Washington National Cathedral Reviews

The National Cathedral towers over the Cathedral Heights neighbourhood with its amazing architecture and it’s colourful stain glass windows. It definitely reminds me a lot of cathedrals over in England. I highly recommend taking a tour of the cathedral because of the interesting information they give. I also recommend visiting the Bishops Garden which is next to the cathedral.

Everyone with any religious background can appreciate these holy grounds and beautiful building with stained glass. Find a service to attend (the choir is quite impressive) and enjoy the ethereal sounds that fill this Holy place. You will not be disappointed. Be sure to take a tour, visit the 7th floor lookout, and the expansive gift shops. A must see for when visiting Washington, DC!

For the small price of $12 per person take a tour with an outstanding tour guide who will show you the highlights of the magnificent cathedral in about 45 minutes. Then you can walk through some of the smaller chapels and up to the 7th floor observatory for beautiful views of Washington DC area.

The beauty, size, and architecture are comparable to my memory of Notre Dame and Westminster Abbey. The stained glass is gorgeous. Also - uniquely, since the cathedral was built over most of the 20th century, the carvings and stained glass reference modern events - which I found somewhat unexpected and pleasantly surprising!

Helen Keller is interred at the Cathedral. Some other notable individuals are also interred there.

The cathedral is Episcopal but welcomes all religions. Martin Luther King, Billy Graham, and the Dalai Lama have all preached there.

The cathedral is a nice departure from the Smithsonian museums, the monuments, and government buildings. Don't miss it!!!

Visiting the National Cathedral is having the opportunity to visit a place of worship, a museum, an architectural marvel, and a space of amazing beauty. I have visited the Cathedral twice. The first time I participated in a guide-led tour, and the most recent time was self-guided. Either way is a win! The staff spread around the facility is so kind and knowledgeable. There is signage everywhere to make traveling through without a guide very simple. Do not miss the 7th floor observation tour or the crypt on the lower level. The Chapel of the Resurrection is my favorite space in the Cathedral, but there are many places throughout where one can reflect and pray.

Another National Monument reflecting history and architecture in its grandest form. Breath taking views. Rich history. Add it to your list of must see locations in DC

Beautiful doesn't even describe this magnificent building. House of worship. We spent all day looking at the building inside and out. Bring your binoculars so you can see all the gargoyles and grotesque. The city open cafe next to cathedral has great good. It is a must do.

Breathtaking! The cathedral is huge. From the moment you walk through the doors you can feel the energy. This is definitely a must see! I added my family to there prayer list and within a month they send me a card saying that they prayed for us

We visited late morning on a Monday. No line to get in and staff were very friendly. We did a self guided tour, plenty of information on the printed map and brochure.

There's a decent Cafe on the grounds. Good place to grab a light lunch before heading back downtown.

This is a bit of the beaten path of tourist stops. I went on my last day in D.C. The woman at the information desk was not helpful or polite when I asked some questions. Thankfully, the guides and history in the cathedral made up for that.

I purposefully planned my tour in D.C. to have a full Sunday morning at the National Cathedral, to attend the weekly Holy Eucharist service. To be clear, I am not a Christian and nor following any religion. But I wanted to visit the Cathedral for its architecture and music.

That Sunday morning I took Metro to Cleavland Park station, and walked along the uphill Ordway street towards west, through a quiet neighborhood with dense trees all over the hills, arrived at the church 20 minutes later. It was definitely a pleasant walk. Still quite early before the service, the Open City cafe across the street was already crowded. I took an outdoor seat, while enjoying a cup of hot coffee, admired the grand structure standing tall right in front of me.

The majestic building was truly breathtaking. I surveyed the surrounding, and walk through all the areas inside the cathedral. It would be impossible for anyone not to be moved by the sheer grandeur and solemn atmosphere once walking into the main hall. When the grand organ started playing, the sound was so rich and powerful, the music filled the whole space, and I couldn't tell where the sound came from; it was simply everywhere and I felt as if myself was fully submerged within the music. At one point, a heavenly pure and beautiful chorus sung by children echoed through the hall, I looked up forward but saw no children. It was only after a while did I realize they were actually standing at the entrance of the building, far behind me on my back (I was fairly close to the front). How magnificent!

So gorgeous!! The grounds are beautiful with little gardens to walk around. The cafe food was delicious! Definitely a must to see!

This was my first visit to the National Cathedral. It is grand and beautiful, built in the gothic style that evokes height and majesty. Currently the 6th largest Cathedral in the world and the second largest in America, The Cathedral has 3 beautiful rose windows and 215 stained glass windows which represent not only religious themes from the old and New Testament (as befits its Episcopalian heritage), but also honors moments and people of American history, as befits what is supposed to be a non-denominational house of worship for all American people, regardless of creed. Each sculpture and stained glass window has been created by hand to honor medieval artisans. There is a gorgeous great organ with over 10,000 pipes. Flying buttresses, grotesques and gargoyles adorn the outside. The lower level or crypt, created in the Normanesque style of architecture is heavier and more solid with rounded arches and thick walls. Walking in this cooler and darker crypt it is easy to imagine oneself wandering through a church in medieval Europe. You can feel the history in It’s walls. Here are some amazing chapels including the Chapel of St. Joseph of Arimathea with an exquisite mural of Jesus being carried to his tomb, and the resurrection chapel filled with bright colorful mosaics.

This Cathedral is definitely worth a visit. Make sure to take the free tour and stay for the organ demonstration.

The Cathedral is as grand and beautiful as any you will see in Europe. It has also been built in modern times in the Gothic style. This makes it very unique with stained glass and carvings reflecting recent history and events. This is a must see on any DC tour.

Took the Gargoyle tour today with Andrew. He was so passionate about the tour it was infectious to everyone. I loved being able to see the figures up close ahead of time and then being able to see them on the cathedral. Highly recommended.

What a place! You need to go here to experience it. The pictures don't do it justice. This was our second trip here. The first time we only had an hour before they closed so we couldn't experience it's full glory and knew we had to go back. This time we made sure we had plenty of time. Sundays are free of charge, but this time we went on a Friday and paid a small amount. They offer tours every so often so we waited around for one and are glad we did. The only downfall of the tours is that the groups are extremely large so it's difficult to move that many people around at one time. The tour guides are very informative and point out different things that would be missed. Of course we made a trip to the gift shop and purchased some items for our family.

We did the more expensive Behind the Scenes tour. This gets you incredible insight about the past of the cathedral, the hidden areas, and right up close to the magnificent stain glass.

However, any visit is worthwhile. It's an amazing cathedral with so many interesting details--like, the moon stone, the Darth Vader grotesque, Woodrow and Edith Wilson, Helen Keller, and Anne Sullivan are interred in the lower level, and when visiting, the views from the top are spectacular.

A must go to when visiting D.C.

The National Cathedral is amazing!! From the size of it to the very little details of the building. The architectural is a master piece. Especially since most of it was done by hand in the early 1900's. The stain glass, the marble and granite is so beautiful! We were there on a Sunday morning when a service was going on and the pipe organs were so incredible! We were also able to go to the observation tower and lookout. The view from there is magnificent. Make sure you go to the gift shop and the lower level.

Admission on Sunday is FREE! Other days there are a fee. You can get to the cathedral by, Uber, bus or metro. We took an Uber there and caught a bus, across the street, back to Washington DC monument. The bus ride is $2.00.

We were in the Dupont Circle/Embassy Row area and had a few hours to kill. We decided to drive up Massachusetts Avenue to the National Cathedral. So glad we did. The exterior is imposing and the interior spectacular. The arched ceiling, flying buttresses and stained glass windows are breath taking. I found myself walking around looking up with my mouth open. They also have a cool gift shop.The location is far up into the northwest quadrant of D.C. But if you have a car, it is a worthwhile stop.

I've been to the cathedral many times, including a retreat and a stay in what used to be the nun's quarters, but had never experienced the Washington Choral Society at Christmas time. Even though the cathedral is more than a hop, skip and jump from us, the evening of professional caroling was well worth the journey and awakened us to the magic that's Christmas. We opted for seats in the first section and were glad we did. We have sat further back in previous years for the Messiah. Because of the flat seating arrangement (no risers), if you're not up close, you're pretty much watching a live performance on screen (mounted on pillars throughout the cavernous space). So, the higher priced tickets are worth the splurge. By pure luck, we entered and parked in free parking (Sat/Sun) on the back side of the cathedral near St. Albans. This option is available and recommended if you happen to visit on a weekend, although one cannot predict when that option may change. We were happy to be able to get in and out easily.The National Cathedral is always worth a visit, but especially uplifting at holiday time. I just wish they'd leave their gift shop open for a visit after evening programs.

Amazing cathedral. Had a fantastic tour. A highlight of our trip. Stained glass windows were magnificent.

Amazing architecture and extremely knowledgeable tour guide made for an unforgettable experience! This is a must see for any visitor to DC. Don’t miss the 7th story observation area for views of the entire city.

We got lucky and walked in to tour the cathedral just as a Wednesday mass was starting. A special experience to sit through. Afterwards we toured the church in its entirety. WOW!!! Definitely venture downstairs

America's National Cathedral is majestic and imposing as befits its role. We toured while it was decorated for the Holiday Light Spectacular, which of course added to the magic. Whether you're religious or not, the enormous neo-Gothic architecture is well worth a look. Be sure to learn about the earthquake damage and ongoing restoration work.

Do visit our terrific, majestic National Cathedral! Book a tour ahead of time, and enjoy the architecture and rich history of this amazing building. You'll think you're in Europe, touring a grand Gothic cathedral, and don't miss the peaceful, wildly blooming garden to the side of the main entrance.

Beautiful architecture, fabulous history to experience the great people that have stepped through the portal to honor lost and loved ones.

Here is a cathedral which welcomes all --- your tired, poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free, the wretched refuse from your teeming shores. It is a VERY elegant cathedral with services that are as beautiful as they are artistic. The stained glass windows add such a beautiful atmosphere when the light reflects through them. Awe inspiring.

A beautiful cathedral in the Washington suburbs! Extremely interesting when adding the audio part of the tour. The only way to get there is by car or the transit to The Tenleytown station on the red line. From the station, you would need to take a bus or you can hire Uber! Walking is difficult.

The cathedral is amazing and it is glorious to see in person. I had actually done a paid tour with climbing the towers to see the gargoyles and the angels. I was so impressed and I would be willing to pay to do it again. The staff is so knowledgeable and answers all of your questions. The statue of Washington that the light reflects on is awe inspiring.

Although they now charge a small admission charge, this cathedral and the included tour is a must see. The stained glass windows were all created by the same man over decades of his career and they are unique in their fiery brilliance. Each little chapel and the chambers down below all tell its own story and the architecture with the flying buttresses make this a magnificent structure

I have been going to the Washington Cathedral since my teen years. I recently visited and still love it. It is an absolutely beautiful building. The gothic arches lead your eyes to the heavens and the stained glass is striking. Sit for a while and take it all in.

What a beautiful cathedral! A lot of historical artifacts to see. We enjoyed seeing the cathedral live as we have seen it on television for special worship or funeral services.

A visit to the National Cathedral is a must have. I have seen the place on television, which pales in comparison to an actual visit... great staff, well kept facility, and most of all you do not have to take a guided tour, you can sit and absorb every area and the 9 chapels for as long as you need to. This national treasure is truly amazing!

Visited recently to attend performance of The Messiah for Christmas season. If you're not in the center then the sight lines are deeply constrained by pillars (and the ticket prices for the event were not adjusted for different seating locations!). They do have video screens showing views of what you can't really see, but there was a slight lag between the video and the actual sound, which was very disconcerting. But, music was good; accoustics of a big cathedral are interesting; enjoyed the experience.

I visited the Cathedral and was wonderful, first impression is a great ancient building, the architecture and the details are wonderful.
Also inside you can find nice decoration and art.

My favourite part of Washington D.C. It was a little out of the way, but there is a bus stop directly outside and with a little planning you can easily find your way there. Absolutely breathtaking, and with a rich history despite it's relative youth for a cathedral. The Moon Rock window is a must see. We took a tour which I believe was included in the entry price, and our volunteer tour guide was fantastic; he told us heaps of obscure facts about the cathedral. There's SO much to look at - the gift shop on the lower level is also wonderful, the look out at the top is breathtaking, and the cafe nearby is wonderful as well. Religious or not, this piece of America's modern history is an absolute must-do when visiting the capital.

The beauty of this cathedral is breathtaking! And if you are on site as the bells ring out in song is even better:) If a quick drive by you can just circle through the loop. If staying for awhile there is parking for services & on site tours. Child friendly.

I visited during Michael Pendry’s “Les Colombes” (the Doves), art installation. The art was memorizing, calming, peaceful and beautiful. The cathedral itself is such an incredible architectural work of art, in every window, carving, sculpture it’s too much to take in all at once. Absolutely one of the most incredible buildings in America. I hope to return to attend mass one day.

