Happy new year everyone!
Hope you had an awesome evening and great first day of the new year. How did you celebrate last night?
We kept it low key, hung out, played some pool and rang in the new year with a smooch and some champagne. Beforehand, we continued our tour de DC with a trip to the Old Post Office!
Oh! First we stopped at Five Guys for lunch!! It was my very first time, and omg my cheeseburger and cajun fries were incredible. I didn’t believe Ben when he promised it would be better than In-N-Out Burger (my favorite/the only fast food cheeseburgers I’ll eat) buuuuut, it definitely might be. It might be! The fries for sure, anyways. :)
Ok, THEN it was off to the Old Post Office! :D
The old post office was completed in 1899, and is the third tallest building in downtown DC. It’s massive bell tower soars to 315 feet.
This extremely ornate, intricately designed building could be anywhere in Europe, but it’s actually just a few blocks away from the White House.
The inside is equally as stunning as the outside, and I was so surprised to learn that the building was actually supposed to be completely demolished in 1971!
Luckily local protestors saved the place and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Phew. ;)
While it served as Washington DC’s post office for only 15 years, the old post office is now office space for the government and private businesses, with an “eclectic”, shall we say, food court in the bottom floor.
The reason we went is because you can take an elevator ride to the top of the bell tower, where you can see ALL of DC, for FREE – whee!
After a 12 story ascent in an elevator that feels like it’s original to the building (…) the doors open to reveal an open-air observation deck 270 feet above the ground. Ben was freaking out. He hates heights!
Me? I couldn’t get enough! The Washington Monument anchored our view, which just kept going…
and going…
and going!!!!
It was the coolest thing – and all for free! :D
We came down, so Ben could resume breathing, and headed over to the National Harbor in Maryland next.
After walking along the beautiful shops and coastline, we kicked off our New Year’s Eve celebration a bit early with a nice, cold brewsky. :)
Today we have taken it totally easy. It’s our last day here, so we are lounging as a fam, watching multi seasons of 30 Rock, eating Ben’s Mom’s famous lasagna, and baking mid-afternoon cinnamon rolls. You know, the usual. ;)
Happy 2012 from us to you!
Glad you found the Old Post Office. That’s always where I recommend people go to really see the city.
There are so many great burger places around here. Next time you’re in town you should check out Ray’s Hell Burger in Arlington. That’s my favorite. Z burger is also really good and Good Stuff Eatery.
Love your blog. Hope you loved D.C.
Liz
Ahhh… I live like 2 shakes from the National Harbor on the VA side. There was a disastrous 15K at the Harbor at the beginning of December… can you imagine 22K people running through there? It was crazy. I’ve never been to the Old Post Office, you’ve inspired me to get down there to see it!
Great tip! I’ll have to remember that when I make it back to DC sometime. Looks like you’re having so much fun out there.
I saw the index card journal on pinterest and completely forgot about it until you mentioned it – I think I might work on that tomorrow!
Love the journal idea! cute!
there’s a five guys right by where i work(heh–around the corner from trader joe’s, actually). i’m glad you liked it, and i hope you took advantage of the free peanuts and toppings. i’m thinking you might become an East Coast convert soon enough!
Looks beautiful! I’m a kind of new reader, but is that a little stuffed animal panda looking out the window in the first Washington Monument picture, or am I going crazy?
It’s actually a little girl with a panda stocking cap on! :)
Gorgeous photos – sounds like an amazing trip! And, yes, Five Guys = so totally awesome :)
Our NYE was very quiet at home, just the way I like it! Can’t be a Five Guys burger and their fries…the best! They are actually grown about 20 miles from me. Enjoy your last day in DC and safe travels!
you look so cute. I love your jacket!
What a fun trip! I’ve never been to DC but would love to go. Looks so historic and fun.
Last night John and I stayed in, drank some wine, ate sushi, and then rang in the new year with a virtual toast with our friends Jamin and Lisa who live two hours away. It was memorable for sure!
Happy 2012!! I’ve never been to DC, so I love the “free view” very cool!!
Thanks for the index card journal reminder!!! Awesome photos. Happy New Year!