Hip guide to Catholic and Episcopal Georgetown
Things locals think are cool
William Peter Blatty was a devout Catholic, and he actually believed his book would convert people to the faith. I have great memories of these stairs shrouded in purple smoke when it was designated a DC landmark. You don't want to spend a lot of time here, but taking a walk down and then up again might be memorable. Good for posing a photo, too! I knew Bill, so feel free to ask about him.
31 moradores locais recomendam
The Exorcist Steps
3600 Prospect St NWWilliam Peter Blatty was a devout Catholic, and he actually believed his book would convert people to the faith. I have great memories of these stairs shrouded in purple smoke when it was designated a DC landmark. You don't want to spend a lot of time here, but taking a walk down and then up again might be memorable. Good for posing a photo, too! I knew Bill, so feel free to ask about him.
In cherry blossom season they have the exact same trees as those down by the Jefferson Memorial, but in a completely different setting. I do think first-timers should see the "real" cherry blossoms, but if you want an alternative and shadier experience to discuss with friends, Dumbarton Oaks makes a nice half-day, with lunch nearby before or after. This one takes a bit of research, because at first glance it just seems like a house, a museum, and some grounds. Try to get on a tour.
39 moradores locais recomendam
Dumbarton Oaks Park
R Street NorthwestIn cherry blossom season they have the exact same trees as those down by the Jefferson Memorial, but in a completely different setting. I do think first-timers should see the "real" cherry blossoms, but if you want an alternative and shadier experience to discuss with friends, Dumbarton Oaks makes a nice half-day, with lunch nearby before or after. This one takes a bit of research, because at first glance it just seems like a house, a museum, and some grounds. Try to get on a tour.
Hidden gem if you ride. I've told students about it over the years. My background with horses was many years ago, brief and young, but this is a special place for riders.
13 moradores locais recomendam
Rock Creek Park Horse Center
5100 Glover Rd NWHidden gem if you ride. I've told students about it over the years. My background with horses was many years ago, brief and young, but this is a special place for riders.
Where locals dine
Upstairs is expensive and in my opinion worth it, but immediately next door and downstairs is the much-cheaper Tombs pub that works off of the same kitchen. Both are dripping in character, and define what it means to be part of Georgetown University. Every priest you ever met connected to Georgetown has had a million meals here.
1789 is not great for families, but The Tombs is.
27 moradores locais recomendam
1789
1226 36th St NWUpstairs is expensive and in my opinion worth it, but immediately next door and downstairs is the much-cheaper Tombs pub that works off of the same kitchen. Both are dripping in character, and define what it means to be part of Georgetown University. Every priest you ever met connected to Georgetown has had a million meals here.
1789 is not great for families, but The Tombs is.
This pub is next to and underneath 1789, and it is a campus tradition going back to 1962. From the rowing memorabilia to the names of student bartenders in brass on the bar, there's a lot to absorb. Somewhat creative pub fare is usually above average, although it can vary. TBH I don't go much after 24 years here, because I got tired of running into awkward coworkers, but for visitors to Georgetown it should truly not be missed. Reservations are helpful.
20 moradores locais recomendam
The Tombs
1226 36th St NWThis pub is next to and underneath 1789, and it is a campus tradition going back to 1962. From the rowing memorabilia to the names of student bartenders in brass on the bar, there's a lot to absorb. Somewhat creative pub fare is usually above average, although it can vary. TBH I don't go much after 24 years here, because I got tired of running into awkward coworkers, but for visitors to Georgetown it should truly not be missed. Reservations are helpful.
A lot of "old Georgetown" is gone now, and the pandemic took away a few more favorites, but Clydes lives on. It is owned by the same group that owns The Old Ebbitt Grill, 1789, and The Tombs. It's a pub like The Tombs but with a slightly more upmarket feel, and there is minor overlap on the menus. This is a great alternate if The Tombs is too crowded. Reservations are usually wise.
28 moradores locais recomendam
Clyde's of Georgetown
3236 M St NWA lot of "old Georgetown" is gone now, and the pandemic took away a few more favorites, but Clydes lives on. It is owned by the same group that owns The Old Ebbitt Grill, 1789, and The Tombs. It's a pub like The Tombs but with a slightly more upmarket feel, and there is minor overlap on the menus. This is a great alternate if The Tombs is too crowded. Reservations are usually wise.
