National Harbor July 4 Advice

[Freyja]

My children (21,20,16) and I are heading to National Harbor for the week of July 4th. I am looking for advice on where to go to see the fireworks and are there fireworks in National Harbor? Also wondering if anyone has used the water taxis from National Harbor or tour buses from National Harbor? I am trying to minimize driving into DC.

We have been to DC several times and stayed once at National Harbor. We loved it. I am looking to find new attractions or day trips beyond the monuments. Are there any recommendations of things to do in DC or day trips outside National Harbor?

 

[MrsSunshine2017]

We stayed at National Harbor this past October and had a wonderful time! The International Spy Museum was fascinating, and the kids enjoyed that a lot. We also did the Odyssey Dinner Cruise, which was amazing!! There is so much to do and see there, we can't wait to go back! Hope you all have a great time!

 

[Railman83]

I work downtown DC, stay at Harbor about 6 weekends a year as staycation.

Fireworks my advice for best free would be on the bridge to Arlington Cemetery, or if you can stand crowds at the Lincoln Memorial or on the park behind Washington Monument. Best paid would be fireworks cruise from Alexandria (water taxi same company from National Harbor.

Day trips Annapolis, USNA, Baltimore Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry.

Shorter trips Fort Washington, Mount Vernon, Uber-Hazy, if you come in May they do three weeks of Embassy tours and every month “things to do dc” runs receptions at various Embassies.

One off the radar is the Mansion on O street a prohibition 5 Connected Town Home with 100 themed rooms and dozens of hidden secret doors.

National Library (Jefferson Building) and across street is Shakespeare theater, Fords theater has tours and still has shows. Kennedy center amazing venue, walk street in Georgetown and their law school has Gilbert and Sullivan shows.

Lung Ling and Ping Ping, or if you can drive two hours for Virginia Safari Park (very cool) near Luray Caverns, natural bridge and former site of Foam henge (now in Louden)

I could go on.

My children (21,20,16) and I are heading to National Harbor for the week of July 4th. I am looking for advice on where to go to see the fireworks and are there fireworks in National Harbor? Also wondering if anyone has used the water taxis from National Harbor or tour buses from National Harbor? I am trying to minimize driving into DC.

We have been to DC several times and stayed once at National Harbor. We loved it. I am looking to find new attractions or day trips beyond the monuments. Are there any recommendations of things to do in DC or day trips outside National Harbor?

 

[ronparise]

Day trips to Annapolis and/or Baltimore

Arrange to visit your congressman

Watch them print money at the Treasury

Mount Vernon

Montecello

Arlington Cemetery

Old town Alexandria

Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

National cathedral

 

[Freyja]

I work downtown DC, stay at Harbor about 6 weekends a year as staycation.

Fireworks my advice for best free would be on the bridge to Arlington Cemetery, or if you can stand crowds at the Lincoln Memorial or on the park behind Washington Monument. Best paid would be fireworks cruise from Alexandria (water taxi same company from National Harbor.

Day trips Annapolis, USNA, Baltimore Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry.

Shorter trips Fort Washington, Mount Vernon, Uber-Hazy, if you come in May they do three weeks of Embassy tours and every month “things to do dc” runs receptions at various Embassies.

One off the radar is the Mansion on O street a prohibition 5 Connected Town Home with 100 themed rooms and dozens of hidden secret doors.

National Library (Jefferson Building) and across street is Shakespeare theater, Fords theater has tours and still has shows. Kennedy center amazing venue, walk street in Georgetown and their law school has Gilbert and Sullivan shows.

Lung Ling and Ping Ping, or if you can drive two hours for Virginia Safari Park (very cool) near Luray Caverns, natural bridge and former site of Foam henge (now in Louden)

I could go on.

Wow! Those are great ideas. Keep going on... I have never heard of the Mansion on O street. Would you recommend the secret doors tour?

Driving to DC on the 4th of July gives me concern. Do the water taxis run on July 4th? I have been trying to find a july 4th cruise and only found 2. Odessey and Spirit. They are dinner cruise which sounds great but I would be paying for an open bar and 2 of my children are not of age. Do you know of any other options? I looked at potomac riverboat but they have nothing posted.

 

[Freyja]

Day trips to Annapolis and/or Baltimore

Arrange to visit your congressman

Watch them print money at the Treasury

Mount Vernon

Montecello

Arlington Cemetery

Old town Alexandria

Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

National cathedral

Thank you. Annapolis looks great. Would love to visit the naval academy. Do you recommend any other must does there? Do you recommend any restaurants?

 

[Freyja]

We stayed at National Harbor this past October and had a wonderful time! The International Spy Museum was fascinating, and the kids enjoyed that a lot. We also did the Odyssey Dinner Cruise, which was amazing!! There is so much to do and see there, we can't wait to go back! Hope you all have a great time!

