Cleveland Park and the National Cathedral Grounds

Dubbed “The Queen of the Washington Suburbs” in 1903, Cleveland Park is one of the District’s most beautiful and architecturally eclectic neighborhoods. With a rich history that spans from its beginnings as pastoral farmland to the summer escape of wealthy Washingtonians to one of the first “streetcar suburbs,” Cleveland Park is well worth exploring. Named for presidential resident Grover Cleveland, the neighborhood boasts fanciful Victorian mansions, gorgeous gardens, and the second-largest cathedral in the United States.

Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, leads a visit to the National Cathedral’s grounds, including the Bishop’s Garden, inspired by medieval walled gardens and featuring both native plants and plants reflecting biblical and Christian history. She also explores Cleveland Park highlights such as the Rosedale Conservancy, the location of the oldest home in the District; the Newark Street site of Grover Cleveland’s summer home, Red Top; the William Slayton House, designed by I.M. Pei; and the apartment complex McLean Gardens, built on the former grounds of Friendship, the estate of Washington Post publisher John Roll McLean and his wife, Evalyn Walsh McLean, whose legendary Hope Diamond is part of the Smithsonian’s jewel collection.

Know Before You Go

• Tour participants meet on site outside the main entrance to the Washington National Cathedral, near the glass elevators. For GPS directions, use 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016
• The tour concludes near the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue, NW, and Idaho Avenue, NW.
• The tour involves one mile of walking.
• Sturdy walking shoes, bottled water, and comfortable clothes are recommended.
• The tour is limited to 25 participants.

Additional Date Options for this Tour

• May 16
• May 19

General Information

• Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
• Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
• For additional tour information:
• Study Tour Policies
• Refund/Cancellation Policy