You'll probably hear about Georgetown Cupcake (it even had a TV show for a while), and if that was important to you coming in, then you should definitely get your selfie there just because. However, locals don't go there as much. True locals prefer Baked and Wired, and once you see the cupcakes you'll get it. Big, creative, tasty... plus the staff is nicer. HINT, however, if you insist on going to Georgetown Cupcake but don't want to wait in that ridiculous line, you can order online and then jump the line to pick up. Be prepared to be yelled at by someone who doesn't know this is okay, but you're right, they're wrong. Or just make your life easier and go to B&W.
141 moradores locais recomendam
Baked & Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson St NWYou'll probably hear about Georgetown Cupcake (it even had a TV show for a while), and if that was important to you coming in, then you should definitely get your selfie there just because. However, locals don't go there as much. True locals prefer Baked and Wired, and once you see the cupcakes you'll get it. Big, creative, tasty... plus the staff is nicer. HINT, however, if you insist on going to Georgetown Cupcake but don't want to wait in that ridiculous line, you can order online and then jump the line to pick up. Be prepared to be yelled at by someone who doesn't know this is okay, but you're right, they're wrong. Or just make your life easier and go to B&W.
Catholic mass
A great alternative to Holy Trinity, and it often offers a really cool and quite student-y 10 p.m. mass. It may be closed summer of 2021 because of the pandemic (you can check online), but it should be back in the fall, starting in September.
Copley Crypt Chapel
GeorgetownA great alternative to Holy Trinity, and it often offers a really cool and quite student-y 10 p.m. mass. It may be closed summer of 2021 because of the pandemic (you can check online), but it should be back in the fall, starting in September.
It's actually not my first choice (I attend private services in the Visitation monastery), but it IS historic. Joe Biden often attends mass when he's in town, as does Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, etc. Tim Shriver used to go to daily mass at 5:30 and may do so post-pandemic. If you notice a trend toward the progressive, it's true. If you want more conservative services, you can go across the river to the Arlington diocese, or head over to "Little Rome," the area around Catholic University. The Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception leans more conservative, and there are services with the nearby Dominicans, Franciscans, etc.
Do NOT drive here. Walk, or find some other way to get around (Uber, Lyft, Via, Free2Move cars on the street by the hour, etc.).
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
3513 N St NWIt's actually not my first choice (I attend private services in the Visitation monastery), but it IS historic. Joe Biden often attends mass when he's in town, as does Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, etc. Tim Shriver used to go to daily mass at 5:30 and may do so post-pandemic. If you notice a trend toward the progressive, it's true. If you want more conservative services, you can go across the river to the Arlington diocese, or head over to "Little Rome," the area around Catholic University. The Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception leans more conservative, and there are services with the nearby Dominicans, Franciscans, etc.
Do NOT drive here. Walk, or find some other way to get around (Uber, Lyft, Via, Free2Move cars on the street by the hour, etc.).
Love this for mass. It's so beautiful, and its gardens are a treasure. I believe it is fully reopened after the pandemic, but double-check online. You'll think you are in the Holy Land. Also see my entry for the neighborhood, aka "Little Rome."
74 moradores locais recomendam
Monastério franciscano da terra sagrada
1400 Quincy St NELove this for mass. It's so beautiful, and its gardens are a treasure. I believe it is fully reopened after the pandemic, but double-check online. You'll think you are in the Holy Land. Also see my entry for the neighborhood, aka "Little Rome."
Beautiful masses, smells and bells, more monastic than most. Please check online because I don't know how open they are post-pandemic, depending on when you consult this guide. A quick phone call wouldn't hurt: https://dhs.edu/
Dominican House of Studies
487 Michigan Avenue NortheastBeautiful masses, smells and bells, more monastic than most. Please check online because I don't know how open they are post-pandemic, depending on when you consult this guide. A quick phone call wouldn't hurt: https://dhs.edu/
Whoo, beautiful, old, and holy. I love this place in DC's "Little Rome" neighborhood. As with all things, be sure to check online and give a call for their post-pandemic availability. https://www.stanselms.org/
Saint Anselm's Abbey
4501 South Dakota Avenue NortheastWhoo, beautiful, old, and holy. I love this place in DC's "Little Rome" neighborhood. As with all things, be sure to check online and give a call for their post-pandemic availability. https://www.stanselms.org/
Our bishop, Wilton Gregory, often celebrates mass here. It is lovely, historic, and part of the heartbeat of Catholic Washington.
