One of the coolest views in Washington sits high above the Trump International Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue. And it's completely free to visit.
The U.S. Park Service has reopened the clock tower of the Old Post Office Building, which had been closed while the Trump Hotel was being built inside it.
Now, visitors can climb up the clock tower's 300 feet and see a 360-degree-view of the city -- with no reservations required.
"I think it's great that we can come up here," said a tourist visiting Thursday from South Dakota. "I heard it's the highest point in Washington you can go right now."
The tower dates back to 1899. The view from the top is majestic, sweeping down Pennsylvania Avenue. Visitors can see the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian's Castle, and the dome of the Capitol.
And the tourist is right: With the Washington Monument closed for repairs, this is the highest vantage point in the city.
The tower's entrance is off 12th Street, behind the hotel. Right now it's only open Thursdays through Sundays, but visit may expand to seven days.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
"This is probably one of the coolest places in Washington," said U.S. Park Service spokesman Mike Litterest, who first worked here as a ranger back in the mid-1980s. "And probably one of the least known as well.
"It's a spot that a little bit near and dear to my heart," Litterst said.
