Old Post Office Tower

The Old Post Office Tower, in Washington

The Old Post Office is a magnificent building of the end of the nineteenth century, whose tower offers one of the finest panoramas of Washington. The Washington audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this former post office with remarkable architecture, on the prestigious Pennsylvania Avenue.

The former post office and its belvedere

You are in front of the magnificent building of the Old Post Office, the former post office of the town, built between 1892 and 1899. This imposing building, of Romanesque Revival style, stands out by its walls of massive granite, its semicircular arches, its turrets and above all by its high clock tower, that culminates at more than ninety metres and counts among the highest points of the capital. At the time of its construction, this bold and modern building contrasted with the dominant neoclassical architecture of Washington. Threatened with demolition over time, it was finally saved and restored, and has known several reconversions, notably into a luxury hotel. But what attracts above all the visitors is its tower: a lift allows to reach an observation platform located at its summit, from which you enjoy an exceptional three-hundred-and-sixty-degree panorama over Washington, its monuments, the National Mall and the Capitol. This view, free and often less frequented than other viewpoints of the town, is one of its finest secrets. A historic building and an exceptional belvedere, the Old Post Office Tower is a fine stop of the discovery of Washington.

What to see

You admire the former post office built between 1892 and 1899, an imposing Romanesque Revival building with walls of massive granite and a high clock tower culminating at more than ninety metres, one of the highest points of the capital; saved from demolition and reconverted, its tower offers from its observation platform an exceptional and free three-hundred-and-sixty-degree panorama over Washington. The Old Post Office Tower is a belvedere of Washington. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Old Post Office lies on the Pennsylvania Avenue, between the Capitol and the White House, in Washington, reachable on foot. Access to the observation platform of the tower is generally free and follows its own hours, which vary. It is best to check them before coming.

Why climb the Old Post Office Tower of Washington?

Because its high clock tower, culminating at more than ninety metres, shelters an observation platform from which you enjoy an exceptional three-hundred-and-sixty-degree panorama over Washington, its monuments, the National Mall and the Capitol; this view, free and often less frequented than others, is one of the finest secrets of the town.

Where is the Old Post Office Tower in Washington?

On the Pennsylvania Avenue, between the Capitol and the White House, in Washington, in the United States.