This is a wonderful looking cathedral. One of the largest in the world. They give tours every day. Take the tour. It will point out lots of interesting things you would otherwise miss.

The cathedral is large and beautiful. It was nicely decked out for the holidays and a concert by the King's Singers. The acoustics are perfect for vocal music.
While called the Washington National Cathedral, it is not part of the Federal Government and receives no funding from the government even though it is the site of state funerals. As a result, it remains open during the shutdown of the Federal Government.

We've always wanted to visit this historic Cathedral, it's massive and is the second largest Cathedral in the United States. We have watched the funerals of our statesmen and distinguished Americans many times at the Cathedral; last being President George H. W. Bush and Senator John McCain. Our biggest surprise is that there are no pews in the Cathedral - except for the choir. Portable chairs are bought in for all services; we really wanted to see the pews where the Presidents sit for the memorial services. At our visit, tables were set for a "special event" dinner limiting our docent's tour. We paid respects at President Wilson's Tomb on the main floor, learning that his wife Edith is entombed below him in the lower floor. The 215 stained glass windows are spectacular, noting in particular the space window which contains an actual moon rock at its center! For much of the cathedral's history, the phrase "spiritual home for the nation" has been used. We toured on our own the lower level, where you can get easily lost, as we did. Here you can also see the medieval designed labyrinth containing the crypt of Helen Keller. Finally, we went to the Old Baptistry building next to the Cathedral for lunch which has been converted into a full service cafe.

Saw this on our last day there. We wre able to get a tour on short notice and the gentleman conducting it was so helpful. It is so large that trying to do it yourself, you would either get lost, or miss so many of the small places that do have significance. It is not close to the mall, so probably a taxi or uber would be needed. Not sure if a tour bus makes this stop. The trip ( ours anyway) took us past the Naval Observatory, which I am told is the location where the VP lives in Washington, and also by "Embasy row". The part visible to us was not too spectacular, but one might be able to detour a bit to see more....not sure.

I'm not a churchgoer and to pay $12 for a ticket is pricey. But I really wanted to visit the place where Matthew Shepard was laid to rest, 20 years after his death after a homophobic hate crime. It's a big church with many different chapels which are interesting to visit. I found Matthew's grave in the end and that was the important thing for me.

The National Cathedral is beautiful. You can take a guided tour and also view the cathedral at your own pace. The only problem is that it is not the easiest place to drive to.

Magnificent! We attended the Mozart Requiem and it was inspirational. We really didnt make time to explore and the crypt was closed but still we saw awe inspiring sights. The stained glass was fantastic and the sky was overcast.

Clean up the yard.

I love cathedrals. And the National Cathedral is one of the best ever. I always try to visit. But this time...I actually took the guided tour. A must do if you have the time. I learned a lot more. I also went up in the towers for the first time. Again...a must do if you go. The best views of DC are from the towers. I also toured the crypts and chapels in the basement. Again, the first time I've had the time to see so much. I loved all the little chapels in the basement. They were gorgeous. Just a wonderful experience and a wonderful place to visit. I must see.

Gorgeous! You must pay the additional $5 for the guided tour. The history of the cathedral and the stained glass windows is very interesting.

If you are into architecture and/or stone carving and/or stained glass, you absolutely should make the trip to the National Cathedral, and you should absolutely do the Behind the Scenes tour they typically offer once a day. You get to walk right under the a rose window (so close you could touch it), you get to walk outside looking down on the top of the flying buttresses, and you get to walk along the upper balcony area, so you can see the clearstory windows SO much better (although only one side). Absolutely phenomenal. And when you arrive, you can add a regular tour for $5.

I was there from open to close (7 hours). I did just about everything you could do on an average day. Details on all this below, but for a TLDR summary, if I were to recommend a half-day experience, I would do the Behind the Scenes guided tour and the regular guided tour (called the Spotlights tour), and then fill in spaces with the Bloomberg Connects tour "Big Spaces, Small Details" (you can stop and start) and/or the Rowan LeCompte interactive thing. If are on a really tight schedule and you can't do a tour, I would suggest you use the Bloomberg Connects "Cathedral Highlights" tour to do your own self-guided tour.

More details:

1. The Bloomberg Connects app has a GREAT one hour-ish (I did it on 1.5x, or you can just read the transcript) tour called "Big Spaces, Small Details." Oh my goodness, I saw SO much more because this tour was telling me what to look for, and knowing how much detail there was, I saw a lot more everywhere I looked on my own (but mostly didn't know the significance). They have other things available on the app, including a tour of the whole building (Cathedral Highlights), but that is text only; however, that text-based tour is nice because they have close up pictures of things.

2. One thing I found AFTER I got home was this part of the National Cathedral website; you can find it by searching on "Explore Cathedral Highlights National Cathedral". There are a lot of points for which there is additional info on and a lot more info on things that were covered by the guided tour. If I go back, I will be using this.

3. There is also a great recorded docent presentation (about an hour, with slides) if you search "January 25 2022 Docent Spotlight: Sacred Stories in Light & Color". This is mainly about some specific windows, primarily telling a story about the evolution of window design. I found it very interesting, but if you have to choose, I would definitely do the Bloomberg one on Small Details.

4. There is a great resource (as of this writing) in the back on the right as you walk in, where you can look closely at each of Rowan LeCompte's windows in detail. Very cool, especially if you want to be able to really look at the detail of the clerestory windows. I was sad that after having seen so much detail in the clerestory windows from the upper balcony, when I got back down on the main floor, I could not make out 75% of what I had seen. This interactive screen gives you that opportunity.

5. If you are wondering about a specific window, the guides have a resource book (a single copy, so they won't let you take it) that tells you a ton about each window. Or if you are trying to find a specific window, this book can tell you where it is; the YouTube tour I mentioned above spends some time with a window that I could not find (Healing Grace of Christ), and a guide used this book to help me find it (South Transept, West wall).

6. The audio tour the Cathedral provides is meh. They give you a gizmo that you hang around your neck; I had my own headphones (regular aux), so I'm not sure if they have headphones you can borrow. The actual guided tour is 1000 times better, but if you have to do a self-guided tour, I would use the Bloomberg Connects Cathedral Highlight Tour instead of the gizmo-based one.

My husband, my adult son and I attended Sunday service at the National Cathedral. The church is beautiful, and the service was lovely.

When I attended Georgetown University in the 70's the stone masons were putting finishing touches on the gargoyles and other eternal wonders. I watched them as I trudged back to my dorms in Alban Towers across the street. I was told they were in no hurry since highly skilled masons were not in great demand, But the earthquake in 2011 has led to a resurgent demand for their skills.
The structure is magnificent and the interplay of light, stained glass and vaulted ceilings amid the renenovation provides some spectacular light effects.
The tours point our interesting and unique aspects - the moonrock embedded in one window, the numerous "hidden" chappels and crypts and the enormous number of man hours spent in so many little and seemingly inconsequential details. A quick trip up the elevator allows visitors to get a panoramic view of large swatches of DC landscape. Its inspiration and even kids can manage to keep respectful awe as they move slowly through the vast edifice.

Amazing if somewhat trite example of Gothic architecture. Fantastic gargoyles and stained glass windows. Including - one with a bit of moon rock in it.

The grounds are great, and include a shop that has very nice garden selection.

Many significant events have occurred here (most recently John McCain memorial service) and many more will. Worth it to see for those and other memories, and being able to say you were there when something happens in the future.

Why we have a National Cathedral of a Christian nature is worth examining. It's not, to my knowledge, directly funded by the US government. But why do we not have a National Interfaith Facility of some sort. The National Cathedral gives lip service to such an idea, but it it clearly a Christian edifice.

I have been to many cathedrals in Europe and this one is just as beautiful! But not as creepy as there are only a few crypts - including Helen Keller. It's off the Mall though so do your research! Taking the bus and metro is highly recommended!

I have visited dozens of cathedrals all over the world, and I am so proud that this is ours. I actually prefer not to have a bunch of gilding on everything.
I actually believe that's antithetical to Jesus' teachings of humility.

If you get a chance to go here, definitely do. It's historic and absolutely stunning. They let you take pictures inside-which some cathedrals around the world forbid-so it was wonderful to enjoy

There was some construction going on while we were there. And we got there rather late in the day to take the full time we needed to enjoy it all. Absolutely stunning place. Incredible stained glass. It was free!

My wife and I visited here on a Friday afternoon. If you don’t have your own car, it can be a challenge getting here via public transportation. But, we finally made it. It costs $17 to tour the cathedral. That seems a bit steep. It was the most expensive thing we did in DC. Most of the place was off limits except the main floor. It is huge. It didn’t take us long to walk around. The thing that most interested me is that Woodrow Wilson is entombed there. Outside of that, not that big of a deal.

Took the tour of the Cathedral. It was very informative and nice to have an explanation of the meaning of all the different stained glass.

The catherdral is a nice quiet pplace to get away from the noise and traffic. You can visit the Bishop's Garden and see botanicals. The cathedral has been the sitre of numerous funerals for former presidents.You can even go up into towers and great views of the city. It also offers a tour on the gargoyles and grotestiques on the outside of the building. Highly recommend. They show you inside all the different ones, then take you outside to see them. There is even one for Darth Vader! Bring your binoculars, as some of them are very high up.

This is a massive structure. It reminds me a bit of St. Patrick's in New York because of the high altar and the many side areas. You can take the elevator to the sixth floor and get a good view of the Washington area, although the day I was there it was somewhat misty. Saw the pulpit from which the speakers at the funeral of George H. W. Bush spoke. There were quite a lot of visitors, but most kept a respectful level of conversation.

Be sure to take a trip to see the cathedral as it is gorgeous and the stained glass windows beautiful. Mush larger than I expected! A must visit although access was a challange for my 89 year old mother who uses a walker.

My husband and I enjoyed being able to sit in the choir loft for a Sunday Evesong service on our visit to Washington. It was a wonderful memory. The National Cathedral is equal to some of the greatcathedrals we visited in Europe.

Took a tour of the Cathedral on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. We had an amazing tour guide, you can tell she loves volunteering at the Cathedral. She was a wealth of knowledge. The Cathedral itself is lovely, but the tour guides make it 100 times better. There are SO many neat things to learn inside. Definitely want to return for another tour in the future.

We were a party of nine visiting and had tickets to the 10pm Christmas Eve mass. We had a large van and were concerned with parking but we were there early enough and we had a handicapped placard so it was no problem.
The staff were very nice and sat us in an area normally reserved for members. Two minutes before mass began POTUS and FLOTUS walked in just to our right. The choir was amazing.
We also did the “behind the scenes” tour which was on another day and separate from mass. I would recommend this. There are still repairs being made from the earthquake that struck this area seven years ago. We learned a lot from this tour.

We were surprised at the massiveness and beauty of this gorgeous church. It is a must see! If you visit on Sundays, it is free.

We took the gargoyle tour today. Bought tickets online several weeks ago. Andrew did a great job--informative, interesting and fun. First, we had an excellent slide show to prepare us for the outdoor trip around the Cathedral to see the actual gargoyles. Well worth the time and the admission price. BRING BINOCULARS, IF YOU HAVE THEM. The ones they provide aren't very good.

we've been to the Cathedral before. It's amazing. Besides it's architectural features and beauty, there are historical and news events that take place here. But this time, we went for one specific reason...to see the Lego version of the cathedral that is being put together in the bookstore. I guess the people there are official guides and "protectors" of the work that has been done so far. They are helpful in pointing out features of this model. For $2 per piece, you can add to the constructionof the model. It's quite fascinating.

We ended up visiting twice in one weekend! On Saturday we took part in an "Angels and Monsters" Tower Climb, which was fabulous (though not if you have a strong fear of heights). By the time we finished, most of the cathedral was cordoned off for a wedding, so we came back the next day for a tour of the "normal" parts of the cathedral. It was amazing to find that one of my ancestors (the Rev. Thomas Mayhew) appears in one of the baptistry windows!!

This is a super cathedral to visit - tremendous architecture and workmanship. About the only 'attraction' we had to pay for! Undergoing some 'external renovations' after last earthquake.

Being a metropolitan area resident, I visit the cathedral regularly, and indeed I have written a review of it in the past. However this review is rather special.

As a fund raiser to help pay for earthquake repairs, they have started building a Lego model of the cathedral in their souvenir shop. It will take half a million bricks, and they are "selling" them for $2 per brick. We took our pre-teen grandchildren to participate. After "buying" the bricks, we took the receipt to the volunteers supervising the construction. They were very understanding of kids knowledge of Lego construction and let THEM do the actual placement of the bricks (checking their work closely). The kids had a ball.

I strongly recommend you take your kids / grandkids / kids at heart and participate in this project. The volunteers said that they expect construction to take another 2-3 years.

My husband and I went to the Holiday Light Spectacular, a new event for the Cathedral. We weren't sure what to expect. What we found was a very organized event. Will-call opened exactly when they said they would, with lines organized by last name. People were rapidly in and out.

