National Harbor Reviews

Best place to spend sundays, parking is easy, walkable community. Has all you need, steakhouse, coffeeshops burger station and pharmacy

This is an odd place. Things are generally overpriced. There is not much to do. It seems to have been created to host conventions. The MGM casino was the best place to go to find reasonably priced food, in their food court. There is no history here. They built an historical “way.” It’s pretty but the best thing to do from National Harbor is to take a ferry somewhere else- Old Town, Mount Vernon, River cruise. For a harbor, there are few boats, mostly yachts or ferries. Go to DC.

I think there should be different restaurants and grocery store is horrible. There are people that live in the area with no place to shop.

I overall enjoy Nationals Harbor and everything it has to offer. The hotels, stores, restaurants, and entertainment are all superb. It is definitely a place you want to go! There is always something to do.
I have greatly enjoyed it when I have been to conventions at the Gaylord.
It is hard to get in or out of sometimes though. There is an inadequate entrance to National Harbor. Any large event will cause a bottleneck with the streets completely stopped. The parking fills up quickly.
The transportation, public or shuttle bus, are not especially easy to use. The public transportation doesn’t go directly there from Union Station or a close airport. And find a schedule for the shuttle bus or it’s location is like trying to find an escape room secret.
The only reliable way in or out seems to be taxi but that is sometimes more pricy than desired due to surge rates.
It is best just to try and exit or enter the area during certain hours only when there is any sort of event in town.

The view of the sunset is amazing! My husband and I took a ride on the Capital Ferris Wheel in the evening and snapped a few nice shots of the sunset...Spectacular!!!

My husband and I came to National Harbor on a Monday afternoon in February. We just walked around and went into some of the shops. We also had lunch. Everything is very pricey so be prepared. It is a nice area but you have to pay to park. We will def go back but I wish parking was free because the restaurants and shops are pretty expensive.

Lots of restaurants and shops. A paved trail along the water. Everything is expensive and parking is terrible.

This is a very quiet compact area with lots of shops and restaurants. There is a huge tv screen down by the water you can sit down and watch. Ghostbusters was playing one night. There is a Del Sol store with some great tee shirts that are UV sensitive. The shirt is white with a design. When you go outside the design lights up with colors and disappears when you go back inside. Plus they have the soft bamboo tees. There is a new store with pewter creations that’s worth checking out. If you’re not staying at National Harbor it’s worth a trip.

The harbor has tons to do between the downtown area, the local outlets, and the Gaylord hotel. We really enjoyed everything and got a chance to ride the wheel. We will definitely be coming back.

I enjoyed the harbor front, where we took two water taxis to Alexandria, VA and another to Mt. Vernon. I liked the various attractions, couch as the Capital Wheel and the Awakening sculpture.

We took the ferry from the mainland to National Harbor and spent a couple of hours here. It is. A nice spot to walk around and we appreciated the cleanliness and areas of interest.
Nice for a quick visit and to add to your checklist of places visited while in Washington. Worth the ferry ride.

My wife and I spent 3 nights here. This area is very upbeat with a lot of restaurants, shops, and a waterfront.

Luckily, I was staying in the National Harbor so everything was walkable to go to. The views are amazing and definitely do the ferris wheel. Plenty of shops to interest you and restaurants and starbucks!

This is a cool, fun place. Tons of great places to eat, tons of cool things to see, the waterfront is beautiful, the hotels are fabulous, the wheel is cool to ride and give you a spectacular view of the area. Air Force one is there to visit, there is a water taxi that will take you back and forth to Old Town, the MGM casino is there. And the list goes on and on. If you spent time in DC and don't make it here, you are missing out.

Although it was raining outside, my husband and I walked around National Harbor for the first time and were very impressed. So much to see, and so many sculptures out and about. We would love to bring the kids back, when the weather is nice to explore some more.

Plenty of restaurants and shops. Along with some beautiful views. Definitely a spot if you are looking to go out by the water

National Harbor is great vacation destination. There is a play area for kids, boat trips, shopping , a casino, great restaurants, bars, walking trails, trips into Washington DC, and so much more. The place is kept very clean and the three parking garages are very convenient to everything. Except maybe the Outlets and Casino, everything else is within walking distance of each other. There are restaurants for every budget and plenty of places to sit and take in the area.

Great area for a nice view, to walk around, let kids play, etc. Lot's of restaurants in the area. Very safe area.

Was here for an early evening with my wife. Absolutely beautiful development. Most things are new and maintained. Tons of shops and restaurants (though it seems like many/most are chains). We were down here related to the marina - which was also pretty maintained. I really want to love it here because it’s close to home but the crowd was absolutely insufferable. By 7pm everyone was loud and obnoxious. The two of us couldn’t have a conversation. Mouthy teenagers running around everywhere yelling. We thought we might save the trip by taking a minute to watch the Army Band who was performing… but a group of mediocre street drummers with no volume control were banging away not even a block from the stage. It was awful and wildly disrespectful. That was the final straw. Maybe it’ll be better for an afternoon, but I’ll pass in the evening.

Usually a favorite—walkable, great food, Americana vibes. This year felt quieter: fewer shops, closed Ferris wheel, less energy.

If you're in the D.C. area a water taxi ride on the Potomac is a great way to spend some time. We took the round trip from the Wharf to National Harbor. Very walkable areas for shopping, dining and exploring.

after a full day at a conference, it was great to get outside and have a nice place to stroll, there are statues along the sidewalk, the view of the harbour is lovely and the shops had nice windows. we did not have time to shop at all, but the walk and the fresh air was great.

Thus is a great area, plenty of restaurants with average food but you pay for the atmosphere. Great shops to explore. Plenty of areas to sit and relax and take in the scenery.

Beautiful and exciting. Looking for different foodfare than at home? Enjoy walking or jogging, shopping? The National Harbor has this and so much more. My husband and I enjoyed visiting the Plaza yesterday afternoon. Each day has different free activities to participate in if you like. We enjoyed a lazy afternoon strolling, enjoyed the beautiful landscaping throughout. I highly recommend you visit. We had lunch at Crab Cake Cafe it was good but a bit pricey 16.00 for a sandwich and soda shop but it's DC every thing is a few dollars more so be prepared if children are coming along. We have grandkids and would definitely bring them in the afternoon. We were there from 2-5 no problem with it being crowded.

Very picturesque area that is clean and enjoyable with nice hotels and restaurants. It also has interesting statues and places to just sit and relax.

The Capitol Wheel, ferris wheel, is a great thing to do with grandchildren. There is also a lovely children's park withing walking distance that has a carosel my grandchildren love to ride.

It is a great place to walk and explore a large variety of shops and restaurants. Nice little "beach" for the kids to play in the sand. Late Spring-Early fall there are boats to rent, the Capital Wheel is great at sunset.

Just spent a very relaxing 2 -1/2 days in National Harbor. The restaurants we ate at were very good, the streets were clean and the people were all very friendly.

Great outdoors! Nice place to walk, lots to do and see. Love this place, and enjoy a nice time with couple, friends or family.

Lots of nice areas to walk around and explore and chat with family. It is a gem to visit near the mess of D.C. Check out the Capital Wheel and take a ride!!!! The water is pretty. There are a bunch of restaurants but almost no shopping so if you want shopping then this is not for you. Lots of places to eat and the ones we tried were good. The area felt safe and clean and nicely designed.

Great location for a conference. Lots of sights to see and plenty of great spots to eat and drink. Weather wasn't great but still had fun

Great waterfront view with plenty of restaurants. The Gaylord hotel is nice place to stay for family vacation.

The National Harbor provides nice views of the harbor and has a decent variety of shops...although the variety could be better and the shops are on the expensive side. I particularly liked the views and the fact that it was walkable. It is however not well connected, so you may need your own means of transportation (or you can Uber here, I guess).

Great views here and there was a plane looking like a replica of Air Force One which was fenced up at the end of the pathway. The streets were nicely laid out with Ford Model T replicas, Marilyn Monroe etc.

Nice experience.

National Harbor, great place, many shops, bars, restaurants, water taxi to Alexandria, VA. Huge Ferris Wheel, Peep Shop. Nice walking area, beautiful views!

On a beautiful weather day, this is a great place to visit especially for kids. The Ferris Wheel ride, the Merry-go-round and the kids play area are perfect for the little ones to spend time. The only thing is that everything is a bit pricey right (parking, ticket rides, etc.) . Overall, you will enjoy your time.

Fantastic experience!! There is something to do for everyone!! The beautiful water, merry go round, huge Ferris wheels or variety of restaurants and shopping selections were great!! The art work and sculptures are also breathtaking!! I really enjoyed my visit!

The harbor area is very well done and has a ton of options for food and fun. There are a ton of restaurants down here and it's a very lively and inviting area for all to enjoy. Very nicely done and also family friendly and very walkable.

Fun place to visit for a few hours. The attractions are pretty pricey in my opinion. I’d recommend visiting at night, as it’s an absolute ghost town during the day. Plus, the lights are not on.

First time visiting. Went to the Titanic exhibit which was expensive and OK. Good police presence after recent violence. Signs everywhere about the teenage curfew hours over the weekend. Parking and restaurants were expensive.

The National Harbor is a newly added to the area for places to go. It is on the other side of the Potomac River, near the site of the MGM Casino and the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. This new Waterfront Development has plenty of offer to all. Places to eat, places for childrent to enjoy, places to shop and outdoor art exhibits on display. Plenty of parking (in lots) and some on street (with meter). Can access by water taxi from D.C, and Alexandria and limited Metro buses. Not a shabby place to be when in the area.

wife and I were at a conference at the Marriott National Harbor. We took an afternoon with some friends to walk around. very nice area. rode the Ferris Wheel, bout ice cream and hot chocolate on a cold blustery afternoon. a good time was had by all.

We attended a performance at the MGM theater and stayed over at National Harbor before heading home. The activities at National Harbor are exquisite. There are plenty of parking garages available and it is a walkable area to shops, restaurants and activities. During the holidays, the decorations are magnificent. There is a cruise from the pier and an enormous Ferris wheel to ride. All types of food cuisines are there, and most are reasonably priced. This is a family friendly area for vacation or just a weekend getaway.

