I simply can't say enough positive things about this place. Its almost out of a hallmark movie. The energy, the old-timey statues, the ferris wheel, its such a beautiful place. The restaurants, the waterfront views, its really postcard worthy. Simply amazing destination. I can only imagine how busy this area gets in the summer. read more

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I attended a conference at the Gaylord hotel earlier this year, and while I love DC, National Harbor was never on my radar until I found out our conference would be there. The conference itself was wonderful, but I was not a big fan of National Harbor. I didn't have a car, so I took the metro and bus to get to National Harbor. I walked around the area that afternoon, and it took less than two hours for me to see everything. This area is very commercial and planned, with little local flair or character. I see this mentioned in reviews from 2010-2011; well, it is still the case in 2026. The monument to our armed services was inspirational, and I found a wonderful Black-owned bookstore called Mahogany Books. But, most businesses were high-end chains. There's a pharmacy for basic needs, but most restaurants are expensive and no grocery stores are within walking distance. Thankfully, Potbelly is there for us plebes to grab a sandwich, and Mahogany Books serves delicious coffee drinks. I had plenty to do with the conference over the next three days, so it wasn't a boring trip. The bus service comes every 30 minutes or you can Uber/Lyft to a metro station like Alexandria and go into the city. On the second night of our conference, I ended up going into Alexandria with some friends, and we went to a local pizza restaurant. The next night, I visited a local Greek restaurant in Alexandria with other friends. If you're attending a conference here, do stay at a nearby hotel for convenience and also visit Mahogany Books. Otherwise, I would not spend much time at National Harbor. read more

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National Harbor is a great waterfront and small town destination in Prince Georges County, Maryland. When most people think of National Harbor, imagery of the pier comes to mind. However, National Harbor also is home to Tanger Outlets, Spirit Park, MGM National Harbor, Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, and a newly developed and rapidly expanding residential neighborhood on the hill overlooking the harbor. In proximity to Alexandria, Southwest DC (The Wharf), East Potomac Park, and Georgetown Waterfront Park waterfronts, National Harbor is arguably near the top of the list for its one-stop convenience for locals and tourists. Dining, shopping, hotels, entertainment, water transportation, garage parking, community engagement, and family-friendly activities are all winning aspects of this destination. The developers established a fine balance catering to both locals and tourists by showcasing local and national history and culture, a variety of dining and shopping options, and diversity in entertainment. Here, you can explore waterside trails and tours, ride the famous Capital Wheel which features alternating night lighting reflective of the seasons and local events, enjoy sand under your feet at the beachfront, travel on the water between nearby waterfronts along the Potomac River, or enjoy a Vegas-like getaway at MGM National Harbor. During the spring and summer, there are many scheduled outdoor family-friendly activities near the harbor. Most notable are the movies and live sports broadcasted on the plaza. At Christmas, a 60-foot tree is lit on Waterfront Street. You can also catch firework shows on holidays. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1) Dining - make reservations. There are plenty dining options here, however, on weekends, especially during warmer months, the area crowds and walk-ins are a gamble. Also, I recommend checking third-party reviews of your prospective restaurants as a few of the them along Fleet Street have seen better days since first opening. But overall, there are some excellent restaurants in walking distance from the pier. 2) Parking at the Harbor- there is ample garage parking, however, during warmer months when the visitation is greater, you can easily find yourself parking on the upper levels of the garage, so plan an itinerary that include visiting National Harbor early. 3) The Capital Wheel - a relatively inexpensive thrill, however, costs can quickly soar with add-ons. I recommend purchasing tickets online to check for sales or purchase deals from discount sites. Lines can be long, but they steadily move. 4) Tanger Outlets - this shopping destination overcrowds quickly on weekends. If the harbor and shopping is on your itinerary, hit the outlets early or later and prioritize the harbor in early afternoon or around meal times. 5) MGM National Harbor - if the casino is on your itinerary, visit early. Friday and Saturday nights are astonishingly crowded. 6) Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center - there are fine restaurants here. You can also find family-friendly activities and experiences like their ICE attraction featuring The Polar Express during the Christmas season. read more

