By Lani Gering
Lots going on during the summer in National Harbor. I really miss living there during this time of the year. I could watch the movies and listen to all of the concert series from the comfort of the balcony outside of the party room at One National Harbor. It was a nice stroll out to the Wheel for a beverage at the Flight Deck and a great view of the sunset with an occasional spin on the Wheel or the Carousel in the cards. Since moving back to Old Town, I have to plan my treks across the river and I plan to take advantage of as many of the activities listed here as time allows.
I sourced the following 10 activities from the National Harbor website. They aren’t all inclusive but they give you an idea of what you can expect. For all of the details on these and individual events taking place, log on to nationalharbor.com/events
Kids Day
Grab the kiddos and head to National Harbor for Kids Day every Thursday at 10:30am from June – August. Enjoy the fresh air and family friendly activities on the Plaza. nationalharbor.com/events/annual-events/kids-day-on-the-plaza
Salute the Sunset Concert Series
Enjoy patriotic performances on select Wednesdays and Saturdays all summer long at our free Salute the Sunset Concert Series. Saturday evenings throughout the summer are military band nights at National Harbor. Bring a chair and enjoy an evening with performing ensembles from a variety of United States military bands at 7pm. nationalharbor.com/events/annual-events/salute-the-sunset/
Watch a full roster of your favorite family classics and date night movies throughout the season. Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet at the Plaza’s big screen for free fun!
Enjoy Thursday Date Night Movies at 7pm and Sunday Family Movies at 6pm, running through September 27. Check out the full summer movie lineup and start planning at nationalharbor.com/events/annual-events/movies-on-the-potomac/.
Beat the heat and get out on the water this summer! Check out the wide array of water activities including two of our favorites listed below as well as renting a canoe, kayak or a pedal boat from the Harbor Boat House by Adventures Abound, participating in the Carefree Boat Club and just taking the City Cruises water taxis between the Harbor, Old Town Alexandria and the Wharf in DC.
FLOHOM luxury houseboat rentals. FLOHOM is a company leading the experiential lodging & hospitality revolution. Our luxury accommodations meet the serene beauty of water living to create unforgettable experiences. FLOHOMs are the epitome of tranquil retreats, merging the comforts of modern living with the unique adventure and connection that only water can provide.
Freedom Ring Boats – Experience National Harbor like never before on one of their unique round donut boats. These donut boats are the perfect way to relax, explore, and unwind with friends, family, or colleagues while creating unforgettable memories on the water!
Summer of More at Gaylord National
Gaylord National Resort invites guests to experience the waterfront resort’s first-ever Pirates & Princesses-themed ‘Summer of More’ with fun activities for the entire family.
Friday Summer Sounds
Stroll the streets of the Waterfront District every Friday from 5-7pm for National Harbor’s Summer Sounds. Enjoy a rotation of music from Bobby McKey’s and local artists.
Take your adventure to new heights on The Capital Wheel, where magic meets the skyline! Soaring 180 feet above the Potomac River, this unforgettable ride offers breathtaking views of the DC skyline, from the Washington Monument to Georgetown and beyond. With 42 cozy, climate-controlled gondolas, The Capital Wheel is a must-do experience all year long. Keep the fun going with a spin on the whimsical Spirit Park Carousel, then toast to the view at Flight Deck, our waterfront lounge serving up specialty drinks, beer, wine, and unbeatable sunsets. Whether it’s your first ride or your fiftieth, The Capital Wheel is where unforgettable memories take flight!
Topgolf is taking the world by storm, using it’s approachable, fun-loving atmosphere to make golf a blast for players of every skill level. Grab a bay and hit some balls, or simply stop by to grab a drink, order a bite and watch the game. No matter how you choose to play, one thing is certain: everyone wins. Buy a Summer Fun Pass and enjoy unlimited Topgolf game play all summer long for you and up to five Guests from June 1 through August 31 (weekdays until 4pm).
Rock’n Raftup Concert Series
Get out on the water and enjoy an evening of musical performances at the National Harbor Marina’s Rock’n Raftup Concert Series. Bring your own boat or rent one from Monumental Boat Tours to enjoy the free show taking place on Freedom Pier.
UniverSoul Circus photo by Tim Pethel
Don’t miss this unforgettable journey of electrifying, edge-of-you-seat performances. Grab your tickets today for the party that’s been over 29 years in the making. At National Harbor June 30th – September 5th.
