The White House Garden Tour is offered twice a year over weekends in the Spring and Fall (April and October). Guests are invited to stroll around the White House grounds and share photos on social media using the
hashtag #WHGarden. Visitors can tour the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, White House Kitchen Garden and South Lawn
of the White House.
Last year's Spring Garden Tour was held April 1-2 and the Fall Garden Tour was held October 14-15.
Tickets are required for all attendees including small children. Free timed tickets are distributed at a National Park Service tent located near the Ellipse Visitors Pavilion in the morning on each tour day. Tickets are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. All attendees must be present in line to receive a ticket (one per person). Ticketing times will be announced a few weeks prior to the event. Tour weekends are usually held in April and October.
The use of public transportation is strongly encouraged. The Metrorail stations closest to the White House are Metro Center (blue, orange, and red lines), Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), and McPherson Square (blue and orange lines).
If you drive, you can find nearby parking here.
Tickets are given out at a National Park Service tent located near the Ellipse Visitors Pavilion.
There are long lines for tickets, so get there early. In the past, tickets have run out after a couple hours. The tickets are timed, so the earlier you get in line, the better chance you have
of getting the time you want.
And, if you don't get in on Saturday, you can try again on Sunday morning. Tickets are distributed one per person so all attendees must be present in line to receive a ticket.
Past Garden Tour attendees have written about their experience and have posted tips and advice for touring. Here are some of the most helpful postings:
All guests will be screened by the U.S. Secret Service. Strollers, wheelchairs, umbrellas (no metal tips), and cameras are allowed.
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to the following: aerosols, animals (except guide dogs), backpacks (oversized), tablets/iPads, selfie sticks, balloons,
food or beverages, duffle bags/suitcases, fireworks/firecrackers, insulated metal containers/water bottles/thermos, guns/stun guns/ammunition, any pointed objects, knives, mace,
toy weapons, and smoking (including e-cigarettes).
The U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items.
Items needed for medical purposes (such as wheelchairs, electric scooters, glucose tablets, and EpiPens)
will be permitted. Please identify and explain all medical items to U.S. Secret Service agents upon arrival.
