I was really surprised at the beauty and scale of this cathedral. Made me think I was in Europe. Beautiful building and grounds. Fun that they could let you explore the many chapels, the crypt, and the gardens. New to DC and keep being amazed while we explore the DMV. read more

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This is one of the most amazing cathedrals I have ever been to and a must do in Washington DC! read more

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We've been to quite a few churches, temples, cathedrals, and mosques in 82 countries. And very few houses of worship in the U.S. can compare to the world's greatest churches. But the National Cathedral is on par with some of our favorite cathedrals around the world! It lives up to its billing. The space is palatial and exquisite, hosting some rather famous guests over the years. The stained glass windows are extraordinary, and the high ceilings and exterior architecture are impressive. President Woodrow Wilson is buried along the south wall on the first floor of the cathedral for those, like me, who seek out presidential burial locations. read more

Washington National Cathedral - Interior - Churches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Washington, DC - Washington National Cathedral is a stunning and grandiose sight to behold. Built in the Neo-Gothic architectural style, it's the sixth largest cathedral in the world. We stumbled into a Sunday service (and free parking) during a recent visit to DC and experienced a bit of the worship service with live music. Welcoming staff handed out well-produced program books to all who wandered in. The cathedral offers various tours or self-guided sightseeing, and you can even climb the bell tower. As serious as the whole facade may appear, there are winking playful elements hidden throughout, such as a Darth Vader limestone grotesque, and a stained glass window depicting a space theme. Be sure not to miss the Bishop's Garden - beside the outdoor cafe - an intimate and contemplative space with a gazebo and landscaped grounds and paths. Whether you're religious or not, it's a beautiful and meditative place to retreat to from the bustle of the outside world. read more

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I had to walk out of this service half way through. Beautiful picturesque building, it represents both America, and her old European heritage well. I believe it to be the most beautiful building in America. Why then am I leaving such a horrible review? Because the point of the church is to preach the law, to preach the gospel, to preach Christ crucified, and to preach Christ risen. This church is not a church in any way. It is a shell reflecting the faith and the conviction of the men that designed it and laid its foundations. From the pulpit of this church is only evil and lies. read more

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The national cathedral is a beautiful space for so many to enjoy. While primarily used for church services, they host a wide number of events that allow you to view both the inside and out. This up close viewing option allows you to see the intricate details of the architecture. Prior to the illumination event I went to, I had only been on the outside and visited the Bishops Garden in the spring--another fun outing recommend if you are looking for a picnic spot for yourself or with friends amongst beautiful flowers. read more

We had a lovely visit to the National Cathedral. We did the Behind the Scenes tour with Camille as our guide. The tour started on time and lasted for about an hour and forty minutes. The Behind the Scenes tour was very cool! We learned about so much hidden history. We heard the history of some of the stained glass and architecture. We got to go up to the very top of the building and see the giant bells. Camille was friendly and informative. She led a great tour! I would definitely recommend! read more

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Beautiful, picturesque building with a ton of space. They have a parking structure as well as plenty of street parking. I did my wedding photoshoot here and there are so many creative ways to take pictures here. There is a garden in the back that is free to the public to access. There is a bunch of repair/construction on the cathedral at the moment. Worth taking a look if in the area. I have not been inside, but there seems to be a lot of weddings here. read more

This place is amazing. It really is a wonder, and the photos don't do this place any justice. If you're visiting the area, or just looking for something to do that's not the traditional DC type activities, put this place on your to do list. I recommend taking the sightseeing tour, as you get more of the history, and you can see things at your own pace. The coolest thing, is that cathedral is used to host all religion ceremonies. Before you leave, don't forget to go to the 7th floor observatory. Beautiful views of the city. And, make sure you check out the LEGO exhibit. You actually get the chance to contribute to a 500,000 piece Lego set that is an exact facsimile of the Cathedral. read more

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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. read more

Came during the annual flower Mart. The cathedral was open to the public so I was able to see the main area, crypt and viewing area for free. The cathedral is very large with great views. I think it could be worth the regular price but it was especially worth it during this weekend. They also had a children's choir and various dance performances. My favorite part was seeing the ongoing Lego replica of the cathedral that they are building. Overall it was a great experience. Recommend. read more

