• DC Discounts
  • Events
  • News
  • Hottest Tickets in Town

Visit Washington, DC!

Hotel and travel tips for visiting Washington, DC

  • Home
  • Visitor Information
    • Traveling to Washington DC
    • Getting Around Washington DC
    • Parking in Washington DC
    • Guided Tours of Washington DC
    • Washington DC News, Media, and Weather
    • Shopping in Washington DC
    • Restaurants in Washington DC
  • Sightseeing
    • Monuments & Memorials
    • Museums and Galleries
    • Other Washington DC Attractions
    • Parks
    • Day Trips
    • Take the Kids
    • Annual Events
  • Hotels
    • Featured Hotels
    • Hotels Near the Mall
    • Hotel Package Deals
    • Group Accommodations
    • Washington DC Hotels
    • Virginia Hotels
    • Maryland Hotels
  • Tour Books
  • Event Tickets
    • Kennedy Center Tickets
    • Capital One Arena Tickets
    • Warner Theatre Tickets
    • Eagle Bank Arena Tickets
    • Wolf Trap Tickets
    • Royal Farms Arena Tickets
    • The Theater at MGM National Harbor
    • FedEx Field Tickets
    • Washington Capitals Tickets
    • Washington Nationals Tickets
    • Washington Redskins Tickets
    • Washington Wizards Tickets
    • DC United Tickets
    • All Washington, DC Events
  • Tour Deals
  • Top 10
You are here: Home / Washington DC Sightseeing / Other Washington DC Attractions / Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral

One of the most visible landmarks in Washington DC, the Washington National Cathedral evokes admiration for its breathtaking architecture. First conceptualized in 1791-though it was more than a century before construction actually began-the National Cathedral took an astounding 83 years to complete. With 231 stained glass windows, 112 gargoyles, a central tower 30 stories high, and a total weight of 150,000 tons, it is a building to be reckoned with. For a spectacular view of the city, climb to the top of the gallery that spans the two west towers.

The cathedral building itself isn’t the only attraction of note on the adjacent 59 acres of land. Included on cathedral property are two outdoor sanctuaries—the Bishop’s Garden and the Olmstead Woods. Inside the Bishop’s Garden’s stone walls are two herb gardens, a rose garden, two perennial borders, a Shadow House and winding stone paths. Olmstead Woods is bisected by the picturesque Pilgrim Path toward the cathedral itself.

Music lovers should visit on Sunday afternoons, when a Cathedral organist plays a recital on the Cathedral’s 10,650-pipe organ. There is a suggested donation of $10 per person. No reservations are required, with the exception of groups. (Check the Cathedral calendar for specific times.)

Travel Tips

The National Cathedral offers guided tours of many varieties. First-time visitors are encouraged to take the Highlights tour, which shows you 30 minutes worth of basic cathedral art and architecture. Other tours focus on the gargoyles, the gardens, and depictions of patriotism in the cathedral. The Tour and Tea tours are specialty, in-depth tours that include a full English tea afterwards. Tour and Tea is offered every Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:30 pm, with the occasional holiday exception, and reservations can be made online. The cathedral also offers 1 hour and 15 minute-long audio tours so visitors can move at their own pace. Audio tours are generally available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. unless there are special services or events taking place in the nave.

Those who prefer to explore the cathedral on their own are welcome and encouraged to do so, and can print a general brochure and guides to finding interesting features of the cathedral beforehand. Families with children are invited to tour the cathedral with the help of a scavenger hunt and children’s guide, found in the “Explore the Cathedral with Children” brochure. Tour brochures are available inside the main entrance of the cathedral at the Information Table.

Visitors wishing to worship at the National Cathedral are encouraged to do so. A list of services can be found on the web site.

Touring Options at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington DC

For more information, visit www.cathedral.org.

Photos of the Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral

Travel Information

Washington National Cathedral
Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW
Washington, DC 20016
202.537.6200

Hours: Tours are scheduled every 15 minutes, Monday–Saturday, from 10 am–11:15 am and from 12:45 pm–3:15 pm. There are no group tours on Sundays and no touring during special events or worship services. The regular touring schedule is occasionally interrupted by special events. Please refer to the calendar for specific dates.

Admission: Fees for sightseeing at the Cathedral apply to tours or building admission Monday to Saturday. Worshiping, prayer, and other spiritual visits are free.

Click here for the most up-to-date hours and ticket information.

Parking: The garage entrance is located on Wisconsin Avenue, just south of Woodley Road. The garage is open from 6 am to 11 pm. Parking costs vary by day and time.

Metrorail: Not accessible by Metro. If you would like to take public transportation, you can take the Metro Red Line to the Tenleytown/AU station. Exit on the west side of Wisconsin Avenue. Take any 30 series bus going south on Wisconsin Avenue. Ride approximately 1 1/2 miles until you reach Woodley Avenue; the Cathedral is on your left.

Nearby Attractions
National Zoo

Suggested Tours
Old Town Trolley Tour

Comments

  1. anne michaels says

    December 13, 2012 at 2:08 am

    Any chance of still getting passes for midnight mass?

    thanks

    Reply
    • The District says

      December 14, 2012 at 10:43 pm

      According to the Washington National Cathedral web site:
      “Advance passes are no longer available for the Christmas Eve services. A limited number of same-day passes will be distributed at Church House, near the front of the Cathedral building, shortly before the 6 pm and 10 pm services.”
      For more information about Christmas services at the Cathedral, visit https://cathedral.org/event/christmas-eve-holy-eucharist/

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Promote Your Event

Know of an event that would interest tourists in D.C.? We want to hear about it. Drop us a note and we'll help you get the word out.
Copyright 2019 Big Fish Design. All Rights Reserved. The District | Advertising Rates | Privacy Policy | Contact Us