The People’s House: A White House Experience

This museum is fairly new, I think, and did a very job of designing the space and content presentation. There's a strong focus on digital media and video clips, and different rooms allow visitors to interact with the screens in different ways, keeping everyone engaged. I think one can potentially spend 45 mins to 1.5 hrs here. I particularly liked two rooms in the museum: 1. The room when you can place "Books" on the console to activate different topics related to the White House on the screen - "Holidays in the White House", "Food in the White House", etc. The descriptions are short enough that you don't spend more than a few minutes reading a topic, and the texts are accompanied by photos and videos. 2. The room where you touch different objects to activate video clips on different topics. The video clips were informative but short (maybe 1-2 mins at most)

Free admission though a reservation was needed. I'm grateful this place was open as everything else was basically closed during the shutdown when I visited DC. We had to go through metal detectors to enter. First exhibit was a mini replica of the White House with interactive tablets that allowed you to view a short animation in each type of room. This was one of the most interesting parts of the museum. Upstairs there was a mini movie theater where you could answer trivia questions via buttons on the seats and there was also a dark meeting room where a debrief was happening and you got to vote for which plan was getting the go ahead. The mock dining room was so nicely put together, the whole room was brought alive with the videos being projected onto the walls. The immersive aspect was impressive. One of my favorite parts was the small green screen room where you could take photos in various parts of the White House and email them to yourself! Very interesting and fun spot to visit and worth checking out! They also had White House Christmas ornaments for sale in their gift shop which is right by the bathrooms. One of the nicest bathrooms I've ever been in.

Awesome experience, and bonus points as it was free entry when we went. I would recommend a reservation so you can get in easier, rather than waiting. Very informative, and fun activities. Only drawback was that it was quite warm in some of the places and the lines for the photos in the oval office can be pretty long.

This museum is incredibly interactive, which I absolutely adore because it makes the experience incredibly enjoyable. They have a replica of the Oval Office, where you can take pictures while sitting at the presidential desk. Additionally, they have an interactive room that showcases various rooms within the White House and you can learn the history about the some of the objects. There’s a wealth of information about the people who work there and their roles, as well as fascinating details about the presidents. My personal favorite part is the photo booth, which offers a variety of White House backgrounds. It was an absolute blast! The museum is free, but I highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance with a specific time slot. The gift shop is charming and offers a wide range of souvenirs. We even bought a Christmas ornament! The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful throughout our visit.

Cool museum! Since we couldn't get a tour of the White House this would be the next best thing. It is free admission but donations are welcome to support organization. Interactive displays to see along with videos, and different rooms to check out of what's inside the White House. The oval office replica was nice to take a photo op as well.

This is a fabulous experience with free, timed entry tickets. I liked learning so much about the White House and the stories they shared in fun ways. They have a model of the Oval Office you can take pictures in. I did not like that they did not have very many restrooms and there were long lines when we went for the bathroom, even for the men. I would go back if I ever get another tour of the White House.

Looking for a free interactive and educational museum? This is the place!! There is an interactive projection room with White House rooms full of arts and furnitures, simply touch the wall and it’ll show you magic and history. It’s so creatively done, entertaining for both adults and kids. Don’t forget to snap a picture with the mock-up Oval Office and president’s desk!

5/5. They did about as good of a job as they could for this cool interactive museum. Very interesting learning about the history of the White House and the various presidents impact on the house. Really liked the theatre trivia room, and of course seeing the model of the Oval Office.

In November 2025, I headed to DC for a quick day trip with our special needs classroom. It was the perfect spot for our kiddos. This museum covered a lot from our curriculum, so it was the perfect fit. You reserve your ticket online and they are free. If you can, make a donation to keep this amazing museum alive. When you walk in you will have to go through security and a metal detector. The security officers were kind and engaging. Once through you have the bathrooms to the right. The bathrooms were great as well. They were very clean. You will also get your tickets scanned. From there you are all set to go inside. The attention to detail and the interactive portions were great. We had one student who was asking to see certain areas. The staff were through out the museum. They were helpful and guided us to certain areas and explained things. Parking is street or public garages. Be sure to read the signs if you are parking on the street. I loved this museum! They did a wonderful job putting this together. I plan to return.

