White House tours resume after 7 months

Oct. 31, 2013: Jack-o'-lanterns and other Halloween decorations are displayed ahead of a reception for children on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington. (Reuters)

Hoping to snag a glimpse of the inside of the White House, the first dog or even first lady Michelle Obama? Now may be your chance.

The White House resumed public tours on Tuesday, seven months after they were suspended due to government-wide spending cuts.

President Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama surprised a group that made it in on the first day, greeting and hugging a long line of visitors in the Blue Room. Even one of Obama's dogs, Sunny, joined in.

The self-guided tours are resuming on a limited basis of about three days a week, down from five. They'll run through Jan. 15, when temporary funding runs out.

The White House says visitors who want to request a public tour should contact their member of Congress.