Visiting the Washington national cathedral was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was lucky enough to visit during Christmas time and it did not disappoint. I think I ended up spending over four hours here. There was SO much to see. I also browsed the gift store and found a few ornaments for my family. The staff were friendly and helpful. I look forward to my next visit. Highly recommend if you are in DC.

One of the most beautiful and magnificent buildings in the world. Everything beautiful and done by hand from stone carvings of angels and gargoyles that spew water in summer and are bearded with ice in winter, to hand wrought iron, perfect embroidery., and intricate woodcarving. And the gardens are magic with some ancient stones, stone arches, herbs and flowers. Only negative is the lovely but very noisy cafe! Great food but not atmospheric, but needed for sure. The gift shop is also fantastic with many things not just religious but inspirational and free trade type things. Many books too on a great variety of things from religion to poetry to art. Go on a Sunday to hear the tower bells ring by true change ringers!! And take the paid behind the scenes tours worth every penny. Don’t forget the crypt .And of course if you are lucky someone will play the great organ. We take visitors to the area there just as often as to the museums .

For all that wish to visit during this time, enjoy the grounds and take lots of photos. Youll never get as many clear shots of the cathedral once things before to open again. I felt like I had the place to myself. I took close to 80 photos in silence and only encountered fifteen people. I was able to park for $6 since I was there for an hour. I was able to walk, take my time, and enjoy the beauty of the cathedral. I cant wait to return when your can enjoy the interior.

Would love to visit again. Really peaceful and lovely place in DC. Also expecting to go inside of the church.

Loved the service for Nov. 1 but my ability to engage was very limited because there were not captions. Please do add captions for those of us who want to engage fully but are hearing impaired! You address the needs of many but not ours. It saddened me and made me feel left out.

We watch every Sunday from Portland Oregon. The virtual service is so uplifting, We feel like we have front row seats as we worship with all the wonderful people who spend so many hours in preparing homilies, music, technology. Today’s music was so touching, especially soloists singing old hymns with new arrangements (Just a Closer Walk, Draw Me Close to You, I’m pressing Upward). Pipe organ piano and saxophone all playing to God’s Glory! What Joy when the world needs our Lord more than ever.

Enjoyed the behind the scenes tour that was organized by OLLI. The cathedral is currently working on a replica build of Lego stones as a fundraiser. You can buy Lego stones at the gift shop, have them placed on the model in your presence and you even receive a certificate. It is great fun for adults and kids.I recommend that you visit the website of the Cathedral. They organize organ recitals open to the public with famous (international) organists.If you come by bike, there is a bike rack in the garage. Parking a bike is for free.

If youre in the mood for a little history and architecture, I would recommend it. President Wilson is interred here, and there are several mini cathedrals inside. Take a tour to the top, take a tour to the basement, stroll around the main floor (while being respectful). If you want to get a look at the Darth Vader gargoyle, just be aware that it is hard to spot from the ground - you probably want to bring some basic binoculars to really enjoy it outside.

Extraordinary place to visit while in DC. Definitely put it at the top of your list! The architecture is so amazing and the history behind the building of this phenomenal place will keep you interested throughout the tour. Be sure to find out the tour times before hand so that you can have a guide explain certain aspects of the Cathedral on detail to you and your group.

Very beautiful and Rich architecture. You are able to see the upstairs and downstairs at this magnificent Church, there are many small chapels within cathedrals to pray and reflect. You can tell the clergy is not super excited to have to deal with visitors but the people working the gift shop are super nice.

Very nice experience! I went on Christmas Day and enjoyed a musical experience of orchestra music .Also toured the inside and outside of the cathedral! I’d like to visit again.

One of my favorite spots in DC.

This cathedral is simply amazing. Sadly it was closed when we visited so all we could do was walk around it. The size and architecture is just stunning. We will be back so that we can go inside.

