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The White House Garden Tours

A Legacy of First Lady Patricia Nixon

Copyright © April 9, 2019 White House Historical Association. All rights reserved under international copyright conventions. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Requests for reprint permissions should be addressed to [email protected]

• Bob Bostock Curator of the "People Were Her Project" exhibit at the Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library

This photograph is of the South Portico as seen from the lit fountain on the South Lawn of the White House. White House photographer Karl Schumacher took this photo on the evening of December 1, 1970, during the administration of Richard M. Nixon.

Show Me More

When the White House gates open at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 13th, thousands of people will stream through for the start of the 2019 White House Spring Garden Tour. Few of them will know that this special tour – one of only two weekends each year that the grounds of the President’s House are open to the general public – is part of the legacy of First Lady Patricia Nixon.

During her service as First Lady (1969-74), Mrs. Nixon undertook numerous initiatives to make the White House more accessible to visitors from across the country and around the world. Much of her attention was focused on the interior of the mansion itself – increasing its collection of historic furnishings , making it handicapped accessible, and developing special tours for blind and deaf tourists, among others.

But Pat Nixon didn’t limit her efforts to the interior of the White House. An avid gardener, she was also interested in making the White House’s historic gardens and grounds more accessible to the public.

First Lady Patricia Nixon leads Mayor-Commissioner of Washington, D.C. Walter Washington and a group of schoolchildren through the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden on April 14, 1973.

Her focus started with making it easier for the White House to be visible after dark. Unlike the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, the Washington Monument, and other landmarks in the nation’s capital, the White House had never been illuminated at night. First Lady Patricia Nixon decided to change that.

She worked closely with the National Park Service, which is responsible for the White House Grounds, to develop the plan for appropriate exterior lighting. The cost of installing the lighting fixtures was covered by private funds remaining from those raised for the 1969 Presidential inaugural festivities. As a result of her vision, the people’s house has been illuminated every night since Mrs. Nixon ceremoniously turned on the lights on November 25, 1970.

Mrs. Nixon also began the practice of keeping the American flag flying over the White House 24 hours a day, every day. Previously, the flag was brought down every evening at sunset and raised again at sunrise the next day. It took a Presidential Proclamation to authorize the change, which President Nixon issued at Mrs. Nixon’s urging, on September 4, 1970. 1

First Lady Patricia Nixon leads Mayor-Commissioner of Washington, D.C. Walter Washington and a group of schoolchildren along the South Drive on April 14, 1973. The students were winners of a poster contest sponsored by the Society for a More Beautiful Capital, an organization founded by Mary Lasker and First Lady "Lady Bird" Johnson in 1964.

Mrs. Nixon next turned her attention to the White House Grounds themselves. Since 1878, the South Lawn had been opened nearly every year to young children and their families for the annual Easter Egg Roll . And throughout much of the 19th century and in the early part of the 20th century, people could stroll the grounds unescorted. Never before, however, had the grounds been opened for an informative tour that would, in Mrs. Nixon’s words, allow visitors to “share with us their present beauty and past history.” 2

Mrs. Nixon planted the seeds for the first Garden Tour in early 1972. Michael J. Farrell, who headed the White House Visitors Office, outlined Mrs. Nixon’s vision for the first Garden Tour in a brief memo. The tour would include the Rose Garden, much of the South Grounds, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. Visitors would receive a brochure that provided an overview of the grounds, and a military band would play during the tour.

The scope of the tour expanded during the planning process. Small groups of visitors would be allowed to walk through the Children’s Garden, gifted by the President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson shortly before they left Washington in January 1969, and the Ground Floor corridor and the rooms on the State Floor of the White House would also be open.

First Lady Patricia Nixon points out and explains photograph displays along the South Drive on April 14, 1973.

Considerable energy went into making the first Garden Tour a success. Under Mrs. Nixon’s direction, the Visitors Office coordinated the effort, involving many other White House offices. The photography office produced oversized photos of various events that took place on the grounds. The White House carpenters shop built the easels on which the photographs and signs highlighting special points of interest (such as commemorative trees) were placed. The Social Secretary’s office arranged for music. And Irvin Williams (who served as head gardener at the White House from 1962-2008) and Bill Ruback of the National Park Service would be on hand during the tour to answer visitors’ questions.

By the time the Garden Tour kicked-off, more than fifty different people were involved in planning and carrying out this first-ever Garden Tour. To show her appreciation for their effort, Mrs. Nixon personally inscribed and signed copies of the brochure for each person involved in creating this new White House event.

