Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Headquarters & Constitution Hall:

Daughters of the American Revolution Headquarters has a museum, library and the renowned Constitution Hall.

Every president since Calvin Coolidge has attended an event at the concert hall. Constitution Hall is the city's largest concert hall and was built in 1929.

In addition to attending an event at Constitution Hall, visitors can explore the DAR Museum, dedicated to preserving artifacts from pre-industrial America.

The  DAR Museum  is open Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm and Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. It is closed on Sundays and federal holidays. A visit has no admission charge, but larger groups can reserve a tour for $3 per person.

Organization of American States:

This beautiful building was built in 1910 and houses a diplomatic organization to serve American nations.

The 35 member nations are from North and South America to foster cooperation and solidarity and were founded in 1948.

Out front, you will see a statue of Queen Isabella of Spain. This artwork was donated by Spain in 1966 to honor the Spanish royalty who sent Christopher Columbus to the West.

On either side of the doors to the building, there is a bald eagle (associated with North America) and a condor (associated with South America) forming a bond between the two continents.

Visitors can tour the building and attend a briefing by the Director of the Department of International Affairs and senior specialists from the various departments of the organization.

Briefings and tours do have a cost of $100 for a group, with increasingly higher rates for larger groups. You can book a tour or briefing here .

Nearby, however, you can find a free art museum dedicated to work from across the Americas. The Art Museum of the Americas is open 10am-5pm Tuesday through Sunday.

It is the oldest museum of modern and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art in the United States.

Second Division Memorial:

Similar to the First Division Monument above, this was originally dedicated in 1936 to honor the men who served in the 2nd Division of the US Army.

A later dedication in 1962 honors those for WWII and the Korean War.

National Christmas Tree:

It’s the season to be jolly, so why not include some holiday sparkle during your time in Washington, DC!

Every year, the sitting president lights the tree in early December marking the beginning of the festive season.

The energy-efficient design of the lighting system ensures that only one-fifth of the energy is used to light the tree from dusk to 11 pm as compared to a traditional lighting design.

The tree is located in the northeast quadrant of The Ellipse near the White House and becomes a holiday event throughout December.

Read more about the National Christmas Tree in our post!

The View from the Hotel Washington:

If you are looking for a break from historical explorations and want to see and be seen in the Washington glamour circle, ascend to the rooftop lounge of the Hotel Washington, VUE Rooftop Bar. It boasts of the best view of the capital, and the experience is worth the slightly pricey drinks.

Sip your cocktail as you take in the breathtaking views of the Washington Monument, the White House and the heart of downtown DC.

It’s a perfect way to wind up your self-guided tour or to create an unforgettable DC visit memory.

You can find the hotel bar at 515 15th St NW

TIP: There is a dress code

• Please no athletic wear, baseball caps, flip flops, tank tops, casual/athletic sneakers or tattered/worn clothing.
• Collared shirts are preferred.
• No bags, other than handbags, are allowed in after 9 pm.

White House Visitor Center :

Learn more about visiting the White House Visitor Center in our post.

Choose a Destination... I want them all PLUS general travel tips. Amsterdam Berlin Boston Charleston Chicago Dubai Lisbon London Los Angeles Miami Nashville New York City New Orleans Paris Philadelphia Prague Rome San Francisco Washington DC

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North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

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First lady jill biden makes a bold statement in ‘vote’ dress after debate.

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She’s quite literally rocking the vote.

Dr. Jill Biden sent a strong message to Americans at husband President Joe Biden’s post-debate rally in Raleigh, NC on Friday, clad in a navy blue silk crepe Christian Siriano dress with an all-over “Vote” print.

“Dr. Biden wearing my dress sends a clear message to us all. A vote for Biden is a vote for human and civil rights,” the designer tells Page Six Style in a statement.

“As a young American brand and designer, what we can do is give our clothes a voice and I hope this speaks to you. Now let’s get to work!”

The first lady, 73, accessorized with pearl drop earrings, a dainty necklace, several bracelets and coordinating navy pointed-toed pumps.

The designer’s “Vote” print has become a Hollywood favorite in recent years, with similar styles popping up on the likes of Lizzo , Julianne Moore, Julia Roberts and Sarah Hyland.

Siriano has dressed Dr. Biden in the past, as well as other White House women like former first lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris.

“When you get to dress those people, it definitely feels really great because the whole world sees them,” the “Project Runway” alum told Business Insider last week.

“You feel so great because a person who everyone’s looking up to chose to wear something. It’s kind of like the ultimate compliment.”

The Bidens had traveled to North Carolina from Atlanta, where the 81-year-old president debated former POTUS and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, 78.

The first lady isn’t one to shy away from eye-catching styles. Last May, she wore head-to-toe hot pink for an audience with the UK Prime Minister’s wife, Akshata Murthy, ahead of King Charles’ coronation.

And for a 2021 meeting with Kate Middleton, Dr. Biden picked a Barbiecore blazer by L’Agence that perfectly coordinated with the royal’s magenta Alexander McQueen dress.

And who could forget about the first lady’s head-turning fishnets ?

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FIRST ON NBC: Biden turns to family on his path forward after his disastrous debate

Election 2024 updates: Biden defends debate performance; Trump mocks him at Virginia rally

What to know after Biden and Trump's first debate

• President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are back on the trail today after facing off in their first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle.
• Biden delivered an energetic speech in Raleigh, North Carolina, defending himself after his poor performance in last night's debate. He also gave brief remarks in New York commemorating the Stonewall Inn.
• Some Democrats expressed concern about his ability to remain on the ticket following several major stumbles. The New York Times editorial board published an opinion piece tonight calling on Biden to drop out .
• Trump, whose debate performance was littered with falsehoods and misleading claims, spoke at a campaign rally in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he didn't waste any time mocking Biden's debate performance .
• The Supreme Court released three major decisions this morning, including a Jan. 6 case that Trump praised.

DNC spokesperson calls NYT editorial 'laughable'

Megan Lebowitz

A spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee hit back at the New York Times editorial board tonight over its op-ed saying Biden should end his re-election bid.

"It's laughable," said spokesperson Abhi Rahman.

The Biden campaign dismissed the op-ed earlier tonight.

Biden speaks at last campaign event of busy post-debate day

Biden delivered remarks tonight at a New York fundraiser, capping a day of campaigning as he attempts to rebound from last night’s debate performance.

"When you get knocked down, you get back up," Biden said, repeating a phrase he used at a campaign rally earlier in the day.

Biden also poked fun at his age, but said that it gave him the ability to get things done and tell the truth. "This is a nation that believes in honesty,” he said.

Before the fundraiser, Biden held a rally in North Carolina and delivered remarks at the opening ceremony for the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York.

The Biden and Trump campaigns were hoping to appeal to Black voters in the first debate, but some expressed disappointment in both candidates after the faceoff. NBC News’ Shaquille Brewster reports.

First lady recounts conversation with Biden about the debate

Caryn Littler

In front of a New York fundraising audience this evening, first lady Jill Biden recounted a conversation she had with her husband after last night's debate.

"As Joe said earlier today , he’s not a young man," she said. "And you know, after last night’s debate, he said, ‘You know, Jill, I don’t know what happened. I didn’t feel that great.’"

The first lady said that she responded by saying, ‘Look, Joe, we are not going to let 90 minutes define the four years that you’ve been president.’”

