Fall is in the air! Lots of activity is going on here in celebration of the season. Millers Farm’s has crisp local apples and a nice selection of mums on display every Saturday and Sunday along with their vast array of vegetables and baked goods; Stonewall Kitchen has their fabulous fall edibles and kitchen wares on display, football games are being aired on the Jumbotron down on the plaza and all sorts of football game day specials are being offered at Public House and Harrington’s Pub and Kitchen during the season. This is also a great time of year to take a spin on the Capitol Wheel for a beautiful view of the changing leaves up and down the Potomac River.

Construction continues at a fast pace on the building of the much anticipated MGM National Harbor Casino and our new luxury apartment complex, The Esplanade, has opened a leasing office at 163 Fleet Street. I have been watching the progress on this project from the comfort of my balcony and I can attest that it is going to be a very high class structure. It will truly be a “complex” complete with retail shopping and a new restaurant from the Minnesota based Granite City Food & Brewery group taking up 11,000 square feet of the first floor. Granite City currently operates the Cadillac Ranch bar and restaurant here in the harbor.

The Walrus Oyster and Ale House is finally open for business after an arduous build out of the former space occupied by Ketchup on the corner of American Way and Waterfront Street. This restaurant is a welcome addition to the restaurant scene with its offering of all things “Chesapeake Bay” and more. Like any other new operation, they are still working out some kinks but you can be sure this is going to be a destination restaurant for locals as well as conventioneers! They have a very fun drink menu and offer two Walrus Oyster & Ale combos that change on a weekly basis. I sampled a tasty rum concoction on my last trip there. Put it on your radar for your next trip to the harbor!

I can’t believe that we will be gearing up for the holidays in just a few weeks – seems like just yesterday I was trying to figure out what I was going to do for the 4^th of July holiday! Once again the harbor will be all dolled up with thousands of lights and decorations and the activities will begin the week before Thanksgiving at the Gaylord with this year’s ICE! Stay tuned to this column for a complete listing of holiday happenings!

In the meantime, enjoy the upcoming Indian Summer-like weather and the change of the seasons!

Written by: Lani Gering