White House announces schedules for 2017 spring garden tours, how to get free tickets

Flowers — A flower bed containing Purple Dream and Happy Upstar Tulips grows in Central Park during a spring day in New York, US, April 30, 2016. Reuters/Lucas Jackson

The White House announced that it is reopening its gardens and grounds to visitors this month. The South Lawn, Rose Garden, Jacqueline Kennedy Garden and the Kitchen Garden will also be accessible to guests.

In a press release, schedules for White House visits were announced to be on April 22 from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM and April 23 from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM. The White House grounds and gardens tour is free and is open to public.

White House 2017 Spring Garden Tours

The National Park Service was tasked to hand out tickets as the event required all attendees, including small kids, to have ticket. The free passes will be distributed at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion situated at 15th and E Streets Northwest on each tour day beginning at 8:30 AM. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and one ticket per person.

The White House reminds that there are some items which that can’t be brought on the grounds. There include aerosols of any kind, animals except dogs, backpacks, balloons, food and beverages of any kind, knives or any pointed objects , tobacco, guns and fireworks.

It further stated in its press released that the US Secret Service reserves the right to disallow other personal items. Wheelchairs, strollers, and umbrellas, as long as it has no metal tips, are allowed. Attendees can bring their cameras too.

Items used for medical purposes are allowed in the trip. These include glucose tablets, electric scooters and EpiPens. The White House said every item needed for medical purposes must be identified and explained to the Secret Service agents.

The White House 2017 spring garden tours may be cancelled in case of rough weather. The public is advised to contact the 24-hour information line at (202) 456-7041 to check on the event’s status.

Last month, Melania Trump announced the reopening of the White House for tours. "I am excited to reopen the White House to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come each year. The White House is a remarkable and historic site and we are excited to share its beauty and history,” the first lady said in a statement, adding that she is dedicated in the preservation of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

A White House tour is free of charge, but would-be guests are required to submit a public tour requests through a member of Congress. First come, first served basis applies also applies.