Review: The People's House - A Must-See White House Experience in Washington, D.C. If you're exploring Washington, D.C. and looking for an unforgettable, free experience, make sure The People's House is on your list. This new White House Visitors Center offers a fascinating and highly interactive way to learn about America's most iconic home -- and it's completely free to enter (though donations are appreciated). From the moment you step inside, you'll be greeted by a beautifully produced multimedia introduction that blends storytelling, history, and technology across multiple screens -- setting the tone for what's to come. The heart of the exhibit features a detailed miniature model of the White House, where visitors can explore each room through an interactive touchscreen. Whether you're curious about the Red Room, Map Room, or State Dining Room, each selection offers rich historical context and visuals showing how presidents and first families have used these spaces over the years. One of the highlights is the replica Oval Office, complete with the famous Resolute Desk, a gift from Queen Victoria made from the timbers of the HMS Resolute. Standing at the desk that so many presidents have used -- from Kennedy to Reagan to Obama -- is a surreal and inspiring experience. Visitors can also step into several immersive spaces: * The Cabinet Room Experience - Engage with holographic recreations of key presidential moments, such as Lincoln's wartime decisions or JFK's Cuban Missile Crisis. You even get to "vote" on what you would have done. * The State Dinner Experience - Sit at an elegant table setting and see a 360° projection of a presidential dinner unfold around you, giving you a true sense of the grandeur and diplomacy that take place here. * Presidential Trivia Challenge - Test your knowledge of history, traditions, and fun facts about the White House. * Behind the Scenes - Learn about the people who keep the White House running day to day, from chefs to groundskeepers, through personal stories and photos. You could easily spend two hours or more exploring, learning, and taking photos. Every part of the experience reflects deep attention to detail -- perfect for history buffs, families, educators, or anyone who loves discovering America's story in a fresh, interactive way. Insider Tips: * Admission: Free (donations accepted), you can reserve a timed ticket on-line, but I walked in on a Sunday morning and was able to go right in * Security: Standard screening (metal detector) * Accessibility: Fully accessible with clear signage * Gift Shop: Excellent selection of White House-themed items * Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon for smaller crowds, I stumbled upon it on a Sunday morning and it wasn't very crowded. The People's House truly lives up to its name -- a space that invites everyone to experience the presidency, the history, and the heart of our nation's home. Plan your visit: https://whitehousehistory.org/visit/the-peoples-house The People's House (White House Visitors Center) 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. Photos by Stinger Media, LLC Visited: October 2025 ________________________________________ #Travel #Reviews #WashingtonDC #ThePeoplesHouse #WhiteHouse #ResoluteDesk #OvalOffice #WhiteHouseHistory #TravelReview #DCMuseums #FamilyTravel #HistoryLovers #PresidentialHistory #InteractiveMuseum

The People's House is an impressive and thoughtfully designed experience that brings the history of the White House and the American presidency to life. The interactive exhibits are engaging and easy to follow, making history feel personal and accessible for visitors of all ages. The use of multimedia, replicas, and storytelling creates a powerful connection between the people and the leaders who shaped the nation. The space is modern, well-organized, and welcoming, with clear explanations and immersive rooms that highlight both historic moments and everyday life inside the White House. It's educational without feeling overwhelming and inspiring without feeling scripted. A meaningful stop in Washington, DC that truly reflects the idea that the White House belongs to the people.

The five star reviews are spot on. The People's House museum was one of the highlights of my trip to Washington DC. This self-guided museum opened in Fall 2024 and is free, but you must reserve your spot online. I went at 9:15 AM on a Sunday, which was PERFECT! No crowds or waits in line. If you like photos, you'll enjoy taking pictures in the Oval Office replica and in the photo booth, where you can style your photo in different areas of the White House or presidential/press roles. Those photos are emailed to you, so no need to ask others or take selfies. You don't just walk around and read in The People's House. The exhibits let you be a part of the action, including the White House movie theatre, the cabinet, and a state dinner. The final room has White House objects that tell a story or play a short video about history. Like most museums, you finish in the gift shop. This is one of the better gift shops in Washington DC with lots of authentic, well-made merchandise from the White House Historical Association, including Christmas ornaments. It's a great place to buy a souvenir for your trip or a gift for someone back home. The People's House is an easy online registration, FREE (donations accepted), and takes a little over an hour to explore. I recommend this over trying to do an official White House tour or the White House Visitor's Center, especially if your time in DC is limited like mine was.

Let's be honest with ourselves. We all came here because we couldn't get tix to the actual White House. It's ok. There's no shame in this room. After you get schmocked by your US Congress person for passes to the Big House, go on line and reserve tix and timed entry for the People's House. It's free. And, actually located right down the street from the actual White House. It's a cool, little experience. Lots of informative and interactive displays. A replica of the oval office which is cool. Lots of neat info about Presidents, First Ladies, Presidential families. Not a bad stop In DC.

