Tours & Pilgrimages
Discover the History, Art, and Architecture of OLV National Shrine & Basilica
Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning for the 100th, OLV National Shrine & Basilica has a way of revealing something new with every step!
Guided tours offer a deep and enriching look at the Shrine's remarkable history, its stunning architecture, and the extraordinary works of art that fill every corner of this sacred space. Walk the marble-floored nave, gaze upward at the breathtaking dome painting of the Assumption and Coronation of the Blessed Mother, discover the stories behind the 14 Italian marble Stations of the Cross, and visit the Grotto Shrine where Venerable Nelson Baker rests. There is more here than any single visit can fully take in...and that is precisely the point.
Guided Tours for School, Parish, Organization, or Pilgrimage Groups
OLV National Shrine & Basilica welcomes school groups, parish pilgrimages, religious organizations, and other visiting groups for guided tours of the Shrine. Tours take in the Basilica's breathtaking interior, including the Main Altar, the stained-glass windows, the radiating chapels and altars, the Grotto Shrine and Father Baker's tomb, the baptistry, and the Father Baker Museum in the lower level. Along the way, your guide will share the history of Father Baker, the story of the Shrine's construction, and the meaning behind its remarkable collection of sacred art.
To schedule a group tour, contact Carolyn at (716) 828-9444 or by email through the Contact Us page on our website.
Group tours are available Monday through Thursday and Saturday between 1 and 5 p.m., provided they do not conflict with scheduled Masses, weddings, or funerals. Please allow ample time when calling to schedule a tour — we will do our best to accommodate all requests.
Tours are free of charge. Donations are gratefully accepted and go directly toward the cost of ongoing restoration and maintenance of the Shrine.
Tours for Individuals and Families
Individual visitors and families are welcome to attend Mass, explore the Basilica at their own pace, and browse the OLV Gift Shop and Father Baker Museum in the lower level. Admission is always free and visitors of all faiths are welcome.
Public guided tours are offered on Sundays at 1 p.m. No reservation is required for the Sunday public tour.
For a private guided tour at another time, please contact us at (716) 828-9444 to discuss availability.
Planning Your Pilgrimage
OLV National Shrine & Basilica is a place of deep spiritual significance for Catholics throughout Western New York and beyond. If your group wishes to include a Mass, time for private prayer, or participation in one of the Shrine's devotional offerings — such as the Rosary prayed Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. or Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — please let us know when you contact us to schedule your visit. We will work with you to create a meaningful and prayerful experience for your group.
The Basilica is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday until 7:30 p.m., and Sunday until 6 p.m. Ample parking is available behind the Shrine, accessible off South Park Avenue (Route 62). The Basilica is fully wheelchair accessible via ramps and elevator.
Take a Virtual 3D Tour of the Basilica
Can't visit in person right now? Experience the wonder of OLV National Shrine & Basilica from wherever you are. Our self-guided virtual 3D tour allows you to explore the Basilica's magnificent interior — the soaring nave, the painted dome, the chapels and altars, the Grotto Shrine, and more — using your mouse or touchpad to move through the space as if you were walking the marble floors yourself.
