White House visitor center?

You have to get tickets from your congressman to actually get in to the White House tours. The White House Visitor center is open to all, without advance reservation. It's the alternative your congressman will suggest when you find you can't get in to the White House itself. Just like popular camping spots, try for the White House tours a very, very long time ahead - many months. But they won't confirm anything until two weeks before your anticipated visit, when you find if you've won or have to go to the Visitor Center instead.

We didn't get in a couple of weeks ago, so skipped it - spent a lot more time in the various Smithsonian museums instead.