When the first day of the tour arrived, the sky was clear and sunny and the temperatures were cool – perfect weather for enjoying the White House gardens and grounds. Mrs. Nixon kicked off the tour, leading the mayor-commissioner of Washington, D.C., Walter Washington, and a group of local schoolchildren through the grounds. Among the students was, Duane Bolton, the first-place winner of a poster contest sponsored by the Society for a More Beautiful National Capital. Two families who were waiting in line were also invited to join the First Lady’s tour.

Duane Bolton, first-place winner of the poster contest sponsored by the Society for a More Beautiful Capital, presents his poster to First Lady Patricia Nixon and President Richard Nixon on April 14, 1973.

Starting in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, First Lady Patricia Nixon escorted her group around the grounds. As they walked, she pointed out such historic elements of the landscape as the Jefferson Mounds, which our third president is said to have created to provide visual interest to the otherwise flat lawn, various trees planted by presidents ranging from an American Elm planted by the sixth president, John Quincy Adams , to a Giant Sequoia planted by California native, President Richard Nixon , and the colorful spring flowers blooming around the fountain.

After walking along the South Drive, the group entered the Rose Garden, where they were joined by President Nixon. As they entered the Rose Garden, they passed by the towering Southern Magnolia. According to legend, it was planted by President Andrew Jackson in 1829 as a tribute to his late wife, who died shortly before Jackson became president.

By the time the first White House Garden Tour concluded the next day, nearly 11,500 people had helped launch a tradition that continues to this day. In the 46 years since, as many as one million people have walked the grounds during the spring and fall White House Garden Tours. And over the years, the White House Grounds have continued to evolve.

President Richard Nixon speaks with Duane Bolton near the Rose Garden during First Lady Patricia Nixon's White House gardens tour on April 14, 1973.

The American Elm planted by John Quincy Adams in 1826 finally succumbed to old age. In 1991, it was replaced by a seedling raised from that tree, planted by First Lady Barbara Bush . In 2009, F irst Lady Michelle Obama planted the White House Kitchen Garden to provide “home-grown” fresh, organic vegetables for the first family. In late 2017, the Jackson Magnolia was severely cut back as its branches grew so weak they proved to be a safety hazard. First Lady Melania Trump made sure, however, that wood removed was saved and that seedlings were propagated that could, one day, replace the ancient tree. And every president since the first Garden Tour has added at least one new tree to the White House Grounds.

One thing hasn’t changed, however. The tradition of opening the White House gardens and grounds to the public, started by First Lady Patricia Nixon in 1973, continues to delight visitors. Thanks to her vision, as visitors amble through the White House grounds, they are following in the footsteps of every president and first lady since President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams became the first residents of the White House in November 1800.

To learn more about the White House grounds, see The White House Garden by William Seale, published by the White House Historical Association. Memoranda about the planning for the Garden Tour are in the collections of the Richard Nixon Presidential Museum and Library of the National Archives, Yorba Linda, California.

First Lady Patricia Nixon and President Richard Nixon walk through the Rose Garden with schoolchildren on April 14, 1973.

This was originally published on April 9, 2019

Footnotes & Resources

• https://www.presidency.ucsb.ed...
• "White House Gardens and Grounds” brochure, Welcoming letter from Patricia Nixon, April 1973.

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About  Search

Joseph R. Biden

Press release - the white house announces 2022 fall garden tours.

Today, the President and First Lady are pleased to announce plans for the 2022 Fall Garden Tours.

The President and First Lady will continue the annual tradition of opening the White House gardens and South Grounds to members of the public for Fall Garden Tours. This season's tour weekend is scheduled for 10:00 AM ET to 4:30 PM ET on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9.

These tours are free and open to members of the public; however, a ticket is required for all attendees, including small children. The National Park Service (NPS) will distribute free, timed tickets outside the White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9, beginning at 8:30 AM ET. Tickets will be distributed, one ticket per person, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Once you have received your tickets, the South Lawn entry point for all guests will be located near the intersection of 15th Street NW and E Street NW. The ADA entrance will be located at 15th Street NW and Alexander Hamilton Place NW.

The White House will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation based on recommendations from the CDC and other public health officials and medical experts. The White House reserves the right to adjust availability of the tours as necessary to adhere to the latest health guidance. Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, has had any COVID-19 symptoms, or been in close contact with someone confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 within 10 days prior to their visit, may not attend. Face masks will be available when entering the White House complex for those who choose to wear them.

Joseph R. Biden, Press Release - The White House Announces 2022 Fall Garden Tours Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/358121

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White House Garden Tour

This post explains how to obtain timed tickets to the White Garden Tours, which take place 2 times every year.