Scenary of Potomac Washington DC Alexandria VA amazing big wheel a better view. Big improvement on a ghetto and high crime areas. I feel safe in national harbour

We walked up to the area where the Ferris wheel was and it looks safe and offers senior prices....just not fond of heights but enjoyed the view!

Our second trip in a few years to see "Ice" at Gaylord National. The whole area is a great place to wander around and shop, eat, have a drink. There are plenty of options all withing close proximity of our motel.

First time there. Was amazing, you take photos everywhere. It's a shopping place too, everything amazing. It's a family place.

We arrived on a Saturday late afternoon and enjoyed a ride on the Capitol Wheel (although we wish we had waited until it was dark once we were on it, to see the city lights). There are lots of stores and restaurants and a huge outdoor screen that the World Cup was playing on. There were lots of people there but not overcrowded.

Very few shops of real interest other than restaurants. A few clothing shops, but not very good and felt very out of place. "Amusement" park also small, uninspiring and out of place.

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

This area has a number of restaurants and hotels, some businesses and medical centers. It is an ok diversion but should not top anyone's list when visiting the area.

Whether you want to shop, eat or just watch a beautiful sunset National Harbor is a terrific destination. You have a great casino and lots of places to empty your wallet. Parking can be tricky.

I was surprised how small an area encompassed the National Harbor. The small beach/ boardwalk area was popular with children. The area covers roughly 10 - 12 city blocks primarily offering a vast array of dining choices - very high end dining down to casual take-out. One should definitely make reservations in advance, as most restaurants were fully booked during my visit. They do have a large ferris wheel (which I did not ride). Several large hotels and a casino surround the harbor. Looks to cater to convention crowds versus a family vacation destination.

I have been here yearly for the past 5 years. Love the trip and look forward to it every year. Lots of bars and restaurants, good food and drink. It keeps getting bigger every year, especially with the new MGM casino. One way in and one way out, check into your accommodations, leave the car and walk wherever you want to go. The Gaylord has a great sports bar, the restaurants will cover whatever you are felling like eating, the waterfront is a nice walk with you significant other. I have been with adults only and with the family. My kids are 11 and 17 and they enjoy it as much as we do, when we take them.

Went to the gaylord for a convention. Haven't been there since they first opened. What a change. Nice shops and nice atmosphere to walk around. Good mix of restaurants and shops. A bit isolated, but lots to do there

The National Harbor is a great and beautiful Harbour and family place to both take family for a nice walk or for a carousel ride. The area is beautiful and has plenty of shops and Resturant to enjoy, with natural ocean breeze provides a great venue for any Family.

What a fun area. Very eclectic. Outdoor movie on the water. Boardwalk feel. Great way to spend on evening!

This is such a pretty area and the view from the Ferris wheel is gorgeous. The climate control and music makes for a wonderful ride !

Over Birthday weekend , went to harbor to lunch and walking along pier. Amazing day, nice breeze so sun was no problem. Several restaurants to choose from.

I have visited this center on several occasions. It is located on a beautiful riverfront harbor, therefore, the scenery is amazing. You can drive there or travel to Alexandria, Va., and take a relaxing boat taxis, there and back. This center is a major attraction, with several hotels, shops, a variety of restaurants, eateries, and all sorts of activities to observe, throughout the year. It is great for all ages, as there are festivals, concerts, and an amazing ferris wheel ride! There is a gorgeous upscale hotel, with a laser light and water fountain show. Sometimes, on special occasions, there may even be a firework display, at the harbor front. The harbor has amazingly lovely condominiums, if one chooses to live there. A brand new casino is also nearby, with its own variety of activities, lovely hotel, boutiques and restaurants. One can actually walk to the MGM casino, if energetic. Parking at both the casino and harbor is ample, however, on weekends, parking can be a challenge, depending on scheduled activities. The only drawback, the location is not located near the city metro train system.

The National Harbor is a great place to walk around any time of the day, but it really comes alive at night. Bright neon lights from the giant Ferris Wheel light up the water, while a man sells ice cream from an Airstream Trailor that's been converted to a Ben & Jerry's store right on the waterfront.

There are plenty of restaurants (Grace's Mandarin was one of our favorites - see my review), some hidden, and others right out in the open. There are sculptures and art to take in, and the sound of live music streams through some of the quaint doorways of some restaurants. There are shops galore, some national brands, and others that are local - so plenty to do for everyone.

This is not a destination you would seek out when on a trip to DC, but rather, if you find yourself staying in the National Harbor area as we did, it's a great place to stroll around, grab a bite, and do some shopping.

Here for 4th of July. Didn’t expect to see cars cruising blasting music for hours with their windows down even though it was 95 degrees.
Didn’t expect 4wheelers and dirt bikes riding up and down the streets. Didn’t expect teenager girls trying to intimidate people at CVS. Place has potential but doesn’t feel that safe

Taking a harbor boat to this location was a fun thing to do for a visitor. The only negative was the lack of variety in the restaurants.

I visited on the way to OCMD during the day, and there’s not much to do here. Maybe it’s more lively during the night, but even then, it didn’t seem like there were that many activities to do. There also were many other people around. The view of the harbor with the wheel was very pretty, but other than that I saw no draw to this place. The stores were also super overpriced in the area. I did like the famous people sculptures throughout the streets though.

National Harbor has lots of options to have a good time as a group of friends or a family. There are various eateries offering a range of cuisines and pricing, and there are lots of entertainment options. The wheel is a lot of fun, the kids love playing in the sand on the sculpture, there's a great playground, and tons of shopping.

National Harbor has a great selection of restaurants at scenic location. There are multiple hotels featuring the spectacular Gaylord Resort and many upscale shopping venues. You can visit Air Force One and take a Ferris wheel ride with spectacular views. All within walking distance.

I had some Marriott nights to use, so we decided on a 3 nighter at National Harbor. Good area to be able to walk out of the hotel and have bars, restaurants, and safe area to walk around. Did the Ferris Wheel, checked out the sculptures, took the water taxi to Alexandria, drove the the easy and short trip to Mount Vernon. Relaxing little trip.

To see the wheel from the highway is one thing but to see it up close at night is breath taking. We didn't get the chance to get on but I would go back and get on the wheel.

This new built "town" consists of trendy shops (The Black Dog, Stonewall Kitchen, a bamboo linens shop, etc.) and several good restaurants (Grace's Mandarin, Mccormick and Schmicks, Brother Jimmie's Bar-b-que, Succotosh, Starbucks, etc.). There are several hotels including a Gaylord Marriott. It is a very good place for a convention, reunion or other group event; it would not be a destination for me otherwise. There is an 'eye" or Ferris wheel as we use to know it. It is just South of the beltway around D.C.

There is something for every one in the family to do. Food, fun, even guided workout on the sandy pier.

Scenic, clean, diverse. Tons of food options, marina activities, a casino and outlet nearby. Spent most of my time outside and did almost everything.

Went to go to the MGM casino and were very pleasantly surprised by all of the activities and restaurants. Definitely will go there again .

I walked the pier of course and took pictures of the man in the sand and also dined overlooking the water. I ate ice cream at a local ice cream spot but enjoyed one on the other side of the boardwalk that had cookie flavored icecream. My favorite part last year was going to movie night. I gathered with 100's of others (pre pandemic) to watch Creed 2 on the big screen. I had so much fun. Everything was in walking distance which made me feel safe as I travel alone alot. I highly recommend going here but know you have to pay to park.

Very much enjoyed this area, the weather was perfect. Great area to walk around enjoy the beauty. Love the statues. Everyone is so friendly. Course, if you lived here, why wouldn't you be happy! Thank you for a great visit!

Really nice area to walk about. Plenty of shops, bars & restaurants. Lots of nice little monuments and a nice harbour side area. Lots of families.

Lovely views and walkways, cute shops easily accessible within short distance. Did not ride the ferris wheel because of weather. Maybe next time.

a lovely place to visit. Lots of different statues of famous people and representing American history etc. Lots of places to eat and seems like somewhere that would have a good night life.
Whilst we were here we attended the outdoor cinema and watched Mean Girls 2. This was such a unique experience for us as it's not something that we have in the UK. There was a beautiful sunset behind the film and the weather was lovely and warm. One of those moments where you feel very lucky!
Would love to come back here with family.

This town was SO cute. I loved all the statues of famous people all over the town. Also, check out the shops, Ferris wheel, restaurants and the Awakening sculpture. They also have a water taxis.

We were at National Harbor, attending a large convention - we didn't know what to expect. We had little free time and enjoyed the hours we could explore the area. We loved the fireworks display on Friday night.

During a recent stay at the the Gaylord-National Harbor, the weather broke giving us a picture perfect evening to enjoy the Capitol Wheel. We visited early evening; the teenagers were able to get some beautiful sunset photos from the vantage point of the ferris wheel. Everyone was cordial and friendly, plenty of light refreshments around the area - very enjoyable.

This is probably a better venue for summer months. It felt somewhat deserted in December. I could see where it would be a lot of fun checking out shops and restaurants when there are people around. The Capital Wheel was enjoyable. All six rotations of it!

A miserable rainy day outing with the dog to the National Harbor. Despite the weather, walking the paved walkways @ the National Harbor was relaxing, safe, uncrowded & quite enjoyable. Parking was a nonissue. There are lots throughout the area. Cost @ $5/2hrs very reasonable. There are tons of upscale chain restaurants which with the dog we did not visit. There is also a huge ferris wheel (not a fan) that was operational despite the grey drizzle. In addition the is a ferry for transport to DC. We would have gone but they do not (as expeted) allow dogs. Plenty to keep families busy for several hours. For adultswho like to gamble (responsibiliy) there are @ least two casinos.

Our family vacation included trips to the Smithsonian, Air & Space Museum, Washington Zoo...all much enjoyed. So many restaurants and snack shops that even a 3 year old was satisfied.

