I’ve often felt that compared to all the monuments and attractions that D.C. offers, that the National Cathedral is unfortunately overlooked and underestimated. For statistical purposes, roughly 25 MILLION tourists travel to the capital each year and this national gem only gets 270 thousand visits a year (not limited to tourists). I have only been probably four times in the past 20 years.

I remember taking my grandmother who is a world-traveler and has seen monasteries, temples, cathedrals, and ruins from the “olden days.” She didn’t seem enthusiastic about going, but acquiesced after I pressured her, after all she was there to see me, so she didn’t much care where we were. In addition, the construction of this building began in 1907 in the presence of President Theodore Roosevelt and finished over 80 years later in the presence of President George H. W. Bush, which sounds great for most but not quite exciting to a foreigner who’s seen it all. Entering, she found herself surrounded by tremendous, vaulted ceilings, beautifully adorned with impeccable details including the brilliant glass-stained windows, her jaw dropped, and she was speechless (which is unheard of). She shuffled around uttering unfinished thoughts at me and methodically investigated every piece and detail, while absorbing the entirety with wonder in her eyes. That’s the best way I can think of describing the majestic place which is our National Cathedral.

This year, I was pleasantly surprised to have visited during mass. It gives the place a whole other level of spirituality and the choir’s angelic music ripples through the immenseness through low grumblings and sky-high voices. Goosebumps prickled me and I found myself tearing up from the absolute beauty and awesomeness surrounding me and flowing into me.

Ok, administration: there usually is a fee to enter, I believe it was around $6 but for some reason we weren’t charged, so I don’t know how accurate that is. There is an underground parking lot, which also charges, but it was open and free that day. It has an elevator, and everything is wheelchair friendly. There is more to the Cathedral’s inside. Outside it is surrounded by a bunch of grounds with luscious grass, seating areas, big colossal trees and there is a café which I dubbed “Hagrid’s Café” or “Dumbledore’s Inn” just from the looks of it. It was closed so I can’t comment on that. Right next to it we ran into (almost literally) a robust botanical garden full of flowers, herbs and other flora. It was full of people, including a photoshoot of a model, an art student working on her next masterpiece while listening to music in her earbuds, a young family with children were sharing Chinese takeout, an older gentleman sat in an interesting (hopefully comfortable) position under one of the old trees reading a book, and a young couple laid head to head on one of the benches taking selfies of themselves and giggling quietly.

Go visit and make sure you have time to fully explore and awe. Fun tip: One of the grotesque gargoyles found one of the gablets by the tallest pinnacles is designed as Darth Vader. Who ever said that the Church doesn’t have humor?!