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‘You can see everything’: DC’s Waldorf Astoria reopens historic clock tower to the public

Waldorf Astoria reopens historic clock tower to the public

One of the best views in the D.C. region is once again open to visitors.

The Waldorf Astoria Washington DC has reopened the historic clock tower inside the building many longtime Washingtonians still know as the Old Post Office.

The 270鈥慺oot observation deck offers visitors panoramic views of the National Mall, along with sights stretching into Maryland and Virginia, including National Harbor and Reagan Washington National Airport.

Waldorf Astoria in DC
The Waldorf Astoria has reopened the historic clock tower inside what longtime Washingtonians know as the Old Post Office building. (杏吧原创/Jimmy Alexander)
Waldorf Astoria clock tower
The clock tower outside the Waldorf Astoria on Pennsylvania Avenue. (杏吧原创/Jimmy Alexander)
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Waldorf Astoria in DC
Waldorf Astoria clock tower

Nisha Patel, marketing director for the , told 杏吧原创 the hotel has taken over operation of the clock tower from the National Park Service.

鈥淚t really gives us an opportunity to curate experiences not for the public but also our guests that stay at the hotel as well,” Patel said. 鈥淲hat’s also really fun about the observation clock tower deck is that on all four sides you can see the other four out of five tallest structures in Washington, D.C.鈥

Patel pointed to the U.S. Capitol in Southeast, Washington National Cathedral in Northwest and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast.

But Kristopher King, a clock tower security officer, said his favorite view is the Washington Monument, the tallest structure in the District.

鈥淵ou just can鈥檛 miss it,鈥 King said.聽鈥淵ou see everything,鈥 he added. 鈥淗onestly, it’s a really great view.鈥

King, who gives tours of the clock tower, said one of his favorite lesser-known sights is . From 12 stories above Pennsylvania Avenue, visitors can see the plaza’s inlaid map depicting portions of Pierre L鈥橢nfant鈥檚 original plan for the District.

The clock tower is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. in Northwest D.C. The entrance is located at the rear of the building and is accessible from 12th Street NW. Admission is free.

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Jimmy Alexander

Jimmy Alexander has been a part of the D.C. media scene as a reporter for DC News Now and a long-standing voice on the Jack Diamond Morning Show. Now, Alexander brings those years spent interviewing newsmakers like President Bill Clinton, Paul McCartney and Sean Connery, to the 杏吧原创 Newsroom.

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