
4.2
3 of 8 Best Attractions in National Harbor

Nice quaint area with a variety of shops and eateries. Plenty of things to do for families, couples, and visitors from out of town. A must, when you need a mini vacation.

This is a fantastic place to come and relax and just hang out. Great views of the harbor, fantastic restaurants and just a nice relaxed atmosphere. Every time I come to National Harbor I love just relaxing in the evening watching the sunset over the river on the harbor.

A nice stroll along the Waterfront. Away from Restaurant Row, you’ll find little boutiques, local jewelers, artisinal chocolatiers, ice cream, casual drinking holes, and great people watching. This is the melting pot of the area.

Excellent place to just take a walk with a great view, shops, and restaurants. Bring your camera and your kids.

We have been to the national harbor is warmer weather and it’s a fun busy spot with nautical scenes and waterfront views. This weekend we visited the area. It was still a fun visit with most things open. It was a cold weekend so not much outdoor events and definitely no al Draco dining. The rooftop bar at the Gaylord was mostly indoors.

I had never heard of national harbor until this past weekend. It truly is a gem of Maryland with not enough advertisement! There is so much to do and see with the whole family. There is live music on the water after 6PM on Friday’s in the summer time!

From parking garage to childrens play areas, and everywhere in between, the smell of weed was overpowering. Definitly puts me off visiting again :(

Took a stroll on the waterfront after dinner and enjoyed every step. After a day's drive we wanted a walk after dinner. The breeze was blowing as we walked along the pier and watched the peddleboats, water taxi and excursion boats moving throigh the water. We were just in time to see the ferris wheel light up which thrilled our 4 year old grandson. The sand playground with giant sculpture was a hit! We even enjoyed a few minutes of the family movie night on the big screen! I love that every single day there is some kind of activity going on! What a great area. Looking forward to exploring more and letting our grandson run off more energy!

The harbor front area is a nice place to walk. There's a huge Ferris Wheel, shop and places to eat. Sunsets are beautiful from the harbor walk

Was lucky enough to attend a conference in the area and the Harborfront was a peaceful and fresh escape from the busy days. The views, walk, breeze were all fantastic. Loved it all! You don’t need to spend money on the Ferris wheel or boat ride to enjoy the area. It’s just a wonderful walk on a warm day and steps away from the conference hotel.

Enjoyable walk along the waterfront to view the sights.
Replica of Air Force One at one end of the waterfront and National Harbor downtown area at the other.

We spent a week in the area and while it was nice and clean it is very far away from D.C. In itself. The area is mostly a collection of hotels and restaurants. The casino does have events going on but you need a bus to get to it in the harbor area. The area has the capability to be better but the logistics will keep me from staying in that area again.

Beautiful location! Nice for walks, wonderful places to eat or just sit and look out at the water. Plenty to do!

This is a nice area of hotels, restaurants, and shops along the Potomac River.
I stayed at the Gaylord but walked over to the restaurants and shops often.

I had my mother, sister, and great nieces in town and we enjoyed spending time with each other walking around to the shops and dining. The national harbor is great for families couples or singles taking a romantic walk. The Gaylord is spectacular.

We had family from out of town that have never been to the harbor, so we had to take them! We showed them all of our favorite places, ate a a new restaurant that even we hadn't tried before, and just sat and enjoyed the views of the water.
It's neat to see (and we pointed out) how the area has changed since it was first opened.
No matter what time of year a visit to the harbor is fun!

This place had everything! Great restaurants, shops and the MGM casino in walking distance. Visiting the National Harbor is a must when visiting DC.

What an awesome place to spend an afternoon or evening. Tons of restaurants and little quanity shops. It's alway buzzing with activity.

Took vacation with Brother/Sister in law. Enjoyed areas shopping and eating selections, and views. A good location but no metro access.

Weither you looking for shopping, dinner or just a romantic walk this is the place to visit. Check out Bond 45 for dinner, take a ride on the faris wheel after dinner to top it all off.

Like the area, the stores and benches. It was nice to see the water and Ferris Wheel.
I would recommend for a long weekend.

For anyone who actually travels to D. C. for a visit to the nation's capital, this isn't close to being a prime attraction. I found myself here because I was signed up for a conference at a nearby hotel. It was the cheap hotel convention space that was the draw for being this far away from the D. C. attractions. The "National Harbor" is a creation by hotels and tour operators for something to do to get you out of your hotel room on a Sunday afternoon. It is a a tourist attraction to provide something to do in a spare moment. There is very little nautical activity or history to commend this place as a significant harbor of any sort, least of all a "National Harbor". It is very far out of the way from any D. C. attraction. By all means, if you are here on business and staying at a nearby hotel, with spare time on your hands, check it out. Otherwise, for a D. C. tourist, there are better uses of your time and money.

A great place to visit with a host of shops and restaurants.
Add a bunch of activities including the board rides and the capital wheel.
Very close to dc and the MGM casino.
A must visit

National Harbor is a fantastic area to visit. In addition to the marina area, restaurnats, shops, and novelty shops, there is now an MGM hotel/casino and Tanger outlet malls. You can be at the National Mall area in D.C. in about 20 minutes, too. We've been twice and look forward to going back again in the future.

What a great place to walk around. Active every night. Stores to visit. Happy hours to try and dont for get the gaylord hotel.

Finally, the DC area has another first class entertainment and leisure-time site, though it has taken a few years to reach its current state with a wide array of attractions, including a casino and the new entertainment venue located as part of the MGM hotel complex. The array of restaurants in the area is impressive and shopping in the stores is definitely upscale. Moreover, the huge ferris wheel and the taxi service that offers round-trip service to Old Town Alexandria make the area not only unique but "magnetic." All in all, this addition to the Prince George's County offerings is not only welcome and attractive, but long overdue.

Great place to window shop, people watch. They were showing movies on the big screen. I cant wait to take my hubby here for date night.

I’ve been to National Harbor on a few occasions and have really enjoyed each visit. There are a few stores but, I think the main reason to go would be the Ferris wheel and the restaurants. The Gaylord resort is located in the waterfront area and they also have many great restaurants. MGM is a short drive away with more shopping and dining. The whole area has become really lovely the last few years.

This is a very busy place but for $5 parking, you can spend an hour walking along the waterfront, get lunch or dinner and or ice cream and a once-in-a lifetime experience. The area is very busy so try to go on an off-hour.

I was in town from New Orleans with my family visiting Washington DC over Thanksgiving. Visited to see Gaylord and eat. The area was interesting. Stuff for the kids and the adults. Wanted to see the Awakening sculpture on the beach area. I saw it in DC when I was young in the 1980s. Was still the same. The entire area was great.

I found Natl. Harbor on a Pinterest article and we decided to drive down from Virginia on Saturday because I’m a huge pier/harbor/boardwalk fan. I also absolutely adore ferris wheels so this place did not let me down! The vibe is amazing and lots of fun, and you get great views!

Great place-WHEN it’s open. Went on a Wednesday and way too many things were closed, open only Friday-Sunday. Had been before, but on a weekend, so was totally surprised at the shut downs. The children were dreadfully disappointed, as were we. Hard to tell whether lack of attendance led to policy, or policy drove away visitors, but it’s a REALLY BAD IDEA. Not interested in going back when it’s mobbed on the weekends, and definitely never going back unless the access to foods and activities extends to weekdays.
Plan accordingly!!!
So many other choices for family fun in this metro area, no problem avoiding this one.

Came to visit tp stay at the Gaylord hotel and for the ice spectacular. Spent several hours the first day walking around the shops and eating in the restaurant. Kids enjoyed taking pictures by the tree, looking at the quick sand sculpture by the harbor, and walking around the various shops

The Harborfront area of National Harbor is a nice little subdivision that is pretty lively. You have several good restaurants to choose from and it was nice to just walk around the area and explore.

Nice area to walk, enjoy the water views and views of DC/VA. You can rent paddle boats too. There is a carousel for the kids and if you want to spend the money then ride the capital wheel.

Took the family to the Harbor and it was out first time and the kids had a blast making friends with the others kids and they had a love dj so everyone was dancing and having a great time!

Nice views, plenty to see and do, fun and informative sculptures. Could sit and enjoy the area, watch planes and boats or a local sports team on the big screen.

This place is great for all ages. There are all types of activities: Huge Ferris wheel, boating, all types of restaurants & Fast food places. Certain days they show a movie on a "Big Screen", so that everybody sitting in front of this area can see the movie (all free), Great place if all you want to do is walk around, window shop, eat simple or fancy...all up to you.

The eateries, entertainment and movie area all combine to make this area interesting. The Zumba exercise that was on when we visited was worth watching. Anyone could participate, unfortunately, we did not.

Staying for a business conference, we walked to the Harborfront area.
Great people-watching. There was a bandstand and the Air Force Band was there for a concert.
There's not much you can do for free in this area, but this was a fun, and free, experience on a beautiful Summer afternoon.

We've been here several times. There are a lot of restaurants to choose from. We've seen a lot of cyclists around the area too. You can rent paddle boats, paddle boards or kayaks. There is a little playground with a carousel. They also have a big ferries wheel. Water taxis are available to and from Alexandria. On weekends, they have farmers market.

