Like most communities around our area, National Harbor will be taking a break after the holiday rush. The epic event of the holiday season, ICE, will wrap up this years “Merry Madagascar” on January 8th and the Gaylord Hotel will be a little quieter without all of the DreamWorks characters and their antics taking over the beautiful atrium. The gorgeous harbor tree will be dismantled and Friday night fireworks have ceased until spring. All will be pretty quiet on the other side of the river!
That being said, January will be the perfect month to take some time for yourself (sans holiday company, etc) and spend a day at the Harbor without the crowds and lines at the stores and restaurants and just enjoy the “Awakening” sculpture in the sand and a stroll along the waterfront path taking in the view of the Potomac. American Way (the main drag) will still be beautifully lit with music being piped into speakers hidden along the streets and the parking lots will no doubt have more space available.
The Water Taxi does not run in January and February so you will have to resort to taking the 7-minute drive from Old Town Alexandria across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. I make this commute almost every day and as long as you aren’t in rush hour traffic, it is a breeze. There is also the option of taking a walk, jog or bike ride across the bridge on a nice winter day. There is a “big city” style set of permanent binoculars (I have no clue what the actual term is for these) located mid-way across the bridge that you can peer through and see the Washington Monument, the Capital and all buildings and landscape in between. It really is pretty impressive that we live so close to all of these national treasures. There is also a very nice place to rest just on the Maryland side of the bridge complete with comfortable benches and winter landscaping.
While the foot traffic has slowed down and special events are on hiatus until February, National Harbor has new stores opening at a very fast pace. In the last month, Periwinkle (ladies clothing and accessories with locations in Shirlington and Alexandria), Knits Etc. (just like it sounds, lots of beautiful knit apparel) and JonLei Atelier Bridal opened just in time for holiday shoppers. Periwinkle and Knits Etc. are on American Way as is Stonewall Kitchen, ArtCraft and the new location for the Life Is Good store. Around the corner and down a block or so on Waterfront Street, the Maris Elaine Gallery (fine art, home furnishings, jewelry and decorating services) is hosting a great post holiday sale. This is one beautiful place that you must see!
A new restaurant opened in the last month or so as well. The well-known Nando’s Peri Peri finally opened its doors on Fleet Street serving some of the best chicken I have had in ages. The teaser signs have been on the building for almost a year and several of my friends told me it was going to be a great place. Well, they didn’t lie. It is Portuguese spiced and served in heat increments from mild to extra, extra hot!! I really don’t know how to explain it so you will have to take my word and make sure you try it. If chicken isn’t your meal of choice, also on Fleet Street, Harrington’s Irish Pub and Kitchen is serving Irish fare and some killer wings, Public House offers a nice assortment of American fare and lots of TV’s for sports watching and Cadillac Ranch has some of the best bar grub in the area and the only mechanical bull (that I dare you to ride) I know of in this neck of the woods. All of these places also have killer Happy Hour offerings! If having a great steak, seafood and traditional Italian fare is something you crave, stroll over to Waterfront Street and take in a meal at Bond 45. This place has quickly turned into one of my favorite places to go – the age range at the bar is more my style (35-55) and they serve “Prohibition Tea” daily. Stop in to see exactly what that entails – you won’t regret it! Down on the waterfront at National Plaza McLoone’s Pier has one of the best views of the river in the harbor. You can watch the sunset every night while imbibing in a cocktail or two and appetizers or dinner if you like. McLoone’s has one of those fireplaces that you can see from both inside and outside just to add a little more ambiance to the experience. They also have live music on a regular basis. Fiorella’s Trattoria & Pizzeria is a ways down the Plaza from McLoone’s and is a very sexy sister restaurant to Bond. The pizza is not your Domino’s or Pizza Hut variety so don’t go in expecting that. It is very thin crusted with an array of gourmet toppings to choose from. In addition to the pizza, I suggest that you try the non-traditional lasagna that Chef Stephanie has created. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
A trip to the harbor wouldn’t be complete without spending a couple of hours at Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar. I have said this before and I will say it again…if you are in a bad mood or suffering from post holiday depression, two songs into the performance at this place will have you back to your old self! It truly is one of the most fun places I have been to in my life. The talent is unbelievable and there are lots of good things to eat and snack on as well! Be prepared to participate in the action – this isn’t a place for those who are faint of heart!!
I have lived in a very fun condominium at One National Harbor since August and I can tell you first hand that the harbor is a very cool place to be. After being a “local” during the holiday rush – the place was literally crawling with people – it is nice to have things back to a normal pace. Don’t forget about a stop in Old Town Alexandria as well – a little bit of history won’t hurt anyone. That tied into some of the areas finest restaurants and shops makes for a full day as well.
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