Christmas on the Potomac
Where: National Harbor
When: November 14 – January 5
Admission: Free, though some activities cost extra.
National Harbor goes all out during the holidays. ICE! might be the big attraction, but there’s also plenty to do there to warrant a visit without the frozen entertainment. Most of it takes place in the Gaylord National Resort, which is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with a spectacular glass Christmas tree, nightly tree lightings, the Potomac Express train offering rides for guests, photo ops with Santa, indoor snowfalls, fountain shows, and more.Christmas on the Potomac at the Gaylord National Resort is pretty cool even without the frozen amusement. I know this from firsthand experience.
Through my reviews on other blogs and local websites, I’ve been hearing mixed things about ICE! Featuring Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. Usually, I like to experience something for myself rather than rely on hearsay; but at nearly $126 for our family of four (35$/adult, 28$/child), we decided to miss the Grinch-inspired ice park this time. Besides, we could always go back another day if we really wanted to check it out.
The “lite” version of the Christmas on the Potomac worked out quite well for us. The Gaylord Hotel itself is pretty spectacular with the atrium transformed into a holiday wonderland. The decorations are brilliant — long strands of sheer fabric lined with glimmering lights hang overhead, indoor trees and street lamps are adorned with colorful twinklers and shiny ornaments, and ruby red poinsettias line the walkways. And the centerpiece of it all is the giant glass Christmas tree, standing 60 feet tall in front of a wall of windows overlooking the Potomac.
Where: National Harbor
When: November 14 – January 5
Admission: Free, though some activities cost extra.
National Harbor goes all out during the holidays. ICE! might be the big attraction, but there’s also plenty to do there to warrant a visit without the frozen entertainment. Most of it takes place in the Gaylord National Resort, which is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with a spectacular glass Christmas tree, nightly tree lightings, the Potomac Express train offering rides for guests, photo ops with Santa, indoor snowfalls, fountain shows, and more.Christmas on the Potomac at the Gaylord National Resort is pretty cool even without the frozen amusement. I know this from firsthand experience.
Through my reviews on other blogs and local websites, I’ve been hearing mixed things about ICE! Featuring Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. Usually, I like to experience something for myself rather than rely on hearsay; but at nearly $126 for our family of four (35$/adult, 28$/child), we decided to miss the Grinch-inspired ice park this time. Besides, we could always go back another day if we really wanted to check it out.
The “lite” version of the Christmas on the Potomac worked out quite well for us. The Gaylord Hotel itself is pretty spectacular with the atrium transformed into a holiday wonderland. The decorations are brilliant — long strands of sheer fabric lined with glimmering lights hang overhead, indoor trees and street lamps are adorned with colorful twinklers and shiny ornaments, and ruby red poinsettias line the walkways. And the centerpiece of it all is the giant glass Christmas tree, standing 60 feet tall in front of a wall of windows overlooking the Potomac.
For the kids, however, the best parts are just below the tree. The Polar Express, an adorable little train, circles a small track and offers $2 rides — a big highlight for my girls.
Just next to the train, Santa is waiting for photo, and just around the corner up a few steps a lovely fountain shoots up sprays of water, delighting kids of all ages. This is all set among what feels like a little village in the atrium. Walkways are lined with aforementioned trees (real ones) and lamps, stores look like little houses, and restaurants like outdoor cafes.
Photo with Santa available from November 21 to December 24 just for 40$ plus sales tax.
We experienced all of this nightly, when the atrium becomes a greater spectacle as Northern Lights sparkle overhead, the fountain “dances” to holiday tunes, the Christmas tree is illuminated, and “flurries” drift down on Snowfall Lane. Surely, this is the kind of thing kids would find magical.
It's always 72 degrees in our atrium, but you won't believe your eyes as it snows inside! Snow falls twice nightly at 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. We have seen this show snow, but it was very, very small, so it makes no sense to come here only to see the snow.
The kids loved the light and fountain show and the "snow" falling. Every person we dealt with was friendly and helpful and although crowded. It wasn't cramped. One bit of advice, spring for the balcony room overlooking the hotels Christmas decoration.
The Village of the North pole at Gaylord National offers Gingerbread Decorating Corner for decorating gingerbread cookie family (35.95$ plus sale tax) or gingerbread house (49.95$ plus sale tax) on your choice. We missed this opportunity because we was done with this decorating tradition at home and you can buy any Gingerbread house in any store just for 10$ and play with it at home.
You can visit Gaylord without ICE! for free. We did pay for parking, but there are meters on the streets or garages, which aren’t too pricey (nearly 10$ up 3 to hours).
The festivities at the National Harbor aren’t limited to the hotel. Guests can glide on "Tree of Light" show on the main square. There, the children can run on an artificial green lawn, while adults relax by the fire.
The many retail stores and restaurants, most of them family-friendly, offer holiday shopping and dining options.
The weather was incredibly warm that weekend for December in MD, so we enjoyed the harbor area ad nightly light and music show inside the hotel was fun to watch in the evening.
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