A Christmas Experience at Washington DC's National Harbor

Some of you may have noticed that this is my third article on National Harbor. National Harbor is a project that the residents of the Washington DC area have heard about for many years. Now that it is a reality, I believe most of us feel that it was worth the wait. Not only is it a great place to visit but it has also brought some good jobs to the area for people that really needed them. The one thing that I mention in every article is that things at National Harbor are not cheap. You can get everything from good food to fine clothing there but don't expect to find bargains. If you are on a budget I would suggest stopping at one of the restaurants just a few miles away before visiting.

My wife Cathy is my photographer and I think she is getting pretty darn good at it.

During the holiday season National Harbor offers some beautiful displays. The marina is decorated for the season with lights and trimmings. In the center, just behind the great metal sculpture called "The Awakening" stands the harbors beautiful Christmas tree. You can see the size of the tree in the picture and we also threw in a picture of "The Awakening" because Cathy and I think it is a spectacle in itself.

The Gaylord Resort and Convention Center is beautifully decorated for the holiday. Their great atrium is adorned with holiday lights, sculptures and a great hanging Christmas tree made of glass. The tree is sixty feet tall from top to bottom and it is twenty-five feet wide at its widest point. Cathy has included a picture of the tree statistics; they are quite interesting.

The highpoint is the Gaylord Resort's holiday display called Ice. It is a series of magical Christmas scenes all created from blocks of ice. It is housed in a large tent in the parking area near the Gaylord and the temperature in the tent is well below freezing. The staff will give you parkas to wear but I suggest you bring your own winter clothing, and put the parka on top. Don't forget the hats and gloves. Some of the ice sculptures are cute and whimsical and some are inspiring. As you can see by the pictures, the color selection and the lighting is very well done. Cathy and I took turns sliding down the big ice slide in the center of the exhibit. This display is quite a unique Christmas experience and one I believe the entire family would enjoy.

Here's the catch. Like most things at National Harbor this exhibit is a bit expensive. You'll pay twenty-five dollars for each adult ticket and twelve fifty for each child. They may have specials during the season that you can check on, but that is the normal price. I do believe it is worth the price. It is a fun and a unique holiday outing for the family.