There are no words to describe how beautiful and breathtaking the Washington National Cathedral is. Peaceful atmosphere, bells ringing for the perfect ambience, stunning architecture... Beautiful gardens with benches to sit down and relax. The surroundings are gorgeous as well. We really enjoyed our time here and the overall experience was great!

Beautiful cathedral thats under construction due to the 2010 earthquake. I love going here because of the memories that it brings to me. Its peaceful, beautiful, and well taken care of. Nice place for taking a stroll through the bishop garden, or admiring the architectural of the cathedral. The people are nice. Oh! Also, they have a secondhand store, and they have all sorts of cool and one of kind stuff! Every first weekend of May, they have their annual Flower Mart! I went for the first time and I loved it! Definitely recommend to visit and donate for the reparations of the cathedral. :D

Amazing cathedral that rivals the old cathedrals in Europe. The stained glass is stunning and so are all the carved stone pieces.Ive lived close for almost 20 years and had never been here, I never knew what I was missing. Simply stunning.

As always just spectacular. Such a great inspiration coming alive and heading into spring. The Bishop gave the best sermon I have ever experienced in my life. Yes experienced! I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. He has risen! I feel cleansed, refreshed and appreciating every bit of my life, my family and friends..ready to help and support others. Thanks be to God

Tip: book tickets in advance!This majestic, Gothic-style Cathedral contains a new centurys desire to serve as a place of reflection, worship, and community. We pray for new presidents taking office and we pray for presidents that pass away at this cathedral. The beauty enshrined needs special guidance from the knowledgeable highlights tour. The stained-glass windows contain contemporary ideas fused with old techniques. The main circular stained-glass window contains the moments after God said: let there be light from Genesis. It captures the wonder of those words along with the artists idea of the Big Bang. There is another stained-glass window that contains a piece of moon rock and planets around the display. President Woodrow Wilson is interred at the cathedral. The surrounding columns truly capture the old-world style and give a sense of wonder with the space. The ambulatory contains many beautiful works and a POW/MIA chapel. The main altar contains Jesus at the center with the various ways His followers can inherit the Kingdom mentioned in Matthew 25. The crypt contains more beautiful chapels. Take the elevator up to see the DC skyline. The beauty of the façade can be appreciated with ample time to see all of the splendor the builders wanted to capture. Take time to find Darth Vader as well.

Formally the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington. A beautiful building in Washington, D.C. Chartered by Congress in 1893, construction beginning in 1907, fully completed in 1990. Most of the building is constructed using a buff-colored Indiana limestone. Resting place of President Wilson.

This was one of the most beautiful places Ive ever visited! We made it just in time before the lights were shut off; but we still had a wonderful time seeing this breathtaking wonder from the inside. If you are EVER in DC, make this a TOP priority for your visit. Its incredible---to say the least. If only architecture looked like this today.

I’ve lived in DC for three years and this is by far my favorite place here 7th largest cathedral in the world, crazy!!!I recommend going for one of the tours too. It’s about $12 to get in and the tours are free. There are so many things that you wouldn’t know about the art and architecture, but their experts do a fantastic job at explaining everything.

Amazing cathedral! Look for the Darth Vader gargoyle.

A magnificent and beautiful architecture. The church offers an excellent, relaxing tour of the cathedrals inner glory. A must do for religious, history, and architectural enthusiasts alike. Pictures do not do it justice! If you enjoy visiting the Capitol building, Washington Monument, or Lincoln Memorial then this is definitely a stop for you.

The Behind-the-Scenes tour takes you up high in the interior of the Cathedral and briefly outside on the roof. The history was fascinating and the beauty captivating.

Must visit. Very huge 5 areas to worship in. A beautiful childrens chapel. Breath taking.

Fun afternoon as there was a flower and crafts show on. The interior was majestic as were the lawn and the Bishops Garden

This is a national treasure. I felt overwhelmed by the beauty, solemnity, and power. I am amazed that a structure created by man can create such a sublime experience. The staff were very helpful and the tour was super informative. Well worth 12 bucks.