The Supreme Court’s Jan. 6 ruling is expected to ripple through rioters’ cases but not necessarily Trump’s

Ryan J. Reilly

The Supreme Court’s ruling Friday  in favor of a Jan. 6 defendant charged with obstruction  of an official proceeding quickly triggered activity in other  Capitol rioter  cases to revisit that charge, but it’s unlikely to derail former President Donald Trump’s federal election interference case.

Justice Department officials and attorneys for Jan. 6 defendants said that the court’s 6-3 ruling in the case involving former Pennsylvania police officer Joseph Fischer would not have an immediate effect on most of the 1,000-plus convictions secured by prosecutors.

Read the full story here.

Despite Biden’s dismal debate performance, abortion care providers remain resolute

Erika Edwards

Lauren Dunn

Jessica Herzberg

Elysee Barakett Elysee Barakett is a health intern at NBC News.

Proponents of abortion rights were dumbfounded by Biden’s vague and sometimes incoherent messages on abortion access during last night’s debate, especially when he declined to rebuke Trump’s false claims that Democrats are in favor of killing babies.

“The debate was a disaster,” said Dr. Warren Hern, director of the Boulder Abortion Clinic in Colorado. “It’s going to be hard to recover from this.”

The debate should have been a layup for people in favor of abortion rights. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, touted the fact that he nominated three anti-abortion justices to the Supreme Court while in office from 2017 to 2021. As a result, the constitutional right to an abortion was overturned in 2022, leaving states in charge of whether to allow women to terminate a pregnancy and at what stage.

Joh Fetterman responds to The New York Times' op-ed: 'f--- that'

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., slammed The New York Times' editorial board's opinion piece urging the president to drop out of the 2024 race.

His message on X was just two words: "f--- that."

Fetterman has been a stalwart supporter of Biden.

Democratic National Committee touts grassroots organizing around debate

Biden's allies are touting grassroots organizing and fundraising figures from debate night in a memo first shared with NBC News.

The memo, co-written by Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler and Democratic National Committee communications director Rosemary Boeglin, highlighted the days ahead of the debate as "mobilizing hundreds of thousands of grassroots supports online and off."

They said that the Biden campaign and its allies organized 436 watch parties across the country, leading to more than 12,000 in-person attendees in battleground states.

Tyler and Boeglin also pointed to supporters signing up for "more than 1,500 volunteer shifts for our weekend of action in the battleground states." The campaign and allies also made nearly 1 million texts and calls to voters in battlegrounds, the memo said.

"While Republicans are in disarray and the Trump campaign continues to neglect crucial constituencies on the ground, the Biden-Harris campaign and Democrats across the country are not taking a single opportunity to engage voters for granted," the memo said. "That’s how we’ll win in November."

Georgia Democrats worry for Biden but still plan to vote for him

Nnamdi Egwuonwu

Christopher Cicchiello

Anne Fayssoux, 71, couldn't believe the Biden at the podium was the same one she saw deliver a rousing State of the Union address mere months earlier. At the debate's conclusion, she said she felt "sad, anxious and upset."

"I think he’s deteriorated since his State of the Union speech that went so well. They did say that he had a cold. But he seemed a little more disabled than just someone with a cold," Fayssoux told NBC News.

Even after noting Biden's numerous slip-ups she doubled down that Biden would receive her vote: "No, there’s no way in heaven and earth that would vote for someone who tried to overthrow our government on January 6th," she said. "I’d vote for Biden 100%."

Another traditionally Democratic voter, Andrew Rose, 50, was more critical of Biden and the debate as a whole.

"Oh, I was so disappointed in Biden. He was hoarse. He was pale. He looked really frail," Rose said. "And, I mean, Trump just lied through his teeth the entire time. It was a disaster, start to finish, both sides."

Rose said that calls to have Biden step aside for another Democrat were uncalled for and continues to have "confidence" in the president to continue his campaign.

"I think he’ll be okay," Rose said. "Just last night was just not a good look for him, but I think he’ll be okay."

Rose added that in the second face-off between Biden and Trump, he hopes the president will "play up" Trump's convicted felon status.

Democrats in swing-state Michigan divided over Biden's fitness

Emma Barnett

Democratic voters in Dearborn, Michigan, are split on whether Biden should step aside in order for the Democratic Party to nominate another candidate after a stumbling debate night.

Rashad Asoufy said it was “surprising to see the decline in Biden’s health due to his age.”

“Ideally, I would like him to step down and have someone else be the Democratic ticket,” Asoufy told NBC News. “But if he’s all we have, I would still stick with Biden because the alternative is not really   good for this country because it kind of threatens our democracy.”

Jennifer Ganem, 59, thinks it is too late for Biden to step aside.

“I think that we need to stay the course at this point of the process,” she said.

While Ganem described Biden’s performance as “sad,” she said, “We are voting for that leader, but we also need to remember we’re voting for all the people around our president, somebody who can bring together a good team, and former President Trump did not prove that he could do that.”

On the other hand, Marsha Brazil, a 71-year-old from Dearborn, is adamant that Biden should not step aside.

“Biden has the experience. Why would you want to — did they want to replace Trump? Look at all the things — he’s a convicted felon,” she said.

Brazil added that “the Democrats need to get together and stick with what they got and try to improve them with what they have instead of trying to replace it. You don’t replace nothing like that.”

Brazil described the debate as “horrible” because “Trump lied when he first opened up his mouth.”

“Biden was trying to tell the truth, but by him being a stutterer and having problem speaking properly, and having a cold, he had a problem delivering his points because he was trying to fact-check Trump on everything,” she added.

Biden addresses NYC’s LGBTQ community a day after poor debate performance

Matt Lavietes

Under the dark cloud of a lackluster debate performance and  panic among some Democrats , Biden spoke today at the opening of a visitor center for LGBTQ history in New York City.

Biden addressed several hundred LGBTQ attendees and allies, including singer Elton John, actor Neil Patrick Harris, fashion designer Michael Kors and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Courtney Act, at the opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center to commemorate Pride Month.

“Today, I’m proud to unveil a new visitor center for Stonewall National Monument, the first ever LGBTQ+ visitor center in the national parks of America,” Biden said. “It matters. We remain in a battle for the soul of America. But I look around at the pride, hope and light that all of you bring, and I know it’s a battle we are going to win and continue to make progress.”

'Lock him up' chants erupt after reference to Trump at Biden-Harris rally

Reporting from Las Vegas

Stumping for the president at a Biden-Harris campaign rally in Las Vegas, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly made a comment that prompted “lock him up” chants from the crowd. 

“We have a choice between Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, who will continue to fight for you, or a convicted criminal who is only looking out for himself,” said the senator, who's a Navy veteran and former astronaut. 

On came a series of “lock him up,” chants, a variation of the “lock her up” chants originated by Trump’s own supporters in reference to Hillary Clinton in the run-up to the 2016 election. 

Kelly responded to the chants, saying, “Folks, all you have to do is vote.”

The neighboring senator was part of a high-profile lineup of Biden-Harris surrogates to speak at the rally, including New Mexico Gov. Michelle Grisham and Nevada Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen. The keynote speaker was Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Biden’s facing pressure to drop out. Trump isn’t joining in.

Allan Smith

Former President Donald Trump is not known for restrained commentary about his political opponents’ weaknesses.

But after a debate in which a number of Democrats felt President Joe Biden’s performance was  so uneven and concerning  that he should  consider getting out  of the presidential contest just weeks before the Democratic National Convention, Trump is holding back from the full pile-on.