The People's House is an awesome experience for all ages. I definitely recommend to visit whether local or visiting the DC area. The historic information of how the United States became a nation through the White House is an incredible experience.

This exhibit was a lot of fun and a very unique experience. It's free, but I recommend strongly tickets in advance. It is crowded, but if you linger, you can get a little more space without people all in your way. It starts with a model of the front of the White House, a video, then you go to the other side like a doll house and see models of the rooms. Then there is a large room with full scale projections where you can touch objects and learn more about them. You get about 5ish minutes in each room and there are like 5 of the public rooms. I stayed as long as it took to cycle around and touched and learned about so much. Then there is a model of the Oval Office where you can snap a pic at the Presidential desk, you can sit on a meeting to council various presidents on important events, and then sit on a dining reception, then sit in a replica of the movie theater. I thought it was all fun and different experiences per room. I ended up spending at least an hour here. The gift shop has a lot of good White House options. So highly recommend it! Fun for all ages, love the interactive elements. It's possibly more fun than the actual White House because you get to actually linger and touch stuff. Check it out!

A friend told us about this place. My 6 year old loved it so much. There's an interactive room that changes into a different room in the White House every few minutes. There are buttons you press and you get animation and information about those items. There's a replica of the Oval Office which is great for picture. Lots of interactive stuff upstairs as well. Highly recommended especially if you have kids.

I enjoyed this exhibit and appreciated that it was free and in close proximity to many other historical and cultural sites in Washington DC. My friend and I spent about an hour in here wandering between the different immersive exhibits. I had the most fun in the Oval Office replica, and I also liked the theatre with trivia questions despite getting most of them wrong. It was clean, not overcrowded, and overall informative. I probably don't have a need to go back personally, but I'd recommend it for those who want to learn more about presidential history and facts. Only meh part is that they only have a couple unisex single-stall bathrooms. There was a line. That seemed like poor planning when they have such a huge space.

Offers insight into the White House without the hassle of an actual White House tour. Amazing photo op in a replica Oval Office and a free green screen Photo Booth. A fun interactive experience, and open during the government shutdown, if you'll be there during it like I was.

THe People's House is a great addition to the Washington DC museums. We visited late on a Sunday morning and it was awesome! Loved all of the displays and the media involved. We spent about an hour here and we enjoyed this more than the real White House, due to the displays, the history presented, and the ability to sit in the recreated rooms and touch so many things. Our favorite was of course the Oval Office, and we took many photos there sitting at the president's desk and also sitting in the chairs. We also loved the replica of the White House movie theatre and spent a while playing the White House Trivia game that was on the screen. I didn't know about this museum before our trip to DC, and we found out about it by walking by the museum. So glad we went - this was one of the highlights of our trip!

The immersion experience of the White House! This is a great opportunity to see and learn about the White House. The staffs are friendly and helpful. The overall experience is great, we visited twice to cover all aspects of the displays.

Great experience and place to visit. Definitely worth the rezi and doing the self guided tour

Many tourists (and locals) miss out on the opportunity to tour The White House. Many who visit D.C. don't know that you can visit or don't plan ahead to reserve tickets from their Congress person or simply don't have a Representative if they come from outside the country. Inspired by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's goal to make The White House "The People's House," this immersive experience allows everyone experience the president's house. Here's my experience. 1) Admission: It's open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm. Tickets are free, but must be reserved online to help with flow. 2) Experience: Located right across the street from The White House, the experience takes about an hour to go through. It starts with a story narrated by Martin Sheen with the backdrop of The White House. Next, you'll see a what looks like a giant doll house where tablets explain what each room in The White House is for. Then, go to the immersive theater to dive deeper into rooms like The Green Room or The Red Room. Finally, you'll hit an exact replica of the current Oval Office where you can sit on the famous couches or even behind the president's desk. Go upstairs to learn about the people behind The White House. A library with books that come alive and tablets that tell the stories of some of The White House's staff. Here, there's a room where you can take a photo for yourself at The White House. On the same second floor are immersive experiences where you can be part of the president's cabinet or attend a State Dinner. There's an area where you can donate to WHHA in honor of some of the president's pets. Next, there's a room with all-white objects. Touch the objects like a sword to cut a wedding cake or a cheese cut to hear more about different aspects of The White House. Once you're done, go down the stairs into the White House Historical Association's gift shop where you can buy toys, books, and more about The White House. 3) Area: Once you're done, there are many places to visit nearby from the Renwick Gallery to the Octagon House to DAR. Limited street parking is nearby so plan to walk or Metro.