We watched the Holiday Light Spectacular event. The show was fantastic. We attended the Holy Eucharist Jan. 1st 2020. I am impressed with this cathedral.

Absolutely beautiful Cathedral. Even with all the scaffolding from the earthquake damage. The architecture is stunning. The grounds are lovely and so peaceful. They even have a cafe on the property. And seeing all the gargoyle heads in the ground behind a chain link fence was both tragic and funny. A must see place if you are on DC. There is a fee to go inside. The Bishops garden is also quite lovely.

Service is a must do. Just beautiful and very uplifting. A great experience. Wonderful place place to worship. The cathedral is unbelievable. Huge. An architectural marvel. Grounds are huge. Beautiful Bishops garden with lots of places to sit. Small cafe on premises that has excellent food and coffee. A must visit while in DC. President Woodrow Wilson is entombed in the cathedral.

The National Cathedral is a must stop when visiting Washington DC. It is near central DC. If driving there are places on the street to park but they are limited in availability and the to remain parked (usually 2 hours). Public parking is available directly underneath the cathedral; it is convenient but rather pricey.Just to the side of the Cathedral is a pocket park. It is the Bishops Garden. Small but a wonderful space to see beautiful flowers and take time to slow down and enjoy your thoughts or companions in this garden setting. When finished in the garden there is a full cafe just outside the garden.

Such a beautiful structure and a sight to see. You can even go for mass. It would be difficult to follow along while taking in the Staind glass, arches and just the pure aww of architecture.

Beautiful on the outside but I was highly disappointed that they did not allow us to go inside... it costs $12 apparently. its a church! I personally think thats too much. Dont get me wrong, its a beautiful building, and Id have loved to see the interior, but $12 for what, 10 minutes inside? not worth it in my opinion.

There are so many fabulous tours offered. Visiting the Cathedral should be a must when in DC. Parking located right there, so convenient! Oh, and be sure to get some food at their cafe! Yum’

Thank you to the The Rev. Marianne Budde for addressing the issues that we are all experiencing in this difficult time. She inspired me to get out of the dumps and step up to the plate

Its both breathtaking and moving. A sight to behold!

My spiritual home and just an amazing part of the American story, the Washington National Cathedral is a must-see destination if you are coming to DC. If you just stop by please be sure to ask an usher or I dosen to give you a little information about the building and what makes it so fantastic. And no matter what denomination you come from (or not) or however you worship, the Cathedral is open to you as a place to come and be welcomed. Hope to see you soon.

No words can describe the Cathedral. There is so much Beauty and History. Included with the ticket purchased at the entrance is a tour that I highly recommend, very informative. I will make sure and visit the Cathedral when I am in the area again.

Attended a service yesterday and returned for a behind the scenes tour today. It was just incredible. I wish I could have stayed there all day!

Beautiful architecture. Feels like it was built very long time ago even though it is only about 40 years old. Best part is the on-site parking lot which eliminates the need to roam around finding parking in the busy streets.

Stunning cathedral, exquisite music, warmly welcoming, a place of hope and community for all.

The Washington National Cathedral is such a great place to visit, even if you’re not religious at all. The history is so interesting and it’s not very often you find a medieval style cathedral in the United States. Make sure to take a guided tour to make the most of your visit. Check out the gardens when the weathers nice and the impressive collection of nativity scenes around the holidays. Don’t miss the amazing views from the tower!

Gorgeous amazing place with lovely gardens, amazing grounds, etc.. so much to see here

So beautiful. We went up to the top floor and the views of the architecture were wonderful. The stained glass windows are lovely. We went to look for Darth Vader outside and a nice employee helped us find him.

Went to see the light show and it was SPECTACULAR!The outside of the cathedral gave it a gothic but fancy lighting look. The hall was clear of benches which allowed people to sit or lay on the floor as they enjoyed the spectrum of color displayed on the walls, pillars and the ceiling. I sure hope they do this again!

