The National Harbor is starting blossom.  It is not only bringing tourists and convention goes to our wonderful city of Alexandria, it is also attracting visitors from Alexandria, MD and DC.  Construction is still undergoing but by September, several high end restaurants should be open by then.  I am talking Rosa Mexicana, Ketchup, Dolce and McCormick & Schmick’s.

Here are some ideas if you are planning to visit the National Harbor now…

Outdoors activities during the day

Saturdays Farmers Market a the National Harbor

Memorial Day through Mid October on Saturdays
National Harbor
437 National Plaza No 300
National Harbor, MD 20745
www.americanmarketnh.com

Experience the American Market – the high-end farmers market at National Harbor.  Stroll along the outdoor promenade and choose from a vast offering of fine goods and specialty foods from the area’s premiere sellers including bandmade crafts, floral, produce and wine.

Seadog – Fun tours of the Potomac

The 45-minute Speedboat and Sightseeing tour is the best way to view the Potomac's historic landmarks and sites, combining an exciting speedboat ride with informative and amusing descriptions. As you depart National Harbor and get underway, your Captain and crew will tell you interesting facts about the Harbor, Wilson Bridge, Old Town Alexandria and Jones Point Lighthouse.  Your Captain will then crank up the tunes and let you enjoy the thrill of the ride as you head to Fort Washington and Mount Vernon for more fun facts. Don't miss the Osprey eagles as you make your journey back to National Harbor.  You can bring for free if there is space.  You can also bring your food and drinks but remember you may wear more than you ingest. It is hard to eat while going 30 knots.  Discover why over 150,000 people ride the Seadog in Chicago annually!

To get your tickets click here

You should also checkout the Odyssey and the Spirit and Washington for more relaxed river tours.  Both provide a great venue for groups, lunch, brunch and dinner including entertainment.

Summer Concerts Series

There’s nothing like an outdoor concert to set the mood. Come catch the musical waves on the waterfront at National Harbor. Whether you are winding down from a busy day or gearing up for an exciting evening, the jazz, blues and Top 40 tunes will be music to your ears. Don’t miss the sweet sounds of summer at National Harbor. Come and celebrate the sunset.
Every Friday evening from 7pm until 9pm this free public event will feature the best national, regional and local musical entertainment.

Location
National Plaza and stage

Fun dining and night Live

For a fun meal, whether lunch or dinner, checkout Foster’s Downeast Clambake.  It’s friendly and fun atmosphere coupled with the great traditional New England Clambake, Seafood steamers or the fresh Main Lobster.  . Moon Bay Coastal Cuisine is another Seafood Restaurant at National Harbor.  Their menu includes the traditional fruits of the Chesapeake Bay—including Maryland’s famous crabs and oysters—into modern versions for today’s culinary tastes.

You also have If you love your sports and don’t want to wait for scores and highlights… Watch your favorite sporting event on 30-foot video wall while you drink and dine at National Pastime Sports Bar & Grille at the Gaylord Hotel lower level.

For a good juicy steak, you can go to the Old Hickery Steakhouse Restaurant overlooking the meandering river in our two-acre atrium, Old Hickory Steakhouse—Gaylord Hotels’ signature restaurant—features a stylish and contemporary design, modeled on the interior of an elegant Georgian row house.

And finally for late night dancing and party, high atop Gaylord National Resort is Pose, the DC area's only ultra lounge, featuring an exotic Infusion bar and breathtaking views from the wraparound terrace. This cutting-edge, two-story lounge that offers dramatic vistas of the nation's capital viewed through 18-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows, is National Harbor's most exclusive place to find your pose. The lounge features...
• DC area's only Infusion bar featuring exotic, hand-crafted cocktails and    bottle service
• Sensational Small Bites menu
• Unique areas exclusively set aside for intimate gatherings and special events
• Nightly live entertainment with light shows and electrifying music

How to get there?

National Harbor offers an exciting new way to interact with the river that is not only fun, but practical. Water taxi service is available to and from points around Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland.

The Potomac Riverboat Company will operate the Water Taxi service between National Harbor and Alexandria, with additional boat service to Mount Vernon and Georgetown. Beginning in April 2008, the water taxi service will be every half hour, connecting Alexandria's historic waterfront and National Harbor. The company will also provide water taxi service connecting National Harbor directly to Georgetown at Washington Harbor (31st & K) with three trips per day, and Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens with one trip per day. Please visit www.potomacriverboatco.com for more information on the service and the rates.

Possible future plans include service to the new Nationals Baseball Stadium and Reagan National Airport. Please check back regularly for the most recent plans for our water taxi service.