Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The Basilica of The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., is the nation's largest Roman Catholic church. With its impressive architecture, it commands attention and draws over one million locals and tourists each year. It is open daily for Mass and Confession.

Parking and public transportation at Basilica of The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Ample free parking is available at the Basilica. The lot is located directly across from the church at the corner of Harewood Road, NE and Michigan Avenue. Handicapped spaces are available in a lot adjacent to the circular entrance road. The Basilica is also accessible via the Brookland-CUA Metro on the Red Line, about a five minute walking distance.

Best and worst time to go to Basilica of The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Holy days can be especially busy. Weekdays are less congested and more suitable for a leisurely tour of the grounds. Sunday Mass at noon is especially memorable because the Basilica's renowned Choir performs, but be prepared to brave the crowds.

Admission to Basilica of The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Admission is free at the Basilica of The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from April 1 through October 31 and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November 1 through March 31.

Must see/do at Basilica of The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Save some time to visit the 70 oratories and chapels on the upper and lower levels of the Basilica. Free guided one-hour tours are available daily and offer a deeper understanding of the church's history and artwork. Break for lunch at the Basilica cafeteria, located in the basement. The Annual Octave of Easter organ recital, held on the second Sunday of Easter, and the Annual Christmas Concert for Charity, held in December, are both musts for music lovers.

Other places to visit near Basilica of The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
The Smithsonian National Zoological Park (more commonly known as the National Zoo) is about a 10 minute drive from the Basilica. Visitors may wish to take in a late show at The Howard Theatre, also about 10 minutes away. Another Catholic landmark, the Saint John Paul II National Shrine, is a short walk down the street from the Basilica.

Insider tip for visitors to Basilica of The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
The Knights' Tower is the second tallest structure in the District and is only open to tour once a year. A limited number of free tickets are released in the summer. If you're lucky enough to scoop one up, you'll have access to the Knights' Tower tour in September. Follow the Basilica on social media or join their email list to stay abreast of ticket release dates.

Author's bio: Tanya Sharma has lived in the Washington, DC area for over 30 years. Her work has been published on AOL, Yahoo and several lifestyle and entertainment publications.