Include a visit to the old post office just to get the views of the city .You can easily spend 20 minutes just taking in the views & trying to figure out the various monuments & buildings.There are detailed photographs on the walls of the clocktower explaining the views from the various windows,remember the clocktower is open to the elements... more

Do not miss going to the Old Post Office and taking the elevator to the top of the tower. You will have a 360 degree view of the city. It is awesome. It is free, we waited about 15 minutes in line. There are also shops and food inside the building. Well worth the visit. more

The real treat at the Old Post Office Pavilion is the view from the tower. We read about the location on here, and after not being able to get a ticket to go up in the Washington Monument, decided to give it a shot and see if it lived up to the reviews. The food court and shops seemed tired,... more

The driver on our Old Town Trolley tour suggested that if we wanted to get a great view of the city without the long lines, this is where we should go. He was right. There is a security check at the entrance, as is so common now. Then you follow the signs to the elevator. When we visited, there were... more

Both are free but the queues here look and probably are much better than the Washington monument...we didnt go up the monument because of the queues so i don't really have any comparison but iam going to bet that you wait a much less time are the viewing area is much bigger...looking at the washington tower, the windows at the... more

We just visited Washington DC at Spring Break, and were petrified by the long, snaking lines surrounding the Washington Monument. We had heard from several places that the views from the Old Post Office Tower were just as good/better. Well, I have nothing to compare it to, but we thought the views were great. Beware though, that it is open... more

Went up in the tower, WOW! Beautiful architecture. Ate at the food court, pretty decent, and quite a value. Went here because it was the departure point of a great tour: Monuments by Moonlight. Highly reccomend. more

The trip up to the top of the Tower is free, and is run by the US Park Service. The View is great. The rest of the shops/restaurants are not worth the time. Not much to offer or see, and my family spent $20 for 3 Ice Cream cones at Ben and Jerry's!!! Outragiously overpriced! more

You have to see this building. And it won't take a lot of time to visit if your pressed for time. Plus, it is free. And not very crowded. Warning- The day I went, it said on the national park website, it opened at 10, but it really didin't open until 12. But, other than having to wait it was... more