Former HUD secretary says Biden 'less likely' to win now

Zoë Richards

Julián Castro, a former HUD Secretary in the Obama administration who then ran for president in 2020, said today that Biden had failed to clear a low bar in the first presidential debate last night.

"Biden had probably the lowest bar to clear of any presidential nominee coming into a — this time summer, usually it’s a fall debate — and he failed to clear that bar. That was obvious," Castro told host Ryan Nobles on NBC News' "Meet the Press NOW." "After last night, it became less likely that he will win. Now it’s up to him to rebuild that competence to make it more likely."

Castro said he was "never convinced" that Biden was the strongest candidate for the 2024 nomination, but he said that at each juncture over the past two years, the chance to consider an alternative to Biden was "shut down."

Castro added that the optics are also a concern, saying, "We’ve come to a point where this is a political liability that is is so difficult to overcome."

Supreme Court set to rule Monday on Trump presidential immunity claims in federal election interference case

Ginger Gibson Senior Washington Editor

The Supreme Court is set to rule Monday on whether former President Donald Trump has  sweeping presidential immunity  that would shield him from prosecution for trying to overturn the 2020 election.

The justices have left the high-profile case for their final decision day before summer break. It was the last one argued this term.

There are three other cases set to come up on Monday, two dealing with Republican-backed state laws seeking to regulate social media platforms and the other on when companies can challenge federal agency rule-making.

Bidenworld brushes off The New York Times' editorial board snub

Monica Alba

Gabe Gutierrez

There is no love lost between The New York Times and some staffers in Bidenworld after the newspaper's editorial board called on the president to drop out.

Biden campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond responded tonight to the New York Times editorial board's op-ed urging Biden to step aside after last night's poor debate performance.

“The last time Joe Biden lost the New York Times editorial board’s endorsement it turned out pretty well for him," he said.

One Biden aide indicated to NBC News that the rebuke was actually energizing for some in Bidenworld.

“That s*** is like jet fuel in my veins,” the Biden aide said. “I love it.”

The paper's editorial board ultimately backed Biden in the general election in 2020 but had selected Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., during the Democratic primaries earlier that year.

Pennsylvania Republican suggests the 25th Amendment is 'worth consideration'

Pennsylvania’s Republican Senate nominee Dave McCormick thinks there is a “possibility our Commander-in-Chief is not up to the job” — and suggested the 25th Amendment, which allows the vice president and Cabinet members to write a letter to Congress declaring the president is not fit to serve, is “worth consideration.”

McCormick, sitting next to former Attorney General Bill Barr at his "America’s Future Tour: Safer Communities for Pennsylvania" event just north of Pittsburgh, described this as a “sad and scary thing to say.”

The McCormick campaign later released a video titled “Bob Casey Said Over And Over That Biden Was Fit To Be President. He Was Lying.” The video shows McCormick’s opponent, incumbent Sen. Bob Casey, defending Biden and his record, as well as Biden complimenting Casey and calling him a “close friend.”

When asked for a response, the Casey campaign referred NBC News to a comment given to PoliticsPA.com that reads, “I’m fighting for Pennsylvania against an opponent who sells out working people to enrich himself, invested in Chinese military companies, and cheered when Roe v. Wade was overturned. Pennsylvanians deserve someone fighting for working families, not for billionaires.”

Nevada Democrat: I wish Kamala Harris was running for president

Julius Tolbert, an 84-year-old Democrat, wishes that Vice President Kamala Harris was running for president instead of Biden in light of his lackluster debate performance, he told NBC News in a Las Vegas supermarket parking lot.

“I wish the vice president, I wish she was running for president. I think she’d be a good president,” said Tolbert.

“I think she — the people can understand her better because she can get up there and talk,” Tolbert added. 

Tolbert, an African American originally from Alabama born to sharecroppers, said he worries what Republicans retaking the White House will mean for Black people and people of color.

“If we get a Republican in ... it’s going to be bad for people of color,” Tolbert said. 

Tolbert was also troubled by Trump.

“The lies that he was telling, what he had done when he was president of the United States, none of that was true. Everything he said,” Tolbert said. 

Despite acknowledging Biden wasn’t an effective communicator last night, Tolbert was not panicking, even as he noted he was "worried" about Biden's health and his ability to make it through another four-year term.

“He knows what he is doing. He’s very quiet about what he does,” said Tolbert. “He was not trying to be a superstar."

New York Times editorial board calls on Biden to drop out

The New York Times editorial board published a bombshell op-ed today calling on Biden to leave the race, joining the rising chorus of concerned politicians and pundits.

"The clearest path for Democrats to defeat a candidate defined by his lies is to deal truthfully with the American public: acknowledge that Mr. Biden can’t continue his race, and create a process to select someone more capable to stand in his place to defeat Mr. Trump in November," the editorial board wrote .

The op-ed acknowledged that ending his campaign would "be against all of Mr. Biden’s personal and political instincts."

The piece highlighted that it was Biden himself who challenged Trump to the debate.

"The truth Mr. Biden needs to confront now is that he failed his own test," the board wrote.

During a conversation with CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin at the Aspen Ideas Festival, venture capitalist Peter Thiel said he would vote for former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. A former backer of Trump, Thiel said he would do so begrudgingly. NBCUniversal News Group is the media partner of Aspen Ideas Festival.

Presidential debate drew 51.3M viewers, down from recent events

Jason Abbruzzese

The first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign cycle drew about 51.3 million people, according to the media analytics company Nielsen, a sharp drop from previous debates and the smallest audience since a 2004 debate between then Sen. John Kerry and President George W. Bush.

Nielsen’s audience estimate came in slightly above host CNN’s figure. The cable news company said Friday that 47.9 million people watched the debate between Biden and Trump across broadcast and cable TV as well as streaming.

While still a sizable TV audience, Nielsen’s estimate represents an approximately 30% drop in viewership from the first Biden-Trump debate in 2020, which drew 73 million viewers. At 51.3 million people, the estimate puts the most recent debate just ahead of the third Bush-Kerry debate but behind all debates from the 2008, 2012 and 2016 campaigns, according to data from Nielsen's election hub.

Vulnerable down-ballot Democrats stay quiet after Biden’s debate

Bridget Bowman

Sahil Kapur

Democrats running in competitive down-ballot races this year largely kept quiet or dodged questions today about the first presidential debate as the party grapples with the fallout from Biden’s shaky performance.

Several Senate Democratic candidates in key states took to social media not to comment on the debate, but to share footage from recent campaign events or highlight other policies. Staffers working with several of those campaigns did not return requests for comment on the debate. And a few candidates did not directly answer questions about whether Biden should continue as the party’s presidential nominee.

“I focus on my race. I’m not a pundit,” Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio,  told News5 Cleveland  when asked if party leaders, including himself, should ask Biden to step aside. “I’ve never given my colleagues about what they should do with their free time and what they should do with other politicians.”

Trump praises today's Supreme Court ruling on Jan. 6 defendant

Trump this afternoon praised the Supreme Court's ruling today in favor of J a n. 6 defendant seeking to toss out an obstruction charge for taking part in the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

"The great Supreme Court ... they did the right thing," Trump said at a rally in Chesapeake, Virginia, referring to the court's 6-3 ruling in favor of Jan. 6 defendant Joseph Fischer .