My husband is in a wheelchair. After will-call we got in line with everyone else for admission. Someone from the Cathedral came over and told us there is an entrance on the side for wheelchair access. We were able to easily get into the cathedral and get seats in the front row. Handicap bathroom was also easily accessible.

The orchestra played the music from the book and movie The Snowman, my husband's favorite holiday show. They were fantastic! We enjoyed it so much. The soloist, Crossley Hawn, was a delight to listen to as was the young boy who sang a solo during the show. Snowflakes and colored lights on the ceiling added to the magic of the evening.

Bob is an outstanding docent. I sure hope if you book the "Behind the Scenes Tour" you have the opportunity to learn from his vast knowledge. He is really good. This tour is a must-see when in DC. Be aware many steps are involved transversing up and down stairs, and in some really tight space. Yet, the views from the roof and windows of the city are unbelievable. Enjoy up close and personal connection with the stained glass windows. Learn about American history depicted in so many fascinating ways in the stonework and glass. Note, you will be in some areas air conditioned, and others not (warm in summer). Arrive early so you can walk around the cathedral, both interior and exterior. Tour groups are small, we made reservations a few weeks in advance. We were fortunate an organ tour was at same time as ours, so the music was fantastic. A true American treasure is the Cathedral. Enjoy!

Situated in Cathedral Heights, right by American University and Tenley, the Cathedral is a staple for visitors. You can walk around the grounds for free and there is a parking garage (paid) as well. The grounds are great to meet people for coffee (there’s a coffee shop on the grounds) and I would also recommend the tour at some point. There are different levels of tour that you can do, I opted for self guided out of convenience. I’ve heard good things about the guided tours, though. They have many tributes to American history as well as a great tower to look out of that grants you beautiful city views. I know the Cathedral isn’t often considered to be an Observation Deck but, the vantage point from the hills of Upper Northwest is incredible.

The main reason we went here was because of the view. It’s probably the best view we have seen of the dc area. On this day there was a wedding, so the tour was not very good. But the stain glass was amazing.

I won't repeat all the positive comments in other reviews. I concur. While all the museums on the Mall seem to draw the attention of first-time visitors to Washington, DC the Washington National Cathedral is a not-to-miss experience. Take one of the docent guided tours. We had a great experience with Betty Jean who was knowledgeable with a great sense of humor.

I love visiting cathedrals and this one did not disappoint. Simply beautiful inside!!! You definitely want to carve out time to visit this beautiful church while you're in DC.

The Cathedral is so breathtaking as you approach it! Inside is so grandeur, spacious and so Beautiful. It’s definitely worth coming and take the free walking tour. Pictures from the 7 floor are awesome.

It was cool. We did the spotlight tour and it was very informative and our guide was great. There are really pretty rose gardens near by so it’s a nice place to walk around.

For anyone that is fan of classical cathedrals this is a must. We were able to worship in the main church and was an incredible. Afterwards we walked around and discovered so many beautiful places.

This cathedral is so impressive of architecture from many decades ago. The artisan workmanship is breathtaking.

This cathedral is truly amazing. Huge inside and really grabs your attention. Still under some renovation after the earthquake a couple years ago.

It's a beautiful church, architecture that reminds of the English churches. It's a little away from the center. It's located after Georgetown. You have to take a bus.

Choral "Evensong" Concert at 5:30 some weekdays - was lucky enough to catch it - Choir does a wonderful job. Not many people attending - seems they were just starting back up for the season - but truly thought it was a wonderful offering. Cathedral & gardens are lovely - newer building - if I got it right, was just finished around 1990. They still have some prayer / worship offerings via Zoom & live stream services. Not difficult to get there by bus.

The Cathedral is beautiful. It contains great stained glass work. Beautiful art, sculpture and arches. The outside and inside are breathtaking. The tour takes about an hour. There are many famous people buried inside the cathedral.

This was a fantastic tour walking on upper floors, outside, and through the attics. We saw gargoyles up close and learned about stained glass windows and theirs artists, especially in the towers. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and there are lots of stairs, heights, and narrow places. It will be reflective of outside temperatures in some areas. Chris was the best tour guide we could have asked for! He's been giving tours for 30 years, so he knows SO much. He was wonderful!

This church is a good ways away from all the other attractions of the city. It’s well worth the drive. We were able to get the 1:00pm Highlights Tour which was a docent led tour. They are very informative. They are also creating a Lego version of the cathedral all funded by guests and donations. You can purchase a lego block for $2 and they tell you where it will go. Also ask one of the guides to point out the Darth Vader gargoyle on the outside.

Lovely experience in Christmas time. An excellent spiritual day with the Nativity for childten! Living animals and family friendly. You don’t need to worry if your child is noisy, this is a pkace pf acceptance.

We were surprised that the cathedral is located in a suburb in DC. It was nice that you didn’t have to fight DC traffic and that there was plenty of parking (which I think was $15).

We had a toddler with us so we didn’t have a lot of time to spend there. It was a nice outing because the weather was rainy on and off. We were probably there for an hour which gave us enough time to see pretty much everything. I think if we were t pressed for time, it would have been very helpful to have a docent take you on a tour.

The cathedral is huge and well taken care of. The stained glass windows are stunning. It felt like a smaller version of Notre Dame.

If you’re a Lego &/or Star Wars fan, check out the gift shop! You can help build parts of the cathedral for a donation.

The gift shop has some nice items. Though this is a Episcopal church, they sell Catholic rosary beads (which the gift shop employee said causes some confusion with visitors).

Such a beautiful church and wonderful to explore. We sat in the sanctuary for a long time. Very peaceful

After the earthquake a few years ago, the National Cathedral has been undergoing nonstop renovations thanks to neverending fundraising. But, at least you can still visit the Cathedral. The interior is beautiful, but the exterior is where your kids will get excited. Have them go on a gargoyle scavenger hunt. Darth Vader is up there somewhere, along with a few other well known characters. When you are finished, head down the street to our favorite sushi place- RAKU. It may look fancy, but our kids love it and the staff if great with families.

The church is beautiful and stands high which can give a beautiful view of the city.
It is worth taking a brochure and following the information on the glass windows and works of the cathedral. The glass windows are imperative, and in the facade you take a while to find Darth Vader but you will make it.

The church's Lego mounting is inevitable.

The easiest way to get to the Church is to get off at Woddley Park/ Zoo station, as soon as you get off the staircases go ahead - towards Calvert ST, the bus stop is almost at the corner - bus 96 . No need to point to the bus he stops when he sees passengers waiting.

This was my first visit to The National Cathedral and it is indeed an architectural marvel. The Gothic style exterior and the sweeping grandeur of the interior arches is absolutely breathtaking. We were there to attend The Joy of Christmas program that featured 2 choirs and a full brass ensaumble. This together with the massive pipe organ was stunning in its beauty . I believe that there will still be similar programs there before Christmas Day and I would urge anyone visiting DC during the Christmas Season to attend. Ticket are required .

You really must visit this architectural gem in NW DC. We went to see the 70 crèche scenes from around the world from the Cathedral's collection of over 700. Loved the lego crèche from Denmark the Alaskan crèche and the large French village diorama. We also toured many of the uniquely beautiful chapels on the lower floor and then visited the observation deck on the seventh floor and saw the beautiful vistas of DC and the cathedral towers. They were setting up a professional light show which was interesting and they were building a lego model of the Cathedral in the gift shop which was awesome. So much to see and do in a day! Highly recommended spiritual experience that is also educational and a lot of fun for the whole family. There is an admission charge Monday through Saturday and a charge to park in the underground lot.

Attended a noon Eucharist service (honoring military chaplains) which was moving. Then went on a Behind the Scenes tour - the Cathedral is immense, beautiful, majestic. Make sure you walk through the Bishop’s Garden -peaceful, beautiful!

There is an observation deck where you can see the whole city! It’s breathtaking. The size of the church is jaw dropping. An architecture much-see

I am awed by the architectural design and the grand furnishings of this church. It is a national treasure. It is the site of national events, which can be better appreciated following a site visit. You will feel much more part of future events.

This place is stunning. Take a tour and learn more about the place. The stained glass with the moon rock from Apollo 11 mission was a great story. You can visit the crypt and also go to the 7th floor to see the lookout. This church is so beautiful. I especially loved the ceiling. It is well worth the trip from the national mall to get here.

It is a remarkable cathedral with a lot to see. Most of it is open to the public with a great 7th story view of the city. Worth the visit.

The cathedral is beautiful but you really need a guide to see it. The day we were there, they were setting up for a special event so there were no tours. We enjoyed looking around.

welcoming and beautiful, it was a great experience and would recommend to anyone. a must see if you are in DC

We visited the cathedral in late afternoon and attended a fantastic concert with the cathedral choir and orchestra. What amazing acoustics!! The building is magnificent but the most wonderful aspect are the incredibly vibrant stained glass windows. They are amazing and so varied. Highly recommend a visit.

Wow! this is a gem of a place to visit in DC. We went on the 10 am Jewel of Light tour with Margy. The stained glass is beautiful and learning some of the history and significance of the windows was captivating. I also enjoyed wandering around the whole place. This place is majestic and awe inspiring. Take your time and absorb the peace.

We went on a Sunday and did a self guided tour. Beautiful church, lots of history, very friendly. The gift store was great. We attended the service which was inspiring. Parking was free on Sunday.

Beautiful garden and nice tranquil place to visit in Northwest DC. The grounds are a true treasure and is a very desirable environment for young ones and senoirs. There is a coffee / small bistro shop on premises for refreshing. Next time we will visit the interior of Cathedral.Building.

The Cathedral is beautiful and huge! I suggest going for the Evensong service at 4:00. The music and choir is amazing. They have converted the old Baptistry building into a Cafe, so you can grab a bite to eat. I was a little disappointed in the gardens. I had read there was 50 acres, but it looked more like 5 or 10, but still a nice walk-through - peaceful with pretty flowers. The Metro doesn't go that far, so you will need to take the N2, N4 or N6 bus (from Dupont Circle). Only N6 runs on Sunday.

Beautiful church with magnificent stained glass windows. If you can make it to a service the choir and organ are just wonderful.
Some nice items in their gift shop, but light a candle and just absorb the atmosphere.

A must visit spot for not only Christians but all the people embracing the beauty of the ancient-influenced architecture. It's a relatively less crowded area so you can get good pictures too. The cathedral itself is a pure masterpiece!!!!

Explore the different altars. Examine the masonary work. Find the story of each staned glass window. Walk through a maze. Just sit and take it all in. You will feel peaceful when you leave.

We first saw the interior of this church during President Bush's funeral on TV, so decided to check it out in person...not on the subway line, so had to catch a bus from Dupont Circle...impressive in its size and height. Worth taking the elevator up the tower to catch some nice views of DC. Have to say, though, that it doesn't compare to the beauty of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, on the campus of Catholic University.

During my short stay I visited twice - first of all to see the building and secondly to attend the Palm Sunday service. The latter was extremely well organised, with worshippers gathering in the grounds before following the procession led by a donkey and the clergy into the Cathedral. The service was packed, and lasted well over 90 minutes.
Earlier in the weekend I had taken the bus from downtown which stops right outside. It was fascinating to wander around the vast building admiring the art and history. There are many interesting small chapels around the main nave, and even more downstairs in the crypt.
To finish there is a small cafe in the grounds where drinks and snacks can be purchased.
Highly recommended for a visit.

The temporary event "Les Colombes" was enjoyable, consisting of a cloud of hundreds of white doves suspended overhead done as origami pieces, We enjoyed the atmospheric music that could be heard faintly in the background, not overbearing. Alas no other part of the Cathedral complex is yet open to the public but the spaces with the Lego model, the curio shop next to it, the observation level up the elevator, the major gift shop in the basement, and the separate indoor café across the street will be opening up soon enough I was told. I hope the full range of great tours of the building will eventually be re-introduced.

First off, you should go on a Sunday afternoon. Its free. At least it was today. We went right in, no lines, and very small crowd at 1pm. Free walking tours. Awesome lego build that they are working on in the gift shop. Wonderful gardens. All around great visit!

A quick visit to see the cathedral turned into a nearly 3 hour visit. The architecture is amazing, and the stained glass windows amazing. The altars and side chapels were breathtakingly inspirational and a work to behold. We also went up the tower for aerial views over the city. A few miles out of town but worth the bus or train ride. We were lucky that the choir were practicing and the magnificent organ was playing.

Only downside when th guide referred to 'the queen of England '

Take the time to visit this architectural masterpiece. The stained glass windows are vibrant and the acoustics are phenomenal. We were there while the adult choir was preparing for evensong service. What a treat to experience the sounds. We were a bit surprised to have to pay an admission fee to visit a church.

What a massive architectural structure!!! Very impressive work of man I would say and it's a pity that some major parts of the complex have damaged by the earthquake few years back.