Standing at the top of the walkway up from the waterfront you can see restaurants and bars and shops to your right, left and behind. In front you can look across the Potomac to Alexandria, see the GW Masonic Memorial, and right in front of you a hugh Ferris Wheel.
This place was made for relaxing summer evenings with your honey or friends. Find a nice outdoor place for an adult beverage, maybe a meal, and enjoy the atmosphere. Even when crowded it is a happy place to see and enjoy.

Great view of the potomac and Virginia coastline many options for day or night boat rides Farris wheel or just shop at the local stores or eat at the many great restaurants option.for the gamblers include the MGM casino located on the grounds

The river taxi is an enjoyable way to get to several sites. I especially liked the night cruise. We paid $10.50 to get from old Alexandria back to National Harbor. I think for two of us it was about the same cost as an uber ride.

National Harbor has nailed it! There is fun for all ages and something to see or do or eat or just enjoy shopping all along the expansive harbor front. The Ferris Wheel dominates the Pier but there are plenty of other attractions in every direction morning, noon and night. Plan to spend some time here!!

Gaylord figured that being close to the Nation's Capital on the Potomac River would be a good use of formerly unused property. It's conveniently located just off the beltway. In my view this place will need to age by 20 years until the trees grow up. They should have built around some of the old vegetation. On a sunny day, you are blinded in the "not a stick of shade" environment and the bright glaring pavement everywhere. If there is an opposite of quaint, this is it.

We visited this interesting harbor during a conference at the Gaylord. There is a refreshing walk along the banks of the Potomac. The town has a mall with sculptures of past presidents, a model "T", & of course - Marilyn Monroe. They are great props for photos. The small town has many restaurants & a few shops. Boat rides are available. The area is worth a day or two for a visit

While the Gaylord National Resort is Closed (for COVID) there are still things to do on the National Harbor Waterfront. Plan on a later afternoon Capital Wheel ride, to catch the sunset. And then grab a quick dinner--- The restaurants are offering indoor dining, at 25% capacity (with strict mask wearing rules.

A great way to spend the afternoon walking around the harbor. Good stores and restaurants to eat in.

The National Harbor is nice, but it’s just way overpriced for what it is. I attended a work lunch to celebrate an event with a few co workers. After a few hours the parking for this lunch was at about $15; this is outrageously expensive hourly parking in the garages. I ended up paying for my food and running to the garage so it didn’t run any higher. If the parking was cheaper I’d probably spend more time at the businesses before heading out if it weren’t for that. It’s remote from the metro rail, so you need to take a ride share or bus if you don’t drive. The parking is the only thing that keeps me away. I even avoided taking family there because I’d rather spend the money in other areas of town.

If you like to wander through shops while enjoying a view of the bay, then this fits the bill. With the outlets nearby and a free shuttle, it’s very convenient. Plus, you’re only minutes from DC.

Our tour group of 50 were dropped off for some Saturday fun. The place is full of neat stores but I really enjoyed the sites. The bronze statues on the Main Street were really neat along with the Farris Wheel on the water, the children’s play area, the statues of our military, the artwork and the two bald eagles on the poles. Check this place out.

There's almost always something going on in National Harbor...for the whole family! And talk about good eats...there are numerous great restaurants to try out, regardless what type of food you like! There's nightclubs, boutique shoppes, candys stores, bakeries, specialty shops, and so much more! It's worth the drive for us! (about a 45 minute drive for us)

Ok, if you have never been to this area in Oxen Hill/Fort Washington area of Maryland, you gotta go. I have been a few times and usually get a hotel so I dont have to worry about getting around. I advise you go early because on really n8ce days the parking could get jammed due to all the people in the area. Traffic gets hectic later in the day because of the amount of people and cars. There are plenty of food options so check it out on the web so you are INFORMED. There is a large Tv in a public area which is great for viewing special events...go early and plan to spend the day. Plan to spend the night and enjoy yourself even more. Oh, its also within walking distance of the MGM Grand hotel/casino on nice days...

This area is fairly new development. There are many fun restaurants, nice hotels, and shops. The walkways around the riverfront are amazing and great if you want to get out and run. The Farris wheel is lit up at night.

Great views, but paying for parking sucks and is expensive. Not worth it to visit the cheaper eateries.

We enjoyed our stay at The Harbor. They had a wife variety of restaurants on the water and a block away. They have carousel for kids casino for adult .

Love the beachy area for the kids to run around. Interesting statues.. pretty views. Ferris wheel is huge and nice to look at.

Nice location to put your feet up, eat some local fare, watch the day roll by while you do the people watching thing. Oh, don't forget free movies on Wednesday nights during the summer

We went on an unseasonably warm December day and thoroughly enjoyed our evening.
We would have done the big wheel, but it was a bit foggy, so we skipped it for this trip and just wandered around the areA.

A very inviting area with SOME shopping but overwhelmed with restaurants. Disappointed with the shopping from a quantity standpoint as there is just not much else to do but eat and walk around. In about 90 minutes you will have seen everything. More of a place to stay at one of the hotels and use as a jumping off point to go into DC or to the Casio.

We had a lot of fun , relaxing and running around eating . We were all over people very welcoming and nice. Lots of food and shops.

We ventured to the harbor after spending a few hours at the MGM casino. We walked around the beautifully decorated harbor area. They was a light show and beautiful Christmas decorations all after dark. There are many restaurants, shops and bars to walk around to sample their menus as well as family activities. The Gaylord grounds are also beautifully decorated with lights and holiday decorations.

National Harbor sits on the shore of the historic Potomic just miles from great landmarks and sites. Enjoy the ammentities and activities of the Harbor or stay there and use the area as a base of operations to tour nearby attractions. Close to D.C., MGM Casino, Tanger outlet malls, and historic Alexandria. Dont miss the boat Tours or the Ferris Wheel!

The National Harbor area is only a few sqaure blocks but contain things for all. There plenty of shops of different kinds, restaurants, and out door entertainment. In addition to shopping and restaurants, the outdoor art exhibition starting from the front part of the harbor and go up along the American Way is a great collection and with water falls and benches to sit and relax. Nice place to be.

The harbor area is packed with something for everyone! There's a sandy play area along the water, an outdoor movie shown twice a week in good weather, shops, eats, boats, a pier and an enclosed Ferris wheel. It has a great feel to it and is very Americana with all the flags and statues and eagles...etc. a very beautiful area that I'm glad I was able to enjoy. It gets you away from the busyness of D.C. And yet is so close to enjoy both atmospheres. There are many hotels to choose from and some great walking to do there!

I would recommend taking the water taxi. If you are over 59 remind them you can get a senior's rate!
We went to Old City Alexandra and what a great trip, the crew was wonderdul.
If you do the carousel, and being your water taxi slip you get an additional 20 % off!
We did the carousel at night and though I was scared, I loved it!!
Have fun! We also did Air force One experience, very informative thoughbalittle pricey but goes to a good fund.

Great family spot with activities for kids and family, especially on weekend afternoons/evenings. The Ferris wheel dominates the skyline, but free concerts, water activities, and a "beach" of sorts, along with plenty of food choices make this a good spot to visit.

Stayed in the area for work function. Plenty to do in the area. Lots of shops and bars and restaurants. It is really close to MGM casino. I hope our company decides to have another function there in the future. It was a huge hit with our group.

Close to downtown DC & MGM. Parking was good & lots of places to eat. If you want to eat at MGM I suggest you get there early as our wait was 2 hours

Beautiful views and sunsets. Attractive during the day and night peaceful but lots of action going on nearby restaurants and places to eat drink, and be merry.

Our ids were begging us to go on the ferris wheel, in the end only 2 went. It was worth the money. They loved it at got to go around a few time!

Welcome to the new Atlantic City. With the legalization of casinos, growth has exploded here. Convention center (Gaylord), shopping and residential. Beautiful location on the water.

I held an event right at the Harborfront area and the view is really pretty and the atmosphere was great.

The National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland is a great place to visit. I have had the opportunity to visit on a number of occasions. The area provides activities for families, groups, couples night and day.
The National Children’s Museum offers regular fun activities for young children. It has been over a year, but my daughter and her friend met there for an afternoon and had a wonderful time engaging in hands-on activities. She still has the artifacts from the experience.
I’ve also visited with a group of adolescents and teens. For this age group, Peeps and Company is a MUST, a favorite.
If you love a mimosa for brunch, there are a number of restaurants from which to choose. Choose your fare—Southern, American, fine dining, Mexican. The National Harbor offers a seemingly limitless selection.
Finally, if you are looking for a nice restaurant for date night, the Harbor has many options. The views, the quality of choices, and variety of cuisines make the Harbor an easy plan. I do highly recommend a ride on the Ferris Wheel, the view overtop the river is worth it even for someone like me with a fear of heights.
The one drawback, and it is major, …the parking. Parking will be challenging if you try to find a spot on the street. If you park near the Ferris Wheel, it might be a hike to your destination. And if you choose a parking garage it will be expensive.
Overall, though, the Harbor is worth the trip.

I really enjoy the harborfront area. There are a variety of restaurants, shops and places to drink. The view is nice, not amazing. It is usually crowded so make sure you have a dinner reservation for a meal. I have been here a few times and look forward to returning.

