Attraction
National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian's flagship aviation and space museum on the National Mall, home to the Wright Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis and the Apollo 11 command…
Washington National Cathedral
A Neo-Gothic Episcopal cathedral on Mount Saint Alban, finished in 1990 after 83 years of building, with stained glass, carved grotesques and garden views.
At a glance
- Type
- Gothic cathedral
- Area
- Cathedral Heights, Washington DC, United States
- Official site
- cathedral.org
Good to know
- Sightseeing tickets
- Guided tours
- Tower climbs
- Bishop's Garden
- Free worship
Why we recommend it
Washington National Cathedral sits on Mount Saint Alban in north-west Washington, well away from the Mall, and is worth the trip for its architecture alone. The foundation stone was laid on 29 September 1907 and the building was completed on the same date in 1990. It follows the English Gothic style of the late fourteenth century, and it is the second-largest church building in the United States. Its central Gloria in Excelsis tower reaches the highest point in the city.
Inside, the scale and the stained glass are the main draws. The Space Window marks the Moon landing and has a small piece of lunar rock set at its centre. The cathedral is also the burial place of Woodrow Wilson, the only president buried in Washington, and the ashes of Helen Keller are interred here. Outside, take binoculars if you want to find the grotesques: one of them, high on the north-west tower, is Darth Vader, the result of a design competition.
Sightseeing visits, guided Spotlight tours and themed tours need tickets, and prices vary. A self-guided visit comes with a digital guide and audio tour. The hour-long Spotlight tour takes in highlights such as the Space Window and the Canterbury Pulpit. Themed tours include tower climbs and behind-the-scenes visits, which have age and height conditions. Worship services and private prayer are free. Sightseeing hours vary, so check the cathedral's site before setting out.
The cathedral was damaged in the 2011 earthquake, and repairs to the exterior have been continuing for years. At present the Garth and the All Souls Memorial Garden are closed for tower restoration, but the Bishop's Garden is open and is a calm place to walk after a visit.
The cathedral suits architecture and history lovers and anyone looking for a quieter half-day away from the Smithsonian crowds. Allow one to two hours, more for a tower climb.
The cathedral stands on a 57-acre landscaped site in Cathedral Heights, a residential area away from the Mall, so check the location and parking page on its website or take a taxi. The Open City café is next door on South Road for coffee or lunch.
Washington National Cathedral FAQs
Is Washington National Cathedral free?
Worship services and private prayer are free. Sightseeing visits and tours need tickets.
What tours are available?
Self-guided sightseeing with an app and audio guide, an hour-long Spotlight tour and themed tours such as tower climbs.
Are there restrictions on tower climbs?
Yes. Age and height conditions apply to some themed tours.
Is there really a Darth Vader on the cathedral?
Yes. A Darth Vader grotesque sits high on the north-west tower.
Who is buried there?
President Woodrow Wilson, and the ashes of Helen Keller are interred there.
Are the gardens open?
The Bishop's Garden is open. The Garth and the All Souls Memorial Garden are temporarily closed for tower restoration.
Is there a café?
Yes. Open City is next door on South Road.
Where is it?
At 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW in Cathedral Heights, north-west of the city centre; the cathedral's website has a location and parking page.