When This Family was invited to take a trip to experience holidays at National Harbor, we weren’t sure exactly what to expect. But with a name like Christmas on the Potomac, we knew it involved the holidays and we knew it was historic and patriotic so we didn’t hesitate! (Pretty much what we are about 😉 )
What is National Harbor?
National Harbor was founded on George Washington’s vision to create a thriving city of trade, culture and government on the banks of the Potomac River. It was his vision in the 1700’s and wasn’t realized until 2000’s but oh… it was was worth the wait!
No way George could have known what a family friendly destination National Harbor would become but no doubt he would be pleased. It is indeed a thriving area full of trade, culture, and coming together. National Harbor isn’t a seat of government, but it is a place where conventions are had, families visit, and many a government trip is taken.
Where is National Harbor?
National Harbor is just down and across the river from Mount Vernon, in Maryland just outside the Washington DC limits. A half day trip for George, if that.
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The Gaylord National Hotel at the Heart of the Harbor
The Gaylord National is a resort and Convention Center in the heart of National Harbor and includes hotel, restaurants, spa, meeting center, and gobs of holiday goodness and memories just waiting to be made. Known collectively as CHRISTMAS ON THE POTOMAC, it really lived up to their slogan of ‘most unforgettable Christmas’. Here are just SOME of the experiences…
The Grinch themed scavenger hunt was such a trip! Family friendly and took us on a tour of the hotel. This was such a clever idea and it was ridiculous fun! IF you have someone in the family who enjoys being a spy, this is a great activity choice!
ICE!
First some ice cold facts: Two million pounds of ice sculptures…5,000 blocks of ice.
This amazingness is produced exclusively for Gaylord Hotels. Every year 40 professional ice artisans are hired to create one of a kind massive ice sculptures that tell beloved stories. This year was one of our holiday favorites, The Grinch!
This is what three generations in giant blue parkas looks like 
ICE! Theme… yup, that’s ALL ice!
It was so SO much fun! It really felt like we were in Whoville, although probably colder…I don’t recall seeing Who’s in giant blue coats. The sculpted ice scenes were so life like and you know I walked around quoting various lines from the Grinch in my best Boris Karloff accent. The family didn’t even roll their eyes. I think they are used to my accent shenangins on family trips.
We loved the ice slide too. We even got grandma on it! Ridiculous fun for the whole family and an Instagram paradise! Memories and photos for days! In fact, we invite you to see some of the hilarious videos on our Instagram!
My little Who’s 
This is life size!
Reindeer Rush
SO the inner tube ice slide in ICE! Was great singular fun. Reindeer Rush was friendly family competition at its finest. We raced down this two story slide in every combination we could. Grandpa against grand-girls… mom vs dad…just the guys and what we like to call ‘Battle of the Generations’ where all three generations go at the same time. Grandpa won but really we all did. My face hurt from laughing so much. It was a perfect family memory.
Winter Square
The Gaylord is almost it’s own complete community and its own family trip. They have their own town square all decorated with twinkle lights, complete with hot chocolate stand, a tinsel tavern and ice skating. It was a little like walking into a perfect snow globe scene and my daughters were completely charmed. I mean, holiday spirit is alive and well here. Truly something for everyone.
Cirque Dreams Unwrapped
I really thought we’d seen and done it all and THEN we were kindly invited to our seats in the Gaylord Atrium…
FIRST was the Atrium Fountain Show which was choreographed lights, music, water, and SNOW!
The atrium itself is a stunning space of 19 stories. It overlooks the Potomac River and for our show it was filled with holiday scenes and sounds that at one point brought tears to my eyes it was just so pretty. It is NOT TO BE MISSED and guess what…IT’S FREE. A gorgeous gift from the Gaylord to all who come and worth every minute.
Cirque Dreams Unwrapped is performed within the same space. The entire family was in awe of this uniquely inspired 25-minute Christmas fable. The costumes were right out of a child’s imagination and the cirque acts were sweet, quirky, and as awe inspiring as you could ever want them to be.
The Square 
The Atrium 
SOME Loved the snow… (one not snow much) 
Three Generations celebrating Christmas on the Potomac
Like a gins knife commercial from the eighties…. ‘But wait there’s more!’ Our family trip did not stop there. We set out of The Gaylord to see what else National Harbor had for us to explore.
Capitol Wheel
Technically not part of Christmas not part of Christmas on the Potomac but for sure part of National Harbor and had to be done: It’s quite a site to be 180 feet over the Potomac River. We took in views of National Harbor, the Washington Monument, the City of Alexandria, the Masonic temple, Georgetown, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. WOW!!!!
I’m still in awe.
I have to say, I was nervous about this one. I generally don’t do well with heights and movement but I felt safe and secure the entire time we were on the wheel. My mom gets queasy too but she enjoyed it as well. This is a great activity any time of year and for all ages. Just the right amount of history and beauty.
TIP: The Wheel at National Harbor is wheelchair accessible so a unique thing to do on your trip if you have a family member who is wheelchair bound.
We experienced the Capitol Wheel as part of holidays at National Harbor but you can visit any time of the year.
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Plan It!
Taking a family trip and spending Holidays at National Harbor can be as big as you want it to be.