Trump also said those involved in the riot were facing persecution because of his campaign for president, although many of their charges predated his presidential bid.

"All of their persecution is only happening, and all of it has happened to me, because I’m running for president," Trump said.

Bill Clinton highlights Biden's record in post-debate post

Former President Bill Clinton commented on Biden's debate performance today, pointing to his "solid leadership."

"Joe Biden has given us 3 years of solid leadership, steadying us after the pandemic, creating a record number of new jobs, making real progress solving the climate crisis, and launching a successful effort in reducing inflation, all while pulling us out of the quagmire Donald Trump left us in," Clinton said. "That’s what’s really at stake in November."

Clinton's tweet comes shortly after Obama also lent his support to Biden on X.

Biden celebrates Pride Month at Stonewall visitor center event

"Happy Pride!" Biden said at the start of his remarks in New York at a visitor center opening event commemorating the Stonewall Inn.

The Stonewall Inn was the site of a police raid in 1969 that helped propel the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

"LGBTQ+ people are some of the most inspiring people I know," Biden said in remarks with a level of energy similar to a North Carolina rally earlier today, a stark contrast from last night's debate performance.

He also recounted a childhood story about the first time he saw two men kiss. Biden said that his dad told him, "It's simple, Joey. They love each other."

At the end of his remarks, Biden introduced Elton John.

Debate performance threatens to overshadow Biden's NYC event with LGBTQ voters

Biden is attending the opening ceremony for the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York City, but several LGBTQ attendees suggested that last night's debate performance could overshadow the festivities.

Scott Dewey, an account executive at software company SAP — one of the center’s sponsors — called last night’s debate “humiliating.”

“I felt so bad for Biden, but then at the same time, I was thinking, ‘Are they doing this so early, are the Democrats trying to sabotage him?’” Dewey, a gay man, told NBC News.

“I mean, what the hell? It was a disgrace,” Dewey added. “He’s too old and he absolutely confirmed that last night."

Biden campaign launches digital ad saying Trump 'only cares about himself'

Mike Memoli

The Biden campaign is putting out a paid digital campaign following last night's debate, that uses clips from Trump's debate remarks to paint the former president as a self-serving candidate.

The 29-second ad includes snippets of Trump's comments at the debate lectern last night while discussing topics like abortion, the job market and the Capitol riot, alongside short captions from the Biden campaign that describe the former president as a candidate who doesn’t care about veterans, democracy, Black families or reproductive rights.

“Donald Trump only cares about himself," the ad says. "And if he wins, he’ll only help himself. Because he doesn’t care about you."

Trump kicks off first post-debate rally by mocking Biden

Ryan Brooks Ryan Brooks is the weekend politics editor for NBCNews.com

Kicking off his first-post debate remarks at a rally in Virginia, Trump mocked Biden's performance and said the president "didn't know what the hell he was doing."

"As you saw on televison last night we had a big victory against a man who is trying to destroy our country," Trump said. "Despite the fact that crooked Joe Biden spent the entire week at Camp David resting, working, studying — he studied so hard he didn't know what the hell he was doing."

"It's not his age, it's his competence," the former president added. "He's not respected anywhere in the world."

'He’s still on message': Georgia Democrat looks to Biden's positives

Alec Hernández

Reporting from Marietta, Ga.

Paula Billups, a registered Democrat from Marietta, said that while she is disappointed in Biden’s performance last night overall, she is “still very hopeful” that he can be re-elected this November. 

“He’s still on message,” Billups, 60, said of Biden, adding that she didn’t think the president “communicated the message as well as he could have last night.” 

Her lackluster review of his Thursday night performance, however, will not dissuade her from casting her ballot for Biden again in November. 

“I know a lot of people are discussing whether he should step down. No, he should not step down. He has a great team to support him,” she said, noting that Trump is only a few years younger. 

Billups, a professor of business administration at a local university, was also confused by Trump’s onstage comment about migrants taking “Black jobs.” 

“He made it seem to imply that maybe it was lower-level jobs, which that’s just not the case. You know, we hold jobs at all levels, but I’m not sure what he meant by that,” she explained. 

Biden supporter impressed with North Carolina rally: 'I would have loved to have seen that person at a debate last night'

Elleiana Green Elleiana Green is a Digital Politics intern with NBC News

As Democrats continue to voice concerns about Biden's performance following the Thursday night debate, Biden's energized speech on Friday provided a stark contrast for Dannie Montgomery, a Biden supporter who attended his North Carolina rally.

“I would have loved to have seen that person at a debate last night,” Montgomery said. "I would have liked to seen a little bit more fire last night."

Throughout the rally Biden made the case as to why he should remain in office and insisted that he could do the job while acknowledging his lackluster performance.

“I know I’m not a young man. I don’t walk as easy as I used to," Biden told the crowd. "I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know — I know how to tell the truth!"

Biden communications director won't say whether the campaign is changing strategy ahead of Sept. debate

Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler told reporters on Air Force One there have been no high-level discussions "whatsoever" about the president stepping aside.

"The president said it himself today: You know, I think he didn’t have the best night on the debate stage," Tyler said. He roundly rejected any calls for Biden to step aside and said they are still definitely planning for the September debate.

Tyler wouldn’t say though if the campaign would change its overall strategy on how Biden will prepare for that one versus last night’s performance.

'What defines a Black job? A job's a job,' Black voters in Georgia react to Trump debate comments

Two Black voters in Georgia said Trump's Thursday night answer referencing "Black jobs" in a response about the role immigrants play in the U.S. economy, said it reveals the "type of person Trump is."

“They’re taking Black jobs now and it could be 18, it could be 19 and even 20 million people,” Trump said. “They’re taking Black jobs, and they’re taking Hispanic jobs, and you haven’t seen it yet, but you’re going to see something that’s going to be the worst in our history.”

"What defines a Black job? A job's a job," Ryan Beasley, a 45-year-old undecided voter from Atlanta, told NBC News.

Beasley, a Black resident from Decatur, had always voted for the Democratic Party prior to this election. Asked what he would do if the election was tomorrow, he responded, "Stay in bed."

He added, "I think it's time for new leadership; I think it's time for younger leadership."

Red Girma, a 24-year-old from Georgia, expressed similar concerns.

"It just felt like they were referencing, like I don’t want to say it, but like bottom-barrel jobs that are like supposed to be like Black jobs or like Hispanic jobs like," Girma said. "I don’t know what he was trying to get at that. I don’t know if that that was supposed to like win us over."

'We’re doomed': NV independent voter expresses concern over Biden's age and ability to beat Trump

John Luch, a 45-year-old carpenter and independent voter from Nevada, expressed concern over Biden’s age and performance following the Thursday night debate. 

“It was just a bunch of stammering, a bunch of like, grasping for an answer,” Luch said of Biden’s performance onstage with Trump.  

Luch said that he typically votes for third-party candidates in presidential elections and that his current plan is to vote for “none of the above” come November. He added that he’d be open to supporting the Democratic Party if they remove Biden from the ticket in favor of a younger candidate. 

As for Biden’s chances of beating Trump in the general election, Luch remained skeptical because of the president’s age. 

“I think you should be alive long enough to see the ramifications of your actions,” Luch said. “We’re doomed. This the best we got.”