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I live at National Harbor, and I love being here. The neighborhood, although highly commercial, is cool. I love walking around in the morning, getting my coffee, and stopping into my favorite stores just to say hey. It can get a little overwhelming during some events and conventions, but it is manageable. It is not a huge attraction, although depending on the events, you can spend all day engaged if you are visiting. Security is hit or miss. Sometimes overly done, and at times, anything goes. National Harbor management is totally non-responsive. You have to jump through hoops to get a response or to be acknowledged, which is sad for me to say because I am a neighbor. If it weren't for the hit-or-miss security and the absent management, it would be a five-star place to live, especially for a couple without kids. read more

National Harbor - View of the ferris wheel from my rooftop. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - National Harbor, Maryland

This location gem continues to be everything and more. It's always so clean out here. Plenty of shops, boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, novelty shops, and tourists attractions. The huge wheel ride remains, and beautiful views. Plenty of onsite parking garages. National Harbor continues to be an ongoing fav visiting spot. read more

DC is a movable feast of free museums and national treasures but if you're looking for something more beige and Epcotian there's Maryland's National Harbor. NH is a very clean, safe space overflowing with expense account frat boys, hotels, conference facilities and restaurants that put the greed in greedflation. I'm in DC at least once a year and have never found it to be the highlight of any trip but... to each his own. Three middling stars. read more

Perfect funday can be planned at the national harbor. So many things to do, from a variety of dining options to ice cream to shops and even a painting with a twist ! There are boats for rent, a playground and carousel as well as the capital wheel . There are hotels on site so if you were to stay here, everything is walking distance and on Fridays during the summer they have free movies by the water ! Love this place so much read more

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Back in July I came here with a group of about 7-8 people celebrating my sister's birthday, and it's just an easy place to make a day (or night) out of. We spent time walking the waterfront, which is always a nice way to start, views of the water, people out enjoying themselves, and plenty going on without it feeling overwhelming. It can definitely get busy, but it's manageable, well maintained, and there's a lot packed into a relatively small area. For food, we ate at Fogo de Chao and later grabbed food at Diablo's Cantina inside the MGM Casino. Both worked well for a group, especially when everyone wants options. I also did some shopping at the Tanger Outlets during the day. Parking overall is solid, garages make things easier, though street parking can be tricky, especially when things are busy. Even though we didn't do everything this time, National Harbor is one of those places where there's always something to do. In the past, we've done the ICE exhibit, so it's easy to tailor the visit depending on who you're with. That flexibility is what makes it work for birthdays, group outings, family visits, or just getting out of the house. Overall, I'd definitely come back, not just during peak seasons, but anytime. National Harbor isn't about one specific business; it's about having a lot of options in one place, and it does that really well. There's also a lot to do in the surrounding areas, so this is a really good spot to just get a room and venture out in the DMV. read more

What a lovely day viewing the harbor, it was chilly and windy, however we enjoyed the walk on the boardwalk and the endless photo opts. There are plenty to see and shops to visits in the area. I would like to go back when weather is nicer and we can stay the whole day. There is pay parking available . read more

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We had the most perfect weather while walking up and down National Harbor. Thank God because the heat was killing me all day. The Ferris Wheel was going and a band was playing music. Plenty of food spots, bars, coffee shops, art and so on around. The parking garage wasn't too badly priced and just a short walk to the water. You are going to get national harbor prices so beware if you are not looking to spend a lot. We didn't feel like driving to Baltimore so we settled with coming here before anyone else became too hangry. read more

National Harbor - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - National Harbor, Maryland

The National Harbor is beautiful, especially at night. With the beautiful lights lighting up the night sky and reflecting off the water. Plenty of places to eat, drink and have fun. Fresh Breeze from the water and amazing scenery. Plus the Casino is just around the way. Enjoy the Casino life or a great show. Enjoy! read more

National Harbor - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - National Harbor, Maryland