While you can request to tour the White House any time of year, only twice a year are the White House Gardens open to the public.

You can stroll through the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the Rose Garden, the White House Kitchen Garden and South Lawn of the White House.

Related Posts:

• How to Tour the White House
• White House Easter Egg Roll
• Get Tickets for the Washington Monument

Below, is a short video describing the most famous of all the gardens at the White House - the Rose Garden.  

This garden is adjacent to the Oval Office and is the location where the President of the United States will often announce new Cabinet or Supreme Court nominees or new legislation that he has proposed.

How to Obtain Tickets for the White House Garden Tours

The White House Spring Garden Tour Dates for 2024 are May 11 and May 12, 2024.

Open to guests are the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden and the White House Kitchen Garden and the South Lawn of the White House Grounds.

Unlike the White House Easter Egg Roll , there is no lottery for this event. If you want to tour the White House Gardens, free-timed tickets are distributed at the White House Visitor Center each tour day at 8:30am. 

Federal Triangle (Orange, Blue and Silver lines) is the closest Metro station to the ticket pavilion.  It's approximately a 9 min walk from the station.  You can also easily walk from Metro Center (Red, Orange, Blue and Silver lines). Click here for directions to the pavilion from anywhere in the DC area.

Tickets are distributed at 830 am on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are distributed in 30 min intervals.  If you have a specific time you need to tour or want to get in right away, we recommend getting there early.

Even if you're there at 830 am, you might get a ticket for 2 pm that afternoon.  

Like most attractions in Washington DC, the earlier you go, the less crowded it is likely to be.  

There is a limit of one ticket per person so if you want to go with your whole family, they all need to wait in line.  

You must go through a security screening before entering on the White House lawn.

Please note the following items are not allowed on the White House grounds:

• Tablets, iPads, Tripods, Monopods, or Selfie Sticks
• Video Recorders
• All Bags, including Purses, Backpacks, or Suitcases
• Animals other than Service/ Guide Dogs
• Bicycles, Folding Chairs, Umbrellas with metal tips, Balloons, Coolers, Glass, Thermal or Metal Containers
• Signs or Flags of Any Kind
• Any Pointed Object(s), Including Pocket Knives
• Diaper Bags
• Food, Liquids, Aerosols, Tobacco Products, Lighters
• Firearms, Ammunition, Fireworks, Laser Pointers, Stun Guns/Tasers, Mace/Pepper Spray, Toy Weapons or Knives of Any Kind
• Any Other Items Determined to be Potential Safety Hazards

You may bring strollers, wheelchairs, cameras and umbrellas without metal tips.

For those not staying downtown, ask your hotel concierge or inn manager if he or she knows a concierge at a downtown hotel, where you could leave your purses and travel bags.

Jacqueline Kennedy Garden

The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden has been a part of the White House landscape for some time before JFK's presidency but had been all but forgotten. Jackie Kennedy had helped with the redesign and the garden had been planted by the time of JFK's assassination.

The rose garden had been replanted but the East Garden was still in progress. This East Garden was renamed in her honor.

In the current garden, you will find Littleleaf lindens and Kennedy saucer magnolias bordered by low hedges of boxwood and American Holly. Perennial flowering plants include delphinium, hollyhock, lavender, and roses.

Spring blooming bulbs planted in the rose garden include jonquil, daffodil, fritillaria, grape hyacinth, tulips, chionodoxa and squill. Summer blooming annuals change yearly. In the fall chrysanthemum and flowering kale bring color until early winter.

Watch the video below for a glimpse inside the White House Vegetable Garden

White House Vegetable Garden 

There has been a vegetable garden on the White House grounds since 1800 but the current first lady, Michelle Obama, is probably the more well-known for hers.

Eleanor Roosevelt had a victory garden during WWII and Hillary Clinton added a garden to the roof of the White House, but Mrs. Obama created the largest vegetable garden in 2009. It came as part of her efforts for a healthier America and the garden provides fresh vegetables and herbs to the First Family, White House guests and also food banks and soup kitchens.

You can see the vegetable garden from E Street on the Southside of the White House but if you're traveling with a student or community group, you can request a tour.

How to tour the White House Vegetable Gardens?

The White House will arrange a free tour for groups of 25 or less who request it online on their website. The tour will visit the garden and the beehive and if you're lucky, also the White House interior. Tours are subject to availability but often occur on weekday mornings.

