This spring, the White House will open its historic gardens and grounds to visitors during the 2026 Spring Garden Tours. The grounds will be open Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM, a statement by the Office of the First Lady has said.
According to the statement, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the beauty of the South Lawn of the White House as well as the Rose Garden and the White House Kitchen Garden. Each spring, the gardens of President’s Park come into full bloom, offering vibrant color and a reflection of the natural beauty of the United States.
This event is free and open to the public, but a ticket is required for all attendees, including small children. The National Park Service will distribute free, timed tickets at a tent outside the White House Visitor Center each day of the tours beginning at 8:30 AM. The White House Visitor Center is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20004, near the intersection of 15th Street and E Street Northwest.
Tickets will be distributed—one ticket per person—on a first-come, first-served basis.
The statement, however, pointed out that the following items are not allowed on the White House grounds:
- Aerosols
- Ammunition
- Animals other than service/guide animals
- Backpacks and bags exceeding size restrictions (18” x 13” x 7”)
- Bicycles and scooters
- Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
- E-cigarettes
- Electronic tablets
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Glass, thermal, or metal containers
- Laser pointers
- Lighters
- Mace/pepper spray
- Metal water bottles
- Packages
- Rangefinders
- Selfie sticks
- Signs and flags of any kind
- Structures
- Supports for signs and placards
- Toy guns
- Umbrellas with metal tips
- Weapons of any kind
- Wearable technology capable of photo or video
- Any other items determined to be potential safety hazard
It also noted that the Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items. “However, strollers, wheelchairs, umbrellas (no metal tips), and cameras are permitted. All items needed for medical purposes will be permitted on the tour (such as wheelchairs, electric scooters, glucose tablets, and EpiPens),” and urged that affected visitors should identify and explain all items needed for medical purposes to Secret Service personnel upon arrival.
In the event of inclement weather, the event may be canceled, the statement said and urged that those interested in the Tours should please call the 24-hour information line at (202) 456-7040 to check on the status of the event, and for more information, including what visitors will need to access the White House campus, to please visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/Visit