It was my first time visiting National Harbor, Maryland while in town from California and overall, I really enjoyed it! The vibe was peaceful, the Awakening sculpture was stunning, and we even joined a free Zumba class such a fun surprise! There are so many places to eat, and the fresh walk by the water made it feel like a mini escape. The only downside was the strong smell of marijuana in the air especially with kids around, it made it a bit hard to breathe and took away from the peaceful atmosphere. Still, the views, art, and overall energy make it worth visiting. I'd love to come back, maybe during a quieter time! read more

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Very nice location. I visited the dock and saw the ferris wheel, and the cute little beach (not meant for going in the water). There are plenty of shops in the area, and restaurants! I love the giant American Flag out by the parking lot. Great for a date night. read more

We always love making the trip over this way for the free outdoor movies. Though, the traffic can be pretty intense coming on a weekday from DC. We are always looking for a good outdoor movie and like the regular schedule of movies that they play here. It's a great space with so many restaurants and businesses nearby. We tend to come with our own chairs, blankets and food but will still stop at some of the shops nearby. My kids make it a point to get dessert at Ben & Jerry's. Overall, we love our visits here. And glad this place exists and has so many movie nights. In DC, this regular movie schedule is lacking. read more

I hate to bash National Harbor parking, especially since the property is good for PG County....but errrrr uhm... It's definitely a challenge. The fact that they charge is annoying ASF already, but it's not even inexpensive. I spent $6 and change for 2 hours the other day street parking in front of Cadillac Ranch watching G7 of the World Series. Either bring your quarters, your card, or use the Park Mobile app - and your patience depending upon what's going on. Constant parking enforcement people (patrolling) on the prowl looking to exact vehicular retribution - or you pay for enclosed parking. Definitely not Tyson's, Fairfax or Montgomery County. Glad the Harbor exists, but the parking situation definitely leaves a lot to be desired. read more

I spent about a week staying in one of the hotels in National Harbor for Podcast Movement a few months ago. I really enjoyed my time here as my home away from home during that conference. Beautiful views, walkable and safe, interesting things to do, family friendly options... The Capital Wheel and a Ben & Jerry's storefront! What more can you ask for in the summer? If you're an out-of-town traveler, NH has options for all price-point tiers. You can keep costs down with casual dining spots and free entertainment like walking along the water, or you can splurge and dine more high-end at Harvest, Rosa Mexicana, or Grace's Mandarin. I like the public art in the area - all the statues and sculptures, too. Also, National Harbor is still close to DC - in case you need to go back and forth into the capital. There's also the water taxi, which I would recommend riding if time permits. National Harbor is great! read more

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This was my first time visiting here and it was fantastic. It is clean, well lit, police presence, plenty of shops and places to eat. Traffic is tough and so is parking. But I would like to go back for a longer visit. I would like to ride the Ferris Wheel and see the monument from the top lit up at night. I did not know anything about this place until last weekend and I want to go back already. Very touristy but well maintained. read more

National Harbor - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - National Harbor, Maryland

We were visiting for the weekend. The Harbor is a nice place. But I'd definitely prefer it during the summer because it was a different kind of cold than I'm used to. If you go during the winter a coat is a must. Not a jacket or a hoodie, a real coat!!! There were tons of people there as it's a busy area with restaurants, shopping, the ferry, the ferris wheel, and more!! They had the large Christmas tree decorated and they do fireworks on Fridays. They also have a huge movie screen to watch free movies, with lawn chairs. Definitely check the events in the area before going. Parking is about $24 a day, it may be less if you're paying hourly. We stayed in a nearby hotel and the parking wasn't free. So just be aware. On Saturday and Sunday they were having a craft market in the center of the Harbor where they close down the street. It's several vendors selling various items like food, soaps, crafts, candles, and etc. The area has security and police patrolling regular rounds. There's also a curfew for unsupervised minors. The area felt safe for the most part. There's several hotels in the area. The Hyatt, AC hotel, The Gaylord, and some others. So it's a nice place to visit. The ferris wheel was about $22 per person and the carousel was $7 for unlimited rides. There's also a playground in the area. The streets have statues that make for cool photo ops. Marilyn Monroe and Rosie the riveter were my fav!!! I enjoyed my time here and would certainly come back!!! read more