6 moradores locais recomendam
Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle
1725 Rhode Island Ave NWOur bishop, Wilton Gregory, often celebrates mass here. It is lovely, historic, and part of the heartbeat of Catholic Washington.
Korean-language mass is at 9 a.m. in this tiny church, and I find its oldschool interior charming. If you want Korean mass, by all means attend, but I don't think it's as great of a choice for English-language masses given the historic offerings all over the city (it's sweet, but the non-Korean congregation is quite small).
Epiphany Catholic Church
2712 Dumbarton St NWKorean-language mass is at 9 a.m. in this tiny church, and I find its oldschool interior charming. If you want Korean mass, by all means attend, but I don't think it's as great of a choice for English-language masses given the historic offerings all over the city (it's sweet, but the non-Korean congregation is quite small).
If you speak Italian or just want to go to mass in Italian, Holy Rosary is quite popular, and the D6 bus from Georgetown takes you almost to their doorstep.
Holy Rosary Church
595 3rd St NWIf you speak Italian or just want to go to mass in Italian, Holy Rosary is quite popular, and the D6 bus from Georgetown takes you almost to their doorstep.
Episcopal services
Women priests! Two of them. I pray with them on Tuesday nights. Reverend Gini Gerbasi was also present at the other St. John's near the White House when President T$&*%p used it as his staging ground for a crass religious photo op, and teargassed people (including her) out of the way to do it. https://www.newsweek.com/reverend-says-she-was-tear-gassed-outside-white-house-so-trump-could-hold-bible-look-christian-1508074
St. John's Episcopal Church
Women priests! Two of them. I pray with them on Tuesday nights. Reverend Gini Gerbasi was also present at the other St. John's near the White House when President T$&*%p used it as his staging ground for a crass religious photo op, and teargassed people (including her) out of the way to do it. https://www.newsweek.com/reverend-says-she-was-tear-gassed-outside-white-house-so-trump-could-hold-bible-look-christian-1508074
Yes and yes, even if you're not Episcopalian (I'm Catholic). It's a treasure, and technically interfaith. If you are from a US state, please check online to see if/when they will honor your state with special things. Be sure to take a gargoyle tour. https://cathedral.org/
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Catedral Nacional de Washington
Yes and yes, even if you're not Episcopalian (I'm Catholic). It's a treasure, and technically interfaith. If you are from a US state, please check online to see if/when they will honor your state with special things. Be sure to take a gargoyle tour. https://cathedral.org/
Catholic parts of the city
If you're Catholic, this lives up to its name, Little Rome. https://www.catholic.edu/about-us/the-heart-of-washington-d-c/little-rome/index.html The Basilica is worth a visit, but it is notoriously echoey, and the controversial huge mosaic of Jesus alarms some mass-goers (http://blog.adw.org/2018/11/awesome-or-awful-a-reflection-on-the-mosaic-of-christ-in-majesty-at-the-basilica-in-washington-2/). Instead, my favorite Brookland mass is at the Franciscan Friars, but there is also a neighborhood treasure in St. Anthony of Padua church (historically black) on 12th Street NE. The Dominicans have beautiful services, too. Don't forget the John Paul II Center, especially if your faith is more conservative (I lean left). I'll list them separately as well.
33 moradores locais recomendam
Brookland
If you're Catholic, this lives up to its name, Little Rome. https://www.catholic.edu/about-us/the-heart-of-washington-d-c/little-rome/index.html The Basilica is worth a visit, but it is notoriously echoey, and the controversial huge mosaic of Jesus alarms some mass-goers (http://blog.adw.org/2018/11/awesome-or-awful-a-reflection-on-the-mosaic-of-christ-in-majesty-at-the-basilica-in-washington-2/). Instead, my favorite Brookland mass is at the Franciscan Friars, but there is also a neighborhood treasure in St. Anthony of Padua church (historically black) on 12th Street NE. The Dominicans have beautiful services, too. Don't forget the John Paul II Center, especially if your faith is more conservative (I lean left). I'll list them separately as well.