This is such a beautiful area. The weather was fabulous. Walking around shopping and plenty of restaurants to chose from. Sit and enjoy the water.

I'm sorry to see that Las Vegas and Disneyland seem to have more influence that our really great cities. The new built towns are like supersized, just-add-water "communities" but clearly they don't actually function as a community. The shops are almost all targeted at tourists and the largest housing is in one of the many hotels. Not my cup of tea.

We were in town for a 3 day volleyball tournament in April. While we were off we walked around the town and visited several businesses and restaurants. We were very surprised at how nice the people working were at each place that we visited. We would recommend visiting this place.

Stopped here briefly for lunch. It was a cute spot, looked like good shopping and a variety of restaurants. Parking was just $5 for us to eat and ride the Capital Wheel (Capital Wheel was I think $15/person).

They had a nice tree decorated for Christmas with a nice light show every 30 minutes. There were several nice shops and restaurants in the area. We spent 2 nights at the AC, we parked and walked, water taxi, or Uber our way around. We did walk back from MGM and it is a mile walk. We also toured the Gaylord and saw the Ice attraction which was very nice.

Have always wanted to stop here. A great place to relax and enjoy the view. The ferris wheel is a treat, and so pretty at night. The sculpture is unique with comfy chairs around it. The pier is great for a walk..Places to eat with outside tables..

Lots of things to do, see, eat and drink. Fun place but expect a crowd. Not hard to navigate around though. We had fun.

At a time when other parts of DC can be very quiet, we enjoyed walking around with many others, watching lights on the Christmas Tree, taking in shows at the Gaylord, and trying out the different restaurants.

National Harbor, MD is the best kept secret. It is definitely a must visit for some rest and relaxation. Everything is so clean and well kept, even the streets. All the restaurants are great and if you like to do a little gambling, there is MGM. Washington DC is only twenty minutes away, fifteen with no traffic. Some tour buses even pick you up from your hotel.

Really nice in the summer. Winter is a little quiet unless you stay at the Gaylord hotel then they spruce it up a little bit with lights and so on and so forth, lots of shopping in the area. And a lot of really good bars and restaurants.

Went to the National Wheel and enjoyed the ride.
It was a beautiful scenery of the city from the top of the wheel.
Had the ride twice with friends and the beautiful night sky and the water. It was cold outside but the cars were heated up for comfort.

Wonderful selection of food, beautiful views, booze, boats... this is a lot of fun. You have to hunt to find something affordable to eat or drink if you're stuck for a conference, but you can find it. Take advantage of the Circuit bus to visit the nearby Tangiers Outlet or waste time at the MGM Grand, too.

The Harbor has many activities for all ages. The view and serenity get me every time and I just sit and watch the water. Many great restaurants and shops to enjoy.

We spent one evening here. We enjoyed our time. Many things to see. Very walking friendly. Parking is kinda pricy so is the food.

Beautiful place to be. Great places to eat. We enjoyed just walking around and taking pictures. Neat places for children to play also

National Harbor is a wonderful place to stroll around on a beautiful day. There are lots of shops & restaurants. The day we were there we also enjoyed a lovely little farmers market. The view over the Potomac is pretty especially with boats going by and the giant ferris wheel. We understand that the ferris wheel even has an wheelchair accessible car so we will be trying that on our next visit.

I had relatives from the state of West Virginia come to visit me in the Washington DC area and we went to the National Harbor and we loved it. the food and the casino, everything. We will be coming back. :):):)

Having seen the area a couple of years prior on a short day trip, we booked an overnight at the Gaylord with ICE show tickets bundled in. Had a great great time. The ICE tix were a great plus as they are untimed and the exhibition (Grinch theme) was amazing. We did the Ferris wheel at sunset but bought our tix for that a bit earlier in the day. Had a couple of decent meals. Less shopping of interest than we expected but overall would highly recommend a short stay. There are ferry options to other locations and easy on off highway access plus outlets and casino nearby so that would perhaps be things to do with a multi night experience. The Gaylord is massive but seemed clean and well run. A lovely trip we may repeat in years to come.

Beautiful area with the planes flying over and the expensive boats in the marina. It is a relaxing place to enjoy sitting outside.

National Harbor has really developed with many restaurants, hotels including the Gaylord and Convention Center, and attractions. Easy to get water taxis to Alexandria VA and boats to harbor near the Tidal Basin. A great weekend experience

A full size 747 educational display is located on the East bank of the Potomac just south of the Gaylord Hotel. Ticket price was $18.00 for seniors and must be purchased on line in advance. Bring cell phone with earbud to enjoy the commentary. Great location to get a photo stepping off Air Force One.

We rode the farris wheel on the vip level and to play whatever music you would like to see the sunset was beautiful.

We we to Succatash for dinner on New Year's Eve. The food and service were great! It is a nice area on the water. We probably would have done more, but the weather didn't cooperate.

Stayed at the Gaylord National and was excited to have this nearby. So many great shops and restaurants and the whole place feels very safe. Love the nice paved trail next to the water - enjoyed a walk here each morning of my stay. Loved seeing the ducks and geese who call this place home.

National Harbor has the 2,000 rooms Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. This clean compact area has limited restaurants, hotels and shops. Entertainment options include MGM casino, a large ferris wheel aka Capital Wheel, and a replica of Air Force One. There are some statues around to take photos. If you don’t have a car, you are pretty much trapped. This area offers no convenient ways to access the Metro. It’s possible but would take an inordinate amount of time to go to DC via Metro. To go to DC for sightseeing, it is best to take a Rideshare or Taxi. Of course, cost adds up. However you’ll be saving money on a car rental and daily National Harbor parking fees. Tanger Shopping Outlet is a mile away.

National Harbor is a beautiful area. Great views of the Potomac and fun shopping. Just know you will pay more for everything in this area.

We stayed at the Gaylord National hotel so we were within walking distance. Beautiful views of the bay along with lots of restaurants and bars, plenty to see

The National Harbor's boardwalk is really nice place to scroll late in the evening with the one you love. It's right off the water and there are benches around for you to sit (not enough benches).

This is a great place to visit. I especially like Christmas time. In addition to the beautiful views of the Potomac river, they have a huge Christmas tree that lights changes color and scenes. This year they had fireworks on Saturday. They have shops and restaurants very close that are right outside your hotel room. No need to drive anywhere. Everything you need for a visit is right there.

Pretty busy. Parking is $ ($20 / 4 HRs) . They have carousel ($7), paddle boats for 1 hr, sky wheel ($17). Lots of stores, some restaurants. Mostly all chains. They have events like choirs. They have a sandy beach area, no pets allowed but 2 older ppl had a dog with beach chairs. Sand is kind of rough and there were small bugs. People smoking at higher level brought smoke down to us so we eventually left. Overall it’s a nice area to kill a few hrs, but there is so much more to see and eat in DC.

Very little shopping unless to drive/take circulator to Tanger outlets. There are many restaurants that cater to convention guests and are pricey. Gets slightly rowdy at night due to bars/clubs but I never felt unsafe. It is kept clean. I would never come back here unless I was attending a convention. I would rather be downtown.

The internet says this whole four square mile area has been in serious neglect and wasteful use for quite a long time. There were stories of the dumping of raw sewage in the Potomac River. A lot of different companies came together and did something really creative and special with the 4 square mile plot of land. It will be nice, as the area evolves, when the Tangiers area, MGM area, and circus/waterfront area all blend into 1 huge nice area. There are a lot creative shops and restaurants that are a must check!

Parking on the street is impossible, just head for a parking deck! Plenty of shopping and pricey restaurants all along the street. It is very crowded, children run across the street so drive very slowly. Long waits for the Ferris wheel and to see the former Air Force One plane.

This review is really a borderline 4; 3 would also suffice. As a resident of Maryland who has been here many times, let me share what to do to enjoy Nat'l Harbor and what to avoid. National Harbor does terrible job of talking about walking and biking or anything that takes you away from the NH.

NH is best enjoyed on foot or by bike. So if you are a tourist or convention person, do not rent a car unless you plan to leave the immediate area. Don't pay the high rates to park a car you won't use. Better off renting for a day or using tour services. Bring your sneakers & comfy walking clothes, for there are great things to walk to both at the Harbor and across the bridge (yes you can WALK or BIKE easily across the Wilson Bridge into Alexandria. Here is my recommended itinerary for 3 days.

Day One: Workout at your hotel's gym or walk the 4 miles to and back across the bridge to Alexandria. The truly adventurous can walk or bike all the way to George Washington's home in Mt. Vernon. Trail ends there and you can picnic on the grounds and tour Mt. Vernon. Otherwise, just walk 2 miles over from NH, eat in Alexandria and 2 miles back or do the full 4 miles and eat at a restaurant that serves breakfast or your hotel in NH. Can also make this a lunchtime journey when it is not too hot. Go to your conference OR then go shopping at Tangers. Bike to Tangiers outlets or walk (1 mile away) or use your hotel's shuttle. Rest back at the hotel. Check for evening concert or other activity at NH. Have dinner at your hotel or at a nearby restaurant. Make a reservation to avoid wait.

Day Two: Make this your DC or Annapolis day. Annapolis has way more history including touring the State House building, the Naval Academy, historic homes. Great harborplace shopping and two wonderful malls. Very, very walkable. Check hotel concierge for day trips. Recommend: Annapolis over Alexandria (30 minutes car ride), Smithsonian Museums in DC (25 minutes car ride), Prince George's Historic Heritage Tour, Maryland Winery Crawl, National Zoo, Cherry Blossom boat ride (numerous vendors or Tour -If in April). Any of these activities will eat up most of your day. Eat in the cities/location that you visit. Smithsonian Museums also have great restaurants. You will want to rest when you get home. If you did not have dinner in the city, eat at NH.