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The National Cathedral is an amazing church with a rich history. You can take a guided tour or a self guided tour. There is a cost, but it is moderate and supports the church. Make sure to go outside and locate the Darth Vader gargoyle/grotesque. There is an interesting story associated with it. read more

Such an incredibly beautiful cathedral. The architecture is just stunning. The services are always thought-provoking and my heart feels full every time I attend. They have a beautiful gift shop and tours are available. read more

A short walk from where I was staying in the Cathedral Heights area of DC is the National Cathedral. Sitting in a park like setting with large grounds they also have a coffee shop. Modern in age, gothic in style, this Cathedral is awe inspiring. The scale and architecture is beautiful. "Officially" completed in the 1990s and later rocked by an earthquake, this structure takes you back to European churches. Our visit started with the grounds and then self tour of the crypt and guided tour of the main floor with its many chapels and notes. One such note is that a parishioner (astronaut) donated a moon rock which was embedded into a window. Also, I learned that a cathedral is merely where the Bishop sits, not the style or size of the building. Following the tour we were treated to a pipe organ lesson and the ability to see it up close. I asked the organist if she ever wanted to go full on phantom of the opera - she said oh yes... and then gave us a sample! The entire experience was $15, a great value. We enjoyed it so much we came back on Sunday for church - just beautiful and welcoming. read more

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I attended the Evensong service with my really good friend on Sunday and absolutely loved the experience. I personally found the experience profoundly moving and soul quenching. Evensong is held every Sunday between 4-5pm and has live organ, and choir music. In other words, the service is mostly held using live music and singing. It uses Hymns and other passages to help wind us down for the evening as the week draws to the end. The service is free to attend -- however, you are encouraged to make an offering if you are willing or able to. Parking was free and easy to find on the street. I am looking forward to attending the Evensong service again in the future. read more

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What a beautiful place to visit, great views, a lot to learn, amazing people. If you haven't had a chance to visit the Washington National Cathedral, I encourage you to do so, you won't be disappointed. Such a beautiful place. read more

Washington National Cathedral - Washington National Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Cathedral at Washington DC Attended Christmas day organ recitle and it was packed with attendees. Beautiful music and beautiful stainless glass designed windows throughout the cathedral... read more

Washington National Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Simply put, just wandering the grounds is enjoyable if you don't have much time. There does seem to be a lot of repair work being done around the exterior right now, but the cathedral is stunning even in not-so-perfect weather conditions! read more

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Incredibly beautiful and interesting building! The behind the scenes tour was spectacular. You are taken up in to the multiple attics of the Cathedral and get to learn really interesting details of the construction. I've also attended concerts here and it's an excellent venue with great acoustics. read more

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They have.a financial and security need to limit access and charge high prices, which is unfortunate. We did a recent (overpriced) evening event, but it was great. Not a good value, but everything else is great! read more

Cyndy's Bottom Line: The Behind the Scenes Tour is not to be missed *Parking structure onsite *Tickets for the tour can be purchased online. *Recommend purchase in advance . If you want to discover the National Cathedral's hidden stories the behind-the-scenes tour is for you. You can see up close and marvel at the building's artistry and engineering. You will Journey through stone stairwells and passageways to see stained glass windows up close and take in magnificent views from the heights. So if you are afraid of heights this tour may not be for you unless you want to challenge yourself. We did a bit of stair climbing, and being in close quarters, and heights. We had the best docent Camille who really elevated the tour and made it fun and interesting. Camille was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic and brought to light interesting aspects of the National Cathedral. I learned that there were many wonderful connections to Hawaii in the Cathedral for instance: ~A scene of Molokai, where Father Damien ministered to the lepers, is shown in a window in Humanitarian Bay, on the north outer aisle. ~The Hawaii state flag hangs in the nave. ~The Hawaii state seal is part of the narthex floor and is represented on a needlepoint wall hanging in the War Memorial Chapel. ~A Hawaii state flag can be found on the lower level. One week, each year, the flag is moved to the crossing platform. ~I was also surprised when stumbled upon a plaque "Aloha from The Church School of Hawaii"... *Highky recommend visiting and taking the Behind the Scenes tour. read more

