Land Adventures in DC: Cleveland Park & Cathedral Grounds Tour by DC Design Tours

About

Cleveland Park , dubbed "The Queen of the Washington Suburbs" in 1903, is one of DC’s most picturesque and architecturally eclectic neighborhoods. The neighborhood, once rolling farmland and a breezy summer escape for Washington’s elite, grew into a thriving streetcar suburb lined with fanciful Queen Anne, stately Colonial Revival, and striking early modernist homes. President Grover Cleveland, who the neighborhood is named for, summered here, and the towering Washington National Cathedral still commands the skyline from its hilltop perch.

On this walking tour, we’ll hear about the fascinating history of the second-largest cathedral in the country and explore its charming grounds. We’ll wind through Cleveland Park’s shady streets and uncover how architecture, landscape, and a carefully crafted community identity shaped this neighborhood into one of Washington’s most desirable addresses.

What We'll See

We’ll begin outside the Washington National Cathedral, where sky-high spires and intricate stonework set the tone. This Gothic Revival masterpiece is layered with religious symbolism, national stories, and even whimsical pop-culture cameos (yes, including Darth Vader). In the enchanting Bishop’s Garden, we’ll discover relics of medieval times, plants brought from the Holy Land, and a picturesque gazebo known as the Shadow House, repurposed from a presidential retreat.

Heading into the heart of Cleveland Park, we’ll admire an eclectic mix of architectural styles: turreted Queen Anne mansions, cozy Arts and Crafts bungalows, and midcentury landmarks like the William Slayton House, designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei. We’ll pause at the former site of Grover Cleveland’s summer manor, Oak View (now lost to history), before wandering through Rosedale, a rare surviving piece of the neighborhood’s rural past and home to DC’s oldest standing house. Our walk ends near McLean Gardens—once a Gilded Age estate, later redeveloped into a WWII-era apartment complex with its own intriguing and unexpected backstory.

Private & Group Tours

Private tours are available any day and time, for groups of all sizes! Check our private bookings calendar to reserve a walking tour for groups of up to twelve people. For times not listed online, groups larger than twelve, driving tours, or custom itineraries, please get in touch.

Tour Details

2 hours 1 mile Children under 5 years old are welcome for free. Sturdy walking shoes, bottled water and comfortable clothes are recommended.

Where to Meet

Find your guide outside the main entrance to the Washington National Cathedral, near the exterior glass elevators. GPS Address: 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 Your tour will end near the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Idaho Avenue.