Historic clock tower offering panoramic views of Washington, D.C., from a 270-foot observation deck accessed via a glass elevator inside a landmark federal building.

How to Get There

From Federal Triangle Metro Station, walk west on Pennsylvania Avenue NW and enter the tower via 12th Street NW between Constitution Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Overview

The Old Post Office Tower is one of Washington, D.C.’s best-kept secrets for sweeping city views. Operated by the National Park Service, the tower rises 270 feet above Pennsylvania Avenue and offers unobstructed vistas of the Capitol, Washington Monument, and beyond. Visitors ascend via a glass elevator and can explore exhibits detailing the building’s history and architecture. The tower also houses the Bells of Congress, replicas of those at Westminster Abbey, which are rung weekly by the Washington Ringing Society.

Originally completed in 1899, the Old Post Office was once the city’s main postal hub and is now part of the Waldorf Astoria hotel complex. Despite the hotel conversion, the tower remains publicly accessible and free to visit. With no reservations required and fewer crowds than the Washington Monument, it’s a perfect alternative for those seeking a memorable view of the capital. Rangers are on hand to answer questions, and the partially open-air deck offers a refreshing perspective on the city’s skyline.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Old Post Office Tower, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.