Old Post Office Pavilion

For a fantastic view of DC, take the free elevator ride up to the top of the Old Post Office Pavilion. The building and the elevator ride are part of the National Parks Association. So it’s completely free to visitors.

There is also a food court and a few gift shops on the lower level.

Be aware of the times the bells rings, because it can be very loud at the top of the tower during these times. They are marked at the entrance to the ride up, but watch your time at the top.

There are two stops on the ride to the top. One will take you right to the top of the tower, the other will stop at the bells. The bells, which have a thorough description at the base of the tower, have been dedicated to Congresses of the US.

Also, be aware that when entering the building, you are subject to having yourself and any bags you carry searched by security officers and a metal detector.

Fro-Zen-Yo

I realize there are other frozen yogurt places like this around the country, but I thought the concept was so cool, that I had to share!

In Washington, DC, we tried, and thoroughly enjoyed Fro-Zen-Yo, a do-it/build-it yourself frozen yogurt shop. With approximately 16 (maybe more?) different flavors of frozen yogurt to choose from (sugar free, fat free, gluten free, vegan, etc all present), diners grabbed a cup (one size serves all) and chose the flavor or flavors of froyo and the amount that they wanted.

Next step is the toppings. With everything from fruits and nuts, to candies and cookies (and even cherries for on top), you can load up your frozen yogurt however you want to create your perfect sundae.

Take it to the register to get weighed in and pay up.

Next stop is chocolate syrup and caramel sauce, both hot and both free! Thank goodness, because we piled it on high!

Grab a chair, a spot at the bar, or on a nice day, take it for a walk and enjoy!

Also, don't forget to grab a bottle of water for only 29 cents!

Finemondo

Without a flashy sign like its neighbors, Finemondo could get lost in the sea of neon. But definitely make it a priority dining location when visiting DC.

We felt a little underdressed, dressed for a day of sightseeing in the city, wearing a nice top and jeans for both of us. We were seated around couples out on date night, hitting the town in suits, dresses, heels, and loafers. However, as we browsed the tables, we saw a variety from heels and cocktail dresses, to jeans and sweatshirts.

Our meals were delicious. We ordered the butternut squash ravioli, perfectly prepared in a delicate buttery sauce, and pork tenderloin, cooked with a crispy outer and juicy, moist, melt in your mouth inside that made you keep coming back for more.

We also had great service, with our waiter on call as we needed him, but not being pushy or bugging us too much.

When we left, we were so happy we found Finemondo, and recommend it to everyone.

International Spy Museum

What kid doesn’t grow up wanting to be a spy? Okay, maybe not a spy, but at playing one at some point, or thinking about it, or wondering what it would be like to live a life in the shadows.

The International Spy Museum thrusts you into the world of spies, with interactive displays that teach you how to be a spy. You can even crawl through the museum’s air conditioning ducts, just for the experience.

Learn what to look for as a spy – mysterious people in windows, people carrying similar bags passing too closely to one another, people masked as someone else and more.

Once your training is complete, move on and learn about the history of spies in the US and abroad and how they helped win wars, where they are in the news business and more.

The museum also looks at spies in ancient history, such as the tradition of ninjas (yes, they are spies, not just people who can kick your butt) and the Trojan horse in ancient Greece.

This museum is a lot of fun for people of all ages. Children will love the interactive displays and the “spy school,” so will adults. It's also neat to learn the history of spies (honestly, I didn’t know ninjas were spies, did you?).

Newseum

The Newseum might be my all time favorite museum, ever, but I might be biased. This museum needs a whole day, at least. Luckily, your tickets are good for two days!

Six floors (and three gift shops) and interactive and interesting exhibits ranging from the history of news making to what countries have the most freedom of the press, be a news anchor man, and so much more!

Every guidebook, pamphlet, video, tour guide, museum worker, and yes, even this blogger, will recommend you start on the bottom most floor with the introduction video. I know this sounds silly but with six floors of exhibits, you better know what you’re getting yourself into. Then take the elevator to the sixth floor and then work your way back down (seriously, don’t try it the other way, your only option then is stairs – phew!)

On the bottom floor there, around the corner from the intro video, are a few pieces of the Berlin Wall. Yup. The Berlin Wall. There is also a small piece that is on a pedestal that you can touch (the bigger wall segments are hands off).

On this floor is also the 4D show looking at the importance and growth of the news as well as the museum’s traveling exhibit.

My favorite exhibit was the history of the news. I know it sounds silly, but being in one room where you can see everything from a typewriter and old, old copies or newspapers to the “On Notice Board” from the Colbert Report, and everything in between was magical. (Yup, go ahead and say it, I’m a news dork.)

The other really neat exhibit, which I wasn’t expecting at all, was the radio antenna from atop the World Trade Center in New York. It was pulled from the rubble after the towers fell and brought to the museum.

The antenna itself will move you. The exhibit around it: much more so.

Around the antenna is a timeline of what happened and how it was being reported, with pictures. Many of them iconic (I hate that word in this case, but that’s what it is) have been shown over and over, but some of these haven’t been seen since that fateful day.