The tour was included in the $12 (less for teachers and seniors) admission fee. We were free to look around both before and after the tour. The docent was knowledgable and pleasant. Don't forget to look at the parts of the cathedral not included in the tour, such as the observation deck and the basement chapels. The tour exits through a lower level gift shop, but if you go to the upper level shop, you can purchase a brick and place it in the Lego cathedral being built there. Overall, the cathedral is beautiful and awe inspiring.

If you like visiting sacred spaces, don't miss a tour of the National Cathedral. The volunteer explained several of the stain glass windows and I loved the Space Window, complete with moon rock brought back to earth by Neil Armstrong in 1969. Great 360 view from the top deck and don't miss the Bishop's Garden which was blooming beautifully in April. See all of the chapels and look for the kneeling cushions with names of famous Americans from Harriet Tubman and Thomas Jefferson and many others. Helpful staff and volunteers. Put it on your list of things to see in DC!

It took 83 years to complete, the sixth largest cathedral in the world. This place is a must see. Take the elevator to the 7th floor and you can walk around the top and see everything in the area. Too much to talk about you have to see it to believe it. Please take a guided tour it is worth it. Very glad we made the visit.

Make sure to take your tour with Andy Bittner, author of Building Washington National Cathedral. He literally grew up in and around the Cathedral and has so many personal experiences to share.

I don't have too much to say about the National Cathedral. I haven't to many churches, but aside from Il Duomo in Milan, this is the nicest church I've seen. It's pretty cool, and the Christmas service is nice, and not too long.

The sanctuary is amazingly large. It is as long as the Washington Monument is tall measuring from the rear to the crossing. The docent that lead the tour was wonderful. We saw several of the chapels. Their beauty is hard to image! You will be in awe. Unfortunately, I think due to time, we did not see any of the areas on the Tour. The tea was nice - it was on the 7th floor (I think 7), with breathtaking views. Food was lovely and the tea delicious. Tables are seated by group - I was a solo visitor and enjoyed views of the grounds and cathedral roof. The roof still has some construction in progress. I enjoyed the Bishops garden. I try to always smell the roses and there were few wonderful varieties. I traveled by bus 96, because I like to see the sites and be part of the community. It was an adventure

Such a beautiful place with stunning architecture inside and outside. We were able to attend a service while there which was a great experience. We also ate at the cafe which was really good. Overall amazing experience.

It’s big - but that’s it. There’s very little detail. Compared to a mediaeval European cathedral, the stonework (or is it concrete?) looks prefabricated, there’s no intricacy in the design, and the stained glass (or are they plastic?) is crude. I was also really saddened by the standard of the cathedral choir when I heard it - well below what I am used to hearing from cathedral choirs in England (and indeed St Thomas Fifth Avenue NYC). It is a mile away from anywhere, in the middle of a purely residential (and very rich) neighbourhood, and I would not bother going out of your way either to visit or to worship.

Take the tour if available, so much information, I did not realize Helen Keller and her teachers are interred here. Beautiful stained glass and architecture. Sustained damage during the earthquake in the area several years ago but raising funds to restore the damaged areas. Parking (paid) available in garage, adjacent to Massachusetts Ave/Embassy Row. Tours are free but donations are always welcome. Fantastic view of surrounding areas from the tower, easily see all the way to Blue Ridge Mts, MD,VA, WV, and Washington,DC monuments and landmarks.

The cathedral is an astonishing example of Gothic architecture. From crypt to observation point, everything is interesting. There is a $15 entrance fee (this is not a federal museum) which is reasonable given the enormous maintenance costs. There was an interesting exhibit of outsider art in the observation area (a church of souls like presentation). It requires a drive (or Uber) to get out there, but it's worth the detour.

Very beautiful and peaceful. A lot bigger than I expected. Small “park area” in front is a good place to sit back and enjoy it’s architecture.

We took a very informative tour, wandered around on our own, and attended the evensong service. I loved watching the place transform from beautiful monument to national reflection to a living house of worship. Hearing the cathedral filled with only a handful of voices was a stunning way to experience that space. I am not episcopalian, so the service structure was very formal to me, but it fit and revealed the building in a new way.

This cathedral is absolutely stunning. I was shocked to see the inside and learn the history of this building. Truly an underrated DC experience and is certainly a must do for first time visitors.

Having played in a brass choir twice in the 80s here, the Cathedral brings about the air a Tribute to God should at such a grand spectacle. Please visit the National Cathedral and stay for a service if possible. It’s all about love.

Breathtaking! There are so many interior chapels, each with thier on unique qualities and story. The stained glass is stunning; some change color/pattern as the sun shines through them at different times of the year.

There is a $15 admission fee, unless you go during worship services. It's totally worth it and allows you to really explore at your leisure all the nooks and crannies!

We had tickets for the Tour and Tea during Cherry Blossom Festival week. We had a terrific time exploring the cathedral! We arrived early so that we could look at the areas not on the guided tour. We looked around the basement floor that isn't on the tour, walked across the street to get a bite to eat, heard the pipe organist play a few songs, and then were greeted by a knowledgeable and pleasant docent. She led a wonderful tour providing information as well as stories of events in the cathedral. After an hour tour, she led us to the tea room which was beautifully decorated with cherry blossom motif. The tea was delicious as well as the finger sandwiches and treats! We then explored the outside of the cathedral, looking for all the angels, gargoyles, and grotesques. What fun! Before we left, we donated Lego bricks for the building of a Lego cathedral, ventured into the gift shop, and were able to hear the choir practicing in that awesome space!

A few hints... try to hear the organ and choir, BRING your BINOCULARS! The outside of the cathedral is best explored with binoculars!!

This is the 6th ;largest Cathedral in the world... started in 1907(?) and completed in 1990. We were here for a Monday night concert, Annelies: The Diary of Anne Frank, because a friend of my wife was the pianist for performance.

We arrived early and toured the Cathedral in the afternoon with my wife's friend. The Cathedral is built exactly like the great cathedrals of Europe. It even looks 'old'. In basement, there is Ann Keller's tomb and Woodrow Wilson is the only president entombed there. The stained glass windows depict many secular and religious scenes, including and actual moon rock one. They are as good as any in the world. Also, many of the gargoyles are modern, including a Darth Vader one.

The concert was very moving, especially so if you have read the diary and visited the house in Amsterdam. My wife's friend reserved two seats on the third row center... and we felt very special being so up close and personal with the performers.

This is an amazing place and should be on your 'must see' list if you visit DC. We finally got there.

Absolutely stunning cathedral! The gothic style building and stained glass windows were gorgeous and every corner inside was beautiful too. Our tour guide was very informative and lovely to hear her passion towards this church. I was awed by the visions of our founding fathers and others to create such a loving place. I can’t wait to go back for a service and/or concert by local students.

We arrived just in time to join a tour by one of the volunteers, always well worth it to learn the unusual and interesting facts about a place. This is such an impressive place of worship, beautifully maintained

it's a very large and grand church, it's the church that presidents went to. We saw a wedding was hold there when we visited, so we just tour around it outside, if you want to tour inside, you need to buy tickets

Just a beautiful cathedral. I was familiar with the cathedral due to a scene from "The West Wing" and also several famous funerals held here (most recently George H.W. Bush). The architecture is simply astounding inside and out. On the outside, not only are there gargoyles on top of the cathedral (when and why did we stop putting gargoyles on buildings??), but there's also a Darth Vader one. It isn't hard to find (there's a sign and pointers to tell you how to find the evil Sith Lord). Inside there are multiple beautiful chapels. One US President is interred here (Woodrow Wilson) as well as Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan (I didn't know that before visiting). The stained glass windows are magnificent. One is dedicated to space and has a moon rock in the middle of it. A tour is well worth it. You can get here via Metro Bus and it's worth taking the time for a visit.

Funny story--we thought we were attending a Catholic service, but realized we were at an Episcopal Church. Wow, it was so lovely. The church is beautiful. The homily was inclusive and thought-provoking. So glad we made the "mistake" and ended up there!

A unique venue for many Americans who have not experienced the spiritual atmosphere and beauty of this magnificent cathedral.

Beautiful - just exceptional. Multiple buildings, beautiful gardens, open to the public - check hours.
This is an active church.

A must see while in Washington. The Get On Get Off bus stops here. Well worth taking a walk around this peaceful place and to sit and take in the architecture and beauty.

I visited the National Cathedral on my own and not part of an organized tour. It is a bit of a walk from the Metro station to get to. it is all on one street, so easy to find, but can take about 20 to 30 minutes of walking.

It is worth the experience to get to once you arrive. The architecture is amazing. I've visited cathedrals and churches across the US as well as Europe and South America and the one in DC is pretty nice in comparison. Well worth it.

Nice tour inside the Cathedral. The guide gave us clear explanations of several details about the construction. A wonderful tea and pastries at the end of the tour. Nice ladies will come to talk to us during tea time. We had a great time.

What a national treasure! We visited with a group during one of the earliest snowstorms in DC history. Unfortunately, that kept us from exploring outside, but not inside! Such an impressive place and even a piece of the moon inside!

We had a terrific tour of the beautiful cathedral. Our tour guy was kind, patient and entertaining for our crew of 5th graders. Nice history on the stories behind the stained glass. Also got to see Helen Keller’s tomb. Tour took 30
Min.

The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Episcopal Diocese of Washington is known as National Cathedral. Its construction started in 1907 and ended 83 years later. Planners hoped it would play a role similar to Westminster Abbey. It is the second-largest church in the United States, and the third-tallest building in Washington, D.C. Funding for Washington National Cathedral has come entirely from private sources and cost in the region of 63 million dollars. Most of the big donors are mentioned all around the church e.g. on the pillars near the floor. Maintenance and upkeep continue to rely entirely on private support.
State funerals for American presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, Ford, George H. W. Bush and Carter have been held at the cathedral. Also many Presidential prayer services were held the day after the inaugurations or memorial services. All these details and more we learn from lovely lady who led guided tour.
There are several chapels and for myself the most beautiful was Mary's chapel. The high altar called Jerusalem altar is stunning, carved stones are from the same quarry from which the stones for Solomon's Temple were quarried. It was great to hear that the Bishop's Chair is made from the stones of Glastonbury Abbey.
We never saw two pulpits like they are here. "Canterbury Pulpit" was carved from stones from Canterbury Cathedral and Martin Luther King Jr. delivered here his final Sunday sermon on March 31, 1968, four days before his assassination.
In War Memorial Chapel I liked the Tree of Life with stitched emblems of the Armed Forces and the Great Seal of the United States - this is wonderful piece of art.
The cathedral is still under restoration in some areas from the 2011 earthquake. The hope is to finish it till 2030.
It was very interesting visit and we found so many links to England.

There is admission charged to see the cathedral but I definitely felt it was worth it. Simply beautiful! Free tours are so interesting. View from 7th floor was breathtaking.

the National Cathedral was spectacular - it's the 6th largest cathedral in the world and so majestic - the tour is worth your time and included in the price of admission

We watched the July 4th fireworks from the Cathedral grounds and what a view. Very nice area and enjoyed the fireworks. Since it was dark, we could not really enjoy the Cathedral.

had a great and awesome visit to this historic location that is still rrcovering from the 2011 earthquake

Parked in the parking garage. We took a self guided tour. We saw the main part of the church. The stained glass windows are beautiful. Was not busy on a Thursday afternoon. We went to the crypt which was interesting. We also went to top of one of the towers which offers an interesting view of DC. I would be interested in a tour next time. We walked around the outside which is worthwhile. Also there is a small garden which is worth a look. Reasonable price including parking. They were doing some work on the outside to the building when we went due to an earthquake. An hour and a half was about all we needed.

This is one of the most immaculate buildings I have visited in DC. The magnitude, charm, elegance, and craftsmanship makes it a work of art in and of itself. Admission is cheap and you can choose either a self-tour or take a guided tour (which I highly recommend). Parking is available on site for a fee.

Beautiful inside & out. The bishops gardens are serene & magnificent. The Cathedral matches anything we have seen in Europe. The garden cafe is delicious food & can. E taken to the garden to enjoy. A must see.

To be fair, this year I also toured in Paris (Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle) and the Holy Land churches. This was attractive from the outside, but I wasn’t WOWED like I was from the other visits. The best part was the Darth Vader Gargoyle.

This is the cathedral which deceased/past presidents' ceremonies are held, so you see this place on TV. Recently, President Bush ceremony was held.

The place has historical significance and unique features such as moon rock in one of stained glass windows or darth vader gargoyle outside. It is however located the North and little off from the center. So I would not recommend if you are first timer in D.C. and has only one day to do sight seeing. If you have already seen Capitol, White House, Lincoln Memorial and a few Smithsonian museums, I recommend to visit.

It used to be free admission but now it will charge $12. This is an effort to fix the damage of the cathedral from the earth quake in 2011. So consider the fee as a gift and you are doing something good.

Make sure to go to the observation deck during your visit.