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We went to the National Cathedral and it was stunning. So incredibly beautiful! I loved everything about it except having our tour cancelled the day before we were due to go on it. I liked it even less that I received an email stating that it was cancelled and we would be refunded....not asking if we wanted to reschedule or join another group or anything. The cathedral was beautiful but I did not think the service was great and we would have gotten so much more out of having an actual tour. We were really disappointed. read more

This review is for the Tower Climb: Angels & Monsters tour held by the Cathedral. This tour gives you the best views of Washington DC and a behind-the-scenes look at the beautiful architecture of the cathedral. Tickets were $60 each for a 90-minute tour where you climb up the two western towers and get an up-close look at the statues that are perched around the open-air walkway 125 feet above the ground! The tour ends at the very top of the northwest tower. This is also the closest you'll get to the Darth Vader carving. Our group was around 10 people and you will be climbing a flight of stairs that are around 100 steps up. Doable as we had older members in our group. It was not a problem if you take your time! There will also be small passageways where you need to squeeze through. It was a thrilling tour and very educational. Definitely worth a visit next time you're looking for something more hidden to do in Washington DC. read more

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The National Cathedral is a National treasure. We attended Handel's Messiah Christmas concert. It is part of their advent Christmas schedule . It was a splendid concert in the most magnificent space. The cathedral is so beautiful. read more

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Could easily be the most impressive church in the United States. The architecture, engineering and views are amazing. We enjoyed and evening song service and it was beautiful. I could not stress enough to visit this magnificent blessing to our area and also enjoy a service. It is inspiring. BTW: Look for the final resting place of Woodrow Wilson' and Helen Keller while you are there. read more

"...for all people" Definitely worth the visit---regardless of religious affiliation! For locals and for visitors, both first-time and repeat. The cathedral is in a lovely neighborhood in Northwest DC filled with dining and residences. It's not downtown, but it's not secluded from businesses, either. The building is a stunning masterpiece of neo-gothic architecture mostly made of limestone. They have a host of wonderful events throughout the year, including the one my best friend and I went to see on Monday night. I've also been here for Christmas Mass. From certain parts of the grounds you can see the Washington Monument. There is lots to see, including murals, intricate stone inscriptions, statues including one of George Washington, the famous "Space Window," and gargoyles on the outside. We saw a performance of "Annelies" here on Monday night that puts music to the sobering reality of the events of the Holocaust. We had high hopes, and we were not disappointed! The production was well put together, well organized, and well attended. Such a lovely performance and an emotional tribute. There is parking on the grounds in the evening. We drove separately and both were able to find free parking spots right on site right before the 7:30 pm performance. read more

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I just attended Easter service here and, of course, it was majestically stunning. The choir, band, and organist were going hard and the sermon was applicable and easy to take in. If you're planning to go to Easter service here in the future, check their website early on to grab tickets for $6 per person (yes, I know, it's like you're buying concert tickets). Obviously, they're doing this to do some crowd control. And hey, it pretty much serves as your donation. If you didn't know already, presidents come here for events (like the late George H. W. Bush's funeral). The architecture is mind boggling and there's lots of gargoyles (including a Darth Vader one). If you love cathedral architecture, want to see the national church of the US, and like history, you must check it out! Better yet, attend a service! Tours can be pricey and could sell out so best to plan ahead. Side note: If you're Catholic (like me), it technically is blasphemy to get communion from any church that is not catholic. Not like every person follows 100% of what their version of religion says, so this factoid is for the curious and purists. In my opinion, the important thing is coming together as a community and breaking bread regardless of your faith! read more