I will definitely look into odyssey cruise.. Thank you

 

[Railman83]

Wow! Those are great ideas. Keep going on... I have never heard of the Mansion on O street. Would you recommend the secret doors tour?

Driving to DC on the 4th of July gives me concern. Do the water taxis run on July 4th? I have been trying to find a july 4th cruise and only found 2. Odessey and Spirit. They are dinner cruise which sounds great but I would be paying for an open bar and 2 of my children are not of age. Do you know of any other options? I looked at potomac riverboat but they have nothing posted.

Theodore Roosevelt island, you can walk across a bridge or kayak from Georgetown.

Closer to Md side is National Arboretum (not to be confused with Botanical Garden on National Mall).

They Have a new area called the Wharf in Potomac where the gutter and rebuilt everything and renovated old fish market.

There is usually something going on downtown; today kids were sledding down Capital hill, upon arrival you should Google “things to do in DC this weekend.

Before you come, sometime 45 days out, you should pick up tickets for Bobby McKeys dueling pianos at the Harbor. Not expensive, but the sell out in advance so if you wait you can’t get in.

Ron is still lurking I see.

 

[Free2Roam]

I wouldn't waste time driving into DC. If you can't catch the shuttle from National Harbor to the metro station (or wherever it takes you these days) I'd suggest Uber or Lyft. Parking in some areas of DC can make you wish you had stayed home.

BTW - National Harbor is usually crazy crowded on the 4th of July.

Also... there are a couple Escape Rooms in the area (one in Alexandria VA and the other in DC). I did my first one a couple weeks ago (not one of those)... we had a ball!! Great team building activity!

 

[Free2Roam]

<snip >
National Library (Jefferson Building) and across street is Shakespeare theater, Fords theater has tours and still has shows. Kennedy center amazing venue, walk street in Georgetown and their law school has Gilbert and Sullivan shows.

Lung Ling and Ping Ping, or if you can drive two hours for Virginia Safari Park (very cool) near Luray Caverns, natural bridge and former site of Foam henge (now in Louden)

I could go on.

Great suggestions!

If you're so inclined (and tickets are available), Hamilton will be at The Kennedy Center during your visit. Tickets go on sale Mar 26th.

If you like animals, the National Zoo is a must! Get there early during feeding time.

The Virginia Safari Park was a lot of fun... we went 10+ yrs ago when my kids were teenagers. I laughed the whole time bcuz my tough boys were screaming while feeding the animals (a couple times they weren't paying attention and the animals stuck their head in the window and helped themselves to the feed.) www.virginiasafaripark.com

 

[jhoug]

Also if you want they have the PBS concert on the steps of the Capitol on July 4, but less crowded on the dress rehearsal July 3.
Ditto everyone else's suggestions. My kids did like the Smithsonian museums, the Treasury, National Zoo, and Fort McHenry (esp one who had done a report on Francis Scott Key)--the original flag is in the American Heritage Smithsonian.

Old Town Alexandria also has some fireworks at a park on a day --not the 4th.

 

[Freyja]

I wouldn't waste time driving into DC. If you can't catch the shuttle from National Harbor to the metro station (or wherever it takes you these days) I'd suggest Uber or Lyft. Parking in some areas of DC can make you wish you had stayed home.

BTW - National Harbor is usually crazy crowded on the 4th of July.

Also... there are a couple Escape Rooms in the area (one in Alexandria VA and the other in DC). I did my first one a couple weeks ago (not one of those)... we had a ball!! Great team building activity!

Thank you for the advice. I was not aware that a shuttle was offered. I certainly do not wish to drive on the 4th of July.

Do you have any suggestions on restaurants in National Harbor that I should try that week?

 

[Freyja]

Also if you want they have the PBS concert on the steps of the Capitol on July 4, but less crowded on the dress rehearsal July 3.
Ditto everyone else's suggestions. My kids did like the Smithsonian museums, the Treasury, National Zoo, and Fort McHenry (esp one who had done a report on Francis Scott Key)--the original flag is in the American Heritage Smithsonian.

Old Town Alexandria also has some fireworks at a park on a day --not the 4th.

I really like the idea of seeing the PBS concert on the 3rd of July.

 

[chapjim]

The Boston Red Sox are in town playing the Nationals July 2,3, & 4. The game on July 2 starts at 7:05 PM. The game on July 3 starts at 6:05 PM with fireworks after the game. The July 4th game starts at 11:05 AM so the game crowd doesn't bump into the people going to the Mall for the fireworks.

The Miami Marlins have a four game series with the Nats starting Thursday, July 5.

The resort shuttle takes you to the King Street Metro station in Alexandria, VA. You'll need to check on shuttle availability after an evening game. I'm not sure how late it runs. MetroBus Route NH-2 runs from King St. to NH but again, I'm not sure how late.

 

[Free2Roam]

Thank you for the advice. I was not aware that a shuttle was offered. I certainly do not wish to drive on the 4th of July.

