Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral
4.5
Architectural BuildingsReligious SitesChurches & Cathedrals
About
The sixth-largest cathedral in the world, Washington National Cathedral is an architectural masterpiece, a national house of prayer for all people, and a gathering place for the nation in times of sorrow and in times of celebration. It has been the site of presidential funerals, inaugural prayer services, and many historic moments, including the final Sunday sermon delivered by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Neighbourhood: Upper Northwest
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See what travellers are saying
  • Lynn S
    League City, Texas619 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful cathedral
    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.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 24 March 2023
  • N C
    32 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth the trip (and the traffic) to go
    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.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 30 April 2023
  • MstqMI
    1,327 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Breathtaking!
    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.
    Visited May 2023
    Written 19 May 2023
  • CarlKHawaiiNei
    San Jose, California382 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    To the Glory of God!
    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.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 June 2023
  • David H
    Bury, United Kingdom1,651 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not to be missed
    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.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 27 July 2023
  • anderson213
    Hannibal, Missouri818 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    There's so much . . .
    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.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 12 August 2023
  • David H
    Alexandria, Louisiana62 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    National Cathedral, worth a side trip,
    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.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 12 February 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles3,114 reviews
Excellent
2,339
Very good
591
Average
141
Poor
26
Terrible
18

David H
Alexandria, LA62 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
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.
Written 12 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tom G
Silver Spring, MD3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
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.
Written 24 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kenneth K
46 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
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.
Written 16 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

saalfeldk68
Independence, KY185 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
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.
Written 7 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Freedom37641188431
Long Beach, CA20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
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.
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

anderson213
Hannibal, MO818 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • 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.
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TravelingREVMdM
Omaha Area208 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
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 -
Written 11 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David H
Bury, UK1,651 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
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.
Written 27 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jacob H
Indianapolis, IN356 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
Beautiful architecture, stained glass windows, and art. Enjoyed seeing the 2 main floors and views from the observation deck.
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ELKW
United States11,866 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Family
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
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Washington National Cathedral, Washington DC

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