Spectacular place! Breathtaking architecture, the chapel is absolutely beautiful. Tickets were $12 per person. The stained-glass work is amazing. The volunteers will tell you stories about every piece, wish we had more time. Dont miss it while in DC!

This cathedral is beautiful inside and outside. Its building is majestic and imposing. On the seventh floor is the observatory. There was a display of cribs of the baby Jesus from different countries. The stained glass windows and floors are beautiful. I recommend visiting this site in Washington DC and you have to pay to do the tour, students and teachers are half price and adults $ 12.I took a lot of photos.

Gorgeous! I loved their Flower Festival! Nice grounds to walk around as well as a really beautiful building. Absolutely stunning stained glass, and when they have huge flower displays with the Flower Festival it makes for gorgeous photos. The church bells sound nice when they ring. Their fundraiser to build a lego model of the Cathedral to raise funds for rebuilding is a great idea and it seemed like kids in the gift store were super excited about it. I cant really speak to any religious services there but it was a great place to visit and walk around! Well worth a trip as photos dont really do it justice!

No matter how many times I come here it is always awesome!The LEGO Cathedral is so cool! You can purchase bricks to help with construction for $2.00!

Were not particularly religious but we do like visiting sites of notable and magnificent architecture so we thought wed swing by during a recent visit to DC. The place did not disappoint. It was grand and beautiful, both inside and out, and particularly underground at the crypt. The place also felt very welcoming, especially with its message of inclusion, something you rarely see at other religious places. It was also cool to see their on-going project to build a replica of the cathedral with Lego blocks! Again, something you dont see in other places.They charge an admission fee, which they explained goes toward the upkeep of the place. Not surprising that a place of such grandeur would require a lot of money to maintain. The admission fee includes a guided tour and access to the observation deck, where youll be treated to sweeping views of the city.The place is out of the way for those dependent on public transportation. The nearest metro station is about a 20-minute walk. There are buses but they dont run often. And finally, the area is primarily residential so you wont find plenty of food choices if you get hungry.

The National Cathedral is absolutely beautiful. It isnt regarded as one of the main landmarks of Washington DC, however it is filled with American history.Eisenhower, Reagan and Ford had their state funerals at the Cathedral. Memorial services for seven other presidents were held at the Church.Martin Luther King gave his last sermon at the National Cathedral just four days before he was killed in Memphis.

This is a very beautiful piece of architecture and well worth visiting to get a feel for it. Its setting is designed to emphasise the peacefulness and this enhances its purpose.Its design is on a par with the other great cathedrals, some of which are centuries older, and it will draw you back again and again.On the day we visited, we were lucky to have bright, clear sunshine and the stained glass windows filled the cathedral with colour. One window to watch out for is the one dedicated to space.After visiting the cathedral, dont hurry away as there is a beautiful garden in the grounds where you can sit and contemplate the wonders of our world.This truly promotes the glory of God and through design, the beauty of his works.

I attended a Yoga Class at The Washington National Cathedral in 2018. It was an awesome experience my heart was full of joy and love. To be present in a place I cherish and sharing a Yoga Class with other yogis was the best experience. I’m grateful for those who made it possible for the Yoga Community to come together and practice mindfulness and yoga.

This place was truly impressive. A Testament to the capability of Humans and their ability to build. What an impressive structure. The amount of handcrafted stone work that went into this building over a 100 year. Was simply amazing. Dont miss the catacombs below the main level. Well worth The Visit had the place to ourselves. I would allow at least an hour or more to thoroughly explore the entire church. We walked from the nearby Metro terminal. That was a little bit of a walk but in good weather very doable about 30 minutes. During business hours there was a coffee shop on the grounds.

Pro-tip: bring binoculars. Youll be able to see some of the exterior details better AND views from atop. Free tours offered with admission.

Definitely a must-see if you like architecture and big stone buildings. It’s an amazing structure. Beautiful stained glass. You’ll be staring straight up above you for a long time in and outside the Cathedral.For the record it’s quite a bit bigger than Notré Dame, in Paris.