Washington National Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The National Cathedral is worth visiting whatever your faith. The architecture is impressive, fun to look at, and a fascinating subject for photography. If you would like to see the gargoyles and the grotesques, including the Darth Vader likeness, you should bring either a camera with a telephoto lens or a pair of binoculars. (These are good to have in general; a few years back, I decided to acquire a monocular, which otherwise is carried by birdwalkers and creepy neighbors.) You can stroll the grounds as well. They are well maintained. I last visited before the pandemic. They were soliciting donations to repair the earthquake damage from the rare 2011 tremors. You could look at some of the massive pieces under repair. I went with my niece, her college friend, and another friend's boyfriend (who, in one of those bizarre the world is small examples, had been a kid a dozen years earlier in Detroit enrolled in a fencing class I took, and I, an adult, knocked him over). The niece and her college friend were from out of town. That is what this venue is suited for, tourists -- and that is no disparagement, because travel is among the best forms of education and the nation's capitol depends on the industry as a significant aspect of the local economy. In my years of living in DC, I only ever went with tourists, but that is typical of any resident of a metropolis who becomes inured to attractions. My only suggestion is to allot more time than you might expect. I whiz through museums at a pace my wife objects to. I was happy to saunter here though. That may be because I had a camera and was in the heyday of my renewed interest in taking pictures. Even without that, I believe you would have an enjoyable 90 minutes wandering, with or without a tour. I'd regard this as a relaxing, low-key excursion for a date as the relationship progresses toward expecting to spend the weekend together. read more

An Independence Day Concert at the Washington National Cathedral. The music and cathedral were beautiful. What a lovely way to celebrate July 4th. And I found Darth Vader! read more

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This is a beautiful, nay AWE-INSPIRING cathedral and its grounds are magnificent. We went here for the 4th of July though. Anyone new to upper NW and with small children has probably googled "where to watch the fireworks WITHOUT GOING TO THE MALL." So, we found ourselves here at approximately 7:15pm on the 4th waiting for a 17 minute show that started at 9:09. There is a small toddler play area on the grounds that my 3 year old thoroughly enjoyed. The community was welcoming and there was enough to amuse a 1-5 year old for close to an hour. Anyone older would be done in about 20-30 minutes. Fortunately we had brought games and got what we THOUGHT was a prime spot on the lawn. And yet... at 9:09, the fireworks started and we (and 500 other people) saw ... NOTHING. In a panic, everyone raced forward looking for a glimpse of the show between the trees. We abandoned our stroller, blanket and games, picked up our younger children and pressed forward to find a small sliver of a view between the building directly south of the cathedral lawn. Le sigh. Thank God the show was only 17 minutes. Holding a squirming 37lb 3 year old in one's neck for longer would result in an epic chiropractic bill. My 7 year old climbed my back, pulled my hair and kicked me in the face to get up high enough to see. Only to immediately decide that my shoulders weren't as safe as they appeared, and dismount whilst screaming and pulling my hair. The teenagers rushed forward with the crowd, pressing down the Hill to a spot that seemed clear, only to realize that the downslope meant that they could see nothing. My husband, 10 year old and 3 year old "enjoyed" what we could see of the show; however, the person who made those lists should be fined. There were probably over 1,000 people there and many were so disgusted that they started to leave as soon as it became clear that the show wouldn't be fully visible. TLDR: Excellent place to tour and sightsee. The grounds are amazing, beautiful and expansive. The parking for this weekend was free, which was nice if surprising. This is a beautiful place to watch the 4th fireworks if you have lowered expectations and tons of patience. Getting there at 6:00 is likely the only way to get a spot conducive to a view that won't require a neck massage later! read more

We did this as part of an 8th grade DC tour and our guide, Tom Wolfe, was FABULOUS! So beyond knowledgeable, charismatic, engaging, all the things you could hope for on a guided tour. I so appreciate this cathedral and all its beauty. Highly, highly recommend visiting and if you're so lucky as to have Tom, enjoy! read more

Just a beautiful and spiritual place and space... Many options for praying or thinking or be'ing... Only drawback is parking can be a bit challenging. read more

