Please click on the section headings or individual questions to be taken to the answers.
Requesting a Group Visit Reservation
- When will I hear about the status of my reservation request?
- How do I know I have a reservation?
- I just found out I’m on a waiting list. What does that mean?
- If we can’t get a reservation, do we have any other options?
- How do you figure out who gets a reservation?
- I wasn’t able to get a tour. Can I suggest other times for my visit?
- Can I make changes to my request/reservation?
- Why do I need a reservation to visit a church?
- Can we just walk around on our own?
- Can we just stop quickly to take pictures?
Group Tours
- When are tours offered?
- How much does it cost to visit?
- What does the money support?
- Are we allowed to go to the observation gallery?
Coming as a Group to a Worship Service
- Why do we need a reservation to attend a worship service?
- How much does it cost to visit?
- Is there a dress code for worship services?
- Don’t you have services at other times?
- What about bringing a group to special services like Christmas or Easter?
Accessibility
Q & A on Requesting a Group Visit Reservation
When will I hear about the status of my
reservation request?
You should hear back from us approximately 3–4 months in
advance of your requested visit date.
How do I know if I have a
reservation?
If we have room in our schedule for your group, you will
receive a scheduling notice from us. Once we receive your contribution, we
will send you a confirmation of your reservation, along with a bus parking
ID sign.
- Click to see Confirmation of Reservation Sample.
- Click to see Parking ID Sample.
I just found out I’m on a waiting
list. What does that mean?
If your group is on the waiting list, it means we are unable to
schedule your group’s visit for the date/time you requested. If a spot
becomes available for your group, we will contact you and offer that time.
If you do not hear from us, it means no additional times have opened up and
we have no availability.
If we can’t get a reservation, do
we have any other options?
You may call our same-day tour number when you’re in town
at 202.537.5273 to see if we’ve had any last-minute cancellations.
There are no guarantees with this, but occasionally spots do open up at the
last minute.
How do you figure out who gets a
reservation?
We try to process all requests on a first-come/first-served
basis, taking into account regular services and special events held here at
the Cathedral, along with staffing and space constraints.
I wasn’t able to get a tour. Can I
suggest other times for my visit?
When we schedule reservations, we look at times around what you
suggest, not just that one time. If we see something close to your request,
we will usually offer that time to you, so it’s possible that
we’ve already looked at the other times you would suggest. If you
change your request date, be aware that other dates might have a waiting
list already in place and your new request will be added to the end of the
waiting list.
Can I make changes to my
request/reservation?
If you change your request to a different date, be aware that
other dates might already have a waiting list in place. Your request would
be added to the end of the waiting list. If you have a reservation and need
to change the number of buses you are bringing, please note that we are
unable to accommodate an increase in the number of buses for a reservation
as scheduling is very tight.
Why do I need a reservation to visit a
church?
Our reservation policy helps us create the best environment
possible inside the Cathedral by making sure we are staffed sufficiently to
meet the needs of your group and by ensuring that overcrowding does not
negatively affect your experience. Additionally, it helps us get information
to you so that you don’t arrive when our doors are closed!
Can we just walk around on our
own?
Cathedral policy is that groups must either attend a worship
service or take a docent-led tour.
Can we just stop quickly to take
pictures?
We are unable to permit groups to make photostops at the
Cathedral. All groups visiting must have a reservation and must either take
a guided tour or attend a worship service.
Q & A on Group Tours
When are tours offered?
Tours are scheduled every 15 minutes Monday–Saturday from
10 am–11:15 am and from 12:45 pm–3:15 pm. There are no group
tours on Sundays and no touring during special events or worship
services
How much does it cost to visit?
Group tours should be prepaid at least one month prior to the group’s visit. For 2009 and 2010, our requested amounts for group tours will be as follows.
| 2009 Peak Season Tours (March–June, September & October) | ||
| Adults | $5 per person | or $150 per busload |
| Students or Senior Citizens | $4 per person | or $140 per busload |
| Worship Services | $50/bus for bus parking | |
| 2009 Off-Peak Season Tours (all other times) | ||
| Adults | $4 per person | or $120 per busload |
| Students or Senior Citizens | $3 per person | or $85 per busload |
| Worship Services | $50/bus for bus parking | |
| 2010 Group Visits | ||
| Group Tours | $5 per person | or $150 per busload |
| Worship Services | $50/bus for bus parking | |
What does the money support?
Your contributions go to supporting our programs and
operating our new garage. The Cathedral does not receive funding from any
government or national church source.
Are we allowed to go to the observation gallery?
With the guided tour, time to visit the museum store and to use
the restrooms, there’s usually not enough time to visit the
observation gallery. The small elevators make it very hard for a group to
visit the gallery, have a look, and make it back downstairs within the
limited parking time allotted to each group.
Q & A on Coming as a Group to a Worship Service
Why do we need a reservation to attend
a worship service?
To provide the best possible experience for all attendees, our
worship staff need to know if any large groups are coming to our services.
This way, we can make sure there is enough room for everyone and, for some
services, that there are enough communion wafers and service leaflets. If a
service is scheduled for a smaller chapel, it would be a shame to show up
and find there is no room for your group!
Is there a dress code for worship
services?
Common decency is expected, but don’t worry, you
don’t have to wear a dress or suit!
Don’t you have services at
other times?
The Cathedral usually has six services on Sunday and four each
weekday, but we are best able to
accommodate groups at these services:
- Monday–Friday: Holy Eucharist at 12 noon
- Monday–Thursday during the academic year: Evensong at 5:30 pm
- Sunday: Holy Eucharist at 8:45 am
- Sunday: Holy Eucharist at 11:15 am
What about bringing a group to special
services like Christmas or Easter?
Many of our special services require free passes for admission.
Please check here for information on upcoming special services. As always, you would
need to reserve your visit if you plan to attend.
Accessibility
To help us better serve you, please let us know when you schedule your visit if there are visitors in wheelchairs or with other special needs. Most of the Cathedral’s areas are wheelchair accessible, we have amplification devices for our docents, and we will do our best to work with your group to meet your needs. Click here for additional information on accessibility.