11 fun facts about the National Harbor

In June 2014 I was sitting in Terminal A at Reagan International Airport waiting for a late night flight. I was looking out the window and noticed a huge lit up Ferris wheel shining brightly across the Potomac River. Up until that point, I had no idea it was even there. Later, I learned the wheel had made its debut just a month before.

I’d heard development was going on over in that corner of Maryland but didn’t know much about it as I’d been off exploring downtown D.C. and different areas of Virginia and points west. Another thing I didn’t realize was that the National Harbor had opened way back in April 2008. Since that time this area has grown by leaps and bounds and continues to draw in visitors and locals alike. Here are some other things you might not know about the National Harbor.

 

11 fun facts about the National Harbor

1. The land that now comprises the National Harbor was once 350 acres of undeveloped waterfront land. The National Harbor area “commands a mile and a quarter of the Potomac”. It is located in Maryland’s Prince George’s County.

2. National Harbor was developed by Milton Peterson’s Peterson Companies. While construction began in 2007, the project was originally envisioned in the late 1990s. To date, expansion continues. 

3. The main thoroughfare at National Harbor is known as the “American Way”. It is a 3,000-foot promenade down the center of the area and is described as being designed to serve as a “homage to the American experience.” 

4. By 2017, National Harbor had almost 4,000 residents and 7,000 workers at 30 restaurants. Several hotels, including Marriott’s Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, and more than 150 retail stores also fall within its landscape.

5. The Capital Wheel rises 180 feet above the beautiful Potomac River and has a 171’ 2 9/16” diameter. It holds 336 passengers in 42 climate-controlled gondolas with each gondola holding 8 people. It weighs a whopping 320 tons without the base. From the wheel, riders can see the nation’s capital city, along with the Washington Monument, National Cathedral, Alexandria and Prince George’s County. To ride the wheel, you can pay a one-time fee or buy a daily pass.

6. National Harbor has a carousel, some play areas, riverfront seating and a waterfront walkway to stroll along.

7. In 2016 MGM opened a $1.4 billion integrated casino resort complex at National Harbor. It sits on 23 acres and has quickly become a popular venue for gambling, entertainment, dining and retail. It also has a 24-story hotel, gaming floor with 125,000 square feet and a 3,000-seat theatre. 

8. There is a five-piece cast iron sculpture near the Potomac shore. Made by J. Seward Johnson Jr., it was made more than 35 years ago and used to live over near the Jefferson Memorial. It was moved to National Harbor in 2008. 

9. An 18 by 32 foot outdoor Jumbotron can be found at National Harbor where people watch games and view other types of popular programming.

10. Tanger Outlets, like many other popular vacation destinations, has found a home at National Harbor too.

11. More than 11 million people visit National Harbor each year.

National Harbor is a neat place to visit. I finally did get over there in 2016 when we went to see the annual ICE! Exhibit over at Gaylord. It a chilly sort of day when we visited and I’d love to get back over there in the warmer weather and have some fun exploring.  

One of the “to do” things on my checklist is to ride the water taxi between National Harbor and either Georgetown or Alexandria. I’m thinking since I live in Virginia to maybe start our trip out from Old Town Alexandria, which is also a fab place to visit.

Thank you for visiting. I hope you've enjoyed these fun facts! My blog contains facts about many other landmarks in the D.C. area. You can find these by using the "search" feature to the right of this blog.