Our friend invited us for dinner in National Harbor while we were visiting DC area. It is a nice harbor not too large. The shops/restaurant are within walking short distance. There are benches along the path. It is good for families and couples. I think its best to visit at dinner time if you are only planning to eat or shop and would not do water activities.

Lots of things are closed. Parking is blocked off in many places. I guess once things get back to normal it will be time to return back. Not worth to pay all that money to park.

The Harbor has a great big fantastic Christmas tree if you are looking for a cool photo op. Plus lots of great restaurants. Overall cool vibe!

Every year, I have to stay here with the military and how I wish they would choose a different location. The muscle cars at all hours of the night and the morning. The packs of wild young people screaming and carrying on in the streets right below expensive hotel rooms. It is really frustrating.
Not only is this area rather isolated, the businesses charge a very high premium. The restaurants are nice, but the prices are extremely inflated.
The police always have to be here on weekends. I'm sure it is a nice people who wish they had a small-town atmosphere in DC, but staying here for business with these very noisy people is extremely frustrating. It's not even normal city noise- it's literally young adults screaming and acting ridiculous and running all around only interrupted by revving engines- which seem to never end.
Sorry National Harbor, I really try to like it here but every year it's the same thing. It is so unpleasant. I really wish the area would do something to engage its young people instead of this.

This is a very nice area to walk around...you can find a lot of restaurants and shops. There was entertainment on the first Saturday night we were there. It was also one of the few days it did not rain while we were there.

Came to DC for work right after Thanksgiving and the Chris atmosphere was brewing! I couldn’t wait to bring my family back to experience the Ferris wheel, play on the harbor and the ugly sweater runs on Saturday morning! Walking along the harbor and taking pics with the statues and enjoying the DC life was a great way to spend this holiday!

National Harbor is a nice area, fun to walk around. Food is very pricey and we really didn't find anything outstanding. We went in to DC everyday via Uber, with no traffic it's about a 20 minutes ride. If you go during rush hour, be prepared to leave early.

Third time visiting this town and there’s always something new to see. Surroundings are clean and safe. There are many great spots for pictures and fun stuff to do around. You can also do some shopping or have a meal around. Many good choices there.

Attended a conference at the Gaylord & Harborfront Area is within walking distance. It has lots of wonderful restaurant for every time of food genre. It’s beautiful at night & a very safe area to walk around.

After a lovely lunch, we decided to walk on the Harbor front area. The view was amazing. There are so many areas to sit down and view the awesomeness!

Started at MGM centre. Nice food in the food court. Beautiful flower display and wonderful rooftop area with fountain. Lovely views on a a warm and dry evening. Later at the waterfront had drinks and appetisers and a pleasant stroll. Nice stores and entry of selection of eats and drinks. Great atmosphere and very relaxed. The young people enjoyed time on the "beach" area. Always enjoy time here with family. Well planned, attractive area to spend time.

must visit....enjoyed the Memorial Day concert on Friday night by the US Army Pershing band...thanks!

The first night I walked around the water front. They were showing a movie in the outdoor theater. The second evening they were showing a workout video and a group was working out in the turf area. Lots of restaurants offering a lot of options. Mexican, seafood, southern, Chinesse, Japanese, ice cream. Large Ferris wheel on the dock. A unique place to wonder and enjoy the evening.

Nice time, lost in casino, but great trip. Great weather. Fun time walking around harbor with my wife

Great place to spend a afternoon, lots of different shops and restaurants lots of things to do and everything is very close together

It’s a fun area with good restaurants and lots of different shops to visit. The outside area was very friendly for our dog, and he really enjoyed walking on the boardwalk area and by the statues. The parking is extremely difficult and pretty pricey for the middle of the day when it’s super empty down there.

We stayed at the Wyndham in National Harbor. The Wyndham was within walking distance of everything. Being from a small town in NC we kind of looked like we were out of our element. There are plenty of things to do at the Harbor. Be sure to take a ride on the Ferris wheel. At the top you can see everything and it's quite impressive. Eat at Bond 45 for the best food in town, take a quick trip to the MGM and drop some money in the slots and be sure to take your time to visit the many stores on the waterfront and just off the waterfront. My favorite was the Carhartt store and of course the Tanger Outlets which is about a 5 minute ride away. To get into town (and especially to watch the ball game) we chose to use the park and ride. It's a lot cheaper and keeps you out of the constant traffic jam. Enjoy!

Attending 2 conventions here in the last 2 years and it is my favorite location to date (over 10 years of attending conventions). I usually dislike conventions held in a Gaylord as they are isolated and options for dining are very limited; however, National Harbor is the exception.
It is very pedestrian friendly with a large variety of restaurants to choose from with a range of price points. The ferry between Alexandria and National Harbor is a fun, easy, and quick way to enjoy old town Alexandria and get into the city. We even took the ferry to a Nationals game.

Neat adventure to see the area. Lots of boutiques and a few chain stores. Assuming it has a big night life especially in the summer when one can dine outside. There is a neat enclosed ferris wheel for $15 ea or $13 for military. It was a really windy day so we opted out of that this time. Peep store and candy store were worth a stop, also all the statues around were neat to look at especially the ones for the different branches of the military. They looked like wax museum statues. Paid parking (2 hr $5). We liked it.

National Harbor is like a smallish town - small stores and restaurants on street level and a section for condos. Truly, a casual venue since folks come simply to shop, dine, and sometimes stay the night. It’s located right on the Potomac River in Oxen Hill, MD. The bridge connecting MD to VA is adjacent to the Harbor- lovely at night with all the lights. Some of the streets have overhead colored lights at night- lovely. Now, the “wheel” is perhaps a highlight feature - it’s ferris wheel type of attraction but with enclosed, climate regulated ‘cars’ that goes around at a slow pace so that riders can view the harbor, river, bridge, plus the Washington Memorial and Capital in DC. Best at night because all is lit up.
I recommend spending a day or weekend at National Harbor- you won’t regret it!

This is a wonderful place to take the family. It has an array of shops, eateries and activities. It is stunning from the interstate and even more amazing when you arrive. They currently have a circus there and more events in the upcoming months. There are life size statues of icons such as Frederick Douglass to Marilyn Monroe. There is also a tribute to the armed forces. Lots of fun, if you are in the area you must stop and take it all in. By the way, I forgot to mention the climate controlled gondola ferris wheel.

Absolutely beautiful to see. From early morning to late night. Can't go wrong by visiting. From the small quaint stores to the many areas to visit. Plus the huge variety of foods to eat.

I love the Harborfront. Walk close to the water, browse the shops and eat at one of many amazing locals with a variety of choices. I'm here in March, so I brought a coat and had an amazing time just strolling along and enjoying the atmosphere.

There is plenty to do and see! If you haven't been here you must plan a trip! There are lots of restaurants and shops and hotel range from the MGM Resort & Gaylord Resort to the Westin and AC Marriott. There are also Marriott Residence Inn and Hampton Inn.

Perfect location for a quick getaway with your significant other. The area is full of restaurants, shops and bars. Plus the MGM Casino is very close by for those who like to gamble.

Lots of good restaurants and bars, but very few retail shops. Very clean and an easy water taxi trip from Old Town Alexandria. A nice family place.

Loved the area and the shops. Great place for overnight get away. Good food options. Good for couples or families.

Beautiful scenery and much to do. Tons of shopping and restaurants around. Plenty to do solo, or with friends and family.

Lots to do and see in this small town. Upscale shops and restaurants. They even have life size statues depicting important people in American history.

Weekend here is a happy day for everyone that why expect lots of people around and after watching a free concert infront of Poseidon’s place we walk a bit to the left and then secured a god spot to watch the boats, people passing by and even the airplanes at the sky then comes the different colors from the horizon for a magnificent sunset while setting on a bench while sipping Rose’ with different cheeses. It’s fun and an enjoyable afternoon.

Always a good time at National Harbor! Love the restaurants there because of all the great options. If your going for a night out with the family then go to Fiorella and ask for Joe as your server!!! I also love the oysters at the Walrus and can’t forget about Nandos right up he street!

Plenty of shops and restaurants. Nice to walk along the water. There is also a convenient shuttle to outlet shops and the casino.

With a wooden ship that seems straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean and another yacht that houses an upscale restaurent. A lovely pier with an Air Stream food truck. Really fun place and worth a visit

We dropped into National Harbour for a two hour hiatus during a ferry trip from Washington.
The weather was pleasant, the riverfront area was appealing, and there was a good selection of easily accessible restaurants to satisfy our late-afternoon appetites.
We strolled a bit, grabbed a bite in the Walrus Oyster & Ale Bar (also reviewed), visited the Candy Kitchen and generally pleasantly killed a couple of hours before catching the last ferry back to DC.
Pleasant memories.

Great area to walk, or sit on the beach and enjoy the beauty. Very clean. Enjoyed this area! The people are very friendly.

