Washington DC Catholic Heritage Tour by Vehicle - Private

7 hours Free cancellation Private tour

Basilica of the National Shrine — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Experience the spiritual heart of Washington, DC on a private Catholic Heritage Tour. Travel in comfort with a licensed guide as you explore some of the city’s most sacred sites. Visit the stunning Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the serene Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, and the inspiring Saint John Paul II National Shrine. Pass by historic St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gonzaga College High School, Catholic University, and Embassy Row, discovering their rich ties to Catholic heritage. This 7-hour journey blends faith, history, and breathtaking architecture—perfect for pilgrims, parish groups, or anyone seeking to connect with the Catholic legacy of the nation’s capital.

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At a glance

Duration: 7 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–13
Guide: English
Operated by: Monumental Tours Inc.

What is included

Included

Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Licensed Tour Guide

Not included

Not included: There will be a lunch stop along the tour route enabling you to purchase your own meal.
Not included: Driver and Guide gratuities

Itinerary

Stop 1

Passing by

A Roman Catholic parish in Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America. Established in 1794, it is the oldest Catholic parish in the city of Washington.
U.S. Capitol

10 min

Atop Capitol Hill, a cast iron dome towers the skyline where our Representatives and Senators legislate the people's business. Does not include entering the building at this time.
Stop 3

Passing by

A private Catholic college-preparatory high school for boys in Washington, D.C. Founded by the Jesuits in 1821 as the Washington Seminary, Gonzaga is named in honor of Aloysius Gonzaga, an Italian saint from the 16th century. Gonzaga is the oldest boys' high school in Washington, D.C.
Stop 4

Passing by

A private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C., United States. It is the only pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Established in 1887 as a graduate and research center following approval by Pope Leo XIII
Saint John Paul II National Shrine

30 min

A national shrine in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. It is a place of prayer for Catholics and welcomes people of all faiths. The Shrine houses a permanent exhibit called A Gift of Love: the Life of Saint John Paul II.

Lunch at the cafeteria following tour.
Franciscan Monastery Of The Holy Land

one hour

A Franciscan complex at 14th and Quincy Streets in the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast Washington, D.C. Located on a hill called Mount Saint Sepulcher, and anchored by the Memorial Church of the Holy Sepulcher, it includes gardens, replicas of various shrines throughout Israel, a replica of the catacombs in Rome, an archive, a library, as well as bones of Saint Benignus of Armagh, brought from the Roman catacombs and originally in the cathedral of Narni, Italy.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

one hour

A Catholic minor basilica and national shrine in Washington D.C. It is the largest Catholic church building in North America and is also the tallest habitable building in Washington, D.C. Its construction of Byzantine and Romanesque Revival architecture began on 23 September 1920.

The basilica is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Immaculate Conception, designated as the principal Patroness accorded by Pope Pius IX on February 7, 1847. Pope Pius XI donated a mosaic rendition of the image in 1923. It serves as the patronal church of the Catholic Church in the United States.
Embassy Row

Passing by

The informal name for a section of Northwest Washington, D.C., with a high concentration of embassies, diplomatic missions, and diplomatic residences. It spans Massachusetts Avenue N.W. between 18th and 35th street, bounded by Scott Circle to the south and the United States Naval Observatory to the north; the term is often applied to nearby streets and neighborhoods that also host diplomatic buildings
Apostolic Nunciature Of The United States Of America

Passing by

Sometimes referred to as the Vatican Embassy, is the diplomatic mission of the Holy See to the United States. It is located at 3339 Massachusetts Avenue, Northwest, Washington, D.C., in the Embassy Row neighborhood. Since 2016, the papal nuncio has been Cardinal Christophe Pierre.

The Apostolic Nunciature to the United States is an ecclesiastical office of the Catholic Church in the United States, with the rank of an embassy. The nuncio serves both as the ambassador of the Holy See to the government of the United States and as delegate and point-of-contact between the Catholic hierarchy in America and the pope.
Georgetown University

Passing by

A private Jesuit research university in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., United States. Founded by Bishop John Carroll in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic institution of higher education in the United States and the nation's first federally chartered university.

Photo stop
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

one hour

The United States National Cultural Center, located on the eastern bank of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. It was named in 1964 as a memorial to assassinated President John F. Kennedy. Opened on September 8, 1971, the center hosts many different genres of performance art, such as theater, dance, orchestras, jazz, pop, psychedelic, and folk music.
Stop 12

Passing by

A Catholic parish in Washington, D.C. It is considered by many to be the "Mother Church of Black Catholics", as the first Black parish in the district and the administrator of DC's oldest surviving Black school.
Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle

one hour

The seat of the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. As St. Matthew's Cathedral and Rectory, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.

President John Kennedy's mass took place here in 1963 and a Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II during his 1979 visit to Washington, D.C.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

TownePlace Suites by Marriott College Park
Super 8 by Wyndham College Park Wash DC Area
The Westin Tysons Corner
Hampton Inn & Suites Falls Church
Clarion Inn Falls Church-Arlington
Governor House Inn
Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park
Comfort Inn Pentagon City
Hilton Garden Inn Falls Church
Budget Inn Falls Church
Comfort Inn Falls Church - Tysons Corner
Oakwood Falls Church

and 505 more pickup points

We will contact you by mobile phone once we arrive to the pre determined pick up point.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This tour is not wheelchair accessible

Options

Sprinter Tour 13 PAX

Mercedes Sprinter 13 Passenger: The vehicle for this tour is a Sprinter van that can accommodate a group of up to 13 passengers for the cost paid.

Pickup included
Mini bus 23 PAX

Mini Bus 23 Passengers: This vehicle holds up to 23 passengers, thus, if you order this option, the cost you pay is for a tour for up to 23 people.

Pickup included