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The Green Adventures

Park Service site · District of Columbia

The White House and President's Park

Park Service site in District of Columbia. No entrance fee.

TypePark Service site
StateDistrict of Columbia
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkShenandoah (75 mi)
Closest airportDCA (3 mi)
Crowds of people populate the White House South Lawn on a sunny day with the White House in view
Visitors explore the South Grounds of the White House during the 2026 White House Spring Garden Tours Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

The White House and President's Park is a park service site run by the National Park Service in District of Columbia.

In the park service’s words

The White House is owned by the American people and stewarded by the National Park Service. It is more than the President's residence; it is a site for protests and national discourse about what it means to be American. As one of the most iconic sites in the country, the White House and President's Park seeks to tell the stories of all people who have lived, worked, and visited.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Silver Line - DC Metro (1 to 2 Days): Step off the Silver Line to take a walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island, or sight see from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Each of the parks listed here are 1 mile or less from each metro stop (about a 20 minute walk) or a 10 minute bus ride away.
  • Blue Line - DC Metro (1 to 2 Days): From the National Mall and Memorial Parks to the Mount Vernon Trail, travel the Blue Line to see what the southern portion of Washington, DC has to offer. Each of the parks listed here are 1 mile or less from each metro stop (about a 20 minute walk) or a 10 minute bus ride away.
  • Red Line - DC Metro (1 to 2 Days): Embrace the outdoors, explore interactive exhbits and stand where history happened by taking the Red Line to visit some of DC's National Park Sites. Each of the parks listed here are 1 mile or less from each metro stop (about a 20 minute walk) or a 10 minute bus ride away.
  • Go sightseeing at President's Park (30 to 90 Minutes): Every president except George Washington has called the White House and its surrounding grounds his place of work, rest, and solitude. Recognizable around the world, the White House stands as a symbol of democracy. The White House and its park grounds serve not only as the seat of the executive branch of government of
  • Explore the White House Visitor Center (1 to 2 Hours): Explore interactive exhibits, discover historic White House treasures, watch a free film, and get to know the White House as a home, office, symbol, and stage.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 7:30AM - 4:00PM. The White House Visitor Center

Lodging

Getting there

The White House is located in downtown Washington, DC, directly north of the Washington Monument. The park boundaries are between 17th and 15th Streets NW on the east and west and between Constitution Ave NW and H St NW on the north and south. The nearest Metro stations are Farragut North/South, McPherson Square, and Federal Triangle. The park visitor center is located at 15th St. & Pennsylvania Ave.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Washington, DC No road route 3 Large hub
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Dulles, VA No road route 23 Large hub
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) Baltimore, MD No road route 28 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • White House Visitor Center: Daily, 7:30AM - 4:00PM. The White House Visitor Center is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW and contains artifacts, an information desk, retail, and a 14 minute film.

Weather

The Washington, DC, area has a four-season Mid-Atlantic climate. Summertime is warm and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy. Precipitation averages 2-4” monthly, year-round. The warmest months are June, July, and August, with average highs in the 80s (~31) combined with high humidity. Temperatures often climb into the 90s (~34). The coldest months are December, January, and February, with average temperatures in the 30s (~3), though lows may dip into the single digits on occasion.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 75 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at The White House and President's Park?

No entrance fee.

Where is The White House and President's Park?

In District of Columbia. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, about 3 miles away.

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