A view of the White House on the fall garden tour
Was your attempt at scoring tickets for the Easter Egg Roll “unsuccessful,” too? Well, here’s a chance to enjoy spring at the White House — and you don’t have to win a lottery to do it. There may not be egg rolls and festivities for kids, but it’s a great opportunity to tour White House grounds that normally are not accessible to the public. And it’s a perfect activity on a nice spring day, which (cross fingers) it looks like we’ll get this weekend.
The annual White House Spring Garden and Grounds Tours is a tradition that dates back to 1972 when Pat Nixon first opened the gardens to the public. Gaining admission to the event is as easy as picking up tickets the day of.
The White House will be opening its gardens and grounds to visitors this Saturday, April 13 from 9am to 4pm, and Sunday, April 14 from 9am to 3pm. Guests will be able to see the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, and South Lawn of the White House. And the White House Kitchen Garden — the first vegetable garden at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt’s Victory Garden — will also be on view.
I went on the tour this past fall and found it to be not just lovely, but also quite interesting. Along with being able to see the gardens, there are also visual displays offering background information, photos, and neat tidbits about the different areas and the presidencies that have used them.
While Garden Tours are free and open to the public, a ticket is required for all attendees, including small children. The National Park Service will distribute free, timed tickets at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion located at 15th and E Streets on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 8:00 AM. Tickets will be distributed, one per person, on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s not that difficult to get tickets as long as you’re flexible on times.
Oh, and don’t let these photos fool ya. They were taken on the media tour before the garden opened to ticketed visitors, which is why you don’t see other people roaming around. Do expect it to be busy if you go.
Strollers and cameras are permitted, however, be aware that certain items, including a few not-so-obvious no-nos, are prohibited at the event. Here’s the full list:
Aerosols of any kind
Animals (except guide dogs)
Backpacks (oversized)
Balloons
Food or beverages of any kind
Duffle bags/suitcases
Any pointed object
Electric stun guns
Fireworks/firecrackers
Insulated metal containers
Guns/ammunition
Knives of any kind
Mace
Tobacco
In the event of inclement weather, the event may be cancelled. You can call the 24-hour information line at 202.456.7041 to check on the status.