Day Three: Make this your historic Baltimore day. About an hour up the road, the hotel will have trips to Baltimore. Visit the Inner Harbor, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore Museum of Art (has great restaurant), Walters Art Gallery, Fort McHenry, Blacks in Wax Museum, Baltimore Museum of African American History, or walking tour of Roland Park (beautiful historic homes). Come home to rest. Enjoy your last evening walk around National Harbor and its neighborhoods. Dinner at your hotel or in-room.

Check out! Hope this works. Contact me if I can be of more help!

We’ve been here twice, the first time we visited this area we’re the only people who tried to hike on Poseidon’s face and have a picture on the bridge the second time around they’re doing the Ferris wheel then now it’s really a busy place now with lots of hotels, restaurants, bars and even parking lots. The good thing for our family is they have Nando’s- which our favorite Mozambique’s chicken made meal in Dublin and London. Highly recommended for everyone.

I had an afternoon free on a recent visit to National Harbor and I took a nice walk in the afternoon along the paved walk along the Potomac. I walked down to "Air Force One" and up stream as far as the Casino and McDonalds. A very enjoyable walk with decent views.

This was a fantastic venue as it wasn’t too far from all the dining spots that we had selected for off site meetings and everything was walkable. Gorgeous facilities and much like a cross between Disney and Vegas from the point of view of the venues available.

This was my first time down here. It was good time to walk around. . It is located on a beautiful riverfront harbor, therefore, the scenery is amazing. This center is a major attraction, with several hotels, shops, a variety of restaurants, eateries, and all sorts of activities to observe, throughout the year. It is great for all ages, as there are festivals, concerts, and an amazing Ferris wheel ride! There is a gorgeous upscale hotel, with a laser light and water fountain show.

The National Harbor attracts a lot of people, visitors and local, There are two most popular things to enjoy, boat ferry and the marry go round, these can be enjoyed by children and adults.

Loved this place! Well worth a visit. A lot to see and do. Very pretty setting and very nice. Right on the beautiful Potomac river. I highly recommend it. We drove in and it was easy and parked in a parking garage.

I always love going to the National Harbor to meet up with friends and family to enjoy a meal, shopping and a stroll around the Harbor.

I don't know if I would make this area, a must see destination. If you happen to be here for a conference for a couple of days, there is enough restaurants and walking space to get out of the hotel at night for a change of scenery.

The Capital (Ferris) Wheel is operational and a fun ride, with nice views. You can also take photos, with a range of military and historic statues. And then wrap up the evening with dinner--- in restaurants operating with mask requirements and at 25% capacity

Magic views, peaceful feeling, smooth ride. It is well worth the $15 a pop. You can then browse the shops a bit and grab a bite at one of two dozen restaurants on hand.

This was beautiful to see the Ferris wheel as we crossed the bridge then get to ride and see the beautiful lights. Short wait

It was a very nice stop/break traveling from DC back to Maryland. The area was really clean with lots of shops and eateries for everyone's taste. Very happy that we detoured there.

My first time, (not my last) was so much to see and do, the day went by so quickly, stayed to watch a free movie, didn't have time for the ferris wheel, need to go back for that, I would highly recommend going to this harbor.

We visited Nationsl Harbor for Memorial Day weekend. There were lots of specialty shops. Candy shops for the kids, gourmet coffees for adults. A farmers market. Play area with sand! Ferris wheel and Merry go round. A water taxi to Old Alexandria

I really enjoyed my time at National Harbor. Went there with my husband who was there on business. There was more than enough things to do to keep me busy while he was attending meetings.

We where staying in Silver Springs so we drove over to National Harbor for a few hours. Fun to walk around and look at the art work. Lots of places to eat with a nice brewery. The only drawback is it can be pricey to park

Stayed at National Harbor Gaylord for a conference. First time here. Variety of restaurants. Very clean area. Felt safe walking around. Took the Water Taxi and rode the Capital Wheel. Spent the first day just walking around taking in the beautiful weather and sites. MGM and outlets close by.

Changes every year. So many things to do. Casino. Shops. FLOWERS. Sights of the city and DC..Was not there early enough for sunrise but captured the sunset before boarding the bus.

We stayed in the Holiday Inn one night as we travelled from Richmond. A wonderful get away weekend. We had never been and would love to go back. Didn't get to the mall or the casino. We met up with relatives for lunch and a great place to take photos.

I love this place. It’s clean. It has lots of places to shop, eat, and things to do. Great place for a weekend away with friends or a romantic one.

The National Harbor is a very touristy area. There are lots of shops and restaurants, though, so it is good for groups who need options. Parking can be a bit of a headache.

Nice views of the harbor while dining and shopping. They also have a Ferris wheel and boat trips that you can catch to ride into D.C and back.

The National Harbor area is a nice quaint semi to ultra luxurious upscale place to visit and shop and stay. Many hotels, many shops, and many restaurants to keep busy. Parking spaces are sometime difficult to find. Make sure you have good walking shoes.

The views are stunning - definitely worth walking around and seeing the sights during the day and at night. It's particularly beautiful when lit up at night.

A really fun place to go. We live very close to the Harbor and enjoy having breakfast after church on Sunday. Good place for dinner too. There is a lot to do at the Harbor. You really do feell as though you’re on vacation no matter what time of the year.

We have been to National Harbor several times and each times it is more vibrant and beautiful. It is really pretty during sunset, nice time for summer family get together, gun place for youngsters and attractions for kids. Restaurants and shopping is amazing. It is surely worthwhile a trip.

Really nice area with 5 star hotels & lots of restaurants. Really nice place to visit, Clean New but could not find any free parking. would recommend a visit if you are in the area

National Harbor is a relatively new development creating a destination. It has a surprising number of nice shops and restaurants. Rainy days in February probably don't do it justice. The Gaylord resort is quite large and has a Convention Center attached to it. There is adequate parking planned as part of the development. If you are looking for character or soul, that is not what National Harbor is all about. It is mostly a location to draw people in for shopping and dining. There are some residences but mostly there are hotels.

This place is fantastic for food and entertaining. And getting there is half the fun. The water taxi from the DC Wharf have 1/2 hour service to National Harbor on the weekends The kids will love the attractions and if that's not enough excitement, take the shuttle to the MGM Grand or to the Tangiers outlet.

Love the National Harbor area, lots of restaurants, close to DC, but not "in the city". Close to the Outlets and MGM Casino as well. NO Metro Rail is probably the only downside but you can take a boat over to Alexandria and it is serviced by Metro Bus. Great spot to visit and/or stay.

Don’t bother with this overpriced tourist trap. If you’re going to DC there is so much to do and see in Old Alexandria, Georgetown and downtown DC. If you want waterfront lodging and dining and eateries, try Baltimore’s Promenade. A million times better!

Even if you don't want to ride the giant ferris wheel that are a multitude of shops and restaurants to choose from.

We strolled along the water front and watched the sunset. Then went on the Ferris wheel before deciding on a restaurant for dinner. The area has plenty of eating options. After dinner a walk down the block to the casino. The area was very busy with people. Nice area to visit for the evening.

We spent Memorial Day weekend at the National Harbor. It was a terrific multigenerational outing. The Capital Wheel and Carousel are fun activities for everyone, and make happy memories for/with children. You can experience a bit of history touring The Presidential aircraft - Airforce One. There is a fabulous sculpture park called The Awakening - a 72 foot sleeping bronze giant beginning to wake up and emerge. It's fascinating and a great climbing/play experience for children. Many restaurants and shops to peruse - all very walkable. A nice place to visit again and again!

My wife and I were on a tour with Burke Christian Tours out of Newton NC. National Harbor was part of our tour. Beautiful area with many places nearby (some expensive) to eat. Had it not been for the tour we would not have come here by ourselves.

The view of the Potomac River and the bridge to Virginia is stupendous. The atmosphere is both relaxing and entertaining. Loved the Ferris wheel.

No better way to finish a dinner then to walk on the boardwalk of the harbor. So many great views and things to do it is hard to just single out one.

My wife and I visited the National Harbor during the evening in October 2021. We took a bus here from Alexandria which took about 30 minutes. We walked around the waterfront, looked at the big Ferris Wheel, walked around the shops and had some ice cream. Since we were staying in downtown Washington DC and it was after 9 pm, we took an Uber back to our hotel in downtown Washington DC.

I visited here a few years ago when it was just starting to be developed. It was a lovely place. Fast forward 7 years ... The place is a concrete jungle. Parking garages on every corner. The waterfront is pretty. Only a few hotels are on the water, all the rest have views of parking garages or other hotels. Lots of quaint shops and boutiques. Lots of restaurants. Can't imagine what traffic must be like getting here in peak season. Too many people, too many shops/restaurants in too small a space for my liking. Nice to visit, but won't come back.

We always take our out-of-towner guests to this very classy, versatile and unique attraction. It encompasses the water-front view and experience, along with nice eateries, an upscale Hotel - Gaylord, and the MGM Hotel & Casino few blocks away!

National Harbor is good for a short visit, but not much of a destination. Nice shopping and restaurant opportunities, but won't keep kids and adults happily occupied for more than several hours. The best part was walking around and going to a show at the MGM theater; there's also the opportunity to try your luck at the casino. Odd location - the waterfront is nice, but the area is basically surrounded by freeways.

Very positively surprised with thus place. I understand why there are so many tourists here. Very entertaining. Lots of restaurants.

Indeed it is a luxurious hotel. The rooms are spacious with all amenities including a bar stuffed with drinks and food.
There are six restaurants ranging from a coffee shop to gourmet restaurants. The casino is big and artfully decorated.
We were so pleased, we're going back next Tuesday.

What an easy day

The museums and the shops were fun

There was a mall behind us

But the children were excited about the water

Did a boat 🚣‍♀️ ride

Toured the area ate popcorn on the boat

Fun for all

When visiting the DC area, the National Harbor is must stop with plenty to do on the riverfront. There are various shops, restaurants/bars as well as MGM Casino and the Gaylord. The National Harbor is a great place to visit no matter what season with always something going on there!

I parked for two hours and it cost me $15. This place is corporate hell...chain restaurants and chain hotels.

