New York City St. Patrick's Cathedral

The Basics

St. Patrick’s is a New York icon and rich in the city’s lore: F. Scott Fitzgerald wed Zelda Sayre at the cathedral, and Babe Ruth’s funeral was held here. Today, St. Patrick’s awes visitors with its white marble edifice, enormous bronze doors, and numerous altars. A recent restoration, which involved cleaning and repairing the cathedral’s interior and exterior, means St. Patrick’s looks more impressive than ever.

Thanks to its accessible location in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a popular stop on hop-on hop-off bus tours, private driving and walking tours, self-guided audio tours, bicycle tours, and more. During the festive season, the cathedral is additionally included in a number of Christmas-themed itineraries. St. Patrick’s also offers guided group tours that you can book in advance, plus open public tours held at 10am on select days.

Things to Know Before You Go

• St. Patrick’s is a don’t-miss for fans of religious architecture, history buffs, and the faithful.

• A self-guided audio tour of St. Patrick’s is available via smartphone app, as well as handheld devices provided by the cathedral.

• The cathedral hosts Mass at different times throughout the day; during Mass, no talking or photography is permitted.

• The cathedral is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

How to Get There

Located in bustling Midtown Manhattan, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is easy to access. The 1, 2, 4, 6, D, and E subway lines all stop within a few blocks of the landmark, while Grand Central Terminal, which includes access to Metro-North trains and additional subway lines, is roughly a 10-block walk away. You can also reach St. Patrick’s on foot or by taxi or bus.

When to Get There

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is open daily from 6:30am to 8pm, with varying hours during the holidays. Visit on Sunday afternoons for the cathedral’s organ recital series, or attend period guest choir concerts; both are free and open to the public. Christmas and Easter are particularly festive times to visit St. Patrick’s, as it hosts a special schedule of Masses.

Celebrating Christmas at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Midnight Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is given by the Archbishop of New York, is one of New York’s most popular Christmas traditions. Tickets are available on a lottery basis; register in advance. If you are unable to attend, the cathedral also hosts a Christmas Eve Vigil Mass at 5:30pm, and Christmas Day Mass at 8am and 12pm.

Is visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral worth it?

Yes, visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral is worth it. As one of the most famous churches in New York City—and the largest Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral in the country—it’s a major monument, and the seat of the Archbishop of New York. It’s known for its beautiful architecture and stained-glass windows.

Do you need reservations to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral?

No, you don’t need reservations to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and there are no admission fees for visitors. Most sightseeing visits to the church are conducted independently, although visitors can pay to go on a self-led, audio-guide tour of the church, or pay for a VIP, docent-led tour.

How long does it take to tour St. Patrick’s Cathedral?

That depends—if you opt to purchase a self-led, audio-guide tour of the church, it lasts for around 50 minutes. If you upgrade to a docent-led, VIP tour, it lasts for around one hour. Otherwise, visits to the cathedral are conducted independently, according to your own schedule.

What is the best month to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral?

There’s rarely a bad time to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, but it is likely to be especially busy during the summer high season—visit during other times of year for a calmer experience. The cathedral also hosts special masses for Christmas, Easter, and St. Patrick’s Day, which are busy and ticketed.

Does St. Patrick’s Cathedral have a dress code?

While St. Patrick’s Cathedral does not have a strict dress code, as it is a very active place of worship, modest dress is encouraged. Visitors should avoid wearing anything very revealing and can cover their shoulders and knees out of respect. Also, wearing hats is frowned upon.

Can you take photos at St. Patrick’s Cathedral?

Yes, you can take personal photos inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral—the architecture is so beautiful that it makes sense to want to capture it. However, it’s best not to use your flash, so you can avoid disturbing worshippers. Additionally, don’t take photos or videos during Mass or other church services.

Ways to explore

You can enter St. Patrick’s Cathedral at any time during opening hours. It’s a popular stop on hop-on, hop-off bus tours and walking tours that focus on the city’s architectural landmarks. You can join an official guided tour or follow a self-guided audio tour using your smartphone or a tablet (available with headphones to rent).

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is an active Catholic Church, and there may be a wedding, baptism, or Mass taking place when you visit. During special events, certain areas may be closed. Be discreet and talk to an usher to find out when closed areas will reopen.

Accessibility

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is wheelchair accessible.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Headphones for the audio guide (available for a fee), camera

What to wear

Men must remove hats before entering the cathedral, and all guests are encouraged to cover their shoulders and knees.

Not allowed

Food or drink (except water), talking on the phone, balloons, banners

Amenities

Wi-Fi, holy water font

Address

New York City St. Patrick’s Cathedral is located on Fifth Avenue, between 50th and 51st streets in Midtown Manhattan. Its towering spires face Rockefeller Center and its iconic statue, Atlas.

Driving

Navigating Midtown Manhattan’s traffic-choked streets can be stressful, and parking rates are expensive. If it’s possible, consider using a taxi, booking a rideshare service, or taking public transportation instead.

Public transportation

The 5th Avenue/53rd Street subway station is a 3-minute walk away and is served by the E and M trains. Other nearby options include the 50th Street, 49th Street, and 51st Street stations.

Best times to visit

Visit at the top of the hour to hear the cathedral bells, which are rung on the hour, every hour.

Best days to visit

You can hear the St. Patrick’s Cathedral Choir sing during the second mass on Sundays, typically from September through June.

Best months to visit

Usually, you’ll experience a quieter visit during New York City’s tourism shoulder seasons from March to May and September to November.

Special events

The cathedral hosts special Masses on Christmas Day, Easter Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, and Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day; all require tickets.