Old Post Office Pavilion — Attraction in Washington

The Old Post Office building faced two attempts of demolition, the first in 1934 and the second in 1971. However, this massive granite building, was built to stay, and show to the world that history must be preserved not demolished.

Unfortunately, the new vision for the Old Post Office is one that forgets history for profit, and it should be used as a classical example of what We the People should expect when private investment replaces full government control.

The outside area of the building you can see the splendid beauty Romanesque architecture (the rounded arches, massive stone walls, and decorative arcades). However, I was shocked to see a convoy of limousines parked on the PEDESTRIAN side walk.

Entering the Old Post Office Museum & Clock Tower I felt like a squeezed animal, walking through a labyrinth of straight hallways, crowded with people, with little to none enjoyment of the views. I had the impression that so little of the old Post Office building is accessible for We the People (crumbles). For sure you still able to see the DC Metro Area in all its glory, but for security reasons, some of the views are obstructed by wires , and don’t you dare to touch those wires, not even by accident.

Visitors can have access to public restrooms inside the building, but don’t expect access to a light snack or beverage, for that your only option is to enter the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, in the grand atrium (Peacock Alley), and experience the culinary artistry of Michelin-starred chef José Andrés and his team. But, please don’t forget the dress code: dress in dinner-appropriate attire, sophisticated and chic.

Yes, We the People, can buy our way into the left side of the building (grand atrium/Peacock Alley/Hotel), and access all what the attraction has to offer, for a promotional weekend get way or whatever, but doing so we are just feeding the beast.

The only reason I give it a 4stars is because the of the splendid beauty Romanesque architecture of...

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...

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...