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All About the White House Gardens

The White House grounds are beautifully landscaped with a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers. The garden has been redesigned and expanded throughout America’s history. In 1913 Ellen Wilson, the first wife of Woodrow Wilson, had a rose garden planted just outside of the Oval Office. It has been known as "the Rose Garden" ever since. Mrs. Wilson also brought the landscape designer Beatrix Farrand to the White House to landscape the East Side of the garden, which remains in almost exactly the same form today.

The White House grounds are maintained by a garden crew consisting of 13 regular staff including a chief horticulturalist who is on the executive residence staff. The other 12 are National Park Service staff—three foremen, eight gardeners, and one maintenance operator.

Enjoy the following photos and get a glimpse of the White House Gardens. Public tours are given two weekends per year, in the spring and in the fall.

White House Rose Garden in Spring

White House Historical Association

The White House Rose Garden is especially beautiful during the spring and summer months. John F. Kennedy had the Rose Garden redesigned during his administration to use it as a venue for outdoor ceremonies. Events that are held in the Rose Garden today include the annual pardoning of the turkey , and other presidential ceremonies and speeches.

Pergola in the East Garden of the White House

A pergola covered with Concord grapes terminates the west end of the East Garden.

Tulips in the Spring Rose Garden

Tulips bloom in spring in the Rose Garden. Other plants that can be seen in the Rose Garden include magnolia trees, Katherine crab apple trees and a variety of roses.

East Garden in Fall

The White House East Garden is vibrant with its fall display of chrysanthemum topiaries and American holly.

White House South Lawn

The South Lawn of the White House is beautifully landscaped with lots of green shrubs and plants.  It is used for the annual Easter Egg Roll and other large events.

White House Rose Garden

Visitors especially enjoy visiting the Rose Garden on the White House grounds.

White House Garden

Miller Taylor

White House Garden - South Lawn Photos

White House Entryway

White House Grounds

The grounds to the White House are beautiful landscaped. On tours at the White House, one can see flowers such as tulips, hycinths and chrysanthemums in the East Garden.

White House Walkway

A few times a year, the public is invited to tour the White House grounds.

White House Foutain

The fountain in front of the White House is landscaped with colorful flowers.

Related Articles

More related articles.

White House Garden Tour Washington DC

Washington, D.C: The FREE White House Garden Tour lets you look inside the White House Presidential gardens, including the Rose Garden , the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden , and the Kitchen Garden . The White House Gardens span 18 acres and contain 500 trees, 5000 shrubs, and an ever-changing floral display.

2023 Fall White House Garden Tour Dates

The dates for the fall White House Garden Tour are  Saturday, October 14, and Sunday, October 15. In the event that the federal government is shut down on these dates, the Fall Garden Tours will be postponed or canceled. The National Park Service will distribute free, timed tickets outside the White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, beginning at 8:30 a.m. each day.

Whether you are planning a trip to see the White House Gardens or are interested in seeing them from afar, this post will take you onto the White House grounds and provide tips on scoring the FREE White House Garden Tour tickets. To assist in planning your trip, a Garden Travel Guide to the White House Garden Tour is located at the end of the post.

3 Tips for Scoring White House Garden Tour Tickets

The White House Garden Tour is a rare opportunity to get onto the White House grounds and see the Presidential Gardens. The event is free and open to the public but requires a ticket.

Tip #1 How to Find Dates of Tour 

Tours are held two weekends a year , typically in April or October. The garden tour is announced online less than two weeks in advance . Tickets are only available on the day of the event on a first-come, first-served basis. 

For details, you’ll need to search the internet for “white house garden tour” in early October or April . An announcement by the White House Briefing Room will look something like this and contain information on where and when the next garden tour tickets will be released. 

Tip #2 Line Up Early the Day of the Tour

There are no advance tickets . Hopeful garden tourists must go to the spot designated by the National Park Service and line up on the day of the event. Visitors can pick their tour time, providing tickets are still available. This is a self-guided tour , and once on the grounds, there are no limitations on how long one can stay. 

The morning of the tour, I arrived 40 minutes early before the designated 8:30 a.m. distribution time to get tickets, and there were probably 70 people ahead of me. Thirty minutes later, the line stretched down the block. But don’t worry, there are a lot of tickets. I walked by the ticket booth about an hour later; the line was short, and plenty of tickets were still available.

Tip #3 Get the First Time Slot

I recommend reserving the first time slot available for the tour. It was exhilarating being among the first group to walk onto the grounds as the Marine Band began playing from the upper balcony of the White House. The garden grounds quickly filled up, and lines began to form along the tour route. 

