White House Visitor Center and White House exterior

The White House Visitor Center is located in the Department of Commerce building at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in downtown Washington, DC, in the United States, and serves as the main introduction to the presidential residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Exhibits cover the history of the White House, its architecture, the families who have lived there and the work of the staff. Displays include a large architectural model of the building, furnishings, china and personal items, along with a film about life in the house. Interior tours of the White House are free but must be requested through a Member of Congress, usually months ahead, and are subject to cancellation. Without a tour, visitors can view the exterior from the north side at Lafayette Square and from the Ellipse to the south, which offers the classic view with the fountain in the foreground. The Visitor Center is typically open daily from 7:30am to 4pm, and the schedule should be confirmed at nps.gov/whho. A visit takes 45 to 90 minutes. Photography is allowed outdoors, with restrictions on bags and large equipment near the perimeter, and security closures can alter access. Crowds peak in spring and summer around midday, while mornings are calmer and give better light for the north side. Lafayette Square across the street is a pleasant place to rest, and the Metro Center and Federal Triangle stations are each about 0.3 miles away.