What an amazing experience! I went with some friends on a Saturday morning and was blown away by how cool this place is. You enter and first begin with a video narrated by the current First Lady, as you stare at a replica of the front of the White House. After, you turn the corner to see behind this replica, an interactive viewing of different rooms in the White House. Other areas in this museum include a room that literally changes every five minutes - it's all done via projector - and you can "press" on the walls to learn about the room you're in and the items. It switches from blue to green to gold and two others if I'm not mistaken. Upstairs is a hallway where you can learn about the White House staff (this was particularly awesome) an amazing Photo Booth that we had so much fun taking pictures in, and a "debate" experience where you sit at a long table and debate what to do during various crises in America, one being the Cuban Missile Crisis. There's also an exact replica of the current presidents Oval Office (though as of a few weeks ago it was still President Biden's- it takes time to make all the replicas! :) ) I'm definitely missing things and my review doesn't do this tour enough justice. You'll just have to see for yourself! Oh have I mentioned it's FREE? I recommend reservations though!

We really enjoyed this exhibit/museum. The reserved tickets helped tremendously with keeping the exhibit from being too overcrowded. It was very informative and the displays were nothing short of amazing. It was fun taking pics in the replica Oval Office too. Having had the opportunity to be in the White House itself, I can tell you the replicas were exceptionally done. I'd say this exhibit gears toward older kids and adults; the littles would lose attention quickly and not appreciate the history as much. Handicap accessible with an elevator to reach both floors.

What a great time and great place. The museum is free and interactive. We had the chance to learn so much about White House history from the White House being burnt down and rebuilt to the history of the First Lady portraits and how they were sponsored amazing and time here and you can end with a gift shop. The tour takes you through all the rooms of the White House from different eras/ presidents. You even get a chance to sit at the table during meetings as well as presidential dinners

I went in w/ no expectations, and was happy to have made this a last minute trip before leaving DC! If you can't get a tour in the actual WH, this is an awesome way to see what it looks like inside as well as learn about the history of the WH as well. There is a TON of interactive displays along with a big room that changes frequently so that you feel like you are in the actual WH space in the WH. The walls are touch screen so that you can learn about the items within each "room". There is even a space to learn about all of the important people who help make the WH run perfectly. The shop at the end had some great items and souvenirs. Please add this to your list of things to do!!

What a wonderful exhibit! I visited with my senior parents & my kiddos (10&5) and everyone found something to love. Lots of learning and interaction and definitely a lot more interesting (IMO) then the tour of the actual White House. Well my kids loved all the touch screens and virtual tours, there weren't actually a lot of kids on my visit and it looked like all the adults were also having a lot of fun. This isn't the heart of these sea so parking may be a little bit difficult, definitely recommend the Metro or just be prepared to search and or wait for paid parking on the street.

We noticed this place as we were standing on the corner deciding where to go next. We googled it and decided to visit but first we had to log in and order tickets - it was a bit of a chore. The tickets were free but you had to have them in-hand. Once that was done we entered. The whole experience is a virtual tour of the White House and very well done. It includes a video cutaway of the White House that changes to show the use of the different rooms over the years. There are many other interesting displays including learning about the staff who runs the White House. There is the opportunity to take some green screen photos. There is trivia theater and an exhibit that has you in the middle of a state dinner. Finally there is a full room at the end that highlights many quirky facts about life in the White House. We learned when exiting that it was only the third week it was open. No wonder everything was in great shape and working. This should be a must stop especially if you cannot get a tour of the real thing. Actually it is a good companion if you do...

My family had such an amazing time at The People's House, located right across from the White House. This spot is wonderful if you have kids since it's incredibly interactive. There are so many wonderful photo opportunities from the recreation of the oval office to the many parts of the White House in the gallery where you can press the touch screen to learn more about the decor and style of the White House. What I found so amazing about this museum was that it took you through the history of the White House, the various presidents who have inhabited in and the traditions that continue. While some of the interactive components weren't working on our visit, overall it was a pretty incredible museum. The family theater was especially a hit for us. The theater had plush seats where you could play trivia from the seats about the White House and see how others voted. Another big hit for our kids was the dining room, where you could experience what it was like to be invited to the White House for a special dinner with the president giving a speech and welcoming us to the dinner. We felt like the Salahi's crashing the White House party! We spent about 3 hours exploring this place but could have stayed longer. But had to leave since our kids were hungry. This place is definitely worth the visit.