What to See on the White House Garden Tours

White house rose garden.

The Rose Garden is located just outside the West Wing of the Oval Office. It is a site for outdoor press conferences and greeting foreign Heads of State.

Plants in the Rose Garden include magnolia trees, crab apple trees, and a variety of roses.

The photo below shows a view of the Rose Garden during the State Dinner for Australia’s Prime Minister.

Jacqueline Kennedy Garden

The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden was renovated in 1963 and dedicated to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. It is also a site for events and features seasonal flowers and hedges.

White House Kitchen Garden

The White House has had multiple vegetable gardens over the years. The current White House garden was planted in 2009 by First Lady Michelle Obama to model healthy eating habits for the nation.

The garden bounty and honey from the White House beehive are put to use by the White House Chef.

The White House Children’s Garden

Created by Lady Bird Johnson, the White House Children’s Garden is also known as the Secret Garden. Tucked behind a tall hedge, the Children’s Garden was not open during the White House Garden Tour, but it is a special place in the hearts of the former White House occupants:

“Sunday, January 19 [1969]. Today dawned gray and dreary with a light rain falling . . . Carrying an umbrella, I went down to the Children’s Garden, which will be our departing gift to the White House . . . Even in the gray day, the garden was a charming little spot . . . a very secret, quiet place.” First Lady “Lady Bird” Johnson

The handprints and footprints of Presidential grandchildren are memorialized in bronze along the flagstone paths. Their stories and get a peek of what is behind the bushes in “ Reflections: A Secret Garden ” on WhiteHouseHistory.org.

Other Things to See on the White House Garden Tour

Presidential Trees

Did you know that since the 1800’s most Presidents and/or First Ladies have planted a commemorative tree in the White House garden?  

The National Christmas Tree stood alone in an expansive space. It’s in its glory during the holiday season, as shown in the bottom picture from the National Park Service.

White House South Lawn

The South Lawn is an expansive area. In addition to being the landing area of the Marine One helicopter, the South Lawn also serves as the location for the annual Easter Egg Roll and other large events.

Look closer; you can see that the lawn doubles as a Presidential putting green. 

About the White House Putting Green

• President Eisenhower, an avid golfer, had a putting green installed on the White House lawn during his presidency from 1953-1961.
• President Richard Nixon removed it.
•  President George H. W. Bush reinstalled the putting green.
• President Bill Clinton moved it to its current location just south of the Rose Garden, a short walk from the Oval Office.

White House Garden Tour Spring or Fall?

There is more color on the Spring White House Garden Tour. The flower beds are filled with blooms, the bulbs are up, and the trees are flowering.

In the fall garden tour, the trees and structure of the garden take a more prominent role. The White House Vegetable Garden has matured, and the cutting garden is in flower making it one of the most colorful spots on the Fall White House Garden Tour.

What to Wear to the White House Garden Tour

There is no dress code. Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather and wear clothing and shoes suitable for walking and exploring the gardens.

Here are some tips for what to wear:

• Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes that help you navigate the garden paths.
• Choose lightweight, breathable clothing, especially when visiting on a hot day. Natural fibers like cotton and linen are good choices because they’ll help keep you cool.
•  Bring a hat or other protective headwear if you plan to spend a lot of time in the gardens to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
• Consider wearing sunscreen, especially if you’re visiting during the summer or in a sunny location.
•  Bring a jacket or other outer layer to keep you warm if you see the White House gardens during the cooler months. It’s chilly waiting in line for tickets in the early morning.

Prohibited Items on the Tour

The U.S. Secret Service will screen guests. Strollers, wheelchairs, umbrellas (no metal tips), and cameras are allowed.

Prohibited item s:

• animals (except guide dogs)
• backpacks (oversized)
• tablets/iPads
• selfie sticks
• 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
• smoking (including e-cigarettes).

Conclusion: The People’s Garden

Being on the White House grounds  is exciting  regardless of the time of year. 

The White House is known as the “People’s House.” So, by extension, this is the “People’s Garden.” Thanks to the White House and the National Park Service for making these tours accessible to the public.

Visitors Guide White House Garden Tour

Address:  .

Address for ticket distribution: White House Visitor Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004

Meeting Point for Garden Entry:  The South Lawn entry point for guests with tickets is near 15th St NW between E Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW near the Bov Scout Memorial. 

How to Best Experience the White House Garden Tour

Line up early for tickets. Take the first ticket time slot to avoid the heavy crowds later in the day. Backpacks and purses will be searched, so know the prohibited items before entering. Dress comfortably. Wear walking shoes and dress in layers. Plan to spend at least 30 walking the route.

