I'm going to NY/DC!

[milhouse24]

If you visit the White House, walk to it on Penn Ave, through Lafayette Park.  The building is much closer and you get a better view.

It stupid that tour guides take their groups around back of the White House, where the Helicopter Pad is because you can't see the White House, its too far away. 

Just walk around to the front, you can literally throw a rock through the window.  But you'd be arrested.