I would highly recommend taking the water taxi down the Potomac to the wharf. We were able to see a lot of the sites without dealing with the traffic/stress.

Great way to spend a winter day if the weather is mild. Love the atmosphere and the variety of activities available. Grab lunch and hang out.

Casinos, dining options and walking areas are available in addition to the Capitol Wheel (Ferris wheel). The waterfront trail offers paved access to the Potomac River waterfront. Stunning views of Old Town Alexandria.

Neat area to visit, it is set up as a boardwalk with rides and all kinds of neat shops. It is a great place to stroll along in the afternoon. Not real fun in the cooler months as it is cold with the air coming off of the water. Up the road is a small outlet mall for shopping.

good place to walk. lots of restaurants (nice variety), places to hang with friends. $$, tons of places to park.

This a fairly new entertainment area on the Potomac River shore, east of Washington DC on the Maryland side. Fabulous hotel, shops , & restaurants.

We stopped here for one night while waiting to pick somebody up from an international flight in Baltimore and there was enough to keep us entertained during that time.

Come relax in an atmosphere of people. Surrounded by restaurants, shopping, and what best than water. Amusement for everyone. A great place to bring in the evenings.

What a fun little place to hang out, shop, have a drink or two and eat dinner. Enjoyed our evening here!

Great area on the water with lots of shops, restaurants and activities to do. The Gaylord and the Wyndham are two cool choices of places to stay. If you want to be on the harbor, choose the Westin. The Farris wheel is a good time must do to see the entire area of the harbor. Definitely stop by Candy's Kitchen too. There's a sandy beach like area for kids to play. Plenty of space to host special events (i.e. Weddings, parties, and yacht tours). Catch a ferry to old town Alexandria. If you're a gambler, catch a shuttle up the hill to MGM National Casino & Resort (take plenty of money). Overall, great place to stay and rest from work while on vacation!!

So many cool stores, places to eat, and attractions down here. We come for the Christmas season and it is really nice

Great stop for the day, weekend to meet friends or for a couple. Catch Bobby McKee's Piano bar, one of the many restaurants, wine tastings, or a variety of other activities.

Lot's to look at as they recreated many of the legends (people) in statue that surround the area. They awesome ferriswheel is also a great site. Many eateries and stores to shop in.

There are so many places to go and such a variety of things to do. There are restaurants of all types and in every price range. There is gambling, shows and live music.

This is a wonderful area. This is perfect a weekend getaway. My husband and I enjoyed just walking around.

Easy to get around. Not that big so plan for one evening to enjoy the sites and sounds. Fun to take pictures with all of the statues. Outside movie night was neat for an family adventure a little bit for everybody. Dusk time was really beautiful on the sky wheel.

Stayed in National Harbor over the 4th of July. A new area that has a number of great restaurants, except Bond 45. They would not acknowledge us or seat us. Too bad had great Italian food around the corner for less $.
They have a shuttle bus that takes you to the Outlet Mall, MGM, Waterfront, and Gaylord for only $5 for a day pass. Water Taxi system is awesome. $18 R/T to the Wharf. Lots of bars, food, and fun.

Nice area and definitely worth a stop if you're in the area. Beautiful scenery and nice area to shop and eat.

My wife and I did a couple’s trip National Harbor MD. Our visit focused mostly on the waterfront area and we took a day trip on the water taxi from National Harbor to Alexandria. This is a small but very nice waterfront park that has a little something for everyone – couples, families and kids – especially toddler age children. The harbor has two long piers into the water and the waterfront is crowded with restaurants, shops and touristy attractions.
Among its major attractions are the very visible Capital Wheel Ferris wheel located one of the piers and towers over everything in the region. It provides a great backdrop for photos as well as rides. There is art work everywhere. The main art attraction is the Awakening statue of a man partially buried in sand and struggling to pull himself out. There are wall murals along the two staircases that take you from street level down to the piers. There are two metal eagles perched at the top of two tall poles overhead. On the waterfront itself is a platform with statues for each branch of the armed forces facing the water.
Just beyond the marina, the American Way is long pedestrian walkway with lots of artwork and statues honoring American historical figures and culture on its center street, with lots of enticing shops, restaurants on the streets on either side. The American Way is blocked off to traffic, so you can roam freely. American Way starts with a statue of George Washington motioning you to enter by pointing his hat at a large billboard with “National Harbor” written on it and the American Flag below it. Standing next to him is Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas. As you continue down the walkway you will run into Thomas Edison, Marilyn Monroe, Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower, Franklyn D Roosevelt, Louis Armstrong, etc. A few statues from Americana can be found on the streets near the shops such as the old woman holding her groceries and the iconic kissing scene celebrating the end of the World War.
Photo opportunities abound along the waterfront and along American Way. We took less than an hour to tour this region with camera in hand. The first time was mid-day and there were lots of families around competing for a spot next to their favorite soldier statue at the marina, or their favorite historical figure along American way that you had to wait your turn for a snapshot. So, we came back in the morning the next day and we pretty much had the place to ourselves.
There are lots of nice restaurants to choose from here. We highly recommend Succotash which offers delicious southern cuisine and Graces Mandarin delicious Asian food. Graces is a bit expensive but is it beautifully decorated and good for couples celebrating special occasions. We had great view of sunset over the harbor from our table on the 2nd floor of Graces as we dined. Among the odd touristy restaurants, there is the Cadillac Ranch which offers bull rides and has a Cadillac parked on it roof. Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar offering live shows, drinks and meals. There are a few chain restaurants like Redstone and McCormick and Schmick’s which are right on the waterfront.
In terms of the shops we stopped into Trevis which sells travel mugs that keep drinks hot for 8 hours and they market a special series of mugs with a Game of Thornes theme – which I bought as a gift. The America!!! shop which sells American and politically themed souvenirs - T shirts, mugs, clothing, books, etc - related to Washington DC, Americana, Trump and the Obamas. They also have a replica of the President’s speaking podium with Trump and Melania cardboard cutouts in the backdrop for photo ops. The Pepper Palace sells every kind of hot sauce and salsa you can think of. They offer free samples to help you make your choice. We stopped at the very colorful and touristy, Peeps and Company store which sells everything Peeps related – Hot Tamales candies, Peeps candies, Peeps themed toys, T shirts, etc. Savannah Candy Kitchen is a well-stocked candy store – specializing in pralines.
It was surprise to me how much of the harbor area was devoted to families with young children – especially toddler ages. The Awakening statue while a piece of art was really just a children’s sand box with a large statue for kids to climb on and play. There where kids on his face, in his hands and climbing up his legs. While other kids dug in the sand next to him. Along the pedestrian walkway of American Way there is a kiddie park – with a pig, bear, lady bug and a frog for little kids to climb on and benches for the parents to rest and watch them. On one of the piers in the harbor there are swan paddle boats for rental. There is a carousel for merry-go-round rides. If you felt like doing nothing but siting and watching the water, there was a row of white rocking chairs facing the water and a flat green space intended for special performances at the marina. The little ones can just run a muck there when no special events are going on. Families with young kids can spend several hours here between the attractions and food venues.
The harbor is also home to many hotels. We enjoyed our stay of 2 nights at the Hampton Inn and Suites National Harbor that overlooks the harbor and is across the street from the Gaylord Convention Center and Hotel. We visited the Gaylord to tour the inside and had appetizers and drinks at the Belvedere Lobby Bar. The Belvedere overlooks an indoor garden and fountain. The fountain puts on a dancing, music light show at 6PM, 7PM and 8 PM each evening. Unfortunately, this is a seasonal attraction and it did not perform the days we arrived in spring. A short distance from the marina area is the MGM Casinos and Hotel for more adult entertainment, shows and dining choices. There is the Circulator bus that rides around the harbor and can take you from the marina area to the MGM and back again.
Lastly, National Harbor is home to the Potomac River Cruises which offers water taxis and water cruises. The water taxi that departs from the pier next to the Ferris wheel and takes you to either the Alexandria waterfront or the Wharf - a dock at Washington DC where you can take other water cruises like the tour of Mount Vernon or the Washington monuments from the water. We took the water taxi to Alexandria to visit the Torpedo factory, the Carlyle House and Historical Park, dine at the Chart House and tour the small shops along King Street. Alexandra is a pleasant 20 min ride from National Harbor and the view from top of the water taxi was a bonus to our visit here.

Please whatever you make sure you try the lobster rolls. Mason's lobster rolls! You will not be disappointed.

An ideal place to be with family / friends offering a wide variety of activities for all ages including some good eating places.For musical minded / movie savvy tourists a giant open screen overlooking the waterfront provides entertainment throughout the day.
On weekends parking problems can be faced.

Loved our time spent at National Harbor creating happy family memories. I liked the fact that there were lots of international tourists here. To me, overseas visitors made this place even more interesting. There was plenty of shopping and dinning options. However the city planners did a great job to avoid over commercialization. Do ride the Ferris wheel when the sun is setting. So beautiful!

National Harbor is a great place to dash across the bridge and enjoy the day or spend the night and take advantage of all the shops and restaurants and there are plenty as well as reasonably priced hotels caution not the Gaylord.

The National Harbor area is a great place to visit. There’s plenty of food and fun for everyone. If you get the chance go to the homemade kite competition there. It’s just as much fun as it is hilarious. Many great designs but some have poor execution. Great time for everyone...!

It’s a great location with bunch of nice options and restaurants, playground for kids, parking for EV cars but I have noticed that non EV cars will park there and block these valuable spots. Basically no enforcements or rules in this area. Other than that. It is a nice spot to hang around and spend a nice day to enjoy the sunset.

There are enough restaurants to give you choices but it's not a huge area. There is a carousel and a ferris wheel (which we did not go on because it was extremely expensive) Overall it was a nice area to spend the evening with the kids.

Wonderful area with plenty of shops and restaurant’s! Lot’s of tribute statues you can get pics with. We truly enjoyed our time here. Gotta do the ferris wheel!

Many expectations although not much to see but the chicago wheel and commerce, mostly restaurants. Only two piers. Parking is a bit chaotic cars park in the road or forbidden areas, long lines only one check out machine. People are noisy.

