Sight guide · Baltimore · United States
Visiting Baltimore Basilica
Designed by Benjamin Latrobe, architect of the US Capitol, and completed in 1821, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption was the first great Catholic cathedral built in the United States.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: The original uploader was Basilica1 at English Wikipedia ., Public domain
Quick answer
Baltimore Basilica is a religious site in Mount Vernon, Baltimore. Allow 45 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- Mount Vernon
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, architecture and history
- Best months
- March, September and November
About Baltimore Basilica
Designed by Benjamin Latrobe, architect of the US Capitol, and completed in 1821, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption was the first great Catholic cathedral built in the United States. A restoration brought back its original skylights, filling the neoclassical dome with natural light.
Tip: Visit outside service times, and look for the crypt and the skylit dome above the altar.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 45 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Mount Vernon, grand 19th-century squares around the Washington Monument.
Best time to visit Baltimore Basilica
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- March: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- September: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Baltimore has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Baltimore Basilica is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen National Aquarium and Historic Ships in Baltimore.
- No. 16 of the 18 sights in our Baltimore things-to-do list.
- Listed in free things to do in Baltimore.
Near Baltimore Basilica
Also in Mount Vernon, so you can walk between them:
- Washington Monument, Mount Vernon Place — 45 minutes, low cost
- Walters Art Museum — 2 hours, free
If you like Baltimore Basilica
- Fells Point waterfront — Fells Point, 2–3 hours
Staying near Baltimore Basilica
Stay in Mount Vernon ($$) to walk here: grand 19th-century squares around the Washington Monument. All areas to stay in Baltimore.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Baltimore Basilica?
Plan 45 minutes. With Washington Monument, Mount Vernon Place nearby, it fits a half-day in Mount Vernon.
+Is Baltimore Basilica free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Baltimore Basilica?
March, September and November, the quietest of the good months. Visit outside service times, and look for the crypt and the skylit dome above the altar.
+Do I need to book Baltimore Basilica in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.