Washington DC Catholic Heritage Tour by Vehicle - Private

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. 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.

   Pass by without stopping

2. U.S. Capitol

   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.

   10 minutes here

3. 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.

   Pass by without stopping

4. 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

   Pass by without stopping

5. Saint John Paul II National Shrine

   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.

   30 minutes here

6. Franciscan Monastery Of The Holy Land

   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.

   60 minutes here

7. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

   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.

   60 minutes here

8. Embassy Row

   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

   Pass by without stopping

9. Apostolic Nunciature Of The United States Of America

   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.

   Pass by without stopping

10. Georgetown University

    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

    Pass by without stopping

11. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

    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.

    60 minutes here

12. 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.

    Pass by without stopping

13. Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle

    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.

    60 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Options you can book

• 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

• 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

Before you book

Cancellation

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

Languages

en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat

Group size

Up to 13 travelers per booking

Operated by

Monumental Tours Inc.

Know before you go

• 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

Photos