Old Post Office Pavilion

Historical landmark · Federal Triangle

Old Post Office Pavilion

Historical landmark · Federal Triangle

1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004

Highlights

19th-century former post office building turned high-end lodging, with dining & a spa.

1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004 Get directions

nps.gov

@cntraveler

"This massive Romanesque Revival building completed in 1899 is covered with arches and turrets. It's a formidable presence on Pennsylvania Avenue, nicknamed America's Main Street. The building is now the grand home of the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. (the tower entrance is at the back of the hotel next to Sushi Nakazawa). This is also DC's second tallest structure, according to the GSA, second only to the nation capital's most recognizable building: the Washington Monument. But the Old Post Office Tower is much lower-profile for the tourist hordes, which makes a visit here a cheat code for taking in a sweeping view of the Washington skyline. No tickets or reservations are needed for a trip to the 270-foot observation deck within the clock tower." - Adele Chapin

14 Best Things to Do in Washington, DC

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@travelleisure

"Occupying prime real estate in downtown D.C., the Old Post Office Tower soars 270 feet above Pennsylvania Avenue, and it offers breathtaking views of some of the capital's most famous landmarks, including the White House, U.S. Congress, Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial. The beautiful 19th-century building, which also houses the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, is open for self-guided tours daily." - Travel + Leisure Editors

The Best Things to Do in Washington, D.C.

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Joe MacKenzie

Google

Go up to the top of the pavilion to get to the clock tower for incredible views with no line- for FREE! What a cool spot. Highly recommend! Inside has been converted into a hotel- and a SUPER FANCY one! Way out of a normal persons price range to stay the night- but you can go in and enjoy the lobby for free as well.

Sanja Mehremic

Google

Entrance is free. Bathroom available. Waited an hour+ to get inside. Only 25 people can go up to the top. You do have have pictures and information to read while waiting. While going up you can see inside the Peacock Alley restaurant. Definitely an activity I'd do on a weekday and much earlier in the day to avoid the waiting.

Mary Lee Carter

Google

Here’s what you need to know: - Don’t plan this around any timed ticketed museums; they sometimes have to close it without warning (it is inside the hotel, so I assume that has something to do with it) but the security guard will tell you when it will reopen during the day - Standard museum rules apply RE: security. No open food, and water bottles must be stashed into bags. They have a table you can leave these items on if you wish - smaller groups are better. Only so many people can get in the elevator at once - there is a line to get in the first elevator, a line to get in the second elevator, and a line to get in that first line I mentioned. The staff is wonderful and does their best with the small space that the hotel provides. I personally would not wait for this if you see more than 15 people waiting outside, because most of the line is inside where you can’t see it - clean restrooms and drinking water available - no seating for any of the lines, but the indoor space is comfortably air-conditioned and has things to read on the walls

Zachery McGavitt

Google

Really neat spot being the old post office as well as more recently the former Trump hotel. Second highest vantage point in the city after the Washington monument. And it’s free!

Anthony P

Google

The Old Post Office was built in 1899 and features a beautiful hotel now, but also free access (9-4 daily) to the 270ft observation deck in the clock tower, overseen by the National Park Service. The NPS reckons you can see about 12 miles in any direction from the open tower windows. There are NPS guided tours throughout the day and sometimes special events, so check the NPS website for more info before you go. This is important because it does close down periodically for maintenance, and those days are also on the website. We tried to get up there on a weekend and it was a 2 hour wait. I went on a weekday in the afternoon and had the entire tower to myself with one of the awesome ranger’s pointing out all of the cool sites I knew nothing about - it was like a complete VIP experience for free. There is also a museum - signs on a hallway wall really - that explain the history of the area as well as the building itself - definitely a spot to hit.

Michael Vandeford

Google

Can't get tickets to the Washington monument, no worries, this place is just as good if not better. Located in the Waldorf Astoria the old post office is free and gives you great views of DC. The door to the tower/elevator is behind the main entrance of the hotel, across the street from the Federal triangle Metro stop, signs will guide you. You will take two elevators to the open air tower and will be provided with some great views of DC.

Tobey 055

Google

Go around to the back entrance of the hotel. Signs will point you. Take a left BEFORE you get to the next building. Looks like a small parking lot. Security will check bags. No strollers allowed or large bookbags. May be left downstairs with the security guards. Arrive early to avoid line. You can skip all the info on the walls and read them on your way out.

A. H. M. Rezaul Karim

Google

A beautiful landmark in the heart of DC. It's free for the general public and everyone can go up to the top of the bell tower and have the mesmerizing view of the entire District of Columbia. The place has elevators for easy access to the top floor and the lobby. It's not too crowded at the top but it is narrow there. The view is amazing and it's a destination everyone visiting DC should go to.

@cntraveler

14 Best Things to Do in Washington, DC

View Postcard for Old Post Office Pavilion

@travelleisure

The Best Things to Do in Washington, D.C.

View Postcard for Old Post Office Pavilion

Joe MacKenzie

Google

Sanja Mehremic

Google

Mary Lee Carter

Google

Zachery McGavitt

Google

Really neat spot being the old post office as well as more recently the former Trump hotel. Second highest vantage point in the city after the Washington monument. And it’s free!

Anthony P

Google

Michael Vandeford

Google

Tobey 055

Google

A. H. M. Rezaul Karim

Google

Old Post Office Pavilion

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