White House Garden Tour Map

Find the most up-to-date map here.

White House Garden Tour Hours

Tours are available from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Tours are held two weekends a year, typically in April or October and announced on the White House website, www.whitehouse.gov, about 2 weeks in advance. Enter “White House Garden Tour” in the search bar on the White House website.

Tickets White House Garden Tour

Tickets are FREE and available on the morning of the tour. No advance tickets are available. To get tickets, line up at the spot designated by the National Park Service . In past years the ticket location was outside the White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

Parking at the White House Garden Tour

There is very limited on-street parking available in areas near the Garden tour. You can book guaranteed parking in nearby garages in advance with  ParkWhiz , but public transportation is your best bet.   View a map of the closest Metro stations .

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).

Pet Policy for the White House Gardens Tour

Pets are not allowed on the tour.

Accessibility for the White House Garden Tours

ADA entrance to the White House Garden tour is at 15th Street NW and Alexander Hamilton Place NW.

Where to Eat Near the White House Gardens

Café du Parc

Café du Parc is reminiscent of a Parisian-inspired sidewalk café. Paying homage to traditional French cooking, the restaurant offers diners a variety of culinary offerings, from coffee and pastries at its coffee shop to breakfast, lunch, and dinner on its outdoor terrace or inside the main dining room. Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, and Gluten Free Options.

1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC, DC 20004-1047 0.2 miles  from White House (about a 5-minute walk) from White House South Lawn Garden Tour.

Old Ebbitt Grill

Awarded the TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice award in 2022, the Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington’s oldest saloon, founded in 1856 and a historic landmark. Located in a Beaux-Arts building, the cozy Victorian interior holds a priceless collection of antiques and memorabilia. They offer Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, and Gluten Free Options.

675 15th St NW, Washington DC, DC 20005-5702. 0.2 miles  (about a 5-minute walk) from the White House South Lawn Garden Tour.

Starbucks Coffee

If you take my advice and get in line early to score the best garden tour ticket time, you may want to have a beverage in hand while waiting. The closest Starbucks is inside the JW Marriott, which ups the coffee shop’s swanky factor. The lobby is also an excellent place to relax if you need to kill some time before your garden tour.

1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004. 0.01 mile (about a 3-minute walk) from the White House Visitor Center and the White House South Lawn.

Where to Stay Near the White House Garden Tour

Hotel Washington

Prime location is just steps from The White House, the Washington Monument, and the National Mall. Modern luxury in the heart of D.C. blending old and new. 

Address: 515 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20004. 0.1 miles (about a 3-minute walk ) from the White House

Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square

Voted the #1 Best Hotel in Washington, DC, by the 2022 Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards. Art Deco style in a historic building.

Address: 806 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005. 0.4 miles (about a 9-minute walk ) from the White House Garden Tour.

JW Marriott Washington DC

An unbeatable location on Pennsylvania Avenue just steps away from top local attractions like the White House, National Mall, Smithsonian Institution and Freedom Plaza. 

Address: 1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004. 0.1 Miles (about a 3-minute walk) from the White House Garden Tour.

Capital Hilton

While in Washington, D.C., I stayed at the Capital Hilton. The location was walkable to several metro stops and within walking distance of the gardens and other D.C. attractions.

1001 16th Street NW Washington, District of Columbia, 20036, USA 0.5 miles (about a 14-minute walk) to the White House Garden Tour.

Author’s  Note : My recommendations are not sponsored; they are my personal experience or researched suggestions.

More Resources for the White House Garden Tour

Learn about  The History of the White House Gardens and Grounds from the White House archives.

Learn more about the history of the Rose Garden in President Kennedy’s Rose Garden through the White House Historical Association.

See photos and learn about the history of the Children’s Garden, “ Reflections: A Secret Garden ,” on WhiteHouseHistory.org .

View a video and get the story on the Kitchen Garden. First Lady Michelle Obama and White House chef Sam Kass tell the story of the first garden on White House grounds since Eleanor Roosevelt’s Victory Garden during World War II.

More Gardens Within Walking Distance From the White House Garden Tour

Want to explore more Washington D.C. gardens? Head over to the United States Botanical Garden . It’s about a 30-minute walk along the National Mall. One of the top botanical gardens in the U.S., the United States Botanic Garden is the oldest continuously operating botanic garden in the United States. A fascinating journey through the connected glass houses will take you from the tropics to the deserts, then outdoors to beautiful gardens of local plants.