I honestly believe this area is a waste of space, pointless. What they had to do, take from the existing neighborhoods and businesses (and even DC - the "Waking Man") as well as the environment to build this.... is a travesty, putting it politely. Other than a depot for the water taxi, what is the purpose? There's no real shopping, just a collection of overrated, overpriced restaurants - all squished together. There's truly nothing to do. And, it's PG County and everything that comes with that. I gave it an average rating because the view is beautiful (which was there before) and because of the Ferris wheel. Other than that, it's not a destination spot.

The restaurants are great, but there are a lot of great restaurants in DC and the surrounding areas. The DC metropolitan area has MANY great restaurants. The view is great - lit ferris wheel and a couple of lit streets. It is on the water and the sun hitting the water especially during sunset is gorgeous. However, Old Town Alexandria is on the river and has cheaper parking with less congestion (not one road in and out). I think this place is good to come to once in awhile for a couples meal. However, the stores are overpriced and a lot of stuff no one wants. More importantly, parking is over priced and the road in and out makes this a place that is just too painful to deal with when there are so many other great places in DC to be.

This area is very clean, upscale and great security. Evening walks along the harbor, dining and some shopping provides for a nice evening or day walk. It's pricey!

It is an engineered tourist like area. Seems to have a lot but in the end, it is a fancy strip mall with a Ferris wheel.

Visited the harbor front area while in town for a concert, and was surprised to find such a cute area. There are TONS of restaurants lining the streets and waterfront, and a few shops sprinkled throughout. The giant Ferris wheel made for a vibrant view, and the quaint tree lined streets with benches provided respite from the heat! Definitely recommend, as it’s family friendly AND couple friendly as well.

Lots of entertainment options including a ferris wheel, marina providing access to the water taxi into Old Town Alexandria, a pirate ship tour, restaurants and shops.
Close to Tangers Mall (7 minutes away by car) as well as the very large Potomac Mills shopping mall (20 minutes away by car)

It’s very nice, pretty, and clean, but there is honestly not that much to do. You also have to pay to do any of the activities they offer here and it’s not cheap in any way. It was good to walk the small pier and look in the shops for about an hour and then we moved on over to the outlet mall. If you visit during the day like us, there will be nothing to do.

So many shops, restraunts, and entertainment in one place. There is something for evertone. Bring your camera. There are numerous photo opportunities.

We got there at 11 am on a weekday and there was street parking right in front of the pier that leads to the Capitol Wheel--2 hour limit, 25 cents for every 5 minutes. There are stores, restaurants, scenic areas to walk, some outdoor benches to sit and rest. Public bathrooms next door to Chipotle. Kids would probably additionally enjoy the pirate ship adventure, the carousel, and climbing on The Awakening, and hamming it up on the stage area in front of the screen (where movies are projected at night). Clean, attractive and secure area.

The venue was awesome and the food was great. First time the Maryland Crabs were huge. I enjoyed the music and arts and crafts displays.

This is a pretty cute little downtown area. We walked around the harbor front and it was a beautiful walk. Lots of shopping and there are a lot of restaurants to choose from. Beautiful view from 180 feet above the Potomac River waterfront, we marveled at view.

I have only been here a few days but could spend weeks seeing everything. Shopping is wonderful, food variety is excellent. Wish I could try it all. So many picturesque areas, I've taken dozens of pictures.

While staying at the Gaylord, we spent several late afternoons and evenings along the river. The view was beautiful by day and night. The walking paths seemed well maintained and we never felt uneasy. Many shops and food options are available. The only disappointment was the volume of litter. More soda bottles than I could count along the shoreline and other trash as well. Tires. Dorm frig. Food wrappers. Litter blight aside, it was still a good place to spend our free time.

Nice, safe area to walk around. Plenty of restaurants with outdoor seating for the good weather days. Places to sit along the river with amazing sunsets.

First time visting this area and absolutely loved it. Everything that you need id in walking distance. The views at the harbor are beautiful at night. Lots of restaurants and shops.

A great location for sightseeing in DC, a convenient distance by car from central DC (15 or so minutes), water taxis to Alexandria, and plenty to see and do for a family.

I am not a patient person so the crowds drove me crazy at harborfront. You have to pay for parking which I hate and trying to get back to 95 is PIA. There are ton of restaurants down there. It was nice walk around the harbor. You have the sky wheel. You have various boat rides. Some shops.

Staying here was nice for the business purpose I was there for. Wouldn't choose it for personal travel, as it felt too removed from any city, pretty sheltered, and catered to tourists in the most obvious ways.

There is so much to see and do at the Harbor. Lot’s of great restaurants, shopping, the harbor, and of course the Capitol Wheel. If you’re in the area stop by and take a walk through!!

One can walk all the way to DC on safe walking trails! We did it early in the morning and across the bridge and back to Gaylord was over 5 miles.

First time actually getting out of the car to walk around and take in the sites. It’s a nice area and development. Many different shops to venture. A great place for couples or just hanging out with friends.

This place is beautiful, it has shops, restaurants and even places for kids to play. It's a most if you're at DC.

A very clean and attractive location outside the Gaylord Hotel. Plenty of shops and good restaurants. Several hotels nearby.

It was beautiful to look at, nice shopping area with restaurants and ferris wheel. We didn’t get a chance to explore much because it was the middle of the winter and very cold. We will come back in the summer to enjoy.

Strange place, but really nice. Lots of great shopping and some nice restaurants as well. The whole area is kind of new. Recommend it

I love here but I stayed two nights and it was boring there is nothing to do for long. There is nothing for teens is nice if you want to rest for one night from a long trip. Streets could use some power washing two.

Great area for families and couples. There's much to do - shopping, great restaurants, scenic rest/relaxation areas. There are hotels too but they are probably pretty pricey.

Really fun place, lots to see with some shops and lots of bar/restaurant options. Highly Recommend National Harbor area!!

The beach area near the restaurants and retailers is busy. If you walk along the beach trail or along the pier the crows thin out and it is quite relaxing and fun to people watch too.

Not much to do. A lot of food, not much variety. Gaylord could have been better, not much excitement

This whole area was very well planned out and executed. Great reataurants, shops, walking paths. Shuttle service go the outlet mall and casino. Neat Christmas display, and the ferris wheel and carousel were great touches.

The area seems to appeal more to locals than tourists (nothing wrong with that); there's not really anything of historic/cultural significance here, but it is a nice place for a family outing, with a ton of restaurants and a nice waterfront along the Potomac. Best feature we found was a whole series of metal statues of recognizable notables on many street corners and in the pedestrian parks (photo ops galore).

Beautiful place to visit but be prepared to pay alot to park. Never go to Walrus and Oyster to eat. Disgusting and over priced.

This area is really up and coming. We went to meet up with some individuals while at a conference in DC. It has an abundance of shops and restaurants. While there don’t forget to take a ride on the Wheel (if you don’t mind heights). It is a little costly to travel from DC by cab. A cab ride will cost you about $30 each way from the National Mall area. However, if you are looking for something to do while walking around and doing some shopping then this is the place to go. Hope this review helps!

There is plenty to do here for grown ups and for families. Ferris wheel , the PEEPS store, build a bear, starbucks, charmin Charlie, pepper store, candy store, and lots of restaurants. Also - just walk through the Gaylord hotel - beautiful at Christmas and lots of things to do there even if you aren't staying there.

If you want a good view of the surrounding area, take a ride on the Capital Wheel. It is a huge ferris wheel which runs every day out on a pier in the Potomac at the National Harbor. It costs around $15 per person.

There are many shops and restaurants you can go to. Great view, especially at night. We went during summer and they have summer concert during the weekend. Great place for date or family.

The waterfront is pretty and there are some water taxis that offer great service to Alexandria, VA as well as up and down the coast. Surrounding restaurants vary from good to lousy and all are overpriced, but the harborfront itself is quite nice.

One of my favorite place to hang out with friends in the evening and watch sunset. Have dinner and drinks on one of the waterfront restaurants. View is beautiful and this area offers bars, restaurants, shopping , casino within one mile and Tanger outlet mall within 1-2 miles. Great place to spend a day.

We enjoyed the National Harbor area and would likely return since our visit was short. This is an entertainment and tourist area. There are restaurants and activities in the area including a casino. The awakening statue is also there and an interesting site to see.

Small beach (free). Playground average to below average $7 each entry (why???! We didn’t go in).
Many boutiques and bars this would have been better as a trip for adults.

My conference was located at the National Harbor which allowed for exceptional breaks. Whether just the view of the water or popping into the shops or to get a bite to eat.

I enjoyed this area as a spouse at a large convention with time on my hands. The restaurants are good enough, just not top notch. It is wonderful that there is a Starbucks! I used it as an area to get in my brisk morning walk followed by a coffee treat. In terms of shopping, that is limited, more variety is needed. I am not a big shopper so this did not matter too. It offered all I needed or cared for. The American Way Walk is fun and nicely done.

What a wonderful place to spend an afternoon or evening! There are shops and places to eat and explore, and even free outdoor movies on the water during the summer. My advice is to find a parking spot, wander around, grab something to eat and then take a ride on the ferris wheel. If you're in the area - stop by!

National Harbor is the perfect place for a weekend away. It's very family friendly, and great for couples also. There are plenty of great shops and restaurants to choose from, and the MGM is just a short distance from the waterfront.