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Whats not to love about this place!! So many date night ideas in one place! The Capitol Wheel! Sitting by the shore watching the sun set. So many nice eateries... Candy Kitchen!! The casino is nearby, the outlets and the Gaylord Resorts which hosts a lot of cosplay conventions. They now enforce a curfew for juveniles, which is good. From 5pm to 6am! Lots of police presence. My list can go on. However the garages are expensive! I'm definitely coming back here more often! read more

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National Harbor is a decent shopping/eating/attraction area that's well organized and not too big. There's a riverside ferris wheel, a community outdoor movie screen with family friendly titles like Big Hero 6, and plenty of dining options. Streets aren't too big and feels very manageable for all ages. There's lots of fast casual options from dependable ones like Chipotle & CAVA to splurgy ones like The Yard Milkshake Bar & Mason's Lobster Rolls, and lots of sit-down restaurants including our favorite one Silver Diner. Thank goodness for the CVS which is the lone source of groceries for all the hotels in the area. National Harbor isn't connected to subway so getting to/from here usually involves a car. read more

Always a great time at the Harbor . Great views, great food, and plenty of parking, A few meters available for parking. Make sure you don't let the meter expire because they will give you a ticket. read more

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What is not to love about the Harbor! I've been here so much the last two weeks that I am seriously learning to appreciate this area. There is so much to do! The Gaylord has the best spa and I'm here often but never took the time to actually venture around. I'm in Heaven with the Candy shop! Love that I will be close for a few more weeks! #addicted read more

Funny thing is that I live in the same county as this place and I only visited here because my work decided to do a national training here. Otherwise, I probably would have never intentionally come down here. I'm probably gonna get some flack on my review of the Harbor on a whole, but that's the thing about reviews, they need to be honest and based on your experience. With that, let's get going. At a recent training, I had the pleasure of hearing a politician speak, he represented the county that National Harbor sits in and he just happened to say that the Harbor was the crown jewel of the county. I wonder how everyone else that lives in the county feels about that remark, I don't count as I am a transplant and I'm still exploring. If you happen to be staying in one of the hotels down here, this place probably feels appropriate. But, if you happen to be in the area for business or doctor's appointment it feels inconvenient. Believe me, I can explain. If you are staying here, it is a tourist destination with many things to do. At the present time, there is a circus in the area, you have the Ferris wheel, pier, and a few other draws. There are some small parks, many statues that line the streets, and a riverfront trail. DC Metro buses come through so you can easily make it to DC or take a water taxi to DC or Alexandria. Many restaurants with different choices of cuisine that will tickle any fancy. Nightlife is decent with many bars offering some type of entertainment. If you happen to be a local, or in the area for some type of appointment, it is a tourist destination, which makes this place feel like a burden. If you have an appointment, leave extra early. Traffic is a nightmare with those coming here and not having a clue how to navigate. Then there is the parking. There are a few on street spots, but mostly parking in garages and lots that you have to pay an outlandish fee for when you are only there for an hour, two at most. The offerings it has is outweighed by the hassle of getting to the area. read more

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National Harbor, MD is just about 35 minutes from DC. There is a lot to see and do. We viewed The Titanic Exhibition and shopped and ate along the waterfront on the Potomac. Activities/sights - The Capital Wheel - Spirit Park Carousel - Spirit Park with largest US flying flag (although when we were here there was no breeze) - The Awakening sculpture by John Seward Johnson II -Art collection walking tour We parked in the lot by the carousel and it was practically empty. By the time we finished with the exhibition, shopping and lunch, the lot was full and the restaurants were starting to fill up. read more

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I'm Done with National Harbor's Parking Scam I paid $6 to park at National Harbor using the ParkMobile app, entered the zone number right from the meter, and still had 40 minutes left on my time (8:40 PM-10:40 PM). Yet at 9:01 PM, I was issued a $35 ticket for an "expired meter." To contest it, I was told it would take 3-4 months to get a hearing. And to even request that hearing, I had to send a registered letter for another $6. So now I've spent $12 (plus time and stress) just to fight a bogus $35 citation, all because their system is aggressive and dishonest. It would've been easier to just pay the ticket, but that's exactly what they're counting on. Because of this, I won't be supporting National Harbor anymore. If they can't treat visitors fairly, they don't deserve our business. #NationalHarbor #ParkingScam #ParkMobile #UnfairTicket #PredatoryPractices #ConsumerRights #ParkingProblems #DoBetter #HoldThemAccountable #EnoughIsEnough read more

