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As a DC native, one of my favorite places--often skipped by the touri--is the so-called National Cathedral(I think officially its the Cathedral of St. Peter & St. Paul). Yes its owned by the Episcopals, and unless you want to get mad, I wouldn't advise listening to a sermon there, however, its a full size gothic cathedral--as big and beautiful as any I've seen in England. It's on Wisconsin Avenue and Massachusetts Ave. uphill from Georgetown, which is in the North West (SAFE) part of DC.

Another neat thing about the cathedral, is they let you go up in the front towers. From there you have a complete vista of DC--comparable only to the view from the Washington Monument (without the lines).

The stained glass windows are incredible (be sure to take a tour) as is the size, architecture, and statuary of the place. It was only completed under Bush I, having been started in 1910.

I guess 80 years isn't bad in order to finish an authentic 13th century style cathedral.

It really is an awesome place--somewhere I never tire of.

Another neat thing about the cathedral, is they let you go up in the front towers. From there you have a complete vista of DC--comparable only to the view from the Washington Monument (without the lines).

It's a nice view ... but not nearly as nice as that from the Cairo.

(Stu feels himself getting ready to start a "best view" flame war, lol)

Whilst at the National Cathedral, about the middle of the nave, on the left hand side, is a dark blue stained glass window with a dark o in the middle of it. That "o" is a moon rock. The window is fantastic but the fact that it has a moon rock in it makes it something else completely.

For anyone who lives nearby, or is planning on an Easter trip, the weekend before Easter, Holy Week, and from Good Friday on, the arranging of the flowers and the decorations for Easter are a sight to behold. You have never seen so many flowers in your life, nor seen them as artfully arranged as these dedicated Flower Guild folks from the National Cathedral.

Off on the right side of the nave, toward the front, as a matter of fact, I think it's directly to the right of the Communion rail, is the Children's Chapel. They always arrange a child-size garden there and it is worth the visit for this little treasure alone.

"I guess 80 years isn't bad in order to finish an authentic 13th century style cathedral."

Actually, the Nat'l Cathedral, while it copies the basic concept, is quite austere and more modernistic - its simplicity makes it less a true replica of anything medieval. You won't see a whole lot of intricacies in the masonry or the stained glass. It's very nice but not the complex art that real Catholic cathedrals were. Which surprised me when I finally visited several years ago.