On the way, there are 13 Smithsonian Gardens near or on the National Mall. For a complete list of locations, see 13 Smithsonian Gardens You Can Enjoy for Free .

I recommend heading to the south side of the National Mall and seeing these Smithsonian Gardens on the way the United States Botanic Garden : Enid A. Haupt Garden , Mary Ripley Livingston Garden , the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden , and the Katherine Folger Rose Gardens , all within a 1 -2 minute walk of each other.

Right across from the United States Botanic Garden is the Native Landscape Gardens at the National Museum of the American Indian

For even more gardens, check out the DC Gardens website , a nonprofit organization promoting public gardens and gardening in the Washington DC area. 

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The White House Gardens Open to the Public

President John Quincy Adams rose with the sun, not only to fulfill the duties of the executive office, but to plant expansive plots of flowers. During his time in the White House, Adams reportedly installed more than a thousand plants, beginning a tradition of green-thumbed presidents and first ladies adding their stamp to the 52-acre property.

As autumn sets in, this Saturday and Sunday the White House will open its storied grounds, inviting visitors to feast their eyes on flourishes and foliage steeped in history.

Biannual garden tours have been a White House tradition since Pat Nixon first welcomed visitors to the property in 1972, exposing a rich narrative of design. The public-facing Jacqueline Kennedy Garden and Rose Garden were redesigned under the Kennedy administration with American gardening and design idol Rachel “Bunny” Mellon. President Franklin Roosevelt and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted reworked the South Lawn, which continues to host staff barbecues and egg-rolling contests on Easter Monday. And just five years ago, First Lady Michelle Obama replanted the White House Kitchen Garden—a take on Eleanor Roosevelt’s Victory Garden—with herbs, fruits, and vegetables that supply the presidential family, state dinners, and a local charity.

This event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required; whitehouse.gov

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The Botanical Garden

St. Petersburg's Botanical Garden - or, to give it its full title, the Botanical Garden of the V.L. Komarov Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences - is located on the Petrograd side, and is one of the oldest Botanical Gardens in the country. The Garden was founded in 1714 by order of Peter the Great as the Apothecary's Garden, and soon became a center for horticultural research that was the equal of any other in Europe in terms of the importance and size of its collection. Originally the Apothecary's Garden focused mainly on growing medicinal herbs, but soon people began bringing saplings and seeds of rare and exotic plants - for which a greenhouse was specially built. Expeditions to various parts of the earth regularly augmented the Botanical Garden's collection with new sorts of trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants.

Today, most of the Botanical Garden is designed in English landscape style. Plants from Russia's temperate zone grow uncovered, while the greenhouses house a large collection of tropical and sub-tropical plants; the Garden's 'Alpine hills' are also home to flora from the Caucasus, the Mediterranean, and Asia. In addition to all this, the Botanical Garden also has a collection of various types of fern, Chinese and Japanese plants, palms, bamboo, conifers, orchids, and much more. Giant water-lilies flower every summer and fall in the pool of one of the greenhouses - their leaves can reach 2 meters in diameter, and can support weights of up to 60 kg.

In May every year, the rare, tropical Queen of the Night flowers - for one night only. Because of this, the Botanical Garden remains open on that one night until midnight. The collection was seriously damaged during the Second World War, and unique examples of palms, ferns, and cacti died. But despite all the hunger that Leningraders suffered during the Siege, the Botanic Garden's collection of seeds and plants was not touched. After the War the collection was partially replenished, and today the Botanical Garden is again conducting large-scale research, with a rich collection of plants from around the world in its greenhouses.

The Botanical Garden is located on Ulitsa Professora Popova, not far from Petrogradskaya metro station. Cross the Karpovka River and follow Ulitsa Professora Popova for a couple of hundred meters.

Accommodation near the Botanical Garden

Amsterdam hotel, inexpensive standard accommodation in tiny hotel on the petrograd side, guyot hotel, business-oriented small superior hotel on the petrograd side, andersen hotel, full-service standard hotel with low-cost rooms and fair business services, apartments on voskova 2, low-cost rental apartment with welcoming atmosphere on the petrograd side, troitskaya ploshchad apartment, superbly situated one-bedroom apartment in landmark soviet-era building, hostel 1912, cozy family-run hostel with small dorms on st. petersburg's petrograd side, dining near the botanical garden, glamorous restaurant offering sushi, italian and central asian cuisine, u gorchakova, restaurant with kitschy interiors but excellent traditional russian cuisine, fresh point, local chain serving fresh sandwiches and tasty homemade soups with takeout.