Congressional Democrats admit Biden stumbled in the debate but stand by him for 2024

Kyle Stewart

Ryan Nobles

Rebecca Kaplan

Kate Santaliz

A  debate performance  by President Joe Biden that  set off a five-alarm fire  within  his party  Thursday gave way to a more measured public reaction the next morning from congressional Democrats, who acknowledged he did poorly but didn’t agree with those who called on him to drop out of the presidential race.

“It was a terrible debate. Joe Biden couldn’t communicate and Donald Trump lied every time he opened his mouth,” said Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., who represents a competitive district.

But when asked if Biden should step aside from the 2024 race, Craig said she’s focused on her district.

Privately, many Democrats — including  some lawmakers  — said that they are worried. But publicly, they’re putting on a brave face and downplaying the impact of a single debate.

Read the full story here .

Obama says Biden's performance last night doesn't change the clear choice in the 2024 election

Rebecca Shabad

Former President Barack Obama doubled down on his support for Biden for president in a post on X this afternoon after Democrats expressed concern over his former running mate's debate night performance against Trump.

Steve Bannon must report to prison by Monday after Supreme Court rejects last-minute appeal

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon must report to prison by Monday after the Supreme Court rejected his last-minute bid to stave off his four-month sentence for defying subpoenas from the House Jan. 6 committee.

Bannon was convicted in Washington on two counts of contempt of Congress nearly two full years ago, in July 2022, and sentenced to four months in prison in October 2022. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols had put his sentence on hold as he pursued an appeal of his conviction, which was rejected in May . Nichols then ordered Bannon to report to prison by July 1 , saying there was no basis to continue to delay the sentence. An appeals court then rejected Bannon’s appeal of the decision, leaving only the Supreme Court to help him avoid incarceration.

PA Democratic Party chair: 'I'm with him'

Lauren Mayk

Asked by NBC News whether Biden should still be the nominee, the head of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party said yes.

"Joe Biden will beat Donald Trump and the people of Pennsylvania will support him," state Sen. Sharif Street said. "It's President Biden's decision what he wants to do in his life and so far he's decided he's our nominee and I'm with him." 

Biden won the battleground state in 2020, but polls have shown a close race going into November.

'Disgusting and dangerous': Activists decry Trump's 'bad Palestinian' comment

Rima Abdelkader

Activists and community leaders criticized Trump's comment last night that Biden is seen as a “very bad Palestinian,” in relation to the president's handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

"Using 'Palestinian' as a slur is disgusting and dangerous," said Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.

Trump said during the debate that the president had “become like a Palestinian, but they don’t like him because he’s a very bad Palestinian. He’s a weak one."

Imam Omar Suleiman, president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, criticized both Biden and Trump in response to that exchange: "Truly, you’re both just bad human beings," he said in an Instagram post.

“The fact that he called President Biden a Palestinian, a bad Palestinian, was an insult to me,” Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha wrote on Instagram .

Biden backers in N.C. disappointed in debate but sticking with him

Monica Dunn

Biden supporters at his rally in North Carolina told NBC News they were disappointed with his performance in yesterday's debate but are still standing behind him.

"I thought there was a debate between a good man and a bad man. So you know, the good man may have had an off night, but he’s still a better man, and I’m going to vote for him. Not a problem," said one attendee, John Burns.

Another, David Tillem, said Biden's performance in the debate was "a disappointment," but he thinks he's still fit for the job. Asked if he was the best person to lead the Democratic Party right now, Tillem said, "Who else is there? That’s the question. He’s the one who’s been out front. Can he do it? Yeah."

A third, Tara Waters, said Biden has been "counted out before, and he’s shown how resilient he is, and so we’ll just have to wait and see. But I am rooting for President Biden, and I’m thankful for what he’s done for our country."

Biden leaves the stage to 'I Won't Back Down'

Daniel Arkin

Biden left the podium to the tune of Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" — an interesting song choice amid growing calls for the president to drop out of the race following his debate performance.

Biden's remarks are finished

The president spoke more clearly and forcefully than he did last night, but it remains to be seen whether the rally in North Carolina will change the post-debate narrative.

Buttigieg tells Biden to 'get down to work, get back to work'

During an interview with MSNBC, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that Biden is "the best person to lead the country forward," despite his performance in the debate last night.

Asked about how Biden will fix the chaos in response to last night's debate, Buttigieg said Biden must "get down to work, and get back to work."

He added, "Just because you are on the right side of the American people with all the policy arguments doesn't mean you automatically get to win an election."

Biden insists he can do the job of president

"Folks, I give you my word as a Biden: I would not be running again if I didn't believe, with all my heart and soul, I could do this job — because, quite frankly, the stakes are too high."

The crowd replied with chants of "Yes, you can!"

Biden addresses age, debate performance: 'I don't debate as well as I used to'

Biden, defending himself against criticism of his debate performance and questions about his age, told the crowd: "I know I’m not a young man. I don’t walk as easy as I used to. I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know — I know how to tell the truth!

Biden blasts Trump for not explicitly pledging to accept election results

Biden excoriated Trump for not flatly promising to accept the results of the November election.

CNN debate moderator Dana Bash asked Trump three times whether he would accept the 2024 election results. He did not directly answer the question the first two times, but on her third attempt, Trump said in part: “If it’s a fair and legal and good election, absolutely.”

Trump then proceeded to repeat a discredited allegation of voter fraud when he lost four years ago.

Biden has not alluded to criticism of his debate performance

In his remarks so far, Biden has not commented on the chorus of criticism that followed his debate performance last night. He is proceeding with fiery criticisms of Trump and describing his second-term agenda in broad strokes.

Biden is coughing occasionally but sounds less hoarse

Biden has coughed a few times in the early section of his prepared remarks, but he sounds less hoarse than he did during last night's debate.

During the Thursday night debate, a Biden aide and others familiar with his situation told reporters he had a cold.

Crowd chants 'Lock him up' after Biden calls Trump a 'one-man crime wave'

Biden, ripping into Trump's legal troubles, referred to his 34 felony convictions in the New York hush money case and derided the former president as a "one-man crime wave."

The crowd started chanting "Lock him up," as Biden continued his remarks.

Biden repeats 'alley cat' attack on Trump

Biden, recalling last night's debate, told the North Carolina crowd that he "spent 90 minutes on a stage debating a guy who has the morals of an alley cat" — repeating an attack line he used during the face-to-face confrontation with Trump.

Biden lays out second term agenda in clearer terms

Biden, who has faced criticism from Democrats for failing to lay out a clear and forceful second term agenda at last night's debate, rattled off some of his domestic priorities at the top of his remarks in North Carolina.

"We're going to stand up for the women of America," the president said. "We're going to restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land." He also pledged to defend entitlements such as Medicare and Social Security.

Biden also interrupted by chants of 'Four more years'

Biden was beginning to explain why he is speaking in North Carolina when some of his supporters in the crowd started chanting "Four more years" to drown out a protester.

'Our options are horrible': Suburban Atlanta voters unimpressed by both debate performances

Two suburban Georgia voters were left disappointed by both candidates' performance in last night’s debate, both expressing concern for Biden’s fitness to serve and Trump’s perceived lack of substance. 

“I don’t even know how to describe it. I think it was sad and we didn’t really learn about what they would do about the issues in this country,” said Rebecca Tucker, 70, of suburban Marietta. Tucker felt “terrible for Biden” and questioned his ability to serve after watching him onstage. 

“I don’t think that he’s mentally capable of leading our country,” she said, adding that “Trump seemed more clear headed and alert.”

