Washington National Cathedral
Foggy Bottom—sample rating
Siubo11A, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world and a national house of prayer that has hosted state funerals, presidential inaugural prayer services, and civil rights milestones. Built over 83 years in the Neo-Gothic style, it is known for its flying buttresses, gargoyles (including a Darth Vader grotesque), and hundreds of stained-glass windows, including the Space Window containing a fragment of moon rock. Self-guided sightseeing, guided Highlights tours, and specialty tours such as tower climbs and behind-the-scenes tours are offered, though sightseeing hours vary day to day around worship services and events, so it is best to check the calendar before visiting. There is never a charge to attend worship services or for private prayer. The cathedral sits atop one of the highest points in Washington, DC, in the Cathedral Heights neighborhood near American University, and its grounds include the Bishop's Garden and gift shop.
Why visit
A soaring Gothic masterpiece with stunning stained glass and gargoyles, offering one of DC's most memorable interior spaces.
Best time to visit
Check the day's sightseeing hours online before visiting, since the schedule shifts with services and events; weekday mornings tend to be quieter.
Recommended duration
Allow about 1.3 hours (75 minutes).
Opening hours
- Every day
- 10:00-17:00
Sightseeing hours vary day to day around worship and events; worship services and private prayer are always free. Tickets required for general sightseeing.
Information may change — verify details before visiting.
Location
3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
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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
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