Do you have any suggestions on restaurants in National Harbor that I should try that week?

Granite City is one of my favorite restaurants at National Harbor.

 

[ronparise]

I always buy sandwiches or prepared meals at the market across the street from CVS for several meals and eat in my room

 

[chapjim]

Thank you for the advice. I was not aware that a shuttle was offered. I certainly do not wish to drive on the 4th of July.

Do you have any suggestions on restaurants in National Harbor that I should try that week?

Probably the most affordable restaurant in National Harbor is Nando's Peri Peri -- a Portuguese/African chicken place, less than a block from the Wyndham resort.

We've eaten at Cadillac Ranch, Public House, an Irish pub on the corner just down from Wyndham, Rosa Mexicano, Grace's Mandarin, Granite City, and maybe some others I don't remember. They are mostly okay and slightly to moderately overpriced. Gotta pay the rent, which I imagine is pretty steep.

https://www.nationalharbor.com/dine/

 

[Freyja]

The Boston Red Sox are in town playing the Nationals July 2,3, & 4. The game on July 2 starts at 7:05 PM. The game on July 3 starts at 6:05 PM with fireworks after the game. The July 4th game starts at 11:05 AM so the game crowd doesn't bump into the people going to the Mall for the fireworks.

The Miami Marlins have a four game series with the Nats starting Thursday, July 5.

The resort shuttle takes you to the King Street Metro station in Alexandria, VA. You'll need to check on shuttle availability after an evening game. I'm not sure how late it runs. MetroBus Route NH-2 runs from King St. to NH but again, I'm not sure how late.

I just got tickets for the Nationals vs Boston Red Sock on July 4th. Kids are excited. They are all Boston fans! thanks for the tip!

 

[chapjim]

I just got tickets for the Nationals vs Boston Red Sock on July 4th. Kids are excited. They are all Boston fans! thanks for the tip!

I'll be there. What section are you in?

 

[Freyja]

I'll be there. What section are you in?

Section 107

 

[taterhed]

https://www.potomacriverboatco.com/water-taxi/

FIREWORKS (YES, THEY RUN ON jULY 4
http://www.potomacriverboatco.com/staging/sightseeing-tours/firework-cruises/

Circulator
https://media.nationalharbor.com/wp...3/08091241/3.1.17-New-Circulator-Schedule.pdf

List of boats on the mighty Potomac
https://www.tripsavvy.com/dc-sightseeing-cruises-1040413

 

[chapjim]

Section 107

LF Corner. I'm in 223, almost directly across the stadium.

 

[Freyja]

LF Corner. I'm in 223, almost directly across the stadium.

Too bad we are on opposite sides. I could buy you a beer for all your help.


Any information about cycling. I know it is crazy thinking. But I enjoy cycling and thought about bringing my bike. But I keep thinking that the crowds and traffic could be too much to get out and ride and I did also see a trail, and could bring a trail bike. Any thoughts about cycling during the holiday weekend? I do the yearly DC Bike Ride in May and enjoy that but am sure that when the daily traffic is going that DC is a difficult place to ride. Any opinion?

 

[Freyja]

https://www.potomacriverboatco.com/water-taxi/

FIREWORKS (YES, THEY RUN ON jULY 4
http://www.potomacriverboatco.com/staging/sightseeing-tours/firework-cruises/

Circulator
https://media.nationalharbor.com/wp...3/08091241/3.1.17-New-Circulator-Schedule.pdf

List of boats on the mighty Potomac
https://www.tripsavvy.com/dc-sightseeing-cruises-1040413

Great resources. Looking at the hiking and cycling spots.

 

[taterhed]

Too bad we are on opposite sides. I could buy you a beer for all your help.


Any information about cycling. I know it is crazy thinking. But I enjoy cycling and thought about bringing my bike. But I keep thinking that the crowds and traffic could be too much to get out and ride and I did also see a trail, and could bring a trail bike. Any thoughts about cycling during the holiday weekend? I do the yearly DC Bike Ride in May and enjoy that but am sure that when the daily traffic is going that DC is a difficult place to ride. Any opinion?

DC CYCLE ROUTES.....

We live here....riding in DC is not my idea of a great time, but it's not too bad--even on holidays--on the trails. There are several major trails that provide safe riding, but you have to be defensive...the combination of tourists, high-speed riders and kids makes it a busy affair. I would stay off the streets...I typically end up kicking at least one car when I ride in DC. Not my proudest moment mind you....

The WO&D can take you around some nice monuments....
The C&O (Capital Crescent?) is safe enough and nice scenery
The Mt Vernon is a busy--especially by the 14th bridge area--but is a great ride
Haven't done the Anacostia...I guess it could be nice...

As it gets later in the day and folks start parking/lining up for fireworks on the mall and surround areas, you do NOT want to be anywhere nearby on a bike. It's way too busy for that.

Have fun!