Daniel Savage, 54, explained that the substance of the debate was far overshadowed by the style. 

“Honestly, I just couldn’t get past the embarrassment. The first five minutes, it just was horrifying,” he said, adding that while Biden was “not cognizant,” Trump’s display was merely “average.”

“We have two candidates that I’m embarrassed to say are running for president of the United States,” he continued. 

Both Tucker and Savage voted for Trump in 2020, but were open to hearing from both candidates last night to help inform how they will cast their ballot this fall. They both are still undecided.

Biden begins remarks at North Carolina rally

The president has started giving his first public comments since last night's debate.

Jill Biden interrupted by 'four more years' chants

First lady Jill Biden, who is introducing Biden in North Carolina, was interrupted by supporters in the crowd chanting "Four more years."

Biden arrives for campaign rally in North Carolina

Biden has arrived for a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is expected to deliver remarks amid calls for him to drop out of the presidential race following his performance at the debate.

Pence calls Biden's debate performance 'a sad spectacle'

Former Vice President Mike Pence derided Biden's debate performance as "a sad spectacle" in a post on X, then went on to tout the resilience of the American people.

Pence — who failed in his effort to secure the GOP presidential nomination last year — has said he will not back Trump, his former running mate.

Biden campaign discussed whether it was a good idea for Harris to do post-debate interviews, source says

Biden campaign advisers deliberated over whether Vice President Kamala Harris should still do media interviews after the debate, given Biden’s performance, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

During the conversations, some Biden advisers suggested that it could be a “bad look” for Harris to go on the airwaves, this source said, but ultimately she decided that she wanted to do them for several reasons.

First, Harris felt that she had a duty to speak out because her name is on the ticket with Biden and second, she wanted to “prosecute the case against Trump” while making the case that she and Biden have “delivered together” over the last three and a half years.

“She was very clear that when he succeeds, they succeed. When she succeeds, they succeed,” this source said. “Same team.”

Dean Phillips quotes Gandhi: 'Speak only if it improves upon the silence'

In his first public post since the debate, Rep. Dean Phillips, Biden's most prominent primary challenger, shared a quote from Mahatma Gandhi on X, "Speak only if it improves upon the silence."

Phillips dropped out of the primary race in March and endorsed Biden.

Biden 'absolutely not' dropping out of the race, campaign says

Kelly O'Donnell

Peter Nicholas

Asked if Biden would drop out of the race, a Biden campaign spokesperson said, "Absolutely not."

“President Biden is the only person who has ever beaten Donald Trump. He will do it again. Donald Trump did not give voters any reason to vote for him tonight. On the issues, the American people are with Joe Biden,” a Biden campaign adviser said.

Pelosi says Biden had a 'bad start' to debate, still supports him

Ava Thompson

Asked if Biden is the best messenger for the top of the Democratic ticket, Rep. Nancy Pelosi said she is a “very big supporter of President Biden."

“He got off to a bad start," she told reporters. "I thought he came through OK on the issues later.”

Major Biden fundraiser says Democrats should 'take a deep breath'

Alan Kessler, a Philadelphia-based Biden fundraiser, said today that Democrats should "take a deep breath and see how things develop in a week or 10 days."

"In the meantime, if people want to have discussions about everything from potentially having somebody else [on the ticket] to how to handle last night, maybe that should happen," Kessler said. "But before people jump off bridges or start a draft movement, let’s take a deep breath and see how things unfold."

Longtime Biden ally Rep. James Clyburn says the president had a 'poor performance' during the debate

Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., a longtime Biden ally, told reporters on Capitol Hill today that he thought the president's performance during last night's debate was "poor."

Clyburn said that Biden doesn't need to change anything on "substance," but on style, he argued that Biden is "not a show horse."

"The debate last night had some shortcomings," he said, noting that infrastructure was not brought up once even though Biden signed a major bill to rebuild the nation's roads and bridges.

"We have a workhorse on behalf of the American people. We got a show horse just trying to get him out of office," he said.

Clyburn was credited with helping propel Biden's 2020 presidential campaign forward after endorsing him before the South Carolina primary.

Biden campaign rakes in $14 million around the first presidential debate

The Biden-Harris campaign raised $14 million on debate day and the morning after, a campaign official told NBC News.

The official said the hour after the debate — between 11 p.m. and 12 a.m. — was the single best hour of fundraising since the campaign’s launch in April 2023.

Senior Biden adviser says Jan. 6 defendants must be held accountable after Supreme Court decision.

A senior Biden adviser said today that "violent insurrectionists and those who encourage them must be held accountable, but Donald Trump thinks otherwise."

The adviser's comment comes in response to the Supreme Court's decision that sided with a Jan. 6 rioter challenging an obstruction charge.

"Just last night, Trump again defended January 6 and the insurrectionists who violently assaulted law enforcement officers and tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power," the adviser said about the debate. "Today’s ruling does not change the fundamental truth that Donald Trump will always put himself over our democracy.”

The June presidential debate, by the numbers

Nigel Chiwaya

Biden and Trump  touched on many topics during  last night’s presidential debate , from the economy and inflation to the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, health care and immigration.

NBC News kept track of how the candidates used their time during the debate. The graphics below show the time dedicated to each topic, along how long the candidate spent on each.

Good inflation news for the Biden admin lost in debate fallout

There's good news about inflation this morning. The wonky-sounding personal consumption expenditures index (PCE) for May came in at its slowest growth rate in more than three years . It comes after other recent encouraging inflation data, including from the closely watched consumer price index (CPI).

PCE is also a preferred inflation gauge for the Federal Reserve, which could end up cutting its benchmark interest once or twice this year as price growth slows down. That would be good news for Americans paying credit card bills and those who are priced out of the housing market because of high mortgage rates.

But what could be seen as a boost for Biden is likely to get lost amid the fallout from his shaky debate performance last night. When pressed on inflation yesterday, Biden incorrectly said he inherited 9% inflation from Trump. CPI hit that level in the middle of 2022, Biden's second year in office. The president also stumbled in demonstrating how the annual rate of CPI growth is now down to 3.3% and is expected to keep cooling.

Biden campaign co-chair says he 'lost on style, but won on substance'

Mitch Landrieu, Biden's campaign co-chair, defended Biden's debate performance during an interview with CNN this morning.

Asked about voters' response to the debate, Landrieu said Biden had a "rough time" last night. He added, "The president might have lost a debate on style, but he won it on facts. He won it on decency."

Monday will be the final day of Supreme Court rulings

The Supreme Court is expected to issue its final rulings of the session Monday. The decision on Trump's immunity argument in one of his criminal cases remains undecided, meaning it's likely to come Monday.

Supreme Court rules for Jan. 6 rioter challenging obstruction charge

Lawrence Hurley Supreme Court reporter

Reporting from the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court today ruled in favor of a former police officer who is seeking to throw out an obstruction charge for joining the Capitol riot Jan. 6, 2021, in a ruling that could benefit Trump.

The justices on a 6-3 vote handed a win to defendant  Joseph Fischer , who is among hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants — including Trump — who have been charged with obstructing an official proceeding over the effort to prevent Congress’ certification of Biden’s election victory.

The court concluded that the law, enacted in 2002 as part of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act after the Enron accounting scandal, was only intended to apply in limited circumstances involving tampering with physical evidence.

Read more about the decision here.

