The White House - Washington DC

The White House has been the home to every U.S. President since John Adams. Built in 1800, the White House stood for 12 years before being set ablaze during the war of 1812. President James Monroe moved in while reconstruction began almost immediately. New porticos were added on the Northern and Southern sides, making the House distict, and eventually a world-wide icon. The White House is where all the action happens on Capitol Hill. This is where every bill is signed, all the Presidential Addresses are held, and not to mention the countless televised interviews. This is one of the most famous homes on the planet!

The White House really is a sight to see. Even though you can't get very close, the opportunity to see the White House in its grand stature is still worth a visit. I really wanted to see the White House at night, so that's what we did on our first night there. About 100 other tourists had the same idea. Just standing there looking at it made me feel important. Somewhere in there was the First Family. What a lucky bunch!

If you plan ahead, you can get a tour of the White House. You have to call your Congressional Representatives at least 2 months in advance to ask permission, and you have to pass a background check. If you make it through, you're in! I wanted so badly to take a tour of the White House, but I hadn't planned ahead. It would have been great to write about that, but when I go to DC a second time, I will arrange a White House Tour!