You might be surprised to learn that the White house is not only the symbol of the United States and home to the President, it is also a national park. President’s Park, in the heart in Washington, D.C. includes the White House, a visitor center, Lafayette Park, and President's Park South, commonly known as the Ellipse. The gardens of the White House include the famous Rose Garden and also the South Lawn,  Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, and North Lawn.

Tours of the White House and gardens must be arranged by advance appointment through one's senator or member of congress. Please visit the park’s website for all the details on how to arrange and enjoy your tour.

If you didn’t have a chance to arrange a tour, there are several other things to see. Try a visit to the White House Visitor Center. It features six exhibits, including the First Families In the White House, Symbols and Images, White House Architecture, White House Interiors, Working White House, and Ceremonies and Celebration, a 30-minute film about the White House, and a gift shop. Or stroll through Lafayette Park, a seven-acre park just north of the White House. Lafayettle park now features a statue of President Andrew Jackson, erected in 1853, and foreign Revolutionary War heroes including: the Marquis de Lafayette and Comte de Rochambeau both of France; Tadeusz Kosciuszko of Poland, and the Baron von Steuben of Prussia.

—Felicia Carr

If You Go

The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

The White House Visitor Center is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. It is located inside the north end of the Department of Commerce Building between 14th & 15th Streets on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Plan to take public transportiion for your visit. This is an urban park in a congested area and parking is extrmely limited.