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National Cathedral

One of our full days of visiting Washington DC in October, we will try to visit the National Cathedral. I found that the old towne trolley has them on their stop. We could go to Arlington Cemetery early on the trolley and then try for the Cathedral after lunch to go on a tour. Using the trolley or in those areas, what are some idea for other sites to be included on this day and any recommendations for lunch/supper or evening activities.
thank you

For lunch near the Cathedral, I highly recommend 2 Amy's pizza. I believe they are closed on Mondays, but you should double check. Two Amy's serves certified authentic Neopolitan pizza...fantastic. It's just a short walk from the Cathedral. Here's a link to a review:

http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/Profiles/2amys.html

Thanks for the suggestion--My 13yo nephew loves pizza

There are some good lunch places very close to the Cathedral. Just up Wisconsin Avenue, on either side of Macomb Street are Cafe Deluxe and Cactus Cantina (Tex-Mex). Just around the corner on Macomb Street is Two Amys, where they have very authentic Neapolitan pizza. If you haven't tried real Italian pizza, this is a chance without the usual jetlag.

A few blocks down Wisconsin Avenue (just past Calvert Steet) is Rocklands barbecue. Rocklands doesn't have tables, just some seats around one large table and along the window, but their barbecue is very good.

I grew up in DC, and my family there swear by 2 Amys and Cactus Cantina, which are practically right next to each other (2 Amys is off Wisc. Ave., CC right on the corner)

As for other sights right around the Cathedral, there really isn't anything other than a lovely residential neighborhood. However, in preparation for your visit to the Cathedral, (and to interest the 13 year old) try to get a guide for the gargoyles and the stained glass windows at the Cathedral...there are some very interesting ones. Trivia: Aside from the Space window, with a piece of moon rock, there are windows dedicated to labor leaders William Green and Samuel Gompers. If you know your union logos you can pick out many of them! If anyone is musically inclined, there is a "tour" of the magnificent organ -- we stumbled upon that 2 weeks ago.

Keep in mind that the Cathedral and the Cemetery are at opposite ends of the trolley routes. The drive will be interesting, but you will be covering a lot of territory on wheels, and may not have time to stop at the points in between, depending on the length of the tours, how much extra time you spend at the Cemetery and the Cathedral, and your stamina! If the Cemetery and Cathedral are the most important points for you, I suggest you get them both in, and then head back to the Mall to spend time at one or more of the museums or memorials that interest you. I have not been to the Spy Museum (a commercial operation, not Smithsonian), but my 82-year-old mother says it is worth the trip, after the first room which is a bit kitschy. Sounds good for a 13 year old...
Enjoy your trip!

Where would I obtain this guide to the gargoyles and the stained glass windows? Is it available online?

I don't believe the guides are available online -- you will find them onsite at the Cathedral. There is also a group Gargoyle tour, but it does not run daily. Here is the info:

http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/visit/gargoyle.shtml

Excellent!!! thank you
any other idea for a 13yo on that day

Georgetown is another possible stop for you. My only concern is time. It might not work for dinner. You don't want to miss the last trolley back. We had lunch there after visiting the cathedral. If you do end up there, Pizzeria Paradiso is pretty close to the trolley stop, and we thought it was very tasty.

The Naval Observatory could be of interest to a 13 yr old and some adults too. Prior to 9/11 my family took the Observatory tour and viewed through the huge telescope on a clear night. If it's still an available tour it would be very close to the National cathedral. You might give the Observatory a call and see if you could schedule a tour.

You might even get a chance to see our vice president as his home is there.

rphisms, check the cathedral website and find out if they are celebrating a special service for your state during your stay, and then go on that day if possible. It's a wonderful thing to be in the cathedral while they are honoring and praying for your state and its citizens!

There are great activity sheets for kids of different ages that your 13-year-old might find interesting. There are pictures and descriptions of things to find, such as carvings, windows, scenes, etc. If your nephew has a "where's waldo" bent he might find it fun.

For good Mexican food, head to Guapos on Wisconsin Avenue.

Thanks for the great imput. I read in another topic about a tea at the cathedral, I looked at website and could not locate info. Do they have these everyday? How do you sign up?