The Cathedral of St. John the Divine's magnificent stone structure (which is roughly the length of two football fields, making it the largest cathedral in the world—larger than Notre Dame and Chartres combined), continues to be a work- in-progress and is likely still to be under construction decades from now. Concerts and other secular events are frequently held here. Guided tours are available—and strongly recommended.
Best and worst times to go to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Although the cathedral is busiest on weekends, it is large enough to withstand the crowds. Remember, though, that this is a place of worship. You will not be able to inspect the altars during a service or special event, nor will you be allowed to take flash photos. If your interest is primarily in the Cathedral's architecture, art or history, it would be wise to avoid coming here on Sunday mornings.
Must see/do at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Look for the beautiful stained-glass windows in the bays on either side of the nave, which are dedicated to what one tour guide called "human endeavors." For example, one window is devoted to sports. You will see biblical figures in each frame of the window, surrounded by scenes of football, soccer, and baseball players. Other windows are dedicated to topics such as American history, the armed forces, and medicine.
Another "must see" is the Poet's Corner, where the names of famous American authors lie in the floor with a quote from each author underneath and the wall where children's poems are posted.
Finally, don't miss the nineteen two-foot tall statues that surround the front of the high altar. Each statue is of a significant individual who lived in one of the last twenty centuries. Most of these statues are of religious figures, beginning with Saint Paul. But Christopher Columbus, Shakespeare, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln are also represented.
Admission to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The Cathedral is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Visitor Center and Pop-Up Shop are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Cathedral's gardens and grounds are open during daylight hours. Visiting the Cathedral and taking a self-guided tour is free, although there is a suggested donation of $10. Prices for guided tours range from $7 to $17, depending on the specific tour you choose and whether you are eligible for a student/senior discount.
Parking and Public Transportation to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The Cathedral is located at 112th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, one block east of Broadway. Although the Cathedral does not have parking facilities, there is on-street and garage parking available in the neighborhood.
By subway, take the 1, B, or C train to the 110th Street/Cathedral Parkway stop.
By bus, take the M4, M60, or M104 to Broadway at 112th Street; or take the M11 to Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street.
Insider tip for visitors to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals, which occurs on the first Sunday of October, is an extremely popular event. People bring all kinds of pets to be blessed and an elephant leads the procession down the aisle of the Cathedral.
Other places to visit near the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The Cathedral is located in Morningside Heights, which is also home to Columbia University.
Author's Bio: Victoria Franzese is a proud New Yorker who owned, operated, and wrote for a successful online travel guide for 15 years. Now, thankfully, all of her travel is purely for fun. See where she's going next at @VOFranzese.