Pelosi, asked for reaction to Biden's performance, says 'not right now'

Asked to react to Biden's performance at last night's debate, former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she "will have it, but not right now."

Pelosi, one of the most powerful Democratic elected officials in the nation, made the comments as she stepped into an elevator at the Capitol. She did not specify when she planned to make public comments about the debate.

NBC News' Chuck Todd wrote last night that he was most intrigued to hear from Pelosi and former President Barack Obama. "They are, arguably, the two most influential Democrats not named Joe Biden right now," he wrote, "and if they went public saying, 'Thank you for your service but it’s time for new blood,' I'm not sure Biden could survive as the nominee."

Supreme Court delivers blow to power of federal agencies, overturning 40-year-old precedent

The Supreme Court today overturned a 40-year-old precedent that has been a target of the right because it is seen as bolstering the power of "deep state" bureaucrats.

In a ruling involving a challenge to a fisheries regulation, the court consigned to history a 1984 ruling called Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council.

It is the latest in a series of rulings in which the conservative justices have taken aim at the power of federal agencies. The ruling was 6-3 with the conservative justices in the majority and the liberal justices dissenting.

Biden campaign commits to participating in September presidential debate

The Biden campaign said that the president still plans to participate in the second scheduled presidential debate against Trump.

A Biden aide said all systems are go for the debate and they're committed to it. ABC News is set to host that debate on Sept. 10, less than two months before Election Day.

Hillary Clinton reiterates support for Biden post-debate

In her first public reaction following the debate last night, Hillary Clinton wrote in a post on X that she'll be voting for Biden this November.

Top Democratic fundraisers sound the alarm after Biden’s debate performance

Brian Schwartz, CNBC

Rebecca Picciotto, CNBC.com

Many of the Democratic Party’s top fundraisers are privately sounding the alarm after  Biden ’s disappointing  debate  performance against Trump last night.

“Disaster,” said a Biden donor who plans to attend a fundraiser with him tomorrow in the  Hamptons .

“This is terrible. Worse than I thought was possible. Everyone I’m speaking with thinks Biden should drop out,” said the person, who was granted anonymity to recount private conversations.

CNBC began hearing from worried  Democratic  campaign donors and fundraisers less than 20 minutes into the 90-minute debate hosted by CNN.

“Game over,” said a longtime Democratic campaign adviser, who has been raising money for congressional leaders for over a decade and helped raise money for Biden’s 2020 White House bid.

Supreme Court allows Oregon city policy targeting homeless people

The Supreme Court today rejected a constitutional challenge to ordinances enacted by a small city in Oregon that punish homeless people for sleeping on public property when they have nowhere else to go.

The justices ruled in favor of the city of Grants Pass, saying the measures do not run afoul of the Constitution’s Eighth Amendment, which bars cruel and unusual punishment.

Hakeem Jeffries says Biden shouldn't step down

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries responded "no" when asked by reporters if he thinks Biden should step down following his debate performance last night.

Supreme Court to begin announcing decisions momentarily

The Supreme Court is about to begin announcing decisions. They've brought two boxes into the press room — traditionally meaning we could get more than two cases.

House Speaker Mike Johnson says Biden is 'not up to the job'

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., addressing reporters on Capitol Hill this morning, said he believes the presidential debate showed that Biden is not fit for the presidency.

"Everyone can see the objective fact that we have been discussing here for a long, long time, that President Biden is not up to the job," Johnson said.

Trump has also drawn criticism for a series of falsehoods and exaggerations during the CNN presidential debate. Johnson praised Trump's performance, saying the presumptive GOP nominee "won on every metric of measurement, I think, on the issues, on his stamina, on his temperament."

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer defends Biden while avoiding mention of his debate performance

Henry J. Gomez

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, issued a post-debate statement through her political organization this morning that praised Biden without remarking at all on his performance in last night's debate.

"For hardworking people in Michigan and across the country, this election is about which candidate can do the most to make life easier for them and their families, stand up for our rights and freedoms, and leave a better country for our kids and grandkids," Whitmer said in the statement. "On these questions, the difference between Joe Biden and Donald Trump as people, and as presidents, could not be clearer. " 

Whitmer is among the Democrats whose names routinely surface as a potential replacement for Biden on the ballot — and her name was ringing out among panicked party insiders last night after Biden stumbled through a shaky debate with Trump.

"Joe Biden is running to serve the American people," Whitmer said in her statement. "Donald Trump is running to serve Donald Trump.   The difference between Joe Biden's vision for making sure everyone in America has a fair shot and Donald Trump’s dangerous, self-serving plans will only get sharper as we head toward November." 

Another Democrat, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, raised eyebrows on X after last night's debate by sharing a photo of her and other statewide officeholders with Whitmer under the message "Mood. #TeamMichigan."

"I'm proud of our team here in Michigan. And wanted to remind people that the Democratic Party is a whole lot bigger than one moment or one person," Benson wrote in a text to NBC News, adding that she was not suggesting that Whitmer enter the presidential race. "Our team in Michigan is an example of that."

Some Democrats start calling for Biden to ‘throw in the towel’ on 2024

Jonathan Allen

Some Democrats began calling for Biden to step aside so the party can nominate another candidate after he  stumbled badly  in last night’s debate.

“This was like a champion boxer who gets in the ring past his prime and needs his corner to throw in the towel,” said a Democratic lawmaker, adding that he meant Biden should exit the race.

The options for a switch are limited : If the president doesn’t choose to leave of his own volition, there would have to be a revolt among Democratic National Convention delegates, the vast majority of whom were elected on their pledges to nominate Biden. But that’s what some Democrats were thinking about last night.

It’s “time to talk about an open convention and a new Democratic nominee,” said a second Democratic lawmaker who has been a solid Biden supporter.

Biden campaign defiant against calls for him to drop out of race

Aaron Gilchrist

Biden's campaign is defiantly pushing back against calls for the president to drop out of the race.

A source familiar with the campaign’s thinking argued that Biden has been counted out by all the same pundits and reporters before, and the anonymous Democrats doubting him are anonymous because the party is behind him 100% (When pressed about why some of the doubters were going on the record, the source countered that they were TV pundits).

“It’s a long, long campaign, and one debate, as we saw in 2012 with Obama, will not decide the results,” the source said.

Another source familiar with the campaign’s thinking flatly denied Biden would leave the race, saying, “Of course not.”

That source argued that a fair number of polls show the debate “as a wash” and that people hated Trump’s Jan. 6 lines and refusal to accept election results.

Still, one former administration official acknowledged that attention may shift to someone else.

“One thing I think this does is underscore the importance of Vice President Harris and her role in carrying her weight, and then some, on this ticket,” the source said. “It’s all eyes on Harris — and the next big media moment: Trump’s VP selection.”

Biden stopped by a campaign-sponsored viewing party in Atlanta following his debate with Trump. He later went to collect an order from a Waffle House. At both stops, he accused Trump of lying during the debate.

Sen. John Fetterman says he refuses to join 'Democratic vultures on Biden's shoulder'

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., suggested in a post on X this morning that he doesn't agree with calls by some Democrats to find an alternative to Biden after his debate performance.

"I refuse to join the Democratic vultures on Biden’s shoulder after the debate," Fetterman said. "No one knows more than me that a rough debate is not the sum total of the person and their record."

