Where Is the White House Located?

Many know that the White House is the home of the President of the United States and his family. It is iconic in stature; it is one of America’s many symbols of freedom, American government, and American people and culture.  Nearly all United States presidents have lived in this stone residence in Washington, D.C., from John and Abigail Adams to Barack and Michelle Obama.  

The White House is located in the heart of Washington. D.C., at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It is situated between the U.S. Department of the Treasury building and the Old Executive Office Building. Across the street from the White House is Lafayette Park. Behind the White House lies the Ellipse and an unblocked view of the Washington Monument on the National Mall. 

George Washington selected the site for the White House and oversaw its construction, though he never had the privilege of living there despite being our first president. John Adams moved into the soon-to-be-finished structure during his term, after the United States Capitol was moved from Philadelphia to its current location. Until that time, the president lived in mansions in New York, then in Philadelphia.  

National Mall

The White House is part of the National Mall. Some call the National Mall “America’s Front Yard,” as it is home to our major Federal buildings, and it is laid out in the shape of a cross.  On the east end of the Mall is the United States Capitol Building, home of the House of Representatives and the Senate. 

Opposite the Capitol on the west of the Mall is the Lincoln Memorial, a tribute to the sixteenth U.S. president. The Jefferson Memorial, monument to the third American president, lies on the south side of the Mall, opposite the White House on the north side. Central to the Mall is the Washington Monument, the tallest building in Washington, D.C. Other notable landmarks include the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Smithsonian museum.  

Visiting the White House

The White House holds the distinction of being the only private residence for any head of state that people can visit, and the visit is free. To plan your visit, you must contact the office of your Representative in the U.S. Congress. His or her staff and assign you or your group to a tour date setup by the White House. 

You must plan in advance, as you need a minimum of 30 days or a maximum of six months to select a tour from the available dates and times and to pass clearance through the Secret Service. To tour the White House, you must be prepared to provide your full name, social security number, country of origin, and country of citizenship. If you are a resident of a foreign country, work with the Washington, D.C office of your country’s embassy to work out tour plans.

The White House is the private residence for the president and his family. They live on the upper floors of the White House. However, official government business is transacted at the White House.

The president’s office is located in the West Wing, and he also hosts state dinners and press conferences on the grounds. The first lady’s office is located in the East Wing. While her affairs are not official business, she often uses her position to influence causes about which she is passionate, such as literacy, drug resistance and abstinence and education.

Because of security issues over the last few years, there have been some changes in Washington, D.C. surrounding the White House. You may not drive past the White House. Pennsylvania Avenue is closed to automobiles, but pedestrians may walk past the White House. Also, you cannot plan a same-day tour of the White House. Your visit must be planned in advance in coordination with your Congress person, for U.S. citizens, or embassy, for visitors to the U.S.

The White House is located in the heart of Washington. D.C., at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.