Christmas on the Potomac: The prices depend on the day you visit, with the most expensive days on weekends and the days right around Christmas. Tickets start at $33 for adults and $25 for children. Kids under 4 years enter free, and there are also discounts for active and retired military members. Buy tickets to ICE!
The Capitol Wheel is a separate expenditure as it is not housed in the Gaylord like the other Christmas on the Potomac offerings, but well worth the walk and experience. National Harbor is full of great places to eat and shop and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that there are a couple reminders of how lucky we are to live in this country and what it takes to have these freedoms. As my Grandma always said, “You will never go wrong saying ‘Thank You’ and we take every chance we get to teach our girls just that.
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Love this vacation! I’m not much for winter travel, but National Harbor looks like it would be worth it! Do they do the Grinch theme every year?
National Harbor is a great family trip any time of year. The Gaylord has lots of festivities year round. We’re thinking about a family trip to their spring blossom festival as well. I think National Harbor is one of those perfect blends of patriotism and history and the modern amenities we’ve come to expect in a family getaway or trip.
Wow, this looks like an amazing place to visit! I’ve been to Inner Harbor in Baltimore several times, but have never visited National Harbor. I will need to make sure to get there soon!
National Harbor is indeed a fabulous place for a quick getaway or a formal family trip. I think we need to plan a trip to Inner Harbor as well! Is there a lot to do for a family?
Terrific day! Loved these photos!
Thank you! Yes it was a GREAT day!
I enjoyed my time there. We stopped and stayed at the Gaylord Hotel last summer on our way home from North Carolina. Such a great place to stay and plenty to do. I would love to check it out during the holidays.
Oh yes, National Harbor is well worth the stop on any trip. I was pleasantly surprised. Did you travel with your whole family? There was just so much to do just at the Gaylord, National Harbor could have been its own whole story…or its own family trip.
What a great way to spend the holidays in such a historical place. Definitely a fun family experience to try!
Yes! National Harbor is a fabulous family trip indeed! The Gaylord itself is a trip and something for the whole family…National Harbor is almost another trip itself holidays and otherwise.
This looks like a great place! I love Christmas time events!
Me too!!! Both the Gaylord and National Harbor have a lot to offer for a family trip. I want to take a trip with the family there in spring as National Harbor has a whole cherry blossom festival!! Heck I may ditch the family and take a trip just me! LOL
This looks awesome! We almost did the Gaylord event in Dallas this year but I bet the National Harbor was amazing!
Knowing you, you would love the Gaylord at National Harbor! National Harbor is its own neighborhood and just a lovely day trip for the family. The Gaylord, well that is almost its own city and trip in itself. So much to do for the family. It’s pretty extraordinary. And I was a big fan of the snow in the atrium 🙂
What a great adventure. I love getting on the ‘wheels’ in each city I visit. It offers such great views of the city! I absolutely loved the Grinch ice area!!
This looks like such a cool place to spend the holidays!
I’d never heard of National Harbor before. I love history and learning new things especially if you can explore it today. Sounds like a great place to visit when we explore the area one day.
National Harbor was new to me as well. National Harbor is pretty ‘contrived’ in that it’s a planned community and built fairly recently. The Gaylord is the anchor for it. but the history of the area goes way back and I love that it was built with George Washingotn’s thoughts and wishes in mind. It’s a great place to wander around and defeinatley something to do with the whole family. Great for a day trip or even a weekend trip. The Gaylord hosts tons of conventions so there are many ways to take a trip there, with family or not.
I live in the D.C. area and haven’t made it to National Harbor as much as I should. The holiday events and attractions look so cool (literally!). And I would have been quoting The Grinch non-stop too! The version with Jim Carrey though for sure.
Clearly you are my people! LOL Yeah, National Harbor was all decked out and it was pretty great. The Gaylord had tons gong on for the Christmas on the Potomac festival and I have to say it was a pretty great trip. The whole family was into it. I want to take a return family trip in the spring for the Cherry blossom festival as well. I would love to see National Harbor bedecked in all its spring glory. I’ll have to find something else to sing and quote. Hamilton maybe?
I live not far from here and I still have yet to go. However, after reading this post I think I will venture there. Sounds like you had an awesome time.
I would not want to leave either. I enjoyed the animations!!!
I love this area of DC. This looks like some great activities going on at the National Harbor. I wish we were there.
What a fun trip at Christmas time! I’ll keep this in mind for next year for sure. Your pics are fantastic!
I think National Harbor is one of those places that is great for a family trip any time of the year but I’m SO excited our trip was at the holidays. Christmas on the Potomac was such a cool event and really all of National Harbor got into it. My family just loved it… I want to take another family trip back to National Harbor in the spring for the cherry blossom festival. I think that trip will be equally amazing.
I love Christmas events and I love this area of the country. Win! It looks like you had a great time. The Cirque show sounds cool, too!
There was SO much to see and do, I think we may need another family trip to explore all of National Harbor! I’d like to take the family on a trip there for the cherry blossom festival. I believe that is also in National Harbor but it may be housed on the Gaylord grounds, either way, I think it’s a great family experience and well worth a return trip!!!