The guided tours start about 1pm but since we were there in morning we wandered by ourselves. The stain glass windows are beautiful and each one is different. We did stay to hear the organ play. Very informative and the sound exceptional. I’m so glad we have a National Church as beautiful as any we’ve seen in Europe.

Don't pass up the opportunity to visit the National Cathedral. Beautiful, and historic. Amazing craftmanship, and history of the stained-glass windows.

As many, many others have said, a 'must see' on the tourist trail. I was stunned at the quality of the building, its stonework and stained glass windows and found it hard to believe that the Cathedral has only been constructed over the last 100 years and apart from recent earthquake damage, only completed in the early 1990s. It was to me, having seen many such Cathedrals in the UK and across Europe, of the standard, design and quality of workmanship of the great Cathedrals. You could have fooled me into thinking it was built 100's of years ago.

Getting to the Cathedral for a tourist, wasn't the easiest as not near a Metrorail station or on the DC Circular bus route. We took a taxi there and got on a Metrobus back into town hoping it stopped near enough to our hotel.

The art, stained glass, carvings, masonry and more almost brought me to tears. There are lots of beautiful photo ops. We spent about 45 minutes wandering through the halls and nooks. I bought Christmas ornaments in their gift shop.

We were not able to go inside unfortunately,but just the outside the amazing gardens, and neighborhood were amazing to see!

Is it serious that we have to pay $17 to enter the Cathedral??? We don't even pay at St. Peter's Basilica! It's really unfortunate you get charged to enter a church and pray! Cover the guide, cover extra visits but charge to enter????? Lamentável…

Because we had some extra time before meeting some friends for Sunday brunch at the Open City Cafe, we briefly visited the cathedral. Although we have visited DC many times over the years, this was our first visit to the Cathedral. Having visited numerous gothic churches in various European cities, we experienced the National Cathedral as fascinating, welcoming, awe-inspiring. For folks who enjoy the interesting architecture and arches and lighting of gothic churches; and if you are so inclined you can attend a mass or other service. Although we did not take a tour a variety of tours are offered which I am sure are very interesting. The National Cathedral offers some great opportunities for photographers to capture some interesting shots of the naves, arches, angles and shadows. If you have an hour or two to spare on any day but especially on a Sunday, a visit to the National Cathedral is worth a visit.

This is one place you have to see to believe. It is amazing, interesting and beautiful. It was our #2 stop on our DC trip for enjoying the most. I cannot begin to explain the architecture, stained glass windows and history of the cathedral. After watching many dignitaries funerals held here on TV it was amazing to see the actual size of the entire building and property. There are 14 separate chapels inside. We were fortunate enough to listen to a short organ demonstration. What a sound! Our guide was excellent and informative. Some neat tid-bits were that President Wilson and Helen Keller are entombed there. Very much worth taking the time to visit.

This building surprised us with its stunningly beautiful stained glass windows depicting not only religious history but a space window with a rock from the moon!!??
A bonus was the free tour which was amazingly informative. I didn’t know that a church only becomes a cathedral when it contains a seat( a very impressive one) for the bishop of the diocese!
Don’t miss going up in the lift to view the buttresses and sounding view of DC.

As an atheist, I enjoy touring this cathedral a lot more than I expected. The building is huge and its stained glass windows are absolutely beautiful.

Wonderful tour where you go up the different towers to walk along narrow paths up top. Great views of the area and the different gargoyles. Stories are interesting in terms of why these gargoyles were created. I highly recommend this tour unless you’re afraid of heights.
Be mindful you will pay for parking if you park in the garage... $7 I think.

This is one of the nicest cathedrals that I have seen within the United States. It has a tremendous amount of architecture and history. The grounds are also great to see while you walk around outside the cathedral. Would highly recommend adding this to your visit.

We took the self-guided tour, but the church is grander than you can imagine. Loved the organ with the pipes playing during the service

Such a gorgeous church. Like a piece of Europe in our nation's capital. We arrived in time to hear the Sunday choir practice which really added to the experience. Would like to go back and take a tour or at least spend more time exploring.

I haven’t been here since college and it was just as fantastic as I remember. Other than Arlington, this is my favorite thing about our Nation’s Capitol! It’s definitely worth it to visit. Take your time and enjoy the reverence.

My wife and I enjoyed our brief visit to the Cathedral. It is always fun comparing the churches we have in the States to those in Europe. This one compares favorably.

This is a guided tour. The guide shows you so many of the special architecture of this glorious place. He is very knowledgeable of the history and I personally found it fascinating.

World Class Cathedral of grand proportions with the likes of Hellen Keller entombed in the Basement. Don't miss it.

I went there to meet up with friends and enjoy a special evening program. As I walked down one aisle looking for my friends I suddenly had an ARM literally thrust in front of my face - a tall white woman usher with dark hair and an angry face said to me angrily "This area is full!! Walk down the OTHER aisle and look for your friends!" Needless to say I ended up watching the program all by my lonesome...... And I missed my carpool because I had no idea where my friends were so --- I ended up taking 2 buses and a train at 10 pm at night, to get home. This was 2004 - Do you even THINK she would have been so rude to a...man?!! of COURSE not!!!..... So..... I NEVER set foot inside that place ever again.

Beautiful Cathedral! So much History inside to be discovered as well as the Architecture was amazinzg!

I have been lucky enough to have been in Cathedrals in Europe and was thrilled a few years ago to be able to go to our own shortly after the renovation was complete for the Christmas Eve Service. A fabulous must see when in the area, especially if you have not been to one before. Not to say this isn’t one of the best I have seen, it’s wonderfully magnificent!

Like many native New Yorkers who have never visited the Empire State Building, I’ve driven past the National Cathedral perhaps hundreds of times and have visited it briefly a couple of times, but never truly appreciated it. A visit to the Cathedral provides a haven from the tumultuous times in which we live, helps restore a sense of proportion, and reminds us that the most worthwhile projects are those accomplished in concert, with competence, over time and for the benefit of the community.

Built over 83 years (1907–1990), the Washington National Cathedral is the sixth largest cathedral in the world and the second largest in the United States, after New York City's Saint John the Divine. Like many of the great cathedrals, it is grand in proportion, quirky in construction, rich in history, and a living monument/work in progress. There are blank stones throughout the building that will be carved in situ at a future date, and work on damage from the 2010 earthquake will continue for years.

The architectural design is Gothic and traditional, with a huge nave, pointed stone arches, vaulted ceilings, flying buttresses and stained-glass windows. The designs of the windows reflect the history of the nation as well as the bible, and some are decidedly modern in style, without detracting from the buildings exalting and dignified ambiance. A stained-glass window dedicated to space exploration, and another is a nod to the oysters of nearby Chesapeake Bay. There is a grotesque (similar to a gargoyle, but the water spills over, rather than through, a channel inside the statue) in the shape of Darth Vader’s head. The chapels in the basement are also worth visiting. St. Joseph’s is a fine example of Art Nouveau, and the Resurrection Chapel’s altar is decorated with a stunning mosaic.

We took the “Behind-the-Scenes Tour” in a cold November morning, and the complimentary “Highlights Tour” after lunch next door at Open City. The two tours are complementary, with little overlap. The Highlights Tour is an excellent starting point, and it is included in with price of admission, as well as with the price for the “Behind-the-Scenes Tour.”

Attended the service for the 8am and if you want to listen to politics not the Bible this is it. It should be escape from the man made problems. Racist, I’m Hispanic and my kids are half white. And made some very racist things like “white people are worried about being paranoid of their race” what kind of heart do you have to stand up in the temple of Jesus Christ and say that. We should a church encouragement like Jonathan to David not using the word of scripture to manipulate into your own interpretation of man. Very political!

We loved touring the National Cathedral in Washington DC. It’s amazing to see old world Medieval architecture in the US. Highly recommend!

I know that sounds pretty sad, but I have been in so many other churches that were so much more inspirational and impressive. The architecture was amazing and I enjoyed looking at the stained glass windows as well, but that was about it. It was a big disappointment vs. what I imagined it to be.

I cannot begin to overstate the magnitude of this Cathedral. A few things to note that are extremely important if you have never visited. The Washington National Cathedral is in no way associated with the US government. When a government funeral service or other event is hosted, the Cathedral charges just as they would for anyone else. That being said, Monday-Saturday there is a small fee for taking a tour of the facility. Keeping a facility of the sheer size of the Washington National Cathedral does require full-time paid staff members. Your sightseeing admission fee covers these costs. What you do not always see is the dedicated Cathedral police force that is protecting you during your visit - all of this does come at a cost that your sightseeing admission fee helps to offset. All of the Cathedral's operations come from those fees and private donation. Those who attend a worship service are not charged an admission, additionally, admission is waived on Sundays.

Now for the good stuff! The tours are very informative - with a sightseeing admission you have access to the guided tour at no additional cost. This tour will point out a large number of the major points of the Cathedral like Hellen Keller's resting place, the location of the moon rock stained glass, and the Darth Vader gargoyle!

In addition to the guided tours, the public areas of the Cathedral are also open for self guided tours. Special events are extremely common as well. Be sure to check online before your planned visit.

Since this is an active Episcopal Cathedral with a congregation, schedule adjustments do happen - when there is a special event or a state funeral, expect access to be limited on short notice. Most recently the Cathedral closed for 3 days to prepare for the state funeral of George H.W. Bush.

If you are able to attend a service, you will not be disappointed! The 9am Sunday service is a Jazz service that features very talented musicians in addition to the standard Holy Eucharist. The 11:15 service features your more traditional music and choir. A variety of guest speakers can be expected as well, from the US Senate Chaplain, to the son of Martin Luther King Jr.

No matter your faith or religion, a visit to the Cathedral is definitely worth the trip.

Added benefit - As of March 2019, the Cathedral is in the process of building a Lego replica of itself to support the ongoing repairs caused by the 2011 earthquake that also damaged the Washington Monument. You can contribute by purchasing a brick in person and actually placing it yourself, or buying online for a volunteer to place!

I went to an amazing concert at the cathedral recently. The acoustics were fantastic and the cathedral is gorgeous.

I'd heard about the National Cathedral for years and had seen it on television. I'd even heard about how the cathedral is so big that you could lay the Washington Monument on its side within it. But none of that prepared me for how truly massive, beautiful, and grandiose the Cathedral is. I was in awe and am so glad I made time to go. Some days, if you're not part of a group or tour, you can go up to the 7th floor observation area to look out over D.C. & Maryland.

Our entire family made our 1st visit to the Cathedral after moving to the area. We were excited to get tickets and the service did not disappoint ! Getting there early to get in line was important. Doors opened @ 5 for the 6 start.

We took the Spotlights tour today and loved every minute of it!! Our guide Marcia was amazing. Her knowledge was off the charts fabulous and it is obvious she loves the Cathedral immensely. We learned so much about the history of the Cathedral - which was fascinating. The building itself is gorgeous and just awe-inspiring - not to mention that the view from the seventh floor observatory was beautiful.

We went to visit at 11:00 am on a Friday and we were told there is a service so we can not do any tours, but we are welcome to attend the service. As we crossed a fairly long way to get there, we decided to check the place out from the inside and see the service.

In all honesty and being from a different religion, the service was breath taking. It was truly inspiring, spiritual, and executed beautifully. As I said we could not get to the observation gallery on the 7th or have admission tickets, but the Cathedral from the inside (and outside) is worth a visit with some really incredible architecture and glass windows.

Stunning cathedral, and I definitely recommend the 90 minute tour. You cannot appreciate the building and history without a docent who can takeyou to the highest points (careful if you suffer from a fear of heights or vertigo! Seriously. and explain the history and intricacies. Dora was our guide. Dora was very knowledgeable and personable. Entertaining and happy for questions. The views are spectacular and the church is gorgeous.

We debated about visiting this incredibly beautiful facility. So sooo glad we visited. This cathedral is as massive as it is beautiful. Make sure you plan visiting the cathedral on your visit to DC.

This is the only building in the US built with the techniques used by medieval cathedral builderd. Don't forget to sit quietly, breathe deeply and pray.

I was expecting an uplifting, happy, joyful concert. This unfortunately was morose, (a song about someone’s health struggles) slow moving, and very few happy, joyful tunes. The lady who sat behind us remarked it was much different than last years performance. Perhaps last years performance was a bit more joyful????

Wow, we were so impressed. Have seen on TV but this place is really big. Set off about 2 hours to see and make sure you go to the top, it has a beautiful view of Washington.

Be sure to get a guided tour; the docent was very friendly and knowledgeable; made the visit that much more interesting with information you are likely to miss self-guided. Be sure to go to the observation floor for amazing views.
There is a lot of information about the ongoing repairs from the 2011 earthquake that damaged the exterior.

Lovely. Tall building. Inspiring architecture. Nice area to walk / drive around. Worth a visit on a trip to the capital.

Depending on where you get your information, this is the second largest Cathedral in the United States. It is quite large and stunning. This was my third time in DC, but first time visiting the Cathedral as it is not near the rest of the sites in town and is not accessible by subway.