A magnificent place to visit. Join a scheduled tour and learn about the unique building features and the tremendous people of this church. A treasure.

Beautiful cathedral, with so much details in his construction!An awesome place to visit with the family to know some of the Washington’s history.

Place is stunningly beautiful. Staff is friendly and helpful. A must see if you are in the area. Dont forget to visit the gardens!!

Beautiful building. Noon Eucharist service in the Bethlehem Chapel was very nice. I loved the creche exhibits, also.

Photo taken at the Bush funeral. If you have a chance to go to this once in your life, you really should. There are all sorts of tours offered through their website. There are little hidden gems that you may not know about, including a beautiful garden and a coffee and tea shop on the premises. Its absolutely stunning with tons of concerts throughout the year. A must-see in DC.

Beautiful and wonderful experience. Was not an ideal place for a graduation due to view restrictions.

It goes without saying, this place is beautiful. Absolutely breathtaking. It is an amazing place everyone should visit, the architecture and design of the building alone is amazing. Great place for worship as well.

Best place to get some perspective. Its non-denominational as well.

One of the most must see landmark to visit in Washington DC. Beautiful structural, architectural design. Lots of historic story. former president HW Bush funeral service was held here and many more.

This Cathedral is a must for absolutely anyone who appreciates stained glass or just architecture. The work on this building is astonishing. The gift shop was a little pricey, but I cant take a star off for that, because the experience I had was a once in a lifetime one.

Took the Behind-the-Scenes tour. It was so worth it! Our lovely small group of 10 had Gini as guide and learned so much Highly recommend!

The Behind the Scenes tour was amazing! I am amazed at how much glass and stone carving work is here to see.

I went for the traditional blessing of the tartans, a service so steeped in tradition and grandeur! I was in awe of the collective reverence for the event and the sermon really hit home. A very welcoming place, even if youre not Catholic!

Really pretty, from far one would think it is a Catholic church, though it is not. No problem with that. It has a very pretty architecture and it seems like theres continuous work in it. Theres an interesting shop for a church. There are Legos, and you can buy all sorts of things, ad you walk into the church you can see the seals of the states in the floor.

Amazing place!!! I was taken back by all the information they had about the building and the history about everything there!! Amazing!MUST VISIT!!

Breathtaking architecture and it holds a unique place in the area for a structure so new. The chapels are very beautiful to just ait down and pray. The tour they give is amazing and the narrative of this places history is extremely engaging and riveting. The tour costs about $12 a person but it is definitely worth it. I would highly recommend this place.

The arcitecture is beautiful (even though it was being worked on). The stained glass, the carvings, the tapestries...all the details.Flower Mart was going on so there were A LOT of people and vendors set up outside. Lots of flowers, crafts, and food.

The tour was informative, interesting and short! We were able to take our two small kids through the cathedral. There’s an observation tower on the 7th floor where you can see the whole city, a LEGO recreation of the cathedral in the gift shop where you can pay to help build and even a Darth Vader gargoyle! Take time to walk the grounds!

Full of history. Bush and McCains funerals were held here. MLK spoke here 4 days before he was assassinated. Very beautiful.

Incredible Cathedral with stunning stained-glass windows and detailed engravings. I never realized we even had a national Cathedral until recently but getting to visit it was such a delight! The tours will teach anybody a lot about american history and the details of the Cathedral, I recommend that anybody visit!

I lived over the road for 3.5 years. Great place. Miss the view.

Beautiful church! We went on Sunday and got to see the service. Gift shop is good, you will see variety of stuff. The architecture is amazing. It is a must go if you are in the area.

A magnificent edifice! I recommend attendance at an Evensong when parking is free and the service about an hour long, filled with choral and organ music.

Beautiful architecture and stained glass windows. The guides were engaging and knowledgeable.

