Washington National Cathedral Construction of Washington National Cathedral -- the sixth-largest cathedral in the world -- started in 1907 and finished in 1990, when the building was consecrated. Like its 14th-century Gothic counterparts, the stunning National Cathedral (officially the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul) has a nave, flying buttresses, transepts, and vaults that were built stone by stone.

On the grounds of the cathedral is the compact, English-style Bishop's Garden. Boxwoods, ivy, tea roses, yew trees, and an assortment of arches, bas-reliefs, and stonework from European ruins provide a restful counterpoint to the cathedral's towers. COST: Suggested tour donation $3.