I was in town for a conference at the Gaylord and liked walking around National Harbor. We had beautiful weather and lots of people were out having a good time. They had a big screen TV playing a live baseball game, a DJ playing music for dancing, a sand yard with sculptures that kids were having fun climbing. I really liked the famous peoples sculptures they had in town that we took the touristy pictures with. The view from the harbor at sunset is really nice.

NOT dog friendly. With so many restaurants with outside seating, we could not find a place that would allow our 5 lb. Dog on the patio. Unfortunately we had just checked into a hotel on the waterfront for the week. We walked down the street to Walrus Oyster & Ale House. I asked for seating outside for 2 people and a 5 lb Maltese dog. At least 3 times I told the hostess that we had a 5 lb dog. She took our number to text when a table was ready and my husband got drinks at the bar while we waited outside. After 45 minutes, we were texted to be seated, only to be told by another female hostess (in a very hostile manner) that we could not take the dog on the patio. This seemed to please her tremendously. She said they had closed off the open part of the patio, but as soon as we left and walked across the street, she seated another party at the table she said was closed. We have not experienced this bias in other areas around DC and we have been coming here for the last year and a half. Albeit to areas like Alexandria, Arlington, and Shirlington where we and our pet have been welcomed. It was clearly evident in her attitude, that she had a deep-seat hatred for anyone different.. I would not recommend this area to anyone. Also agree with the previous review about loud motorcycles blasting loud music. This is our first day and we are looking at moving to a different hotel in a different area all together for the remainder of the week. Please do not give this restaurant your business.

National Harbor is located close to where Virginia, Maryland and DC meet while driving over Woodrow Wilson bridge. The place is so popular that a mile long line of cars is not uncommon right at the beltway exit. There is something for everyone, casino, restaurants, views and the Ferris Wheel. DC needed a playground like this.

Nothing special and very limited attractions or places to enjoy the expanse of the harbour. The harbour front could be a whole lot more than it is...

Lots of shops, bars and eateries in an area easy to walk around. Didn’t go on Ferris wheel but at Christmas the resort has lots of kids holiday activities.

We thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing time here. We especially enjoyed the outdoor seating area in the promenade between the shops. The outdoor furniture was comfortable and in a shaded area. Families were enjoying themselves and the walk on the pier was romantic for our 1st anniversary!

On a recent cycling adventure discovered a path (bikes, running, skating path) from Alexandria to the national harbor. It's not an overly long ride. There is a pedestrian only lane with a gorgeous greeneryfilled overpass midway across the bridge. You cone in over by the paddle boat/kayak rental and Ferris wheel. New way for me to enjoy the national harbor.

A wonderful place to take a break and just relax. The place gets crowded but when you go there just to let things go by and shop around then that's relaxing for me.

If you just go and walk around the area, It will be enough to have fun, there are plenty of places for kids to have fun and plenty of places to eat depending on your budget.
Pedal boats for rent, the capital wheel, the awakening statue and taxi boats to dc and other attractions plus MGM casino resort and Gaylord resort.
Views are spectacular day time or night time, nice place to visit every season.

Had a nice pleasant walk. Area clean, plenty of shops and restaurants. Was a nice day so it passed the time walking along the harbor.

The ferris wheel sits on edge of harbor must be a fabulous view from top, I don't know as Iam afraid of heights and it was high!!

Beautiful clean area with good walking and jogging path with a history lesson too!☮️🏃🏼♀️
Great shopping and dining available.

This place seems as if it just popped up overnight. in my travels up and down I-95 I noticed the location one day and when I found out they had a wyndham i decided to check it out. This is a new developing vacation town with plenty of places to eat and drink. Definately a place to party and now gamble with the new MGM Grand. I was a little disappointed with MGM becaue it was not like Vegas or AC no free drinks you have to pay and not too many food choices in the casino but the town makes up for it. Good place to stay if you want to visit D.C.

My family and I frequent National Harbor at least once per year. I will share a few things that we do or have done on our stay just at the harbor. At the harbor front, there is limited parking; however, there is some street parking and there is a small lot by the carousel. There is no free parking. If there are no spots, there are several hotels with parking garages, you can park there for a fee. There are places to shop, dine and a few things to do. There are shops like Charming Charlie (ladies accessories), Tervis, Alex and Ani, Build a Bear, Peeps, Pretty Girl Cupcakery (tasty fresh cupcakes) and Savannah’s Candy Kitchen. There are plenty of places to get a quick bite or to dine in. Quick Bites: Chipotle and Nandos Peri Peri. Ben and Jerry’s for dessert. Brother Jimmys is good bbq, Cadillac Ranch is amazing, Granite City is great and the brunch is delicious. Redstone American Grill (the skillet cornbread is yummy) is by the water and the food is good. The Walrus Oyster and Ale House has great bites and drinks. The harborfront also has a carousel, playground, and a place with sand (the Awakening) where kids can play. At the end of the pier there is a Ferris Wheel ($15adults/$12kids) also military and senior rates. It is beautiful lit up at night and the ride is about 12 mins. There is also a Ben and Jerry’s truck on the pier. There is also an area (plaza) where there is a movie screen (movies on thurs and sundays), games, people play soccer, kids can play, you can take yoga & Zumba classes, or relax and picnic. There are water activities: yachts parked at the pier, tours, water taxis and paddle boats. Great family fun!

Over time this place has turned into the ghetto. Get used to the cursing, screaming and motorcycle gangs that roam through

Lots of restaurants. From pizza to steaks. We eat there six different times. Some had dine in some had both paito and dine in.

This is a great place to eat, walk, take a water taxi or just hang out. Right on the water with lots of places to sit and great artwork. I really enjoyed my stay here. Good for both adults and kids.

This was our first time visiting the National Harbor and our trip was short but we will be coming back again. The shops and food were wonderful. Beautiful view of the city and enjoyed taking pictures of the area. Parking was a little unnerving at first but then we "googled" parking and figured out what to do and it was an easy fix. Enjoyed watching the diversity of people. If you are in the area, you really need to spend a few hours there.

A great way to spend an hour while at the conference center. I definitely would not come here specially. Be careful because the cobblestone pavements are very slippery when wet.

This place has a particular charm and is enchanting. There are many families and people around having fun and the sunset is spectacular

I thought the harbor was okay. A few attractions including a ferris wheel. The ferris wheel was pretty cool. It lasted longer than most do. Alot of good places to eat. Large crowds and people smoking marijuana everywhere. It was disappointing. The water near the land was kind of nasty with trash everywhere. Overall it was a decent place, but I would stay and see the sites in DC next time!

We always enjoy our trips to the Harbor. We are former DMV residents and remember when the Harbor merely consisted of the Gaylord, Hampton Inn and the few shops there. It is amazing to see how much it has changed and what there is for families to do. We stay at the Wyndham when we come so our girls are pretty busy with the resort offerings. We love the Ferris wheel addition, as well as the carousel. On Friday nights there is always something to do as well as on Saturday mornings. Plenty of eateries in varying price ranges and levels of formality. The outlets offer great shopping as well.
Parents can get a date night out and head over to the MGM or take a stroll down to a bar for a night cap. Couples have endless options for dining or you can Uber into the city for one of the numerous trendy spots. This is a great addition to the area and is great for tourists and locals!

This is one of my favorite places to be in the area. I enjoy strolling, sitting on the dock, people watching, eating, and just enjoying the view. I wish more places validated for parking, but other than that, I love it!

Visited on a rainy Saturday morning. Traffic was down so it was easy to maneuver through the area. Parking building nearby but anything over two hours and the price will be $12 and up to park. I would allow at least three hours to explore and do. Plenty of shops and eating places. The Capital Wheel is nice; not exciting. A little on the expensive side at $15 per person. Our kiddos enjoyed climbing on Poseidon parts. The area offered entertainment for a couple of hours. Nice newer area to appreciate.

Loved walking around the area. The statues & sculptures of several noteworthy persons and others (Lincoln, FDR, Marilyn Monroe, Satchmo, etc. ) made it more the fun. The area is very clean, many upscale stores with friendly shopkeepers. Everything within walking distance to area hotel. Always felt safe walking at night.

First time in National Harbor, again, traveling as a "spouse in tow" while my husband attended a conference nearby.
Lots of places to do some serious shopping or at very least window shopping. Plenty of little places to grab a quick bite to eat.
Neat little beach area overlooking the Potomac where you can sit for a bit. Here you will find "The Awakening", a huge statue of a man seemingly emerging from the sand.
The area is beautifully maintained and manicured and is immaculately clean. Lovely shady area where you can cool off in the midday heat.
Easily done in a few hours if you hustle but honestly, why?

The Harborfront at National Harbor epitomizes the whole point of locating this complex on a cove of the Potomac. There are well maintained walkways along the water that are great for either a brisk or leisurely walk. Sculpture, murals and pavilions provide places to stop and enjoy the surroundings. The water is a great reflector of morning skies and night lights. One can sit on chairs and benches and watch incoming flights and traffic crossing the often glistening bridge into Virginia. Fun also to look at the Airforce One replica. In short it is important to visit the shops and restaurants in National Harbor, but it is important to relax, and enjoy the scenery.