A culturally rich Palm Sunday liturgy, Motzarts Requiem complete with an awesome orchestra and stunning soloists was performed at the National Cathedral on April 14, 2019. Arriving early allowed easy access to advanced purchase tickets, a walk around splendid gardens and choice close by street parking.

You must come by and visit the Bishops garden. Great place to walk around to have a nice power walk. There are so many hidden gems of secluded areas where you can have all the spot to yourself. Come on by!

This is a very sacred and special place with so many beautiful spots. Too many to count. If youve never been, I encourage you to visit. Attend a Sunday morning service. Tour the grounds. Take it all in!

Awe-inspiring space on Mount St Albans in the heart of the nations capital. Definitely not just for Episcopalians but open to persons of all faiths or no faith at all. Wheelchair access available. Restroom facilities in the building limited-- use the ones in the parking garage as an alternative. Parking on grounds not available during day so use the garage ($$) or park on street. Episcopalians from EDOW admitted free, otherwise pay your 12 bucks. Enjoy the gift shop, where you can buy a Lego brick and add it to a model of the building (63,000 bricks so far). Light fare available nearby in the cafe. Dont forget to visit the Bishops Garden with interesting plantings and good views of the city.This is a working church. Visitors should keep their voices down while services are in progress.

Unbelievable site to see at night. They were having a feet washing service a d the sound of the choir was angelic! Wish we could of seen inferior but we didnt want to disrupt.

First time at the cathedral. The 7th floor observation area displays the history of the cathedrals construction. A 17 minute walk to Georgetown civilization. There is a very nice gift shop.

The building is beautiful with a rich history and lovely choral performances. It’s no Gaudi Cathedral, but its architecture is masterful and the prominence on a hilltop impressive.

Its a great experience and I highly recommend visiting.

It is a gorgeous architectural design! Please check Pictures for amenities

Off the course from the hustle and bustle of downtown DC. A must see though for anyone interested in history and architecture. A great playground for kids too!

You can park there but parking spots are limitedGo to the website and check the toursHistorical placeVery beautiful inside and outsideYou can take photos outside but to take professional photos from inside cathedral you can sign up for photography tour

This is one of the most beautiful places Ive ever seen and been to visit. I recommend everyone sometime in their life to come here.

We went for the spring plant festival. Church is spectacular and I highly recommend a visit or two. Lots of native plants to select from. A lot of other booths for jewelry, clothing and some art. They also had an exhibit in the church of flower decoration by different embassies.

Sat through 2 1/2 hours of Handels Messiah in this beautiful and majestic building. I was not expecting the acoustics to be so good.

Lived in the DC area my whole life and this my first visit. We did the self guided tour, but there is so much history in the building that I recommend a guided tour.

Its so beutifull on the inside the beutifull all smooth sandstone and the colorful windows.If youre in Washington DC. Make sure to visit this place!!!

What an awe inspiring building. The gothic architecture will take you right to Europe and save you the plane ticket. I wasn’t able to go inside, but it’s $8 for students and free on Sundays. There’s a gargoyle of Darth Vadar on one of the sides and plenty of other cool things to discover here.

Beautiful cathedral that is much bigger than expected. So much to see and every nook and cranny is full of tastefully done detail.

What a beautiful place, it is simply amazing. The weather was cold outside, not snowy but the breeze was too much for a person from Miami, Fl. Going in there felt heavenly and I was eager to take the tour. My tour guide was kind of.. let me think.. (10 seconds later).. slow. She was lovely and so nice, didnt bother me but it did make me laugh a bit, well a lot, I hope God forgives me but I was having such a wonderful time. The surrounding areas are so beautiful, I did not want to leave the cathedral and my girlfriend did not want to leave the gift shop, we bought tons of beautiful things. The short history of this place is amazing and I hope they finish fixing it. The beauty of this place deserves it. If youre in D.C. take your time to check this amazing place out.

Handels Messiah was spectacular in the national cathedral. The acoustics are thrilling and the choir fills the space with warmth.