Visited today on Palm Sunday! Beautiful, ornate and epic. Though not as epic as the Norte dam in Montreal and Paris. Definitely worth a trip when visiting NC. Highlights: - The Organ is amazing and finding seats close to the front wasn't to hard. - Free parking on Sundays are provided and authenticity to a Christian program for a nondenominational church. - Cute cafe, we're surprised by priests coming out with coffee (they're people too!). - Remember to admire the stain glass images, beautiful when the light is coming through and very detailed with stories. Cons: - no daily sermon by priest, which I actually look forward to at church - TVs were helpful but reminded me of an 80s soap opera, hella over exposed Would definitely one back to this cathedral and bring everyone to experience this amazing place. Don't forget to check out the cathedral store as well before leaving, got the cutest gargoyle statue! read more

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Can't believe it's taken me this long to visit the WNC! I really came to see the space window by Rodney Winfield, Darth Vader and the gardens. Got soooo much more than I expected! This is a beautiful cathedral and deserves the distinction of being our nation's church. WNC is amazing!!! It reminded me of other great gothic churches like Notre Dame, Canterbury and Cathedral di Milano ...just didn't expect to see the likes of such greatness in The States - WOW! Some interesting tidbits are: * WNC is Episcopal and welcome all religions. This is NOT where the Pope visits. * Current archbishop is black and has a 9 year term. * Presidents enter through the nave door and sits in the front row. Everyone else enters from the main entrance doors. * The actual stone from the moon is inlaid in Rodney Winfield's space window - so awesome! * 1 of 2 places in the USA with 10 peal bells (the other is in the new Trump hotel (The Old Post Office and Clock Tower). Peals are wrung in mathematical patterns but you'd never know it. They sounded beautiful. You can't hear them in the crypt chapel with 9 feet thick walls. * No public tours to the roof top. But you can take an elevator to the 7th floor and get great views of the DC. First time I actually saw the VP's residence. * WNC took a hit from 2006 earthquake and still is in need for repairs. You'll see scaffolding outside that is to assess the repairs. WNC does NOT receive federal $ /our tax$. They need donations to repair - please give - it's worth preserving. There's many more interesting history and facts to cover here and in a single visit. The flying buttresses, stained glasses, bosses, crypt, pulpit, views D.C. from the 7th floor, Black Atlas Cedar and the Bishops Garden were absolutely breathtaking! Tours (1 hour) are worth taking and are offered on Sundays. Check prior to visiting. Our docent was highly knowledgeable, witty and hilarious. Two big gift shops with lots of choices! Entrance fees are $12 and less for students, seniors, military / veterans. Parking is underground $6 - $22 depending on how long you stay. Both entrance and parking are Free on Sundays but good to donate what you would've paid towards restoration ;-) I went for DV and the Space Window and got soooooo much more. This is a lovely piece of Americana! read more

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I have wanted to tour Washington National Cathedral for some time, but I ultimately kept putting it off. However, the Combination Tower Climb Tour ($75), which combines the Classic Tower Climb and the Gargoyle Tower Climb into one 2.5 hour tour caught my attention enough to make a visit. The tour was pricey, but it was a cool experience. Ultimately, you get to see the Cathedral, the bell tower up close, learn about all the different gargoyles, and see some great views of DC. The tour felt very comprehensive. My tour group apparently had quite a few no shows, but I would not have wanted more than six people on the tour. If you can't walk stairs, this tour is not for you. I found the pace to be a bit slow on the stairs but then people were strangely rushed when there were no stairs. A self guided version would be better for me, but I had fun! read more

Washington National Cathedral - Views by the tower - Churches Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

It feels weird reviewing a cathedral, but this review is limited to the gargoyle tour. This has been on my bucket list for the past 6 years, and I am so glad I finally went! You can get the tickets online. I suggest parking around the neighborhood or you have to pay for parking in the church parking lot (I know - what?). The 1-hour tour consists of a ~40 minute powerpoint presentation and ~20 minutes of observation from the ground floor. I thought at first that the presentation might be too long, but it was actually very interesting and informative. The only other gargoyle tour I did was at the Notre Dame, where you could (before the fires...) walk at eye level with the gargoyles so as to see them up close. However, you don't have that ability here. The gargoyles are several dozen floors up in the sky so you need binoculars to see them. The powerpoint had pictures of the gargoyles and fun facts about them so that you could make them out with your binoculars during the latter part of the tour. I also recommend bringing a good camera or your own set of binoculars as the ones they let you borrow for free was OK, but didn't offer a clear view. I highly recommend this tour for any local or out-of-town guests! read more

