Top Things to Do in National Harbor, MD
Things to Do in National Harbor
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See what other travellers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.
Book these experiences for a closer look at the region.
Historical Toursfromper group (up to 8)S$757
Fun & GamesNutty National Harbor Scavenger Hunt
0 reviewsfromper adultS$37
Monuments and Memorialsfromper adultS$70
Historical Toursfromper adultS$123- fromper adultS$95
Historical Toursfromper adultS$88
Historical Toursfromper adultS$123
Luxury Car Toursfromper group (up to 5)S$757
Historical Toursfromper adultS$116
Historical Toursfromper adultS$107
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- annapolistraveler0Annapolis, MD6 contributionsThis review is really a borderline 4; 3 would also suffice. As a resident of Maryland who has been here many times, let me share what to do to enjoy Nat'l Harbor and what to avoid. National Harbor does terrible job of talking about walking and biking or anything that takes you away from the NH.
NH is best enjoyed on foot or by bike. So if you are a tourist or convention person, do not rent a car unless you plan to leave the immediate area. Don't pay the high rates to park a car you won't use. Better off renting for a day or using tour services. Bring your sneakers & comfy walking clothes, for there are great things to walk to both at the Harbor and across the bridge (yes you can WALK or BIKE easily across the Wilson Bridge into Alexandria. Here is my recommended itinerary for 3 days.
Day One: Workout at your hotel's gym or walk the 4 miles to and back across the bridge to Alexandria. The truly adventurous can walk or bike all the way to George Washington's home in Mt. Vernon. Trail ends there and you can picnic on the grounds and tour Mt. Vernon. Otherwise, just walk 2 miles over from NH, eat in Alexandria and 2 miles back or do the full 4 miles and eat at a restaurant that serves breakfast or your hotel in NH. Can also make this a lunchtime journey when it is not too hot. Go to your conference OR then go shopping at Tangers. Bike to Tangiers outlets or walk (1 mile away) or use your hotel's shuttle. Rest back at the hotel. Check for evening concert or other activity at NH. Have dinner at your hotel or at a nearby restaurant. Make a reservation to avoid wait.
Day Two: Make this your DC or Annapolis day. Annapolis has way more history including touring the State House building, the Naval Academy, historic homes. Great harborplace shopping and two wonderful malls. Very, very walkable. Check hotel concierge for day trips. Recommend: Annapolis over Alexandria (30 minutes car ride), Smithsonian Museums in DC (25 minutes car ride), Prince George's Historic Heritage Tour, Maryland Winery Crawl, National Zoo, Cherry Blossom boat ride (numerous vendors or Tour -If in April). Any of these activities will eat up most of your day. Eat in the cities/location that you visit. Smithsonian Museums also have great restaurants. You will want to rest when you get home. If you did not have dinner in the city, eat at NH.
Day Three: Make this your historic Baltimore day. About an hour up the road, the hotel will have trips to Baltimore. Visit the Inner Harbor, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore Museum of Art (has great restaurant), Walters Art Gallery, Fort McHenry, Blacks in Wax Museum, Baltimore Museum of African American History, or walking tour of Roland Park (beautiful historic homes). Come home to rest. Enjoy your last evening walk around National Harbor and its neighborhoods. Dinner at your hotel or in-room.
Check out! Hope this works. Contact me if I can be of more help!Written 4 February 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Caroline S9 contributionsThis sculpture is wonderful! It’s conveniently set in a small beach at the center of National Harbor and welcomes all ages. Especially beautiful at sunrise and in the evenings.Written 30 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Katibug5368 contributionsLots to see & do for all ages, kids will like to plan in the sand. Love all the different statues and all the reminders of our history. Highly recommend itWritten 12 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- SUNILDASWANEYSharjah, United Arab Emirates626 contributionsThe Outlet Mall at Tanger had many factory outlets that were selling many different items at discounted prices which although discounted were not exactly cheap or were not being sold at giveaway prices.Basically they were less expensive and so you had to search if the prices suit you or not.The mall was very clean and spacious and was worth spending a day going through same with a few eateries around the place.The ambience was very peaceful.All in all a place definitely worth visiting at least once.Written 14 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lisa HAccokeek, MD38 contributionsBest clean marina and customer service in town! NHR Marian services are impeccable! The manager (Kenny) takes pride in delivering stellar customer personalize service. I highly recommend adding this location as a must visit when cruising on the Potomac.Written 18 May 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- teresadavis2016Hagerstown, MD91 contributionsNot your typical art studio. Very interesting and unusual pieces of art. Conveniently located in the center of the Harbor, near other shops and restaurants.Written 6 October 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jennifer APanama City, Panama115 contributionsWe ate at the burger plave name elevations burger. Was delicius also the mango shake was good.
You have many choices to eat on this areaWritten 26 November 2015This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Rebecca M3 contributionsIf you've been on the London Eye or the Vegas High Roller, you might be disappointed as this is a much smaller ferris wheel. The pods are small - only four people comfortably, but I think they say six. The pluses are that it is fairly cheap, stops to let you on & off, and you get multiple rotations. The location is perfect if you take the water taxi. And it's close to multiple restaurants & bars.Written 31 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AZCatFan1998Mechanicsburg, PA291 contributionsIt seemed expensive until I realized the price was for unlimited rides. My 5 year old rode for half an hour. She loved it and my 10 year old was entertained as well. Would recommend.Written 22 July 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Melaney68Chesapeake Beach, MD9,613 contributionsWe booked seats to celebrate birthdays and had a great night and stayed out later than expected. There were many more pros than cons. Let’s start with the positives. You can (and should) book your tickets in advance. We booked a month ahead and had great seats close to the pianos. Know that Friday was cheaper than Saturday. There were many servers who worked well together. They were attentive and quick to respond. The musicians were constantly reading the crowd and adjusting music accordingly. You can make requests on napkins and include a tip to entice them to play your song. You can also use Venmo. Another option is to tip on an accelerating scale to have information written on the mirrors. Submit early to pay less. There were four musicians with mad skills who rotated throughout the evening. The wings and fries were excellent and affordable. Expect a bar menu. Know that you will most likely make friends with the people you are seated by. Plan to interact and be in a crowd. The bathrooms were very clean and there was never a line. They had security who was attentive and kind enough to take photos. The cons are more related to considerations and expectations. The music was very loud. It was hard to have a conversation. The chairs were small and very close together. The mixed drinks were small and pricey. A draft was a better deal. We would definitely return again. This is a great place to celebrate any occasion!Written 30 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about National Harbor
- The top attractions to visit in National Harbor are:
- The Awakening Sculpture
- National Harbor
- Harborfront Area
- National Harbor Marina
- Tanger Outlets National Harbor
- The most popular things to do in National Harbor with children according to Tripadvisor travellers are:
- National Harbor
- The Awakening Sculpture
- Harborfront Area
- National Harbor Marina
- Tanger Outlets National Harbor