It is the quintessential park on the water, full with pirate ships, rides and a view of Washington DC that is worth the trip alone. The hotel is outstanding, the restaurants and shops are first rate. Is it pricey? I would call it average for the Washington DC area and well worth it.

The National Harbor is really a nice place to visit and live. It has many restaurants to choose from with different types of food. The view across the Potomac river is beautiful and the harbor looks really nice at night with all the lights.

Beautiful waterfront views and attractions. Sky wheel, museum's, open atrium area for waterfront relaxing with pleanty of chairs. Play areas for kids. Nice photo shoot spot.

Collection of restaurants and shops and a couple of hotels that exist specifically to feed the convention crowd for Gaylord and now the Westin and MGM and a few others. Sort of eclectic and pricey. Not really a place I would go unless I was attending a meeting in one of the hotels. A good place to kill some time in the evenings or if you are just bored with being inside the convention hotels.

Such a pleasant place to be on a nice day. There’s so much to see and do at the harborfront - boats, entertainment, carousel, Ferris wheel and tons of restaurants and shops. A great destination for families, couples, groups, anybody!

The area has some, but not a lot of attractions. The views are nice. We liked the sculptures on the "beach".

Lots of cute restaurants and shops. Nice view of the sunset. Lots of people here on a beautiful summer Sunday evening. Attractions? People watching and a little bit of sand for the kiddos.

Fun, lively, scenic. A great spot for the whole family to chill, shop and relax. The wheel is fun (but don't expect speedy service from the bar lady) and the views are lovely!

We had 5 hours to kill and spent all of it here. There was something for everyone and it was all walkable. Outside sculptures, restaurants, stores, street entertainment (magician when we were there), lovely breeze from the water, and that great ferris wheel. Ride that first to get the lay of the land!

This was last stop of a 10 day vacation before heading back home & we were not disappointed. The Harbor has so much to offer, from hotels to dining to shopping to entertainment & so much more. You can park your car & everything is within walking distance. It's a great place for family reunions! This was our 2nd time to the Harbor & we will return again.

I love this area! So much to do, always events happening. Great choice of restaurants and shops and is so clean and feels safe. They just need a bookstore!

This is a beautiful harbor, highlighted by the Capitol Wheel, which is what I think they call the Ferris wheel at the shoreline. There’s a delightful shoreline promenade that’s a couple blocks long, with views of birds and boats, and the sweet lapping of the water. At the far end seems to be an earlier Air Force One, which we couldn’t actually reach because it is a restricted area. Still, it’s an attractive thing to see in the distance and not your normal local attraction.
There’s also a group of sculptures of service people representing each branch of military service, which are well done and fitting for a town named National Harbor. Across the street are three wonderful life size bronze sculptures of Washington, Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. I really ate these up as they gave me a realistic perspective of these men as human beings.
Quite a tasty waterfront in a relatively small space. Great for an after dinner stroll.

The National Harborfront Area is very nice and well constructed. Great combination of hotels, restaurants, stores, and activities that makes it perfect for all types of outings. Highly recommend if you’re visiting the area!

The harborfront is a great place to sit and watch people, walk, run, eat, and more. The view is special with the Ferris wheel on the dock. The water shuttle leaves for Alexandria and the mall. Many restaurants, live music. A special place to visit and hang out.

Have family in DC and have always wanted to check this area out. Everything is very new and on this late summer week day not many crowds. Lots of interesting places to eat, though many were quite expensive. My daughter refers to it as an "outdoor mall".

Great place to take a walk along the riverfront. Beautiful sites, numerous places to stop for a bite to eat or have a drink. If you’re adventurous, take a boat ride or ride the giant Ferris wheel!

I walked around the area. A bit muggy, but still enjoyable. Everything moves at a slow pace. They had a free movie in the park. Lots of families playing around the area too.

Lots to do on the Harborfront area, music, movies, boat rides, food, shopping, areas for children to play, fun scuptures throughout the town and just plain fun to watch the people out and about.

Right on the Potomac, this is a great mix of restaurants and retail, not far away from some very historic sights.

Great positive surprise while looking for a place to watch a soccer World Cup game I got to this place by accident. Great set up, nice scenic and lots of good food options.

We walked around the harbor front and it was a beautiful walk! Lots of shopping and plenty of places to eat!

Don’t attend a conference here. Everyplace, from the tacky as hell conference center, to hotels to the restaurants all fleece you of cash for poor service, bad food and the worst failure for money I’ve ever encountered anywhere in the world.
Find another conference anywhere else.

Very few restaurants have electric door openers or way to get in. Some along sidewalk have steps to enter and where level with sidewalk there are steel bars to keep out. A few will let you in with chair if you can find a kind soul to open door. Lovely area to enjoy. The riverfront has the Capitol wheel and a large screen showing entertainment. Good food of many varieties.

My family and I enjoyed many of the restaurants, crossing the Woodrow Wilson Bridge was beautiful, we took pictures with The Awakening status, we rode the capital wheel and last but not least please take the water taxi into the Alexandria area... (beautiful)

Lots to see & do for all ages, kids will like to plan in the sand. Love all the different statues and all the reminders of our history. Highly recommend it

I am very impressed as to how well designed and pedestrian friendly they have made this whole area. Several hotels, a gazillion restaurants and bars, fun outdoor seating with giant screen TV for major events. Well Done and well worth a visit.

I am here right now for a convention at the Gaylord Convention Center. After three nights here for the convention, I have found the whole area to be overpriced, painfully artificial feeling, and it generally feels like a large mall with a nice view (how long can anyone really enjoy staying at a mall?). There is no free parking and every place in town is charging a premium for everything... my advice is at most to come for lunch and a quick walk. 1-2hrs and you'll have seen everything. Better yet, just go to Georgetown, downtown Alexandria, stay in DC, or, well, go anywhere else that doesn't feel like a soul-less Las Vegas casino on the Potomac.

If your objective is to visit Washington and the area, this is not the place for you.
It is very expensive, and getting anywhere is a $35 dollar cab ride one way (Smithsonian). Uber is only moderately cheaper at $30.
The hotels do not offer shuttle services, nor is there any kind of agreement with providers to get you anywhere. There is no metro connection and bus services will take you 2.5 hours. None of this is mentioned anywhere on their website.
Restaurants are over priced as are the local stores. Expect to pay $85 dollars for an average breakfast for a family of 4.
Diners will run you about $150 (with beer/wine, expect to pay more).
There is a Macdonald’s nearby, but no way to walk there without risking life and limb on the median of the road.
The entire area is geared to serve large scale conventions or weddings. And to promote a “tv like yuppie lifestyle” for those that own condos there.
You are better off paying a bit more to stay in a hotel closer to the Smithsonian/historical sites if your goal is site seeing. With reduced travel costs factored in, you are ahead of the game. This was an expensive lesson for us - I hope it serves you well.
The area is clean and secure. I will give them that. It is well developed and there are some amenities (pathway for walking/biking).
Personally, I make a very good living. But even I had to balk at the pricing. Add exchange rate premiums and a 4 night stay in this area ran me close to 4,000 USD.
I am sure the area serves its target market well. Unfortunately, the target market is not a Canadian tourist. So avoid my mistake and spend extra on a hotel near the tourist sites. Factor in reduced travel and more competitive restaurant options, you will save money.

We always visit this harbor when we are in the area. It seems to be fairly well maintained and clean. Some of the shops still have limited hours but the restaurants are always hopping and they have a free outdoor movie on a big screen and other activities. The waterfront path is always beautiful and has many benches. Children have a carousel and a large sandy area to play in. There are many lifelike statues around and many sculptures. All in all we have stayed in several of the hotels over the years and have always had a good time. Some of the specialty shops are really nice and I always find a good buy for myself or a gift. The Ferris wheel is always nice whether during the day or lighted up at night. We have done both. A quick drive up a hill brings you to MGM CASINO and that’s a beautiful place with a wonderful lookout over the Potomac and Alexandria Va and plenty of parking. It’s always nice to just walk around there even if you do not gamble or stay at the casino hotel. Definitely recommend.

I have only ever visited here in Jan. So I can't honestly comment on all there is to do here as some of the things are closed in winter. They have a replica of Air Force One that you can pay to go into. While I have not visited it myself, the reviews are not that great. The giant ferris wheel is pretty cool and offers great views at night.

Beautiful place with lots of restaurants around. Went during winter which was freezing but I still loved it.

Beautiful views at night, and comfortable riding in the enclosed cars. It is work your while to jump on the National Wheel and take a spin.

Just a tourist trip designed to nickel and dime out of town conventioners. Most out of town guests make 1/2 the annual salary as the typical person who works at the harbor and everything is very over priced.
The evening lights are nice but guests are warned that there is a lot of crime in this area and it's important to walk in pairs and with groups.

Went on the Ferris wheel 15.00 a person well worth it. Got some great views and photos. Wasn't to busy as it was a Tuesday. Good food choices and nice little shops and things to look at. Great place to unwind after a full day in D.C. They have a little beach also which was nice for the kids to hang out.

It is not a huge waterfront. I mean compared to Toronto where I live. But it is a nice little place to spend your evening at. There are lots of food options and a giant ferriss wheel. You'll love this place.

