While the idea of a national place of worship was first conceived of by D.C. city planner Pierre L’Enfant, the National Cathedral today remains a site of worship for people across the entire city and throughout the nation. The Cathedral houses an active Episcopal congregation, but welcomes members of all faiths. They also welcome visitors who want to explore the Cathedral’s iconic art and architecture without participating in service.

If you’d like to tour the National Cathedral, you can choose one of three options with the Washington DC Explorer Pass (all subject to availability): an audio tour, a close-up tour, or a behind-the-scenes tour. Here’s some information about each of the tours to help you decide which is best for you.

Audio Tour

• Enjoy a symphony of voices on this audio tour that tell the story of the Cathedral’s many worshippers and community members.
• It will feel personal and intimate, with headphones that allow you to proceed at your own pace.
• Highlights include a recounting of Martin Luther King’s last Sunday sermon, and the creation of the National Cathedral’s iconic stained glass.
• This tour is available on a daily basis.

Close-up Tour

• This tour emphasizes the architecture and artistry of the Cathedral’s construction.
• You’ll focus on specialized topics of construction such as stonework, glass, ironwork, wood-carving, and more.
• This tour is only available on select dates, and the specific topics vary monthly.

Behind-the-Scenes Tour

• This tour highlights lesser-known facts and hidden stories about the Cathedral and its construction.
• You’ll get to walk through unique areas of the building such as stairwells and passageways to get to the best places to see the gorgeous stained glass.
• This tour has a limited group size and is not offered on Saturdays.

Please note: all tours are subject to availability and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Advanced reservations are not available.