Such a beautiful area with amazing restaurants and shopping. I wish I lived near a place like this! So much fun! Next time, trying the Ferris Wheel!

National Harbor is strategically located off the beltway easily accessible from MD, VA and DC. Two of the biggest attractions are the Gaylord and MGM resort. From the amazing view of Potomac to casino and concert, National Harbor offers great entertainment for a relaxing evening. But things could easily get pricey, from restaurants to hotel stays. But as we found out, the crowd is huge on weekend, everybody is out there to have some fun. A metropolitan place like DC needs one.

We went to the National Harbor for the weekend to celebrate a birthday. We travel a lot and to many cities but felt that this area was too expensive for what it was. The area was very nicely decorated and very clean. It is very walkable and in general a small area. Besides eating and drinking there is very little to do outside of the ferris wheel. We went over the Christmas season so we went to the ICE show at the Gaylord, which was interesting but I would never do it again due to the price. I'm glad we went and we had a good time but we will probably not return.

We took the water taxi from Alexandria to explore. We did ride the ferris wheel which I do recommend. The rest of the area is restaurants and bars. There is a shopping center in the area but a little far for walking. It would be an enjoyable outing for dinner or lunch with a rife on the wheel.

I’ve been here multiple times and it never feels any less fun or magical.

They have multiple events throughout the year for holidays or even just outdoor movies. At these they’ll sometimes have a nice firework show, small competitions (fashion, pumpkin carving, etc.), and so on. It’s very family friendly.

Asides from that this area is just aesthetically pleasing with views of the water, wheel, various statues, etc.

The entire place is engineered like an amusement park lacking any real authenticity. Looks like it could be fun but seems contrived.

.This is a nice place for a day trip or a weekend stay. lots of restaurants to choose from and a nice walk by the water. In the central region there is a place to sit and there is normally something going on to watch or participate in.

We had a great trip. We enjoyed the area and used the water taxi to visit Alexandria and DC. There ar many great restaurants and shops.

Lovely harbor. Water taxis, restaurants, magic shows, music, shops, great walking area. We took the water taxi over to Alexander to shop that adorable town!

As a first time visitor in Maryland my family enjoyed our visit to the National Harbor. Stroll along or dine in at many restaurants situated along Potomac River, you cannot go wrong with your decision, has numerous places for photo opportunity . If you want to see an aerial view of the place ride the Capital Wheel which we did. The fully air-conditioned gondolas gave us a relaxing place to enjoy the above-ground view of National Harbor and the surrounding areas. A very enjoyable experience at the riverfront that looked very modern and recently developed. For all you gamblers MGM casino is a short drive from the National Harbor.

There are a lot of great views in the National Harbor, and a lot of good places to eat, but there were not many entertainment options.

It was an ok experience, very diverse crowd, expect to pay a lot for a little and many things close at 8pm. Not worth it if you have to drive more than 1h to get there, IMO.

I attended the National Drug Court Conference at the National Harbor this past July. It was the third time I had gone to the conference at the National Harbor. I like the facilities at the Gaylord for the conference. The area has some good restaurants and it is convenient to take a water taxi across the Potomac to Alexandria for more restaurants. My wife, who has traveled with me to each conference, does not like being isolated at National Harbor but would prefer to be in downtown D.C. where she could visit the museums and other sites. But still I think it is a good site for a convention.

We decided to take a break from the DC tourism and check this place out. I went with my 15 year old son and we both had no problem finding shops that grabbed our interest and there are plenty of restaurants offering a wide range of food. I recommend this place to anyone needing a break from DC

Njoyed the evening here with a ride on capital wheel. The sun set was amazing to watch. Very nice place to relax and enjoy with friends and family. Suggest to reserve parking before going there.

it is great to go even in winter time they had the Christmas tree lightening, and it was cold, but very well organized and safe, police everywhere.kids will have a blast, so much to do and variety of restaurants.

Good choices for dining and nice shopping at National Harbor. Enjoyed the many statues along the street.
Stayed at the Gaylord and it was convenient to dining and shops. Outlet Mall a short drive away. Capitol Wheel was enjoyable especially at night with the Christmas decorations turned on.

I stayed here 4 times and the view and the service was excellent the trip to the neighboring towns for leisure to see old historical sights and art from the torpedo and art center a must visit.

National Harbor is a great area if you are coming for a convention at one of the hotels. Lots of places to eat and drink and the place is kept very clean. Almost artificially clean like Disney as a matter of fact. Love the area, but tough public transit options if you are trying to tour the downtown DC area.

We took flight to Washington Reagan (DCA) as our Hotel GAYLORD NATIONAL RESORT was located in National Harbor, MD. Due to traffic and distance took us 50 minutes.

The National Harbor ifor us looked very new and well developed small beautiful city on River. The Gaylord Resort is nice place to stay. iIts a fine 4 or 5 stars resorts. There are many activities and tours from harbor, restaurants and bars.

A great place to visit. Very scenic views along the Potomac River. Plenty of restaurants to choose from.

You get great views, easy walking, and lots of nice restaurants and bars to stop and partake. Beautiful people watching location with easy parking.

We recently visited Washington Dc and stayed in this new area, is only 20 minutes from DC with easy access to major highways, lots of Restaurants, Night Clubs and good entertainment! I will highly recommend it to anyone visiting this area... They also have a casino 5 minutes in Car (The new MGM)

We booked a few nights @ the Wyndham National Harbor because we thought this destination would be filled with activities; we were so disappointed. Once you hit the shops, check out the amazing bronze statues of historical figures, ride on the Capital Ferris Wheel and have a nice seafood meal, you've covered the ground. On the plus side, it is a very safe and friendly area to visit and if you or so inclined, you can also take the ferry to Alexandria, VA for additional sightseeing or dining.

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.

I visit National Harbor from time even though I live out of state. The cost of parking has risen dramatically over the past few years, from a few dollars for a couple of hours to maybe $15-30!! My advice, go to Old Town Alexandria, it's just across the river!!

Our family of elementary age kids had a wonderful visit. Fun activities both free and paid down on the water. Cute Americana statues throughout the area. We are glad we visited.

National Harbor Maryland is an upscale community. It offers hotel accommodations, varied restaurants and attractions. One of the best things about visiting National Harbor, is the capability of walking everywhere, feeling completely safe. There is always security driving around.
National Harbor is located near Oxon Hill Maryland. This area is close to visiting Washington DC and historical sites.
There's something for everyone at National Harbor.

Stayed at the Wyndham and was close to everything! Enjoyed strolling through town and browing in the shops.

We visited National harbor while our stay in Alexandria. During morning most of the restaurants are closed but you can statues of famous people of America, walk through the street and enjoy view of the river

This place has it all! Can’t go wrong spending a day or two here. We drove here from Houston to visit the DC area. Nice fun family friendly for everyone type of atmosphere. Oh so scenic and calming. Boat taxis to romantic day n evening dinner cruises. We took a nice morning walk along The riverfront and that was awesome as well.too much to tell it all. Come and experience it. You won’t be disappointed! Oh...and you have to eat an evening dinner riverside ...awesome!

Lots of shops and restaurants. Movies on the green at night. Many great photo ops. The big wheel, MGM casino, Gaylord, etc. Interesting area. Well planned community.

..enjoyed walking around and seeing the sights and taking pictures of and with some of the statues we came upon. Really added a whimsy feel to a warm sometime breezy walk along the store fronts occasionally ducking into check them out and cool off

Although we didn't do the (ferris) Wheel it was nice to stroll and see the sights and watch the boats out in the Harbor. Assortment of water craft for rent kayaks those yellow ducks stand up paddle boards but at the time none where in the water. Food vendors

I came to see the Cher concert over Labor Day, what a beautiful area, we unfortunately had rainy weather but the shops, restaurants, Ferris wheel, I want to come back for a long weekend and visit again.

My favorite part of National Harbor is the American Way avenue with all the bronze sculptures. There are about 6 of them and each one is an excellent likeness. Abe Lincoln, Henry Ford near a reproduction Model T, Frederick Douglas, and a few others. Obviously they are popular because their hands have been "shaken" until they are shiny.

Made a Wrong turn when leaving DC and found a huge lot of Farris wheel. Decided to go back the next night and found this gem of a place. Lots of restaurants, shops and things to look at. So glad we found this place and were able to go

We visited the National Harbor on 30th December.

We only came here for the evening, but that's all it really requires. The area is very pretty and modern, but there isn't much to do.

There are mostly restaurants and hotels, not much to actually do or buy. It could do with some other entertainment options, like the cinema or bowling.

It is also inaccessible unless coming by car.

However, it was a good night out and I will definitely be coming back if I'm ever in the area.

The Harbor is a wonderful sideline to our trip to DC. Views of an old Air Force One can be seen at a distance. Numerous hotels along the area, and shops & restaurants surround the place. There are also rides along the shore.

National Harbor has something for every one from shopping to MGM Casino. Always something going on at the waterfront. Very kid friendly to adult entertainment. Close to sports also at the new EAS Arena if you follow WNBA or NBA.

My husband and I met our daughter half way at National Harbor for a 5 night stay at the Wyndham and had the best time ever. This was our first visit to this area and we were so impressed with how lovely it is. The area feels very safe and there are frequent patrols seens on streets and in the parking garage we used. We tried several restaurants and most were a little more pricey than what we normally pay for meals at home in Pittsburgh, but the food was always good and so was the service. The hotel was clean and had great amenities - sitting through the timeshare talk got us free parking of $24/night for 5 nights, so it was worth wasting 1.5 hours of our time listening to the sales agent assuming he was smarter then me. We loved walking around the area during the day and in the evening and my daughter ran two blocks to Starbucks every morning to pick up her coffee order. I would most definitely go back to this location - especially during the off season - so we could enjoy everything without being overwhelmed.