I recommend checking out National Harbor if you're visiting Washington. There is a lot to see and explore. At night it is very colorful with lights and there are even events that occur. There are a ton of stores and restaurants. But most of the eateries here are really expensive. read more

National Harbor - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - National Harbor, Maryland

I had a meeting for work in National Harbor this week and decided to stroll around for a bit after my meeting since I hadn't been before! National Harbor is a city and multi-use waterfront development on the Potomac River in Prince George's County, Maryland. The area has lots of shops and restaurants. Granted, a lot of them are chains that you see in tourist areas, but there were some shops and restaurants that looked interesting (I only stopped into a bookstore and Starbucks while I was there). There's also a Ferris wheel on the water, an MGM casino, a Gaylord resort, a Titanic experience (showing models of and artifacts from the Titanic). The highlights for me were the public art pieces that are scattered around National Harbor! "The Awakening" is a sculpture of a giant emerging from the sand of the waterfront - 70 feet across and definitely popular with kids who enjoy climbing on it. There there are sculptures of famous Americans (and one Brit?!) scattered along American Way - George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and more! Unfortunately, National Harbor isn't that easy to get to - the only routes in or out are ramps north of the area that link it to major roadways (95/495, 295, and Oxon Hill Road). Since these roads can be horrible with traffic, it may not always be a delight to get to National Harbor. There is also a water taxi line connecting National Harbor to Alexandria) The parking can be very expensive too (but at least easy to find). Overall, National Harbor has a weird vibe for me - too touristy, like you're at Disneyworld or a pier in Ocean City? But the public art was a surprise, and I wouldn't mind returning for a concert at the MGM or for another event! read more

Simply beautiful Simply amazing Tribute to the military is breathtaking. So much to do, various restaurants,shops hotels and let's not forget the Ferris Wheel with the spectacular view. The sculpture in the sand Excellent transformation Well done Great place if you're driving though on I95 or visiting DC area. Stop in read more

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Biked there across the bridge. Great ride! So much good food and shopping. Great people watching. read more

Beautiful sunsets, many good option. During special occasions, there are live events. Parking is not free.

I enjoy coming to the Harbor! They have plenty of restaurants, some with great views of the water. Endless events, there is always something going on either at the Harbor itself or inside of a restaurant or store. Several hotels to choose from & some shopping. On a nice day walking around the Harbor is amazing, there are benches that overlook the water and you can people watch. They have street parking (good luck on a busy day) the parking garages are nice and not as pricey as you'd expect them to be. read more

Definitely a place to put on your bucket list when you're in the area! There are so many shops, restaurants and activities that will appeal to all tastes! We visited this area after Thanksgiving and the Christmas decorations were beautiful! Check out The Capital Wheel for an amazing view of the area! Take pictures of the realistic stautes and various art in the area! Catch a movie near the harbor! You can even stay in one of the nearby hotels! Just enjoy the sights and sounds of the area! If you visit several days in a row, you'll still find new entertainment each time! read more

What a fun place to explore! So, my family wanted to visit all the popular national monuments on this trip to the DMV area. Every night on the way back to the hotel the kids saw the Ferris wheel at National Harbor and we promised to take them. It wasn't until the last full day where we started exploring it. We were staying at a hotel right next to it! I can't believe we didn't sooner. The family loved the Ben and Jerry's, the Ferris wheel and the sandy area with the submerged statue. I liked the restaurant with the lobster rolls too. If you're visiting DC with family, check out National Harbor. It's worth it. read more

It's not a large area and the waterfront pathway isn't well decorated albeit it's clean and kept up. Leads to the National Plaza where there's more to see. Along the way there's the statue/ artwork of of giant falling into the sand which makes for good pictures with the waterfront in the background. Fireworks show on the waterfront early around 4:40p on a Saturday in December. Just happen to see it from our hotel as it happened. Not sure of the schedule but might be worth looking into albeit was fairly short of a show. read more