There is a lot to see, if you like to tour churches, then I would recommend. The Space Window is really quite unique. Washington National Cathedral is also the final resting place for the only US President buried within DC, Woodrow Wilson.

The view from the top of the church looks out over all of DC, so don't forget to make it up in the elevator before you leave.

Would say that if there are other things on your mind that you want to prioritize in DC, this can wait (particularly if time is of the essence), but if you're visiting for a few days, or a repeat visitor looking to do something new, this is a great site to see.

The cathedral is located somewhat out of the way of the main tourist circuits in DC, but it is worth the detour. It is obviously a much later building than the great cathedrals of the Old World, but even if you have seen a number of those, you will still likely be impressed with Washington National.

Christmas begins with this concert. The soloist were incredible. This is one show that belongs on the bucket list. Spring for the $95.00 tickets. They are worth every penny!
Merry Christmas.

So interesting to see this place and get a tour. Walk around and see the various stained glass windows and smaller chapels. If you go, take a tour - otherwise you won't grasp it on your own.

The architecture is unparalleled anything I have seen to understand that this was built in medieval style and all done by hand was such a humbling experience and a great place for sanctity with God. Truly phenomenal. Breathtaking in every dingle way. Pictures do this structure no justice.

This is a great way to get out of the heat and explore a magnificent Gothic building. I did a self guided tour which is absolutely free. Fortunately I got there in time to hear the choir practice in the main sanctuary. You can sit in the same chairs that presidents and heads of state sat for weddings and funerals and just feel the grandness of the building. Be sure to pick up a map- it is very easy to get lost in this massive structure. It is very deceiving from the outside. There are multiple stories and winding corridors. It feels like an ancient European castle as you descend to the catacombs. Next time I will take the guided tour for more information.
There are the spires that fell during the earthquake 6 years ago on display outside on the grounds. They are raising money to repair the church with a lego replica of the Cathedral. Be sure to check that out before you leave.

Church is beautiful, but recently put in a BLM type stain glass window??? Strange that they would allow such a controversial subject in a permanent stain glass window. What happened to praising God in the stained glass.

This guided tour takes you behind the scenes, above the scenes, all over the place. For me the highlight was going on the roof and getting up close and personal with the gargoyles. Andrew Martin, our guide, had both knowledge and wonderful enthusiasm!

Not for the faint of heart, however, since there are hundreds of of steps and open passageways that could produce vertigo or claustrophobia.

I did not have any expectation, but what I never expected is to wowed by the architecture. It was the closest to an Itallian or European church that I have ever toured within the US.

Stunning architecture and stained glass work. Absolutely caught me by surprise in the best of ways. Even our college kids were not expecting it to be so stunning! Take the inside tour. You really will miss out if you do not. Very great experience!

The cathedral was absolutely beautiful! The only thing I was disappointed in was we didn’t have a map of the whole cathedral. I think charging $15 is way too expensive.

I went with my family, 3 teens and a 4 year old. The kids were not into going in and being quiet for the tour so we walked around outside. The tour is a few dollars and walking outside is free. The structure is inspiring and the Bishop's Garden is delightful. It wasn't as busy as some other DC attractions so it served as a nice regrouping place to just sit and be quiet for a moment. There is a little coffee shop there and two other churches to see.

This place is a must go if you are in the DC area. What a beautiful place! It is overwhelming in its history and grandeur. Take time to do the 30 minute or so short tour. It is very informative. Don’t miss this beautiful cathedral.

This may be my favorite building in all of DC. It is truly a lovely and breathtaking work of architecture, made even more powerful because it's purpose was for the worship of our Majestic, Regal, and Awe-inspiring God!! LOVE IT!!

The cathedral is a bit out of the way but worth the effort. We used rental bikes (Capital Bike) to get there, but I don't recommend doing that because there is nowhere to dock the bikes during your visit and you end up paying really exorbitant fees for going over the 30 minute limit. Better to Uber. There is no entrance fee after 5 pm on weekdays. The cathedral is quite beautiful and expansive. Not as ornate as cathedrals you find in Europe but nonetheless very nice and interesting to look at. One of the stained glass windows called the Moonstone window has at its center an actual stone from the moon. Make sure to go into the chapels located in the crypt.

A visit to this cathedral is important just because of its significance to the nation, in that it has held a number of important services, sermons, and funerals. It is the resting place for Woodrow Wilson, Hellen Keller and her companion Annie Sullivan, although it is unclear where the latter two are buried other than the dedicated plaque. There is a charge for admission, which is a bit much in my opinion. A special Lego exhibit is a must see. They are building a Lego replica of the church, and for a fee you can get some bricks and help in the process. We did our own tour; the actual tour may have provided additional information.

Plan your visit ahead to ensure it is not closed for a special event. It reminds me of the historic churches of Europe. Sundays are free!

Washington National Cathedral is a neat stop along the National Mall and can be seen from many parts of the park.

We got our tickets for this tour well in advance and were very excited....unfortunately it was a huge disappointment. It was a small group (10 people). We started by climbing up to the upper level overlooking the church which was neat, this was eye-level with the stained glass windows. The guide talked in great detail about every single window up there (and there are a LOT of windows). It was so boring that we were wondering if there was any way to ecape without being noticed (there wasn't). Luckliy, even though the window descriptions took up a large chunk of the 90 minutes, there were a few other areas we got to see. We were under the belltower (going up in it is another tour), up in the rafters, and in a couple storage areas. The part I was looking forward to the most was where people are allowed to go outside on the upper level and look at he gargoyles and the tops of the church. Sadly it was pouring down rain during this part. (we were able to go out anyway and it was a nice view). One of the details that was impossible to not notice was how dirty the behind the scenes areas were....all the carpets had huge stains on them and the furntiure was dirty and broken down. The whole place had a feeling of being not well-cared-for which is too bad. When we finally got to the end of the tour, we got a detailed description of every stained glass window that we passed on the way down. That was too much to take so when we saw an elevator we got on it and got out of there!!

This was our first time to visit the Washington National Cathedral...even though we had heard about it, and seen it on television, multiple times for Presidential funerals and other events. Wow....there is so, so much more. We arrived at 10am on a Saturday, and immediately decided to join a tour group. Our guide was very well informed, on the architecture, the construction, the design and the functionality of the cathedral.

The $12 admission fee is well worth the experience. The tour is scheduled around formal church services and events. The guide was respectful of individuals there for prayer of worship. The Cathedral should be a MUST SEE for all visitors. We took the METRO to the Tenleytown-AU station on the red train, then walked the 1.5 mile downhill to the cathedral. ...much better than having to walk up-hill. Enjoy!

This building is not as old as we originally thought but very impressived. Unfortunately it was still closed to visitors, so we were disappointed we could not see inside. One can roam around the Bishop's Garden, which is beautiful, and also the perimeter of the cathedral. We were there on a Saturday afternoon, and there were many wedding parties having photos taken on the steps, or in the gardens.

This was one definite sight we wanted to see during our time in Washington, DC! We decided to attend the Sunday morning service and are SO grateful we did! The service began with the choir singing in the back of the Cathedral; it was angelical. So moving, it brought me to tears and gave me chills at the same time! It was a very nice service and we were blessed to be able to attend.
The workmanship inside and out is so beautiful and the acoustics inside are soul-penetrating. I have viewed weddings/funerals on TV that took place in this Cathedral and hoped one day I would get to see it in person. I am forever grateful for the opportunity and would do it again - viewing it on TV does not do it justice!

awesome, grand. Very interesting and charming. You can just walk around or take tour of tower etc. very nice area.

The Washington National Cathedral is something like the sixth largest in the world and its tower purports to be the tallest spot in Washington DC. We've visited cathedrals in many different countries. This is certainly worth a visit, but the experience also suffers from some weaknesses.

The cathedral was built just after the turn of the last century, so it is a little over 100 years old. Although technically part of the Episcopal Church, it seeks to appeal to individuals of all faiths. As the name suggests, it also tries to place itself as the nation's cathedral, kind of an American Westminster Abbey.

There is a $15 fee to enter as it does not receive federal funding and it has significant upkeep costs. Parking can be a little tight in the area, but they built a large and convenient underground parking garage that we would recommend if you can't find parking on the street.

They give you a map that is fairly helpful, but we wished for a little more in terms of detail and signage generally. For what it's worth, the high points for us were:

-The Nave (that's the main church area). There is mostly modern stained glass here, but it's magnificent if you stand in front of the altar and look towards the back of the church and up. There is a large rosette window and the sides are lined with flags of the 50 states. It's very impressive.

-About half way up, the "space" window was installed five years after the successful Apollo 11 moon mission and actually has moon rocks built into it.

-The tomb of President Woodrow Wilson is on the first floor.

There is a somewhat controversial pair of windows towards the center. In 2017, the cathedral removed windows installed in the 1950s commemorating Robert E. Lee and Thomas ("Stonewall") Jackson and replaced them with what they call "now and forever" windows, which more or less commemorate the civil rights movement. Whether you like them or not is a matter of your taste.

-There is a memorial to Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan in the crypt in the basement. It is not well marked, but is on a pillar in the St. Joseph of Arimathea Chapel. Note that it has the memorial both in written text and in Braille.

-It isn't listed as an attraction, but the Garth is on the map behind the cathedral, about 100 yards from the visitor entrance. You'll want to visit it. It has pillars with Native-American-themed carvings at the top and images such as cats with birds. You see a fair number of wedding/engagement photos taken in this area.

-The Darth Vader chimera is toward the top of one of the towers. It's very hard to see without binoculars or a strong telephoto lens.

If you are looking for a break, there is an Open City restaurant in the chapter house only about 100 feet from the Cathedral itself. The food is good and the ambience is casual.

Enjoy your visit!

Having been to several old cathedrals in Europe, I was anxious to see what we had to offer and I was not disappointed! Our guide had been there from the early building of the cathedral and had many interesting stories to tell. Hopefully you can visit on a sunny day because the light quality both upstairs and downstairs is fantastic! Make sure to go up the viewing deck to see the city below and over into Virginia!

We attended noon service on a Tuesday and went on the self-guided tour. The staff was most helpful and very friendly. We also participated in building the Lego cathedral fund-raising project.

While it is not at the level European cathedrals, it is still a very nice place to go and visit. From the beautiful tainted glass windows to the many items to see, and the tomb of former US President Woodrow Wilson. And it's FREE on Sundays.

Took a tour this tome and it was incredible. The tour guide volunteer was so knowledgeable and gave an amazing tour. The architecture is stunning!

We came here as part of our pedicab tour. It's quite beautiful both inside and out. We were pretty happy our tour covered it.

The National Cathedral is located a little farther away from the National Mall than the usual DC tourist attraction. But if you can take a half-day and get up to the Cathedral it is worth it. In a small group you would also have the option of going to the 7th floor for amazing views of the city.

If you are able to get to the Cathedral I would recommend going in the early afternoon on a sunny day because then the (west) Rose window and other stained glass windows cast their amazing colors all over the nave.

There are tours at the Cathedral that wonderful and help with learning about the history of the Cathedral and the meaning and symbolism all around.

I highly recommend going. And if the cost, $12 per adult, seems expensive know that some of the admission price is going to pay for the restoration needed after the 2011 earthquake.

I never knew the history or story behind this amazing building and since it's not directly in downtown DC I had never been here. I'm really glad we went on this trip - it's amazing. It's construction spans a long period and includes many unexpected surprises - really a must-visit.

This is a magnificent Cathedral with incredible history. Woodrow Wilson is buried there. The stain glass windows are unusual and cast the most magical light. You can catch an organ concert frequently.

So, this is a bigger church than Norte Dame. Very similar gothic styles. The stained glass windows are beautiful and interesting things in the cathedral such as needlepoint cushions depicting famous people...Edgar Allen Poe, Winston Churchill...the amount you learn depends on the guide you get. Interestingly, there is no security and we took an elevator up to the top to look out the towers. Beautiful architecture everywhere. Fee around $15 I think. We saw this because had been to D.C. before and haven’t been here. Then went to zoo to see pandas....too adorable.

This is a beautiful Cathedral with a very interesting history. It is not quite as old as I thought as a finished product. The self guided tour explains the history of the building from the original chapel to the earth quake. There was quite a few interesting "Bay's" throughout the main cathedral with the final resting place of President Wilson in one. The stained glass is stunning with one particular stained glass with a piece of the moon in the center. Words and pictures can't describe this amazing structure. You have to go.

Some tips. Getting around DC can be tough. They just built a parking structure but fighting DC traffic can be difficult if you are not used to it. Since the nearest Metro train stop is over a mile away and it's all up hill you might want to Uber. We did and the driver dropped us off and picked us up right in the loop outside the building.

Of all the sights we visited during our trip to DC, this was my favorite. It is a little away from the other main attractions like the National Mall and Monuments, but it is worth the trek.

Beautiful building. So much history in a short time. Took the tour of the building. Would recommend it.