This has a lot of technology and is very interactive, but the substance of it was a little lackluster. You get pressured into donating a certain amount too, but it probably does require a lot of money for upkeep. Our favorite room was the theater room which had fun interactive trivia. Cool to check out if you are curious about the history of the White House and what it looks like, but we wouldn't go SUPER out of your way to see this.

As members of the White House Historical Association, we were so pleased to have the opportunity to visit The People's House. We were very impressed with everything we saw. It is extremely well done and informative. Seeing up close and personal the 1:5 scale replica of the White House's South Façade was something else. Don't miss the Immersive Theater with recreations in miniature of some of the rooms in the White House. You get to take the walk down the West Colonnade - the 45 Second Commute, then take a view of the Rose Garden. Your next stop will be the Oval Office where you can sit behind the Resolute Desk and have someone take your picture. The room is an exact replica of the current Oval Office. Moving on to the second floor, you will be impressed with the People's Voices Gallery - here you can tap on a picture and get the story behind the picture. You can even have a picture taken with various backgrounds and sent to your email address. The next stop is the Cabinet Room where you can sit and help make decisions affecting our country. Take a seat in the replica of the movie theater in the White House and watch a film. Moving on, you can attend a State dinner and finally wind up in a room with lots of objects that tell their stories and how they relate to the White House. At the very end, you will be in the Gift Shop where all things related to the White House can be purchased. There is no entrance fee, but they would like you to make a donation. Parking can be prearranged at local garages.

Without going into too much detail, because you definitely need to experience this new museum, so here goes! This museum is incredibly impressive! It offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the White House. The highlight for me was the incredibly detailed replica of the Oval Office, which made me feel like I was actually in the Oval Office. There is also a room, that changes to different rooms in the White House for you to learn about. The interactive mockup of the dining room/ballroom was also a unique and engaging experience. Highly recommended! This museum is beautifully and interactively curated. Reserve at least 3 hours to see and experience this place. It's a permanent exhibit across the street from the White House and you should reserve your spot ahead of time.

I was really impressed with this new-ish museum right across the street from the White House! There are 2 floors and 7 experiences/rooms to explore. It really feels like you are sitting behind the Oval Office desk or exploring the library. I really enjoyed how interactive and educational this museum was. I loved that it was modern, did not miss out on telling the historical story of presidents/administrations past. Parking is limited, but an easy walk from the metro and plenty to do before/after for food, drink, or additional museums.

We had a group of 13 from all over, ages 4 to 68, and they ask really enjoyed it. I especially liked the replica Oval Office, but honestly all of it was great. We spent about 2 hours but I could've used another half hour.

Beforehand registration is required and recommended. At least some alternative to a real White House. See the full-scale replica of oval office and movie theater. Definitely recommended.

This has been open since September 2024. What a great find. It is near the White House and is a museum about the white house. There is a lot of audio visual exhibits. Fantastic history of the White House. I liked it better than actually going to the White House.

Amazing!!! I have a feeling my son enjoyed this more than he would have a tour of the White House...

A must see place overall. It gives a great perspective on the White House is a whole and let you experience what it might be like to actually get into the White House. It's not politically based but factually based which was reassuring and refreshing.

An interesting look into the behind the scenes of the White House. I wish we'd had more time to explore.

Awesome place! I loved it so much, I visited it twice in two days. The Oval Office replica was great and the interactive exhibits were top notch. Highly recommend visiting when in DC.

This marvelous look into our White House is engaging and entertaining for people of all ages. It is interactive throughout and informative. What a thrill to sit behind the Resolute Desk in the full-scale Oval Office. The three cabinet meetings (Lincoln, FDR and Kennedy) are very realistic and informative. There is so much to see and learn. It's incredible that this museum is free of charge. Thank you, White House Historical Association.

Fantastic new interactive exhibit! Make sure you go when in DC. Very close to the White House! Fun place for both kids & adults!

They made me throw away my dr.pepper for no reason and didnt even let me finish it the security lady was very do not recommend

My family and I enjoyed this exhibit immensely! It was very interactive and gave an inside look into the White House. I highly recommend it.

Wow! What a terrific museum. Very interactive and informative. I highly recommend visitors make time to go.

This is an extremely well designed use of interactive technology to describe a place we all know. It was a happy, informative, and uplifting experience. You may need to allocate more than 90 minutes to see everything. Highly recommend this for all ages.