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

The White   House 2023 Spring Garden   Tours

The White House will continue the annual tradition of opening the White House gardens and South Grounds to members of the public for Spring Garden Tours. This season’s tour weekend is scheduled for Saturday, April 1st and Sunday, April 2nd between the hours of 10:00 AM ET to 4:30 PM ET. For media interested in a press preview opportunity of the White House South Grounds on Thursday, March 30th at 10:00 AM ET ahead of the Spring Garden Tours,  RSVP HERE by Wednesday, March 29th at 3:00 PM ET.

The 2023 Spring Garden Tours are free and open to the public; however, a daily timed ticket is required for all attendees, including small children. The National Park Service (NPS) will distribute free, daily timed tickets at a tent stationed outside the White House Visitor Center (1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) each tour day beginning at 8:30 AM ET while supplies last. The Spring Garden Tour entry point for all guests will be located on 15th Street NW between E Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW. Advance reservations are not available. The ADA entrance will be located at 15th Street NW and Alexander Hamilton Place NW.

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St. Petersburg Botanical Garden

Petersburgers have always suffered from a lack of greenery and bright colors. That is why sovereign Peter I, in 1714, ordered the Aptekarsky garden/Aptekarsky Ogorod to be broken up on Voronim Island, which became one of the first botanical gardens in the Russian Empire.

"Aptekarskim" was called because there they grew not only ornamental, but also medicinal plants. By the time of Catherine II, the garden area, together with the arboretum, reached 27 hectares. In the park was built a large house, given to the family of Professor of Botany. The scientist was assigned to monitor the garden.

During the years of its existence, the Botanichesky garden/Botanichesky Sad experienced periods of prosperity and decline. For example, in 1823, due to low funding, the object was almost closed. Many rare plants died, greenhouses became overgrown with weeds. This continued until Emperor Alexander I did not pay attention to the deplorable state of the garden. The king assigned a new name to the object - the Imperial Botanical Garden/Imperatorsky Botanichesky Sad and allocated a huge amount of state treasury for its improvement.

Since then, the main activity of the garden has become a science. The largest library of biological and zoological books in the empire was built on the territory of the park. In the greenhouses gardeners planted hundreds of names of rare plants and flowers. Petersburg botany students came to the garden for practical exercises. The financial condition of the Botanichesky Sad has improved so much that the institution was able to equip its own expeditions to different countries of the world.

The development of the garden continued in the 20th century, after the Soviet government transferred the object to the Komarov Botanical Institute.

The years of the Great Patriotic War were one of the most glorious pages in the history of the Botanical Sad of the BIN RAN. The staff of the institution showed genuine heroism: in a brutal winter, under constant German bombing, she saved the rarest plants from destruction. After the Second World War began a large-scale reconstruction of the garden.

In our time, the Botanichesky Sad of the BIN RAN is one of the most important scientific, educational and cultural institutions of St. Petersburg. The total area of ​​greenhouses is 1 hectare, arboretum - 16 hectares.

Tourists will be able to see plants from various parts of the world in the garden: tropical flowers, Mexican cacti as large as human growth, dwarf subarctic birch trees, etc.

South American water lilies swim in the pond on the territory of the arboretum: they are so huge and durable that they can bear the weight of a child.

In the days of flowering of camellias, it is a great pleasure for guests to take a walk through a subtropical greenhouse.

Botanichesky Sad BIN RAN - a venue for exhibitions, lectures, master classes, theater performances and concerts.

One of the most important events of the Botanichesky Sad of the BIN RAN is the “Blockade Week”. From January 20 to January 31, tourists coming to the park will be able to find out how the hungry garden staff, themselves on the verge of life and death, saved the plants from death. Silent witnesses of those events - cacti, palm trees, rare bushes - have survived to our times.

In winter, hundreds of Petersburgers come here to celebrate Christmas in a tropical setting. Interesting events are held in the Botanichesky Sad and on St. Valentine's Day, and on the Museum Night, the Botanichesky Sad is one of the leaders in terms of the number of visitors. But the most popular among tourists are flower exhibitions: tulips, succulents, snowdrops, lilies, phloxes, peonies, gladioli.

Every year from May 14 to 15, the Sakura Festival takes place in the Botanichesky Sad. Tourists waiting for the clouds of white, red and pink flowers, the incredible smell of cherry pollen, concerts, theatrical performances in the Japanese style.

In total, the park has five main zones: a garden of tropical plants, a garden of subtropical plants, an arboretum, palm tree greenhouse, aquatic plant greenhouse.

St. Petersburg Botanical Garden can be visited as a part of a city tour .

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