Beautiful architecture, stained glass windows, and art. Enjoyed seeing the 2 main floors and views from the observation deck.

If I’m being perfectly honest, I chose to come here because it was open during the government shutdown. Also, the weather was awful, 20 degrees with blowing rain - perfect for an indoor adventure. Now this Cathedral will be a part of every trip I make to DC!

I did the Behind-the-Scenes tour after spending an hour just exploring the cathedral on my own. The tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, but so kind and patient with our endless questions. There are many options for specific tours and I plan to come back for each of them.

There is a small gift shop on the first level and a quite large one in the basement. There is a small cafe just outside the building with wonderful coffee and snacks.

10/10 - recommend!!

I love the National Cathedral! It's gorgeous! Years ago you didn't have to pay to go in, nor you do.
We didn't do the tour but just went inside, viewed the Cathedral and gift shop.
It's a beautiful site and Georgetown is so lovely to walk through!

What can anyone say about such a fantastic temple? It was a lifetime experience. Would love to go back as soon as possible.

With so much written on this must see Washington landmark, I decided to share these special photos I took at a private event held here before Christmas. You can see with all the special lighting the arches, vaults, and other features of the interior which make it a worthwhile visit even without this extraordinary lighting.

Just visiting DC for a few days, we enjoyed a lovely Sunday service before Thanksgiving. In such an immense space, the clergy did a great job at creating intimacy in worship. The music was incredible with a choir that sang beautifully and an organist of great musicianship and skill.

The behind the scenes tour took us up above the ceiling and under the roof. We went outside to see gargoyles and the steeples. We also went along the sides and back of the inside of the church offering a great view of the floors and alter from above. Our tour guide has been giving tours for 15 years so she had a wealth of knowledge. I don't like heights or small spaces but able to deal with those parts. The history is fascinating combining the gothic structure with present day themes. I would love to go back there many times as there is so much to see and learn.

One of my favourite places in DC. Very beautiful and peaceful. My children were entertained looking for Darth Wader grotesque :)

Had no idea this beautiful cathedral existed or that it had undergone such extensive damage from an earthquake. Much to see and explore here; was grateful there's so much open to the public! The cafe on the grounds was excellent!

This was a fascinating tour detailing the construction of the Washington National Cathedral with a focus on the gargoyles and grotesques. They each have a story to tell---like the Darth Vador Gargoyle.

We didn't do a guided tour, but instead got a map and walked around on our own. I wish we had done the tour. This place is breathtaking. I don't even think that adequately describes it. There is SO much to see and learn about. We spent a solid two hours here and honestly could have spent more time just sitting and taking in the peaceful, spiritual atmosphere. We did not even have a chance to see the gardens. There is also a Lego project going on--they are building a scaled size Cathedral. It is unreal--the volunteers there were kind enough to spend quite a bit of time with my sons explaining the project, and even let them build a piece of it. Of all the things we saw while in Washington (we saw A LOT) this ended up being one of our favorites. Highly recommend.

A simply amazing place of worship. Go for the Sunday service if possible. During our visit Dean Randy gave a memorable sermon, the visiting choir was incredible, and the grounds and structure details were just beautiful. Take some time to read about the construction, the stained glass, and the gargoyles. Leave some time to visit Bishop's Garden.

A beautiful and well-kept building, and a very peaceful surrounding area. The gargoyles are quite interesting and there is one that looks like Darth Vader. A sign tells you how to find it but we had a hard time locating it. I highly suggest stopping by when visiting Washington DC. The cathedral was closed to the public at the time we went, which was about a week ago.

Have you traveled to Europe and traipsed through Westminster Abby or Rheims Cathedral or the Vatican or Notre Dame or Sainte Chapelle? There's no reason to go abroad if that's to your taste. The Washington National Cathedral is the SIXTH largest Gothic Cathedral in the WORLD! (16 non-Gothic cathedrals are larger.) It's the second largest cathedral in the US and the fourth tallest building in Washington (the Washington Monument is the tallest). It's enormous, and perfect (though they are still repairing stones and finials that were shaken off the building in a rare earthquake a few years ago). And when I say perfect, I mean that it's maintained and cleaned and cosseted by staff and volunteers like few places are today.
It's also perfect in the sense that it is like experiencing a Gothic cathedral back from when it was built, before time, birds and candle smoke did damage. The Cathedral began construction in 1907, and stopped - from lack of money - for decades after two of the three towers were constructed; in the 1980s there was a push to finish it, and it was finally finished in 1990, under President George H.W. Bush, who was also recently eulogized there before being buried in Houston.
The Cathedral has stunning modern stained glass, gorgeous old tapestries, flags from all 50 states, an amazing organ, gorgeous carved stonework and woodwork, multiple small elegant chapels, lower level crypts and chapels, and a 7th floor indoor observation level that gives stunning panoramic views of Washington, Maryland and Virginia. They used not to charge for admission, but now they do in order to get an income stream for the repairs due to the earthquake damage. It will likely take another decade before the repairs are all completed.
In the 1980s, when the second rear tower was being completed, there was a nationwide competition for a new type of gargoyle for the tower, and a bust of Darth Vader from Star Wars won. Facsimiles are available in the gift shop.
A tour is worthwhile; there is so much to see and learn about the building. And, in good weather, there is a lovely Bishop's Garden, with rare plants and flowers, and stunning roses and a lawn for children to frolic on. Not to mention a really good coffee shop, and a woodland walk (in the middle of the city) maintained on the grounds by the Garden auxiliary.
At the end of the day, it's still a cathedral, albeit a great one, so if cathedrals aren't to your taste, there's much more in DC to take your time and attention. Still, it's lovely place of art, architecture, music, spirituality, nature and quiet in the middle of a bustling city.

While the National Cathedral is not located close to the other monuments of interest in Washington DC, it is worth taking a trip to. It regularly hosts events and concerts. It is part of the Episcopal Church.

This was my second visit to the National Cathedral but the first time I was able to do the 30 minute walking tour. My volunteer docent knew the building well, the history of its construction and a great deal about the artists who created the stained glass windows. We also visited one of the crypts. Our group was only 10 people so we could ask questions and she deviated off script to educate us. There was a fee for entry but no additional fee for the tour. There was a parking garage, we did not pay on a Saturday but there is a gate so you may pay during the week. Unfortunately the gift shop was closed.

One of the best examples of Gothic style architecture in the US. Great stained glass windows, niches dedicated to Lincoln and Washington, burial site of Woodrow Wilson and soaring vaults and flying buttresses. A bit outside the city center and not near a Metro line, but worth the trek out if Gothic architecture interests you. In the old baptistry is an excellent cafe for breakfast, coffee or lunch. And a beautiful garden on the grounds.

My wife and recently spent an inspiring day at the Cathedral. We began by taking the MATA and bus from our downtown hotel and finding our way with ease.

We began our visit by attending the main worship service at 11 am. It was an inspiring service and a way to participate much as a local might.

That was followed by some self touring through a number chapels located on the lower level, a leisurely delicious sandwich, soup, brown butter cake and coffee at the City Cafe located next door in the former baptistry.

Next was a bit more touring, a few more photos, a performance by the George Washington University Choir, and the churches traditional Evensong featuring their Boys Choir.

By the time it was dark we had retraced our transit travel back to our downtown hotel. We highly recommend a visit here for FREE, except lunch. Lunch wasn't free but quite reasonable.

Really beautiful place even for the non-religious. The Massive structure with so much detail is amazing. Does cost $12 to tour inside which is worth it but plan to spend an hour there.

After walking for miles to visit and paying to enter, I was told that I only had 15 minutes to view the Cathedral. The Veteran’s and the Children’s Chapels were interesting, but the European Cathedrals are more spectacular.

I finally went to the National Cathedral after visiting DC many times - it was stunningly beautiful! Reminded me of some of the cathedrals I saw in Europe - but newer. Loved the stained glass and the many shrines. The view from the 7th floor was very nice. I recommend it.

Very nice similar to the cathedral in France. Now we visited and paid to see the "concert" lovely choir.We were told not to take pictures,so ok,understood even if there were NO posted signs. So the intermission starts and people started to snap away so I do the same and once again these elderly ladies tell us once again No Pictures, while at the background people were social media away with photos.What gives?? Is it my boyish charms or is it my natural tan that I get such singled out attention. Whatever the case if you are in charge,post some signs like "No Photography"!! Sorry No pics to submit thanks to the dragon ladies but there are pictures available taken by those who Were Not harrassed.

They have their own underground parking garage. A little research ahead of time can make this experience even better, especially if you want to make sure you don't try and go when it is closed. It IS a working cathedral. The website has a calendar page that details special events that may close the edifice to the public - one of the days we considered going, it was only open about 2 hours midday due to an ordination in the morning and a wedding in the late afternoon. The website is also the key to finding tickets to the special tours. They are pricey, but many don't mind the cost at all to get a closeup tour of the carillon/bells, the gargoyles, special behind the scenes sights, or tea at the top of the tower. There is an admission fee to help with the maintenance, unless you attend a service. Evensong is held most days, often with visiting choirs. Many days there is an organ mini-concert and small talk at noon. Don't forget to take the elevator to the walkway at the top of the tower. And don't miss the Lego installation. You can purchase bricks in the gift shop to add to the giant Lego replica that is a fundraiser for earthquake damage. Food is available at the cafe in the old Batistry building.

so beautiful. i truly believe that everyone should go at least once in their lifetime. there was this fountain that we got some great pictures at. must see

Waning daylight set stained glass aglow during the final open hour today. Bonus glimpses of scattered color to the east across the Indiana limestone flying buttresses added magnificence to the majesty!

It is currently covered in scaffolding due to Earthquake repairs, but it is as beautiful as a chapel can be. In the Gothic design with hints of Notre Dame. You do need tickets ($3) and you must register online before hand. Worth the trip. Also, if you have kids, the school playground next door is open to the public and it is a very nice plae for the kiddies to burn off some energy.

I would ask every American to go see and hear the presentation put on by the Marine Corps band at the Washington National Cathedral on the eve of Veterans day. It is truly remarkable in a very beautiful church -- especially for veterans. It was free and the church was packed.

This is simply an amazingly beautiful cathedral. It is a bit off the beaten path. I took the METRO and a long walk. The architecture is amazing. President Wilson is entombed in one small section of the church, next to the pews. It was a rather odd placement for a president's remains. I would love to return to experience a service. The grounds are very pretty, as well.

This was worth the long walk from the national mall- European purists will recognize that this is a few centuries newer than some of the French and German classics, but this is still a beautiful cathedral that is worth the time to walk around and admire. We did not go inside, as it seems kinda expensive, but we enjoyed the architecture and beautifully situated building.

Attend the meditation concerts that feature during February. They are always free and a treat to the soul!

This is a very nice place to visit that you might not think about with all of the other monuments and museums but a lot of history has happened here and the church has multiple smaller chapels in the crypt area - wonderful stain glass windows and beautiful architecture too. They do charge to get in so be ready to pay but it is privately funded so I am sure this helps their upkeep and remodeling too -

If you are visiting the National Cathedral by Metro, the nearest station is Tenley Town is approximately a 30 minute walk along Wisconsin Avenue.
You need to book an online ticket (chargeable), for a specific day which can be used at any time during that day and is classed as self-guided tour. There are also other tours available which attract an additional cost.
The cathedral opens at 10am and I arrived 45 minutes before opening so I could explore the grounds. There are other buildings on the cathedral site including a cafe. As an Englishman I felt vey much at home as the sale of the architecture was based on English Gothic.
The cathedral is the sixth largest in the world and is vast inside. Included in my ticket was the crypt and a nifty to the outside of the building. Unfortunately due to tight time constraints, I was unable to go to the top of the cathedral for external views.
There is currently some ongoing renovations both inside and outside of the cathedral, but this does not necessarily spin the visitor experience.

I've been wanting to visit the National Cathedral since watching John McCain's funeral that was held there. It is absolutely breathtaking!! We lucked out and got there just in time to join a tour. Our guide was Hela Finberg and she was fantastic. She pointed out and explained so many things. Also, we went up to the observation floor with the amazing views. The only drawback to me was that the gift shops were closed- I had hoped to get some postcards. But I would recommend this to anyone.

This cathedral is absolutely breathtaking! From the gothic building to the stain glass windows! You get reservations in advance. We were in a big group tour and learned a lot about the history of the church and why it is set up the way it is! Also they are building a life size version out of legos. You can buy a block or several blocks for $2 each block and help build this life size version. The money is helping to rebuild the cathedral from the earthquake several years ago!

Beautiful cathedral. Wish we had of made time to go inside. The grounds were beautiful. When we were there it was undergoing renovations. Perhaps, next trip we'll make it inside.

We planned our visit on a Sunday to take advantage of the free admission. We arrived early enough to attend the Service and so glad we did. Hearing the organ and the choir along with the sermon was a bonus. After the service we had a short free tour and our guide couldn't have been more informative and helpful.
It was a cold January day and not busy at all. Since it was cold we weren't able to really tour the outside and take time to look much so will have to return someday.

