Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Capitol Hill—sample rating
APK, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, also called "America's Catholic Church," is the largest Roman Catholic church in North America and one of the ten largest churches in the world. Its Byzantine-Romanesque architecture and extensive mosaic work, including the dramatic Christ in Majesty mosaic in the dome, make it a striking pilgrimage and tourist destination near Catholic University. The basilica hosts multiple daily and Sunday Masses in both the Great Upper Church and the Crypt Church below, along with regular confession times, and has been visited by several popes as well as Mother Teresa. Guided tours are offered most weekdays. Open 365 days a year, the basilica is free to visit and offers free on-site parking, making it accessible even though it sits a bit outside the National Mall core, in the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast DC.
Why visit
A breathtaking, art-filled basilica that rivals European cathedrals, with free entry and free parking.
Best time to visit
Take a weekday guided tour (offered hourly Mon-Sat) to learn the history behind the mosaics and chapels.
Recommended duration
Allow about 1 hours (60 minutes).
Opening hours
- Every day
- 06:00-18:00
Open 365 days a year; free admission; guided tours Monday-Saturday (not Sundays).
Information may change — verify details before visiting.
Location
400 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20017
Load Google Maps content — this may set cookies.
Nearby attractions
National Mall
A vast open-air national park stretching between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, lined with iconic monuments and Smithsonian museums.
Washington Monument
A 555-foot marble obelisk honoring George Washington, offering sweeping views of DC from its observation level.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
A domed neoclassical monument on the Tidal Basin honoring Thomas Jefferson, surrounded by famous cherry blossom trees.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
A granite memorial on the Tidal Basin featuring a colossal carved likeness of Dr. King emerging from a 'Stone of Hope.'
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
A sprawling outdoor memorial along the Tidal Basin divided into four outdoor 'rooms' representing FDR's four terms in office.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
A stark black granite wall inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 U.S. service members who died or went missing in the Vietnam War.
Nearby restaurants
Zaytinya
Mediterranean · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Ben's Chili Bowl
American / Comfort Food · $ · U Street
Mi Vida
Mexican · $$ · Navy Yard / Waterfront
Ambar Capitol Hill
Balkan · $$ · Capitol Hill
Centrolina
Italian · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Maketto
Cambodian / Taiwanese · $$ · Capitol Hill
Flights to New York
Live round-trip fares from Travelpayouts partners.
Partner links — our site's partners are Expedia, GetYourGuide, Go City, Big Bus Tours, Hotellook, Kiwitaxi and Localrent; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Stay near Capitol Hill
Browse stays in New York by budget and style — prices and availability open on our booking partner's site.
Partner links — we're partnered with Expedia and Hotellook; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.