National Harbor is a tourist spot with plenty of restaurants and other attractions to do. There aren't many ways to get there besides. They do have water taxis and Washingtons metro buses do come out there as well. I recommend doing the ferris wheel you get a great view right along the Potomac. Sadly there isn't much street parking. That is your best bet if you don't want to pay a ridiculous amount. There are plenty of parking garages but they charge an insane amount when you will only spend a couple of hours there. Not an essential spot to see while you are in DC I preferred Alexandria and Wharf waterfront more. read more

National Harbor - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - National Harbor, Maryland

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This is a nice little spot to visit in the DMV area. The main highlight is the Capitol Ferris Wheel that sits out on the water and gives you a really nice view of the harbor. There is also a mini fake beach too and a large screen that they play movies on. There are also a number of restaurants too. The hotels and conference centers there are popular for business conventions and graduations. But other than that, there isn't much else to do. Wish there were carnival rides or something. But this is more of an adult tourist spot. The Capitol Ferris wheel is pretty inexpensive with adult tickets at only $16.50. There is child (12 and under) and military pricing too. There is also an extra special pod that you can pay for that has a table, TV and glass bottom...But the ride is only like 15min so I really don't see how that is worth it. The pods can hold up to about 8 people. It is fully enclosed and mostly glass so you can have a great view no matter where you sit. It does have built in AC. You get about 3 rotations before you need to get off. The ride was very smooth. This was probably the most high tech ferris wheel I have every been on. It looks really pretty at sunset (see pics). The souvenir photos where they take your group photo before you get on the wheel are a reasonable price at around $20 including physical and digital copies. One of the few times we decided to purchase these types of prints. Parking for National Harbor consists of paid garage and street parking. Unfortunately there is no free parking or parking validation. Overall: a nice one time visit, can't imagine wanting to come here again unless I had to attend a convention here. read more

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We had a great night at the Harbor. The weather was beautiful and the scenery was amazing. The options to eat are plentiful. If you are looking to have a nice night out with friends and or family take them here. You will enjoy it! read more

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The have really built this place up. They have somewhat reasonable parking fees. You can park in a lot, if you are lucky or you can park in one of thier garages. They are the same price. There are also a few metered spots that you can park at, but they are few and far between. This place is beautiful and very clean. It is very picturesque. location such as the ferris wheel, military service member statues, fountain, and Harbor overlook are some of the more popular selfie spots. They have a huge ferris wheel/eye, called the Capital Wheel, with enclosed pods, a merry go round, a playground, paddle boat/canoe rentals, an outdoor event venue, a pier, a walking/bike trail, and a beach (which is currently closed due to COVID). You have to pay to go on the ferris wheel, merry go round and paddle boats/canoes. There are also some very nice shops and restaurants. Some of their restaurants include: Ben & Jerry's, Bobby McKey's Dueling Piano Bar, Brother Jimmy's, Crab Cake Cafe, Chipotle and The Walrus Oyster and Ale House. They also have a huge screen by the pier where they can play movies or put on a game. It is an awesome place to watch. I enjoyed the statues that represented the 5 branches of the military as well as the statue of the man appearing to come up out of the sand titled Marvel at the Awakening. I was there during a nice afternoon and there was a decent crowd. They crowd seemed to increase as the sun went down. This spot seems to be frequented by every loud vehicle in Maryland, DC and Virginia. I did not see many police officers or much security while I was there, but I still felt safe. They may just come out at night. The Harbor is right by the Tanger Outlets, The Gaylord Convention Center, and the MGM Casino. I enjoyed just walking around here on a nice day and getting a quick bite to eat. I suggest going at a less popular time however, it can get really packed. and traffic can get a bit crazy. You can spend a good half day or so there, so plan accordingly. read more

National Harbor is a beautiful and walkable area with great restaurants and unique shops. We stopped by after a show at the MGM and enjoyed dinner and a quiet walk with a water view. There were many parking garages. I look forward to my next visit! read more

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

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