Just walked along water way watching the birds and boats. Ferris wheel is spectacular too. Loved the Peeps store and the cute little car out-front.

Beautiful! Missed the boat tours but enjoyed the view and walking around and of course....people watching! Nice shops and restaurants! There was an excellent street musician playing some sweet tunes on his horn! Great night@@

This area is a great for families and couples.... great food and the capitol wheel - is fun and has exciting views of the DC area. Enjoyed going to Bobby MCKeys - the performers are very talented and it is great entertainment.

Nice place to walk and see some sights, find some good food and adult beverages. Kid friendly too. The night brought out the police for security, but they were super when asking for suggestions for places to eat or drink. Very easy to walk around!

The harbor front is a fun place. Big sand play area with a huge sculpture buried within in. Huge ferris wheel. Water taxies. Large exercise area. Surrounded by restaurants.

We stumbled across this beautiful spot when we decided to go to the Capital Wheel. I’m so glad we did. It is gorgeous, the food we had was delicious, the ambience is so peaceful and enjoyable. Loved it!

Stayed in the harbor front for a conference. First time back in a couple of years. Everything really in one place now - hotels, tons of restaurants of all varieties and shopping.

what a beautiful place for a romantic get away or family day . So many shops and restaurants . We were at the MGM for a day of gambling and went down to the Marina for a break . Such a beautiful place.

Great place to chill out at night with the decos and everything. Parking in this place is pricy but the restaurants around here are good. It's nice that they have creative figurines for visitors to take photos with. It's a big quiet on weekdays though.

The Harbor area is an entertainment complex located outside of DC in Maryland side of the Potomac river. There are lots of shops and restaurants. It is a launching spot for other activities. Water taxis will take you to Alexandria or the National landmarks in DC. There are other water cruises available too, so many to describe. Harbor has a big screen led tv that plays movies on Sunday nights, free to all. There is a DJ most nights spinning the classics and new hits. Yoga, kids playing area, sand play beach ad the crown of the harbour, the ferris wheel. Many resorts and hotels. I could spend hours just watching the sunset and the people. Had a couple of weddings performed. Just a great place to relax and enjoy your loved ones.

Great views the navy's band played outside. Very good. unfortunately you are in national harbor. Nothing else to really see or do. Do not stay here.

It's a lovely long walk and there are people/activities right along the path who you can watch or join. There were even fun zumba classes right along the waterfront. There's also a Ferris wheel if you fancy a ride. There are restaurants which offer a variety of tasty food but of course stick with the seafood since it's fresh.

Visited in August with my wife. We really didn't know what to expect, ad we have been to the inner harbor in Baltimore. Hands down this place is so much nicer and safer to visit . There are tons of restaurants for every pallet. Many are right on the water front and overlook the harbor. Sit outdoors if possible. The stores lining the harbor have a great variety of goods. You can spend many hours browsing the shops. Take a walk over to the Gaylord National Resort during your visit. This hotel complex is amazing.

We loved our quick visit here. Definitely worth spending a few hours here and having lunch on the Waterfront as well as posing with all of the different statues...Marilyn Monroe, FFR, Abe Lincoln, Louie Armstrong just to name a few.

We enjoyed takings with the sculpture in the sand, walking in and out of all kinds of shops and eating a delicious cupcake from Pretty Girl Cupcakery. There were games on the "lawn" and lots of snack places.

If you are looking for over 200 places to eat and shop, watch movies, ride a ferris wheel or see The Awakening sculpture, then head to the National Harbor. There are eight hotels, some four- and five-star. The MGM Casino is nearby if you wish to lessen the weight of your wallet. Shopping and eating tend to be on the expensive side. Parking is available in one of the three covered garages and will cost you $18.00 for 4-24 hours. The area is clean and provides a great view of the Potomac River. There are statues of Franklin Roosevelt, Henry Ford, Dwight Eisenhower, Frederick Douglass and others in the walkway leading to the harbor. It’s worth your time to stop here at least once if your travels bring you to the area.

I'm not sure why National Harbor is so popular. It does have shopping and restaurants but other than that there isn't much going on. They have the large ferris wheel and paddle boats. They had a large screen that was playing a Disney movie. Several families with blankets and chairs which was neat. There is ample parking near by in parking garages. I was there about an hour and it was $3.
I would suggest you drive the extra distance and go to Baltimore's harbor. There is a lot more to do and much more scenic.

Was a very nice place to chill even in the cold , lots of restaurants and bars for all family types and friends or couples

This is really just a cute retail/ dining area. It has the jumbo ferris wheel which is fun and peddle boats that look like dragons or swans to rent. We spent about 4 hours looking at shops, eating, and riding the ferris wheel and playing with the boats.

I didn't know there was a place like this in the United States. It was overwhelming. You can tell there was a lot of money spent on developing this area.
This is a must see venue.

Same as above; I was disappointed that I didn’t have time to catch a water taxi to old Alexandria. In fact, you can go many places via water taxi.

So much to do at the harbour front area. Good mixture of restaurants and shops. I liked it because there weren't a lot of chain stores or restaurants. Nice individual non franchise restaurants and shops. There is a sandybeach there that is marked off. Also a area for a band to play live music. Areas for paddle boats, charters and smaller local cruise boats. I like the energy there and it was fun. Def a nice place to hang out!

Great area!! The awakening sculpture is very cool and a lot of people were enjoying it! Very nice overlook of the river and a place for kids to hangout.

If you’re here for business it’s fine but I wouldn’t go out of your way to visit here. Lovely harbor views especially at sunset. The Ferris wheel is an attraction but not really much to see up there. Shops are average in the area. Nice place to walk around if your there for a meeting as I was. Cherry trees will be nice when mature.

What a terrific way just to relax ... small sand beach ...walking area ... boat rentals ... ice cream stands ... enough places to eat to satisfy any taste ... walking path to the nearby casino ... security ever present ... Ferris wheel ... outdoor movies on a big screen ... night life ... shopping ... We had a great time. The BBQ and Beer fest was going on while we were there ... great music ... good food... Not drinker so I can't comment on the refreshments

This place is awesome and should be on the visit list
After spending the day at the monuments we visited this place in the evening. Its full of people and there the view is just breath taking
There are a lot of eateries available to choose from.
The view from this place is fantastic ic and a perfect place for taking photos
Walk on the street or the water front and enjoy the evening

My family decided to stay at the National Harbor for our Summer vacation and had an amazing time. The red, white, and blue colors on the ferris wheel was beautiful on the 4th and we enjoyed sitting outside relaxing by the Potomac River. We also ate at our favorite restaurants, Granite City and Cadillac Ranch, and we got candy from Savannah’s Candy Kitchen. We fell in love with the National Harbor the first time we visited in 2016 and couldn’t wait to return.

This is a good destination for families. There's plenty of activities in this area. Water sports, great restaurants , shopping, ferris wheel, outdoor movie nights, clubs, casino and many other hot spots. Every member of the family will be happy in the National Harbor.

National Harbor is an excellent location for a day out with the family. There are a variety of restaurants and shops that will appeal to every ones taste. A ride on the heated ferris wheel is a remarkable experience.

There is enough to do for a fun weekend. If you buy a $5.00 ticket for the Circulator bus you can get to the main attractions all day. If you choose to leave National Harbor there is transportation to D.C.

Fun activities and wonderful atmosphere, especially at night, very well maintained and located, the Capital Wheel is a MUST!

Lots of places to eat and many activities for all ages. The entire area is well lit. Sunsets can be beautiful!!

This is a beautiful area to spend some time leisurely walking and relaxing on s bench. The problem is the parking. Parking in the national harbor is ridiculous. Even if your staying at a resort there. The restaurants are ridiculously over priced, for mediocre food.

I have been coming to National Harbor for a while. We loved staying a few days, walking around, and having dinner and drinks at different restaurants. This past Saturday, August 5, 2023, was horrible. Packs of young teenagers running around screaming shooting . Police everywhere make it look scary in the works.
Don't feel safe going anymore. It has changed so much that if no fun.

A newly built area of nice hotels and restaurants with a marina and big conference center. The MGM casino and outlet mall are right around the corner. Nice to spend a night out of town and not having to go very far.

This is a really nice spot to hang out at night. Imagine it’s quite as active and lively during the daytime as well.
The changing lights of the Ferris wheel is it a nice backdrop to the Harbor. I really enjoyed the huge statue of the buried man in the sand. The best view and pics of the whole installment can be taken from the walkway by the harbor.
There are signs everywhere to keep or rather adhere to the social distancing and to always wear your mask. It is required mask even while walking outside. There’s police presence everywhere to make sure but all guests and residents and everyone else is wearing masks outside as well as the ones going in and out of buildings. They take the mask requirement here very seriously.
The harbor area is closed after 10 PM, the police presence is also there to make sure that they’re not people milling about after 2 PM.

Brussel sprouts with bacon and spicy drizzle. Delicious! Crab cakes had lots of crab chunks. Tried a jalapeño margarita - not my favorite. The view was great. Sunset was beautiful.