Fetterman had a similarly poor debate performance in Oct ober 2022 against Republican Senate candidate Mehmet Oz, in part because Fetterman was still recovering from his stroke. Ultimately, Fetterman won the race in the midterm election.

Gov. Josh Shapiro admits Biden 'had a bad debate night,' but stresses the president is 'up to the job'

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a possible future Democratic presidential candidate, admitted in an interview this morning that Biden didn't do well last night, but stressed that Democrats should "stop worrying."

"Look, I think Joe Biden had a bad debate night, but it doesn’t change the fact that Donald Trump was a bad president — a bad president who ripped away our freedoms, a bad president who drove our economy into the ditch, a bad president who exacerbated the problems of climate change, and a guy who stood on the stage last night and not only lied about his past, but lied about the kinds of things he’s proposing for the future," Shapiro said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

"That is what I took away from this debate," he continued. "That’s what I saw, and I think we still have a clear contrast in this race. Nothing about the debate changed that last night."

Shapiro, a top surrogate for Biden as a member of the campaign's national advisory board, said that Democrats should stop worrying about Biden's candidacy and focus on defeating Trump.

"I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with both the former president and President Biden, and you know what I can tell you, Joe Biden is up to the job," he said.

Pressed multiple times to address Democrats' alarm over Biden's performance, Shapiro said he had acknowledged several times that Biden had a bad debate night.

"He’s got a burden on him to show people that he is still able to move forward in these debates and in prosecuting the case against Donald Trump," Shapiro said. "I believe he can do that."

What are the candidates doing today?

Alana Satlin

Biden and Trump are back on the trail today after the first debate of the 2024 cycle. Trump will deliver remarks at an event in Chesapeake, Virginia, at around 3 p.m., while Biden and first lady Jill Biden will attend a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, at noon.

After the rally, Biden and the first lady will head to New York for two other events. In the afternoon, the Bidens are scheduled to deliver remarks at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center grand opening ceremony in Manhattan.

Later in the evening, they’re both expected to participate in a campaign reception in New York City.

DNC billboard to highlight Trump's reported 'losers' and 'suckers' remarks about service members ahead of his Virginia rally

Gary Grumbach

The Democratic National Committee is reminding Virginia voters of Trump’s past comments about U.S. service members, as the presumptive Republican nominee holds a campaign rally in Chesapeake, an area home to one of the largest U.S. military populations.

A montage of news reports from Trump’s presidency on the topic will be played on a mobile billboard driving around the Hampton Roads area today ahead of the rally, NBC News has learned.

Many of the news reports featured on the mobile billboard center on the September 2020 Atlantic article written by Jeffrey Goldberg, titled, “Trump: Americans who died in the war are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’” — a topic that came up in last night’s debate.

“As Donald Trump heads to Virginia today, voters will remember the disrespect and pain he inflicted on service members and their families as he callously mocked them while serving as commander in chief,” DNC spokesperson Tracy King told NBC News. “President Biden is the only candidate in this election who fights for our service members and honors their sacrifice. Virginians will head to the polls this November remembering how Donald Trump disrespected our heroes, while President Biden fights for them.”

After Biden brought up the reported comments during the debate, Trump responded, "The losers and suckers story that he made up is a total lie on the military, it’s a disgrace. They made it up. It was in a third-rate magazine that’s failing, like many of these magazines. He made that up.”

Trump will be joined by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin at today’s rally — the first time the two will share a stage.

In response to the candidate’s performance last night, Youngkin posted on X, “Could it be any clearer? Strength versus weakness. That’s why Virginia is in play. See you in Chesapeake tomorrow, Mr. President!”

‘Babbling’ and ‘hoarse’: Biden’s debate performance sends Democrats into a panic

Natasha Korecki

Biden, 81, was supposed to put the nation’s mind at ease over his physical and mental capacity with his debate showing last night. 

But from the onset of the debate, he seemingly struggled even to talk, mostly summoning a weak, raspy voice. In the opening minutes, the president repeatedly tripped over his words, misspoke and lost his train of thought.  

Democrats are talking about replacing Biden. That wouldn’t be so easy.

Ben Kamisar

Alex Seitz-Wald

Party rules make it almost impossible to replace nominees without their consent, let alone smoothly replace them with someone else. And doing so would amount to party insiders overturning the results of primaries when Democratic voters overwhelmingly to nominate Biden. He won almost 99% of all delegates.

And at the moment, there is no known, serious effort to push Biden off the top of the ticket.

Still, the Democratic National Committee’s charter does make some provisions in case the party’s nominee is incapacitated or opts to step aside, and an anti-Biden coup at the convention is theoretically possible, if highly unlikely. So how would it work?

Debate takeaways: Biden confirms some voter fears as Trump leans into grievances

Biden failed to mitigate  his biggest liability  in his re-election bid at the CNN debate last night, while Trump doubled down on his grievances and skipped past opportunities to cover his own vulnerabilities.

Biden’s biggest weakness — voter concerns about his age and sharpness, according to polls — was on display throughout the more than 90-minute debate as he struggled through answers and failed to deliver the energetic performance allies believe he needed. And Trump had no new answers for voters about the issues on which he’s weakest, including his felony conviction, his role in overturning Roe v. Wade and his actions on Jan. 6, 2021.

The first showdown between Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, in 2024 comes early in the election year, giving voters an opportunity to see the president and his challenger side by side. Here’s what they saw — and what it means for the campaign.

President Biden, first lady's Fourth of July White House concert to include Brothers Osborne, Ne-Yo

The Biden White House is upping its July Fourth celebration game.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will host their third Fourth of July celebration on the South Lawn on Tuesday. And the first couple elevated the entertainment portion of the event with Grammy winners Ne-Yo and Brothers Osborne scheduled to perform, along with artist and producer DJ D-Nice .

Also performing for the military and veteran families in attendance will be singer-songwriter and veteran Army spouse Becca Rae Greene, as well as ensembles from “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, U.S. Army Band, U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, U.S. Navy Band, and U.S. Air Force Band.

The president and first lady will make remarks during the evening and watch, from the White House, the Independence Day fireworks extravaganza as it unfolds over the National Mall.

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Each year since taking office, the Bidens have hosted military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors to the White House for Independence Day events.

But this year, there's more big-name talent involved.

In 2022, the first couple hosted a Fourth of July barbecue with military families and pop singer-songwriter Andy Grammer. But news that six people were killed in a parade at Highland Park, Illinois , cast a pall over the event.

The prior year, Biden's first Fourth of July as president, was monumental in that stay-at-home orders were being lifted during the COVID-19 pandemic .

Biden held what, at the time, was the largest event of his presidency inviting more than 1,000 onto the White House South Lawn to eat burgers and watch fireworks. "This year, the Fourth of July is a day of special celebration, for we are emerging from the darkness of years; a year of pandemic and isolation; a year of pain, fear, and heartbreaking loss," Biden said at the White House event.

The big-name performer: Jennifer Nettles , who's cultivated a solo career as well as one in country music duo Sugarland, performed the “Star Spangled Banner" and several more songs .

Still, Biden will find it tough to surpass the July Fourth celebration held when he was vice president in 2016 and then-President Barack Obama's final Independence Day concert in the East Room included rapper Kendrick Lamar and singer Janelle Monáe .

JULY FOURTH AT THE WHITE HOUSE: The fete is an annual tradition. Here’s how it started.

Contributing: The Associated Press.

Follow Mike Snider on Twitter:  @mikesnider .