This tour is free but requires registration. Space is extremely limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

An oasis in the heart of Northeast Washington D.C., the Franciscan Monastery’s lush gardens offer peaceful respite from the city’s energy. The formal gardens and grounds, designed in 1919, feature a beautiful array of roses, tulips, and native plants; a full-size Lourdes Grotto and other shrines; a 107-year-old greenhouse; beehives; and a cemetery still in use for the burial of friars. Join other Smithsonian Associates donors for a guided tour through the gardens and take in their seasonal blooms. If you wish to learn more about this iconic Catholic pilgrimage site, the Church will be open before and after the tour for self-guided exploration.

General Information

• Participants meet on site in front of the Franciscan Monastery Visitor Center, 1400 Quincy Street, NE
• Free parking is available in the Monastery parking lot across the street from the Church, 1400 Quincy Street.