White House, Washington D.C. (must see)

The White House is the most famous address on Pennsylvania Avenue, and quite possibly the only home in America where moving in comes with a press corps, security briefings, and very little chance of a quiet morning coffee... It serves as both the home and office of the President of the United States, and over time, it has become one of the country’s most recognizable symbols. While it is not the first presidential residence, every U.S. president since John Adams has lived here, starting in 1800, when Washington, D.C., was still very much a work in progress.

The building was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban, and construction began in 1792 with the laying of the cornerstone. Since then, almost every president has left some sort of mark on the place. Some changes were ambitious, some practical, and some probably started with the presidential version of home improvement fever...

Over the centuries, the White House has also had its dramatic moments. In 1814, during the War of 1812, British troops set fire to the building, thus giving the phrase “heated diplomacy” a whole new meaning. Rebuilding began soon after and was completed by 1817. The South Portico was added in 1824, the North Portico followed in 1830, and the West Wing arrived in 1901. The Oval Office came later, and after a 1929 fire damaged the West Wing, it was eventually moved to its present location in the 1930s.

By 1948, the building needed serious structural work. Decades of changes had taken their toll, so the interior was largely dismantled and rebuilt behind the outer walls. Much original craftsmanship was lost, but in the 1960s, Jacqueline Kennedy led a major redecoration effort, bringing historic furnishings back and restoring some of the White House’s older dignity.

Today, the White House has six levels, 132 rooms, and amenities that go well beyond the average family home, including a tennis court, swimming pool, bowling alley, and the First Garden. Public tours are limited and must be requested in advance through a Member of Congress.

If you do get inside, brush up on the history first so your self-guided visit means more than simply admiring chandeliers under surveillance. If you don't get a tour slot, take the classic photo outside, then head to the White House Visitor Center. After all, in Washington, even Plan B usually comes with exhibits, symbolism, and a gift shop...