Another place in DC worth the visit, even though this one is a bit out of the way. Like its not near the National Mall or stuff like that. The cathedral is known for so much: the place where funerals and memorials were held for at least 9 U.S. Presidents (most recently, George H.W. Bush) as well as other leaders (such as John McCain); it is a non-denominational church, as all religions are welcome; the amazing architecture, including several gothic pieces as well as Darth Vader's head (no joke! But it is hard to view from the ground as it is placed very high...). There's lots more to share, including statistics like it is the 2nd largest church building in the United States and the fourth-tallest building in Washington, DC. So much more to point out, but that's quite a start to intrigue anyone! I did the tour, which was worth it. I forget the cost, but no matter how you feel about it, the money goes straight to the church as it as always accepting donations. The tour guide was very informative and we went into the cathedral's many parts. The stained glass windows and the explanations behind them were a highlight. Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President, is buried at the Cathedral, and you'll be able to see his tomb as part of the tour. I wasn't aware that Helen Keller's ashes were buried there, as the memorial is located in the basement. One of the first things that was pointed out by the tour guide was that it was George Washington's intention that the cathedral be located on the outskirts of the city. It is in a nice part of the city, as it was quiet during the day. The tour is worth it, even if you are not religious. Plan on a couple hours. Photography is welcome, but no flash. read more

Came here as a visitor. A majestic beautiful place (the towers are worth a visit). The Thanksgiving floral decorations were stunning, as was their creches display (in the crypt). Returned for their Messiah concert. Amazing space, acoustics, and baroque orchestra and choir. The only drawback was the bathroom situation. Crazy long lines winding from the ladies' room downstairs through the staircase up right to the entrance to the cathedral. Forget about trying to go during the intermission. So many people here. It seems that their facilities were not designed to handle this big a crowd. When finally it was my turn, guess what, the stall door won't lock (there's no lock at all! It fell off probably?) read more

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Time for an update of one of my favorite places in Washington. This National Cathedral is not only a spectacular work of architectural wonder but it it is a thriving church community, actively involved in volunteerism and community activities (like the annual Flower Mart- a huge arts festival, usually in early May). The WNC experience should include an evensong (psalm-reading and music only - no sermon), featuring excellent children and adult choirs. I have heard great sermons here from the dean and other ministers. Guest speakers and musicians abound here (famous choirs, orchestras, string quartets) for a reasonable admission fee. You may have seen several national services here - funerals for John McCain and George Bush, Sr, most recently. This is where many famous people have spoken and/or attended services. An amazing place. Your experience should also include general tour (moon rock in one of the windows - and Helen Keller buried in the crypt), a saunter through the luscious rose gardens, and a stop at the café (Open City at the Cathedral) for breakfast or lunch. I take visitors here all the time and they love it! Note: The neighborhood is quite lively, too. Cathedral Heights houses great restaurants, like the beloved 2Amy's (certified Neapolitan pizza). read more

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Wow. Just WOW! Even if you aren't religious and don't care about architecture, you would still enjoy the beauty of this building! I'm still in awe. It is one of the few places in DC that charges for a tour but rightfully so. Our guide took us through and gave us so much information about the history of the cathedral. He explained what all of the images in the stained glass windows stood for and told us stories about different events that had been held there. The cathedral is the final resting place of President Woodrow Wilson as well as Helen Keller. You actually get to see President Wilson's tomb on the tour. You can light a candle in memory of someone and you can go up to the 7th floor and look out over DC. They are currently building a scale Lego model of the cathedral that you can participate in! For a small donation ($2 per block) you can help build the model which I thought was really cool! read more

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