Does anyone go to National Harbor? (good hotel, live, restaurants)
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People talk about going to all the destinations in the area, from Tysons to Annapolis, but I've never heard anyone ever say they're going to National Harbor. Is it popular? Is it nice? In most areas it seems like it would be a major attraction.
I went once, mainly because my parents got a good hotel deal and decided to check it out for a weekend. It's fine, but the restaurants were kind of "meh" and (the biggest issue, in my mind) parking is tight and expensive. Considering that it's a hassle, at best, to get there without a car, I think it's crazy that all the parking is either in a paid garage (which I believe was flat-rate for the entire day) or $2 per hour at a meter (i.e. the same price as in downtown DC). Just the parking alone is enough for me to say I'd rather go elsewhere.
It's nice, but parking is expensive. I've taken my kids to the Children's Museum preview center there, and have parked there to walk across the Wilson Bridge (just for the view). The Peeps store is definitely unique. It's not the same sort of destination shopping center as Tysons is, nor is it as quaint as Annapolis is. But it is nice.
Its just ok -- not anything amazing. The Cadillac Ranch is a fun little spot, with the mechanical bull & all. But, I agree, the parking is ridiculous. I have stayed in a suite at the Gaylord before and its a lovely hotel. And we have been to the ICE @ the National Harbor event twice at Christmas season. That was fun for our daughter. I live within 15 mins of the Natl Harbor, and just normally don't go down there. Kind of a hassle and inconvenient, all in all.
I think one of the biggest things they could do to guarantee the success of the development, is to offer free parking--at least for a few hours, since public transit isn't really an option to get there. I don't consider the parking fares horribly outrageous, and I wouldn't mind paying them if there was more of a draw to go there. But they've got to do more to entice people out there. I've heard talk that they are going to add a outlet mall there?
I've gone twice, but for specific reasons. Not a place I think of when I'm considering where to go out on a Friday night or a weekend afternoon.
Only time I went there was for dinner after seeing Cirque du Soleil. The dinner was at a restaurant inside the Gaylord. Seemed like a nice area but it's just a bit too far removed for me. It doesn't seem to have any restaurants that are truly destination dining (whereas I'd gladly drive up to Frederick to eat at Volt).
e: I'm sure if I lived close by I'd go more often. And of course I would need a car, since as others have pointed out it's a pain to get to by public transportation.
I've been to National Harbor a few times. I was there during the July 4th fireworks last year. It was actually very good, the river view is amazing. A nice alterntaive to D.C.
Last edited by BigCityDreamer; 06-08-2011 at 10:33 PM..
I think one of the biggest things they could do to guarantee the success of the development, is to offer free parking--at least for a few hours, since public transit isn't really an option to get there. I don't consider the parking fares horribly outrageous, and I wouldn't mind paying them if there was more of a draw to go there. But they've got to do more to entice people out there. I've heard talk that they are going to add a outlet mall there?
I've gone twice, but for specific reasons. Not a place I think of when I'm considering where to go out on a Friday night or a weekend afternoon.
I don't see that ever happening. They are trying their hardest not to attract certain crowds and so far it's working. They might reduce parking, but the moment they make it free is when that place will go downhill.
All of you: there have already been several lengthy discussions about NH, here on the "Maryland suburbs" forum section.
That's true. However, it's interesting to get it from a "DC" perspective.
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