Well worth a visit whether you are religious or not. This building is amazing and filled with art, architecture, and history. It has not quite fully re-opened from the Covid pandemic, so we could not take the tour, use the giftshop, or have tea. They did have an art installation going though, so we bought tickets to that and wandered around on our own. (they did have qr codes you could scan to do your own phone tour if you wanted.) The origami doves were really lovely and fit right in to the awesome space. The stained glass light poured in rainbows of color, and they had music playing with bird wing noises and church bells interspersed. I took dozens of great photos and wished I'd brought a tripod. The 2011 earthquake damage is all fixed inside, but just barely begun on the outside. They had scaffolding up on several areas. We enjoyed walking all around the building, including the fountained courtyard, and the bishops garden. I will be going back once the tour reopens, and bringing my binoculars to better view the gargoyles.

The National Cathedral is often called the Nation's cathedral, and is worth the trip. The grounds are lovely, especially in the spring, the architecture is classic, and artists can be seen sketching or painting on the grounds. Inside, the cathedral is beautiful, stately and inspiring. Worth seeing at an off time, but particularly impressive when there is a service. I have been there for weddings and funerals, and one cannot help being moved by the experience.

The Washington National Cathedral is one of the best kept secrets of tourist attractions in DC. Words cannot express the beauty and grandeur of this amazing display of architecture. As the 2nd largest cathedral in the U.S., this construction is in line with those located in Europe. I would rate this as a must-see if coming to DC as a tourist. Our college son accompanied and was also amazed. We took the docent guided tour which was excellent--about an hour long. The docent was extremely knowledgeable and obviously has a sense of pride and loyalty to the cathedral. If considering to bring small children (5 and under), I would probably recommend waiting until they are old enough to stand quietly with a group for an hour's length of time.

Did you know our country has a national cathedral that rivals the great cathedrals of Europe? My first visit here in my late 20s was eye-opening. I had no idea that the US had this beautiful place of worship for all religions. This was my second visit and I again appreciated the architecture and homage to our country’s freedom of religion. My friend who lives on nearby VA said there are so many incredible speakers and music offerings at the cathedral that they drive in monthly for special events. If you have the time, plan to come to an event here or just come see this national place of worship.

We took the 10:30 am guided tour and it was excellent. We enjoyed learning about the cathedral and the incredibly beautiful windows. The place is well worth seeing, even though the price was more expensive than I had expected since they got rid of the discounts the week prior to our arrival. The parking fee, though, is way too high, $6 each hour, and you will be there a minimum of 2 hours. The price includes visiting the crypts and chapels, and the 7th floor observation deck. Don't forget to see the children's chapel. Even though it was more than I had expected to pay overall, I'm still glad we went.

Sitting on a plateau high above the city of DC stands the stately 14 th c. English Gothic -style National Cathedral. This cathedral is a "must see" in Washington, DC. As the national gathering place for people of all faiths, the presidents have attended services on the Sunday after inauguration; and many speakers, such as the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., have spoken at its famous Canterbury pulpit. The sculptures, tapestries, chapels, stained glass windows, and gargoyles are sure to delight the visitor. Note: The Cathedral is an Episcopalian church; so do not miss its concerts, performances, and organ practice. Services are open to all.

Beautiful architecture, great historical building. Enjoying the grounds from all angles. We didn't go in.

Took the Behind the Scenes tour which was a fascinating journey above the Cathedral ceiling, up narrow staircases and outside under the gargoyles. The guide was so well-informed and interesting. We learned so much about the construction of the Cathedral and its rich history. Would recommend also taking the general admission tour. Best to book the special tours in advance. Do not miss the crypts and goregous basement chapels which you can visit on the general admission. Simply stunning cathedral!

Shared with the NCS school. The grounds are well kempt and a welcome reprieve from the city. The Bishop’s garden is off the beaten path with benches, it’s perfect for a picnic. There are clean, public bathrooms in the cathedral basement. They often have events open to the public. Breathtaking interior and nice outdoor spaces for social distancing.

Don’t miss this beautiful cathedral! Yes it is off the beaten path but worth a cab ride. Most any place you travel in DC, it will cost you about $20 for a cab drive for 2.

Even with the closing of the Cathedral because of COVID, the grounds are well worth the visit. The gardens are beautifully kept and were in full spring bloom. The statuary is pretty. You are able to freely walk the grounds and circumvent the Cathedral. With restoration on going because of the earthquake in 2011, there is still a lot to see. Such a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of the City.

This was probably the most awe-inspiring building I have ever seen. Pictures don't do it justice. It was an enjoyable and informative tour. The only downside is that the tour guide was very soft spoken. My daughter, who is hard of hearing, could not make out anything she said despite standing close to her. I would recommend that tour guides either use a wired mic or project their voices better.

Lots of walking. We were not able to arrange a tour but did on our own and at our pace. Many places to sit. A few blocks down on Wisconsin is a great place for lunch Cafe Delux.

We added the Cathedral to our itinerary after completing some travel paperwork at one of the embassies. There is a Veteran's discount -- be sure to ask. We used the brochure to guide ourselves through the main sanctuary of the Cathedral. Docents are available (we saw four different school groups receiving tours during the 40-minutes we were there...) Impressive architecture. Be sure to visit the 7th floor observatory: the panoramic sights help put the District into a geographic perspective.

NOTE: parking is available at the Cathedral, and like all parking in DC, it is (relatively) expensive. We paid $15 for the 2 1/2 hours we were parked there (we walked to a restaurant on Wisconsin for lunch...)

Although I am not religious, I always visit this cathedral during trips to D.C. I love how the docents genuinely appreciate the guests for their ticket purchases, which contributes to the operations of keeping the cathedral open.

The architecture is breathtaking, and the stained-glass windows are awe-inspiring. This church touts itself as a church for all people - all are welcome.

Dampened experience because we were unable to find a way to see the grounds without paying for parking in an underground garage and do a lot of walking. Handicap parking was noted but as we drove into that area it was blocked off. Disappointing. We wanted to show our family the bishop's Garden.

I specially visited the place to see the moon rock presented by astronauts to this cathedral. A place one must visit when in town.

Was glad to visit now that is open to the public after the damage from an earthquake in 2011. The chapels in the lower level are very nice, individual and intimate, as are the ones to the right and left of the main cathedral hall. It's a stunning building, with beautiful stained glass and beautiful woodwork. We arrived late and made a hurried tour through the lower level chapels...and stayed to listen to the choir practice and the pipe organ play. Very moving experience.

What a beautiful structure our National Cathedral is.

I have been lucky enough to have watched the tail-end of it being built. And it is something to behold.

But, if you can, join the parish for mass, as we did, and you will probably remember this experience for the rest of your life.

This beautiful cathedral and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception were the highlights of our trip to DC. Add it to your list!

No wonder it is highly rated by American architects. The building is huge and kept immaculate within its Neo-gothic design. It is used for all major church-based events and is famous throughout the land. Some huge restoration has been carried out over the past few years following not only natural disasters but also the effects of longevity. Its grandness is worthy of pulpit renditions by the late Martin Luther King. Take in as much as you can while you are there.

Really beautiful cathedral! There are some stunning stained glass windows and lots of statues and memorial markers scattered throughout. Our group had a scheduled private tour and we learned a lot of information about the history and architecture of the building. It was a lovely tour and experience

Touring the cathedral was ok. The stained glass windows were very pretty and I recommend that you go to the 7th floor for a view over the city.

While this cathedral is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, it welcomes all. It is the largest church I have ever been in the United States. (Only St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York City is bigger.) It was built in stages, beginning with smaller chapels in "the basement," which would do any parish proud. Its stained glass windows are incredible, with one even having a lunar rock in it. Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan are both interred there, as is President Woodrow Wilson. There is a small fee to enter the Cathedral outside of worship services. This is necessary because although it is called the National Cathedral, it is not funded by the government, but relies solely on private donations.

We went on a Rainey cold day and it was still beautiful. I would highly recommend the behind the scene tour if you are interested in the history and architecture. You are able to go up to the roof and see everything from the top. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. Stained glass windows are beautiful. Als would recommend the cafe next door after the tour.

I visited the National Cathedral in July 2025. I took Uber to get there from downtown Washington DC. I bought a ticket online for a self-guided tour which cost $17 but you can buy a ticket at the cathedral. Guided tours are also offered.

The cathedral main visitor entrance opens at 10 am. I was early so I had a latte at the nearby Open City Cafe.

The cathedral visitor desk gave me a brochure for a self-guided tour explaining the key things to see.

I visited the Nave, looked at all the stained glass, the Canterbury pulpit, saw the grave of President Woodrow Wilson, saw statues of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, saw a Lego exhibit and the Gift Shop.

Then I went to the Crypt and saw 3 chapels related to the live of Jesus - Bethlehem Chapel, Saint Joseph’s Chapel and Resurrection Chapel.

Finally, I took the elevator to the 7th floor observatory.

Visiting the National Cathedral was a great experience. I recommend taking Uber since it is hard to get there by public transportation.

The self-guided tour took me around 90 minutes.

Unbelievably beautiful and a wonderful tour! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and made the tour so enjoyable with her stories about the cathedral. She had a true appreciation for her work and the cathedral and it showed in her excellent presentation!

Our small group received so much insight into the cathedral from building to completion, from services to special events. We were all enthralled with his insights. Such a beautiful Cathedral we are indeed blessed in this country to have such a place.

Take some time to view the outside, schedule some time to tour the inside. Either way, make this a venue while in the DC Metro area. It's worth the trip to simply drive by if you that's all you have time to do. Most of our elected officials have had a special connection to this fantastically build space. You don't have to be religious to enjoy the beauty found here.

Simply beautiful. I would say that you need to take a tour or else you miss out on so much. And I highly recommend the Behind the Scenes tour.

After the Notre Dame de Paris fire, I was a bit obsessed with how gothic cathedrals were built, so this was a great opportunity to learn about gothic architecture and visit an item on my DC bucket list! On the Behind the Scenes tour, we got to climb up in the galleries right below the rose windows and see the Biblical stained glass scenes up close! We also looked at the space between the nave ceiling and the metal roof and walked out on the roof by the bell tower where you could see where pieces of the stonework had shifted or even fallen off in the 2011 earthquake! Loved Camille's passion for the cathedral and all of the research she had done to tell us the most interesting stories and point out "whimsies" hidden all around. Highly recommend!

A very enjoyable experience. Reminded me very much of cathedrals in Europe but with very much it's own flavor, not just a replica of another cathedral . Take the elevator to the third floor for the view of the surrounding landscape. I especially enjoyed the lower level chapels and almost getting lost down there. We did our own self guided tour but I would recommend going with an official guide if one wanted more detailed information about the cathedral.

We attended the "Seeing Deeper" immersive light show on Valentine's Day. The cost was $27 per person with tickets purchased on line for a specific time. There is an underground parking garage with an elevator that brings you up to the outside of the main entrance. The fee to park was $10 that evening, cash only. The cathedral was bathed in solid ever-changing colors with moving light swirls. Light music was playing, although with the large number of people some standing and some sitting on the floor, it wasn't heard all over. There were no tour guides, but we were able to mill about and look at the stained glass windows and pulpit. The observation deck was closed that night. The 10,000 pipe organ has been dismantled and sent for refurbishment, but there was an area with information about the organ and videos showing how the organ works. It will be reassembled and ready to be played in 2029.

Having been to several cathedrals in different countries, I was still excited to see *MY* cathedral and it did.not.disappoint! The thing I loved most is I saw MY country's history all around. Many cathedrals are built to honor church, God, and religion. This one has so many things about America in it. The stained glass windows are spectacular. Especially the one with the moon in it to honor our lunar landing.

Our tour guide gave an overview while stopped in the rain and encouraged us to return to walk through this beautiful building.

No matter where else you might go in DC, make sure this is on your list as a must visit. Absolutely incredible and awe inspiring.

What an amazing and astonishingly beautiful cathedral. There are so many details and so much to see. Take the tour which is included in the price of entrance. It's worth it to hear the history behind it all and gives you a better appreciation for the architecture and history

Strolling the grounds and seeing the Gothic architecture is wonderful. If you can, go during visiting hours, pay the admission and see the beautiful windows, altars and inscriptions. The 7th floor observation deck is a great addition to your time there.

fairly spare and austere, lacks the statuary and ostentation that makes the other denomination's cathedrals more fascinating. this building makes up for lack of statues with its massive grandeur. Careful looking reveals many architectural details doors, and hardware of interest. an elevator goes to observation level in tower. stairs go down to a crypt. great place for photos. excellent restaurants short walk north.

We visited here a few days after President Bush's funeral. It was surreal to sit in the same from row as did our former presidents and first ladies. The architecture was beautiful and at the right time, the sunlight coming through the stained glass make for a great photo.