Staycation: National Harbor

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I was born, raised, and currently reside in the DMV. Tourists flock to my home year-round so from time to time I like to explore my own backyard. This series will explore destinations that are close to home but will still feel like a vacation. The first of this series is about the National Harbor. I recently had the chance to stay at the National Harbor for a conference and it reminded me how much I love this area.

Stay

I have stayed at the Gaylord and the AC Marriott and had a great experience in both. The Gaylord is pretty pricey so for a cheaper hotel experience, I recommend the AC Marriott or the Residence Inn. The MGM Casino also has gorgeous rooms in that fits in your budget. (It surely does not fit into mine so if you have a connect, let me know).

Eat

There are so many food options in the National Harbor and even more across the Potomac in Old Town Alexandria. Here are some of my favorites:

Drink

The nightlife in this area centers around MGM but if you do not want to gamble the night away (or you do not have the money to gamble with in the first place) there are a few bars with affordable drinks in the area. I recommend Public House, Cadillac Ranch, and Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar for drinking on a budget. If you have some extra spending money for the weekend and are interested in a more unique drinking experience, check out The Tasting Room (if you’re a wine enthusiast) or The Brass Tap (if you are a beer lover).

Go

If you want to do something adventurous, ride the Ferris wheel that overlooks the Potomac river. That does not sound like fun to me, but it is a popular attraction so all you dare devils can try it out. Whether you won some money at MGM or you have some leftover after the weekend, you should visit the Tanger Outlets for some great deals on your favorite brands. When the weather is warm, I recommend taking the ferry to visit Old Town Alexandria. It is a very quaint area with chic boutiques and mom-and-pop shops. You can find great food there and there are tons of Instagram-worthy locations to take pictures. When the weather is frigid (like it is right now), ICE! is a fun attraction. It is technically for kids but you can take Instagram-worthy pictures there and it would be a cute date idea.

$$$

The beauty of this area is that it is budget friendly. If you want to ball out and stay at the most expensive hotel, eat at the fanciest restaurants, and order room service all weekend long…you can go ahead and do that. If you and your honey want a cheap getaway where you eat Shake Shack in bed and watch reruns of Wild n’ Out, you can do that too. Pockets of all sizes are welcome here.

The Overall Tea:

This is a great place for a solo getaway or a staycation with friends. There are activities for the bougie and the basic so everyone will have something to do. If you want to make this a baecation, go for it! I recommend having activities planned out and making reservations in advance to avoid long wait times.