Be sure to go online and google: National Harbor Events to uncover something for you, your family, visiting family, friends, young and young at heart, and exercise options such as Yoga/Kickboxing/Zumba/Swimming/Movies/Bands, etc., FREE! Those activities that require reservations with pricing are Capital Wheel, Cruise Ships. The CAROUSEL has prices listed but you or your child can ride until they don't want to ride any,ore for 1 price, best place for bday parties too! Bring a picnic, enjoy sand, sun, fun and activities on Harborfront Area!

The harborfront area offers a pretty view of the harbor, some unique shops, and a variety of eating establishments. Glad we came and checked it out...wouldn’t go back as I feel once you have seen it there isn’t a lot to go back for.

The Harbor is a great place to stay if your coming from out of town or if your a local. Hotels are spread through out the property, some have water views.There are so many restaurants it may be hard to decide which one. Many activities for the whole family. Great for singles, families and groups. There are many great Water Taxis to take you into Alexandria, Virginia and Washington, D.C. There's a Pirate Party Boat that cruises the Potomac. The Wheel is a great attraction as well as the Carousel. There are small shops all over the property. Depending on the time of the year, there are activities at the open are theater area. There is a small beach for great picture opportunities You will have to pay for parking there are several parking garages. If you want to got to the MGM you will have to drive. I think walking may be an issue with the amount of traffic.

Scenery is amazing and very peaceful atmosphere during the summer. Definitely a "must see" in the winter with the beautiful Christmas trees!

We came to see the Awakening and were sucked in by the fun walks along the beach and along the path of history. The funniest part of the walk when we came upon the classic picture of Marilyn Monroe turned into a statue and took a picture for two ladies who mimicked her pose.

Never knew there was an area like this around here. This is very touristy, but very entertaining with great bars and food places.

We were down here to check out the waterfront. Was a great place to walk around .
Has a lot of restaurants and trendy shops.
Great views of the river

This is not a great family destination. The area is new and nice, but there really is not much to do for families. There is a lot of shops and restaurants, but the things for kids to do was extremely limited. They had a tiny playground with a merry-go-round, but wanted to charge admission, rather than just charging for the ride. The Capitol Wheel was way too expensive for our large family. If you are a well-off couple this might be a place to go.

This is a great place to people watch and view the views across the Potomac. Nice, easy, well-paved walking path, too.

My husband and I had such a wonderful time walking, smiling and enjoying the many sights on the waterfront. The lighting was great, plenty of different places to sit and relax, sightsee, shop or play. The whole experience was so much fun. I think we were grinning the entire time we spent there.

Visited National Harbor in January for a show at the MGM but stayed at Hampton Inn overnight. So glad we didn't stay at MGM, because "the other end" of National Harbor is very nice and lots to do. It was cold and windy when we visited but we walked about anyway. Lots of restaurants. Lots of boutiques (although not many for me) and the walk along the water was so pretty, even in the winter. I would love to return when weather is nicer and to ride the Wheel.

The Ferris wheel and a giant in the sand are the highlights on the Harbor front. Plenty of places for the kids to play or to grab a drink and meal not a mega spot and not one I'd visit if I wasn't here to n business

The Ferris Wheel was the focus of my grand-daughter’s attention. She is only 2 but loved riding in it. Very safe, totally enclosed, so quite enjoyable even in the winter

Despite the heat & humidity, this spot is just lively and fun. Live music at restaurants, nice shops, good parking, a movie shown where restaurant goers and picnickers alike could enjoy.
Seeing the sun set there with a lovely landscape and river breeze is hard to beat.

What a beautiful place but bring your credit card. From parking to the stores to the activities, you'll pay for it. Variety is good and the views are nice. Cool place to go with your significant other. We were there for cheer competition and it is nice but like I said, bring the checkbook!

Nice place to spend an afternoon walking around. Good restaurants. Ferris wheel. Good afternoon with family.

Please remember this is Oxon Hill Md in the heart of PG county. We went to Bobby Keys and parked in the garage nearby. A security guard had a guy pressed out against the wall for urinated in the garage. PG county had another person against the wall trying to detain her and she was running away in the garage. Not a safe environment at all and it was only 7pm at night.

While staying at the Gaylord we walked around the harbor area. What a great time was had by all. Restaurants, shopping and the sites are all great. The Statues are so fun. I don’t think I’d drive out of my way to go there....but if you are staying in any of the hotels nearby it’s a must!!

Loved everything about this place and its shops and restaurants! So much to do. Every style of food you can imagine. So much fun on a beautiful day!

Many hotels and upscale stores to see plus eateries and the big Ferris wheel. Bring your wallet!!! Fairly easy to park. No swimming in the water.

They have attempted to make this a kid friendly with minimal effort. There is a carousel, Farris wheel and a sand area to play. The Farris wheel was 5 times around a 5 minute ride for $14. Did not ride carousel to young for a 10 &11 year old. They did enjoy climbing in the sand and structures. Very pricey place!

My mom surprised me when she said she would get on the ferris wheel with me. It was around $15 and the ride lasted 10 minutes. It is something I will only do once and the view is spectacular and the ride was smooth and in a climate controlled enclosed "car" We got there when there was no one in line so we rode non-stop. Until we were done there was a line of about 15 people so I can imagine there ride time with loading and unloading would have been 20-25 minutes.

Beautiful area felt very safe to stroll alone at night. Wish I had more time to explore. Very convenient

Peaceful, calm, great view. Music on the lawn too! Great place for couples, families, friends. The playground area is adorable - kids were having a ball playing on what appeared to be a man in the sand. So fun!

My family and I have just returned from a weekend spent at the harbor and DC. We had a lot of fun just walking and snacking and enjoying the sights! This place is very lively and has a great atmosphere. There are lots of families taking pictures and the kids enjoying all of the statues and of course the peeps store! There is something to satisfy every belly with all the restaurants. I would go back again!

This was our first visit! Even though it rained all weekend, it was still beautiful. My husband and I enjoyed walking along the river.

National Harbor is fun area with many small shops, restaurants, great views of the river and sunset. We enjoyed the pleasant strolls during day and night. It is a good place to spend time with family during weekend too.

For such a small area, there is certainly a lot going on all the time. Pirate ships, restaurants, shuttle boats, Ferris Wheel and
music, all within a couple of blocks. Very quaint.

The Harborfront Area is a short walk from the hotels in the area. It is a great place to relax, stretch your legs and enjoy the attractions. There is a walking/jogging paved path along the water. Additionally, there is a Ferris wheel and small boat rental nearby. There are many restaurants within a short walking distance as well.
This is a great place to visit to explore, relax, have fun etc

Well-designed, fun area. If you get tired of shops, restaurants, and views, there's a huge TV that usually has either a good movie or an interesting sports event. Parking is expensive, but it's an enjoyable venue.

So nice and clean. Family friendly! Lots to do. Some nights they have a movie on the screen. Lots of restaurants in walking distance.

We visited in December and had a lovely time. The waterfront area decked in charming holiday decor. Lots of nice restaurants and good eats about.

Attended a conference at the Gaylord. The National Harbor area has a lot of restaurants and several hotels. It’s out of the hustle and bustle of downtown Washington, but only 20 minutes away.

The harbor are is really great. Between the shopping and restaurants there is always something to keep you busy. The kids loved seeing all the statues, boats, and especially the Peep store.

This is a very fun area with great views of the river and a pleasant stroll. National Harbor is a fun getaway with so many food and shopping options.

This is a great couples / family friendly place. The views are great during the day & beautiful by night. Make sure you ride the ferris wheel 🎡 as the sun is setting. The view up top is spectacular! I also liked the art work all around. There is a statue of one of the Greek Gods coming out of the sand. It was cool seeing children sliding down his leg. The water brings a calm & peace to everything. This area has something for everyone! This is a primo spot for, food, shopping,family, & romance.....

Had a nice weekend in this area with lots to do and plenty of options for all ages. Parking is not the greatest, but other than that a cool area.

Grab one of the many benches and watch the sunset. I sat there for an hour and it was totally worth it. Not only for the view, but the soft breeze was so nice.

We have visited the National Harbor on many occasions. DO NOT miss out on the opportunity to explore such an exciting and beautiful place!!!

One of the best places in Maryland. It has complete amenities like restaurant, activity area for kids, CVS Pharmacy, Shopping area. Definitely a walkable place

Rode the Ferris Wheel at night (suggest daytime) with family and then stopped at Ben n Jerry's for some gourmet ice cream. Enjoyed The Tonight Dough myself

scenic, mix of some shops and restaurants but very little to accommodate tag along travelers to events and conventions at the convention center. Ferry boat helps but timing could reduce that option. Spouses and families will need additional activities if staying more than a day

What a great place for anyone! There are free movies every night, restaurants with all types of food, boats, sand, sights, just an overall comfortable place to be! Date night, family night, girls/guys night out, it’s all here in this gorgeous part of our country!

Looking to get away want great food locations to walk to just park your car and go walk around and on Thursday evenings free movie date night not to mention other great free stuff for couples to do.
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Fun place for singles, couples or families.
It doesn't matter if you are traveling for business or pleasure be sure to come down to this area. Free live entertainment, great places to eat and fun places to shop! They even have a Peeps Store!