Pope John Paul II Cultural Center -- Plan A Visit

General Information | Directions | Group Visit Information | Group Reservation Form | Confirmation Program

Activities for Children
Children 0-5: Build with blocks; create art rubbings of saints, angels and nature; ring the bells; play dress up; and watch Bible stories under a tent.
Children 5-8: ring the bells; discover melody selections from Catholic hymnals; and create an electronic stained-glass window.
Children 8 & up: participate in a scavenger hunt, available at the Admissions Desk.

"You have a facility that offers a unique social and spiritual atmosphere in a top-notch environment. ... your institution has the potential to impact peoples lives and our world in a positive way. We were extremely impressed and inspired by the presentation and effectiveness of your interactive displays."

Travel Directions to the Center

Pope John Paul II Cultural Center
3900 Harewood Road, NE
Washington, DC 20017

Click here for door-to-door directions courtesy of MapQuest.

From the North - I-95, I-495 and I-295
Take Route 50 West and exit onto South Dakota Avenue, NE. Follow South Dakota and turn left onto Monroe Stree, NE and follow it to Michigan Avenue. Turn right onto Harewood Road, NE just past the entrance to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Cultural Center is on the left about ½ mile down the road.

From the West - Route 66
Route 66 from Virginia empties onto Constitution Avenue. Continue east on Constitution Avenue past 2nd Street N.W., and turn left on Louisiana Avenue. At the fifth light, turn left on North Capitol Street. Drive approximately 2.1 miles and turn right on Michigan Avenue. At third light, turn first left onto Harewood Road. The Cultural Center is on the left about ½ mile down the road.

From the South - I-95 from Richmond
When I-95 intersects the Capital Beltway (Routes 495 and 95), get on Route 395 (Shirley Highway). Follow Route 395 north across the Potomac River until it ends at New York Avenue, where you must turn right. Bear right on M Street. Watch for a sign directing you to North Capitol Street where you will turn left. Drive for approximately 1.4 miles and turn right onto Michigan Avenue. At the third light, turn left onto Harewood Road. The Cultural Center is on the left about ½ mile down the road.

From the East
Take Route 50 West and exit on South Dakota Avenue. Drive approximately 1.3 miles. Turn left on Monroe Street and stay on Monroe until it merges with Michigan Avenue. Turn right at Harewood Road, NE just past the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Cultural Center is on the left about ½ mile down the road.

From Route 270
Follow 270 South to Washington, D.C., to 495 East. Take Exit 25 (Route 1 South). At the exit make a right onto Route 1 South. Approximately 3.5 miles make a right at the light onto 410 East-West Highway. At the first light turn left onto Queens Chapel Road/Michigan Avenue. Drive approximately three miles. Turn right onto Harewood Road just past the entrance to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Cultural Center is on the left about ½ mile down the road.

Via Metrorail
Reach the Cultural Center on the Red Line. Disembark at the Brookland/CUA station. From the station, exit to Brookland Ave/ Catholic University and go to Michigan Ave to the left. Follow Michigan Avenue approximately ½ mile to Harewood Road, NE just past the entrance to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Turn right onto Harewood Road, and the Cultural Center is approximately ½ mile on the left.