There is a lot to see and do; outdoor movie, Ferris wheel, monuments, food, light show. A nice outdoor option for an afternoon summer activity

Self contained little city with restaurants, shopping, and activities. We were there for 3 nights at the Wyndham National Harbor Resort. The pool area was very relaxing, we shopped at Tanger Outlet (great back to school/summer sales). MGM was nice to walk through and downtown had the Ferris wheel and the Peep store. A circus was in town at the time also. Definitely will return in the future.

Of course there is the fairly new MGM Casino but the National Harbor is much more! Shops, Restauranrs, Activities, Concerts, view of the Potomac and of course the "Wheel". Enjoy the sights of Reagan Airport across the river, boats on the Potomac and wildlife. Great to spend the day or stay in the D.C. Area.

We spent an overnight at the National Harbor and enjoyed true weekend. The area is busy with shops, restaurants, bars and the harbor side waterfront. The MGM has top rated entertainment and casino games to keep you busy.

I have been to Paris, London, NYC, Montreal... and yet this beats almost all of them, somehow. Perhaps it’s because I went on the first warm weekend of the year, but the vibe here is off-the-charts. There is tons of unique shopping and restaurants, cool things to look at, and even an awesome Ferris wheel! If you are a fan of Disney Springs at Walt Disney World or CityWalk at Universal Studios, you will like this place, because it is reminiscent of a combination of those two places, without all of the touristy and unaffordable stores. The best part is that there is always a perfect amount of people there, in my opinion. It makes you feel like you’re surrounded by friends, as cheesy as it sounds.

If you go, I recommend spending the evening (a couple hours around dusk/sunset/twilight) there instead of the whole day. Some places I recommend for food are Savannah Candy Kitchen and Nando’s Peri-Peri. And make sure to ride the ferris wheel!

One of the better places in the US - great planning for an event or a conference; good community around.

nice shops, good food and things to see like the Peeps store, McCormich and Schmidt, Bond 45, metal sculptures and a view of the National Monument and ferris wheel.

Love the National Harbor. It will take some time to park. Lots of food choices and shopping. My favorite part is the art work (lots of sculptures!).

Great place to visit when in the DMV. Lots of food options, entertainment options, great sights to see, metered street parking or nearby garage parking.

First visit, but we will be back....great location, water views with many restaurants and shops. Disney like clean and well maintained.

We decided to make a day trip to National Harbor. We found many interesting restaurants to choose from. Street art enlivens the whole mini city from sculptures to rock placements. Residential and commercial space was smoothly interwoven. Event spaces were also common. A circus was setting up in one location. A mock Air Force One was featured in another event space. The gem of the community is the waterfront featuring a huge ferris wheel and river cruises. Alexandria Virginia rises across the river. Later this year I am looking forward to a conference to be held here and an opportunity to sample more of the restaurants, pubs and riverfront sights.

We visited with our family of 5 and some friends who live in the area. there is a nice sand area for the kids to play and lots of restaurants to choose from. The sunsets were amazing here and there is great areas to walk around. Plenty of parking options .

We made a very short visit and we’re only able to see a few things, but the area is beautiful and very interesting. We were able to walk around the streets and look at the buildings and harbor. It looks like there is a lot to do. We plan to go back when we h e more time.

Our group of 5 couples vacation once a year together. This year, it was DC. We stayed a few miles from the National Harbor which is where we went at night. Always something going on there. There is a wide variety of restaurants which seemed to all be doing a good business. The main street is filled with statues of famous people so lots of photo opportunities.

This is a nice place to shop, dine or just walk around. Since our last visit they added a huge ferris wheel that gives beautiful views called the capitol wheel. They also added several statues depicting American history and a tribute to the military. There are many nice restaurants and stores. We enjoy going to the Gaylord hotel and were able to see one of their shows this year. Along the beach there is also the sculpture in the sand called the awakening.

During the Christmas season it is nice to visit the Gaylord hotel and the ICE sculptures. There is a nice selection of restaurants. However, shopping in the immediate harbor area is limited. If you have a specific store that is unique to the harbor, it's fun (ex. Peeps), but not the place for normal holiday shopping. During the summer, I would avoid this area late at night or during special outdoor events, unless you remain in the hotel, or travel directly to/from the restaurants. Surrounding areas are not the best. Overall, I think Alexandria Old Town is a better atmosphere and more interesting, with just as many restaurants. Also, you must pay for parking, so plan for that.

The shops and restaurants are great. A nice mix of upscale and novelties. (cupcakes, candies, cheeses, etc) Large movie screen plays movies and sporting events. Bike, walking path goes around the harbor into VA and beyond to DC. Excellent place to spend a weekend.

Loved the Harbor! Ferry available to VA and DC. The Wheel is beautiful. Lots of bars and restaurants with delicious food and the casino nearby

Just being by the water is always so relaxing. The bonus for me in visiting this place, besides the food, is "The Awakening" statue. I'm so fascinated with this artwork. I love it! Next time, I'll have to visit it at night. I'm sure it's creepy.

Always nice to look out at the water, the Potomac river has some great views. I enjoy the water, whether a river or the ocean, in the fall and winter,

Beautiful view! Lots of unique shops and places to eat. Definitely a lot more exciting during Christmastime, but seeing the water, bridge and the different lights on the Capital Wheel is definitely worth the drive

National Harbor is the perfect location for a extended family Christmas staycation. Having our families meet and stay a few days and nights at the Residence Inn across from the Gaylord where lots of indoor Christmas and holiday activities for children and those young at heart take place.was perfect. The children enjoyed the outdoor movie with blankets to use and free popcorn was a bonus. There are plenty of restaurants and hotels to chose from as well for every palette and budget. Cheap eat hamburgers to expensive steaks and everything on between. During the Christmas time weekend the Gaylord was packed with families having a festive time. The sidewalks throughout National Harbor were crowded as well. However, there is plenty’s of parking garages reasonably price for a tourist area. Christmas lights are around the area as well. Then to top it off after the outdoors movie. Fireworks were set off above the Waters of the Potomac River. If you and your family are looking for a great time locally this is a perfect place for a Staycation. If you like to gamble MGM is within site of National Harbor. With a quick shuffle ride you will be there.

We spent a Saturday / Sunday here between Christmas and New Years. Impossible to get a sit down meal anywhere / anytime without a 30 minute wait. Not much to see or do and way too crowded to enjoy a leisurely site seeing stroll and a casual meal.

We did get a chance for some amazing pictures (worth 3 stars overall!) but the shopping was meh and the Ferris wheel line was daunting.

Maybe it was a bad time of year, but I won’t be back.

National Harbor offers a modern-day getaway from the museums and site-seeing up the road in metropolitan D.C. What can be described as a massive outdoor-walking mall, National Harbor offers a great balance of activities and an abundance of photo opportunities all found in one general location. Sitting off of I-495 on the Maryland side, National Harbor is a convenient stop for those passing through on the interstate.

As mentioned by many others, the parking fees are a bit steep. However, there is a bunch of available parking options: street-metered spaces, lots, and decks scattered throughout the harbor area.

Beginning with the pier area itself, the Capital Wheel (Ferris wheel) stands out as the most obvious attraction due to its presence and height. Situated at the end of the main pier, the Capital Wheel is a great-family activity. It can be somewhat compared to the Dream Wheel (at American Dream Mall, New Jersey), with slightly smaller carriages. There is not much of an exciting view, but the ride is nice, nonetheless. There's pricing for ride packages, along with military discounts on the single tickets. The Capital Wheel also has a bar area with a select variety of drinks.

Along the same pier, you will find a few different vendors (their availability depends on the season and time of day/year): a Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream shack, Dip 'n Dots vendor, and other ferry/boat services (water taxi, canoes/kayaks, etc.)

Off to the side of the main pier, there is a nice carousel ($7 unlimited ride wrist band for military) with a small playground next to it. In this area, there is also a miniature park that presents a few photo ops with the Nation's flag, and other symbolic art that pay homage to the U.S. There is also a small "beach" area with sand, however it is mainly occupied with a rather large, impressive sculpture that is incorporated with the sand element.

The main pier is center aligned with a stage area that sits on a higher tier, accessible with steps on either side. The stage boasts a large LED screen along with a seating area for when there are shows and presentations.

From here, there are plentiful statues/monuments scattered throughout the area for more photo opportunities. The area boasts a great selection of restaurants (from quick eats to fine dining) and retail stores for your perusing. There are also quite a few lodging options in the area, however, I imagine them carrying a hefty tag due to the area.

Overall, not a bad place to visit as a one-stop shop that is close to our nation's capital.

This is not Washington DC. It is strategically located far enough away to lure in out of town guests. Would be better off in a cornfield in Nebraska, honestly. Restaurants all cater to conventions- they fill, they are cheesy, overpriced and poor quality. They try to make it feel like a little town but disneyworld feels more real than this place. Hotels are excessively priced and not worth it. There’s a Ferris wheel that looks cool. Otherwise might as well be anywhere else, preferably one with true character.

Wonderful, clean area with lots to do between hotel, bars, shops and water front activity. Movies, music and food available

My friend held his birthday party at Pose nightclub on the rooftop of the Gaylord hotel, it was awesome. Great music atmosphere and drinks.

We dropped into the area because the rates were reasonable and planned on heading into DC for some sights and dinner. We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites in Camp Springs. They clerk recommended this location if we did not want to deal with DC traffic. Well we enjoyed DC and this place as well. Maybe our next trip to the area we might stay around here and have the best of both.

We took the Metro subway from Washington, DC to Alexandria, then the Circulator bus from there to National Harbor. The Harbor area smaller than expected, but bustling with visitors. Many restaurants of course. The most impressive thing for us was the sculpture in the sand "The Awakening": we also loved the five military figures facing the sea, as well as the amazing sculptures of Eisenhower, Churchill, Abe Lincoln, Henry Ford and many others.

There are many stores, restaurants and things to see and do. You don't have to rush, you can stroll leisurely and spend the whole day there. All of the variety of restaurants provide something for everybody's taste. You can take pictures with statues, view the water, go out on boats, eat and enjoy whatever you choose to do. Something for children to see and do to keep them occupied. There are hotels also just in case you might want to stay more than one day in the area. MGM Casino is located at National Harbor so you can spend some time there also. I lasted visited it again in January.

