Catholic Heritage Tour - Private

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7 hours (approx.)

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Overview

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.

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Licensed Tour Guide

Lunch There will be a lunch stop along the tour route enabling you to purchase your own meal.
Driver and Guide gratuities

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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Pickup details

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

What To Expect

St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Pass 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

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 • Admission Ticket Free

Gonzaga College High School (Pass 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.

The Catholic University of America (Pass 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

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 • Admission Ticket Free

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.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

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.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Embassy Row (Pass 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 (Pass 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 (Pass 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

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.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

St Augustine Church (Pass 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

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.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Specialized infant seats are available
This tour is not wheelchair accessible

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Catholic Heritage Tour – Private?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT). Read more Apr 2025