With 231 stained glass windows, 112 gargoyles, high sweeping ceilings and incredible views of the city, the National Cathedral is a Washington, D.C., must-see. Its beauty and history make for an awe-inspiring visit, while the interesting tours ensure that visitors are both educated and entertained.
Best and worst time to go to the National Cathedral
When you want to visit the National Cathedral depends on what you want to get out of your visit. Sundays are free, but have fewer tours and are more crowded. Going in the morning on a weekday gives you more time at the Cathedral, but music and events tend to occur in the evenings. For the best visit, it's worth looking at the calendar, and then planning your visit around the events and tours that seem most interesting.
Must see/do at the National Cathedral
The tours are by far the best part of any visit to the National Cathedral. From the general 'Highlights Tour' of the main floor (free with admission, held every half hour) to the more in-depth 'Tour and Tea' to specialized tours such as the 'Gargoyles Tour' or the 'Behind-the-Scenes' tour there is something to appeal to everyone. Again, check the calendar for details.
Admission to the National Cathedral
Admission is around $10 per person, with discounts for students, seniors, children, and military. Admission on Sundays, and for any spiritual event, is free.
Parking and public transportation at the National Cathedral
Since the National Cathedral is on the outskirts of DC, it is one of the few destinations that is most easily reached by driving. There is an underground parking garage on the grounds (rates are between $5-$10 an hour, depending on how long you stay).
Food at the National Cathedral
Open City runs a café in the Old Baptistry with decent soups and salads fairly reasonably priced (for Washington). There are also a sprinkling of cafés and restaurants outside the Cathedral on Wisconsin Avenue.
Insider tip for visitors the National Cathedral
From a gargoyle of Darth Vader to an actual moon rock in one of the stained glass windows, the National Cathedral holds many surprising and amusing secrets. Check out the 'Facts and Figures' section of the website before visiting to find out about them, and then you'll be able to see and appreciate them during your visit.
Author's bio: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins has been living in DC since she was born, with the exception of a few brief residential stints in Malawi, South Africa, and the UK. When not writing, she spends her time working on aerial acrobatics and fostering kittens, both of which are really fun facts to bring up at D.C. cocktail parties.