This is a great place to visit for a weekend getaway, it's quiet and serene with some nice views... Plenty of artistic and historical things to see. Plenty of places to stay.

I've pass this pass every weekend coming to Maryland and always wanted to go. I finally had an opportunity and was blown away. From the highway you would never know there are restaurants, hotels and shopping available in addition to the ferris wheel. It was truly amazing and we go back in order to take it all in. If you're ever in the area don't miss the opportunity for shopping, eating and a breathtaking view.

I visited this location when it first opened years ago and was not impressed. The service was poor everywhere you went and there was not a lot to do. Now years later it has certainly improved. There are tons of places to eat and shop and the views are amazing particularly of the water and big wheel. As a DC local I felt like I was at a vacation destination not in PG County, MD. One tip is that the Tanger outlets and the MGM are not within walking distance. Well, they are within walking distance for some but the path to get there is not walkable as you have to go on a highway. Once you get to Tanger there is very little to eat, only Auntie Anne’s and Starbucks, so eat before you go because the lines for these two things are very long. The Gaylord is very nice, we stayed at the Westin which was affordable and while not as extravagant impressive. I will add that Saturday nights appear to be “cruise” nights, with many loud vehicles and motorcycles cruising around the blocks blasting music. So if you are looking or a quiet time, it’s very hard to find that here at least not in the evenings. This also creates a ton of traffic, and since there is no public transportation to get there, everyone is driving and trying to park, plan ahead. The service at some of the businesses is still not up to “resort” standards and you do encounter some rude people. That being said it’s still definitely worth a trip.

There is so much to do here: restaurants, shops, a ferris wheel, the retired Air Force One, play areas, and the Gaylord Hotel is nearby with a variety of festivities as well. We were here during the Christmas season and the large tree by the harbor was beautiful with its changing lights. There is a large sand sculpture for great pictures and the entire area is loaded with quotes, statues, and other forms of artistic flare.

Have visited twice. Love staying at the Wyndham Resort 13th floor to get the view of DC and the harbor. Overall the harbor area is nice, lots of interesting shops, restaurants and statues.

Such beautiful scenery and so much to see and do. Great restaurants at great prices and fantastic food.

It's so nice here. The scenery is beautiful. They have so many nice hotels and restaurants. In addition the views of the water are breath taking. The Ferris wheel attracts a lot of visitors.

Lots Of Places To Stay, Eat, and Shop... Well lit community and very clean and inviting... Many attractions to attend... Not far traveling to other attractions within the D.C. area...

I was expecting so much more from this little town, but it’s basically overcrowded (so much so that we couldn’t even get to the sky wheel) with few stores crammed in between multiple restaurants and bars. We’re talking about staying in Alexandria for our next visit.

Sand for kids to play in. Superb restaurants. Lovely views all around. Great for an evening out with family & friends.

There are a lot of great views in the National Harbor, and a lot of good places to shop or eat, but there were not many entertainment options apart form bars and similar stuff. Some interesting metal statues of popular or famous personages and a ferris wheel to ride. Because it's rather confined to just that area and parking is via pay garages (at least mostly if not near total) it's a place to deliberately go meaning you already know you are at an attraction that's purpose built.

My wife and I spent a very relaxing day walking around the National Harbor outside Washington D.C. There are plenty of shops and places to eat. There's the Captial Wheel you can ride on which is nice. Plenty of place to just sit and relax near the water. We really enjoyed our day there. There is no free parking, but plenty of places to park. The price to park is within reason.

Parking ranges fron $20 to $30 a night. MGM is still free for a while. Otherwise it is a great place, like a city in itself. If you like to eat, this is the place from very fancy to quick meals and ice cream. Very busy on a weekend. Difficult to find a hotel on a weekend without advanced reservations. I goofed my reservation with Wyndham, but they found me a couple of rooms elsewhere. Enough things for kids to do, and most hotels have indoor pools. Been there both Winter and Summer. We try to go back once a year from Jersey.

Was here on business and did a bunch of walking. Lots of places to take pictures, one ride and lots of things to see (old Airforce 1, statues...etc)

In Maryland for training, made it to National Harbor after class. Liked the area a lot. Fun restaurants, interesting shopping. Would definitely return back to the area. Parking in and around the DC area is always an expensive challenge.

As a past worker at the Farris Wheel, labeled ICON Attractions located at the pier, the job itself as a wheel loader is very unpleasant. I’ve never been interested in being a guest due to the poor job conditions from horrible communication skills, accountability, and work habits/training from management. Worst 2nd job I’ve ever had.

No picture can describe the fun and ambience awaiting you at National Harbor. You need to experience it yourself. The area is not that big: can walk around the area in 30 leisurely minutes. The center of it all is this huge projector in the midst of the waterfront where people gather late in the afternoon for a free movie, or children just having so much fun playing. The water front is so sweet and romantic to behold. This is the perfect place to jog around: clean air and get amused with the sights. Forgot to say: lots of choices for food. If you have children, they will surely love this place.

We came over on the water ferry to visit the ICE! Sculpture Exhibit at the Gaylord Hotel(see my review).. WE didn't ride the Ferris wheel, if it were a nice day then yes. We visited the Peeps store, then saw a few sculptures ate lunch then back on the ferry. If the weather was better , I would come back to explore it more

We were able to walk around and enjoyed all the characters they have spread around. Ice Sculptures at the Gaylord. New MGM casino but did not visit. Old Air Force one replica to tour and lots of shops and restaurants.

Sailed on the Spirit of Washington for a private group cruise. Food was amazing, nice breeze as we cruised up the Potomac.

You can spend hours strolling along the Potomac, browsing the shops, watch a movie on Thu or Sun and if more spare time visit the Gaylord Hotel Atrium & the MGM casino (by free shuttle) also visit the Tanger outlaets by free shuttle.

This is a beautiful newer development that is great for eating and hanging out. Easy access to the water taxi to Alexandria but no light rail to DC. It's fun to see such a well designed community with trees and artwork on the walkable streets.

National Harbor should be a family orientated area and it is not, lot of people acting loud and obnoxious. Marijuana and drugs running rampant, no security or police in area. Seemed to get very Ghetto at night

We thoroughly enjoyed walking around the waterfront and seeing all that there was to see. Would recommend to anyone visiting in the area - there is a lot to do.

There is so much to see and do at National Harbor. Lots of great restaurants, bars, nightlife, family activities and so much more. MGM casino and Resort is close by as well as Gaylord Convention Center.

If you need a little break from the high paced vacationing of the DC area then take a ferry or shuttle to the National Harbor. You could spend the day just strolling the streets to shop or eat at the many quality restaurants available!

Lots to see and do but it is also a little on the dirty side. It could be the holiday season and there were many visitors around, but one would think that they'd know that they need a cleaning crew

We are on a bus tour that's coming back home from New York. We picked this as a stopping point to spend a few hours and relax from road travel. We all split up and went in different directions but everybody found things they like. There are all kinds of restaurants in there with types of food to choose from. There are all kinds of sculptures past important people around the area that you can take pictures or pose with. one of the fun things to see is the man in the sand. there are restrooms available all around the area so they are easy to get to. There is also a CVS there if you need to do some on the road shopping. There is an area with a ferris wheel but we did not go over in that area to check it out.

Visited the National Harbor on a business trip. Beautiful walkways, tons of boutiques and shops. Lots of restaurants to walk to. Right on the water, the Capital Wheel is close by. Boat rides are available. The Gaylord resort is beautiful to look at, however several other hotels are also available. Be prepared to spend a lot of money.

Clean, safe environment. Nice restaurants and friendly people. We enjoyed walking after evening meal

You should take a look at National Harbor. This area has been updated and a nice place to walk around and enjoy the sights. The views along the river and sunset is worth a stop over. I actually visited here several times in 2009 and 2010. I suggest you bring a good camera, walking shoes and some money to in case you wanted to take a boat ride.

If you have time, take a walk. The walk along here is fantastic. The shops are different with a few that are a must! Take in the Peeps shop and Savannah's Candy Kitchen. These are musts even if you are not a sweets person. The very huge screen television is a neat experience as well as all the statues and cars. Definitely a must if you are in the area.

On our last day in DC we stopped by this iconic mall. We ate at the Gaylord resort in this mall. This mall is by far one of the most prettiest malls in all of DC. I highly recommend this mall if you’re visiting DC.

Nice weekend get-away at National Harbor. Plenty of restaurants to try and some shopping as well, including the Harbor stores and the nearby Tanger Outlet.

Nice walking around area full of bars and restaurants. Very pedestrian friendly and full of choices for food and drinks. Night life can get a bit loud if you decide to stay in the area.

We had the opportunity to visit National Harbor. We were impressed with the newness of it all. It is located on the Potomac River near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and just south of Washington, D.C. in Prince George’s County, Maryland. There are 300 plus acres that has a convention center, hotels, along with many places to dine, shop, and play. There is something for everyone here. The streets are lined with shops and restaurants. We were impressed with the life-size statues that honor past and present all who have served in the U.S. armed forces. The statues represent the five branches of the U.S. Military – Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The five statues face the Potomac River and are positioned so that a National Harbor sign topped with an American flag serves as the backdrop. The pieces were created by Brooklyn-based artist Ivan Schwartz.
We did feel that paying $3.00 per hour for a parking meter with a two hour limit was bit excessive. Also, it seems that in Prince George’s County, all cars with handicap plates have to pay to park.

It’s so beautiful and nice here but I definitely have to come back in a few months when the weather is much better. It was raining so I couldn’t enjoy this beautiful place. There are restaurants along this space that you can check out.

We visited National Harbor and the weather was great. Enjoyed walking through the shops and just enjoying the scenery. The Ferris Wheel is quite large and a thrill to ride. Great place for family and children to spend a day.

The location is fantastic especially when travelling with kids. Lots of fun places to visit, good restaurants and sights!