It isn’t often we get to experience a city rising out of the ground, but that’s exactly what’s happening in National Harbor, Md. Even if you’re a native Marylander like me, you still may ask: “Just where is National Harbor and how did they build a city?”

Well, you take 300 acres of woods owned by Prince George’s County along the banks of the Potomac River, just north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and raze them. Then you build docks, marinas, upscale hotels and residential units, and — poof — you have “location, location, location.” Add tree-lined promenades with scores of shopping, public art, entertainment venues and water taxi service to Old Town Alexandria, Mount Vernon and Georgetown, and you now have a travel destination. Oh, and there is a spectacular performance each evening of some of the region’s most beautiful sunsets.

Developed by the Peterson companies, National Harbor commands a mile and a quarter of the Potomac. One of the best things about National Harbor is its ease of accessibility from the Capital Beltway (I-495). In fact, it even has its own exit, right before you go over the newly expanded Woodrow Wilson Bridge on the Maryland side. You can also get there by boat.

When you enter National Harbor by car, you will be greeted by “The Beckoning,” an 85-foot steel sculpture by internationally renowned artist Albert Paley. The abstract sculpture symbolizes the exciting emergence of the new city rising from the banks of the Potomac River.
When arriving at National Harbor by boat, you will do a double take as you see “The Awakening,” a 100-foot statue of a giant embedded in the earth, struggling to free himself. It was created by J. Seward Johnson Jr. and was recently moved from Hains Point (East Potomac Park), Washington, D.C.

The statue consists of five separate pieces buried in the ground, giving the impression of a panicked giant trying to pull himself to the surface. The left hand and right foot barely protrude, while the bent left leg and knee jut into the air. The 17-foot right arm and hand rise above the observer while the bearded face, with the mouth in mid-scream, struggles to emerge from the surrounding earth.

Still a work in progress, the vision for National Harbor embraces arts and entertainment in various forms. New businesses are opening every month or so. As it expands, National Harbor will be brought to life throughout the year with festivals, music and more. Its first entertainment performance, Cirque du Soleil’s “KOOZA,” will open Oct. 30 and will be performed at the Plateau at National Harbor under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top) for a limited engagement.

National Harbor, a 20-year project, has approximately 20 buildings occupied and will have rolling openings. At completion, National Harbor will include 7.3 million square feet of mixed-used community space, 4,000 hotel rooms, 2,500 residential units, 500,000 square feet of Class A office space, 1 million square feet of retail, dining and entertainment space with venues such as McCormick and Schmick’s and 10,000 onsite parking places.

Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center, located between buildings D and B, to see a model of the completed project and get the latest on openings. For information, visit www.nationalharbor.com.

The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center

The cornerstone of National Harbor is the Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center, which definitely brings the “wow” factor to National Harbor. The total destination resort offers not only state-of-the-art meeting facilities but also fine dining, entertainment, retail and a world-class spa and salon.

Oh, did I mention THE VIEW? The signature architectural feature is the hotel’s massive 18-story, glass-enclosed barrel-vaulted atrium, which treats guests to beautiful panoramic vistas of the Potomac Riverfront.

As primarily a conference center venue, the Gaylord provides meeting attendees and leisure travelers with convenient onsite access to award-winning dining options, quality spa and fitness facilities, top-notch entertainment, onsite shopping and resort activities.
But you don’t have to be a hotel guest to stroll around the atrium level and take advantage of its lush indoor gardens, retail shops, restaurants and bars, all reflecting the Mid-Atlantic region’s history, culture, architecture and natural beauty.

It’s such a fun place that even the indoor water fountain “performs” for visitors each night. The fountain is perfectly synchronized to lights, special effects and a patriotic musical score. It contains 37 individual jets that shoot water up to 50 feet high.

Restaurants include Old Hickory Steakhouse, Moon Bay Coastal Cuisine, Pienza Italian Market, and National Pastime, the official sports bar & grill of the Washington Nationals.

The Pose Ultra Lounge — a cutting-edge, two-story lounge on the top level of the hotel — offers dramatic vistas of the nation’s capital viewed through 18-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows and features unique infused-vodkas and a delectable “small bites” menu. The dance floor is adjacent to a wraparound outdoor terrace and is surrounded by high-tech draperies that display color-changing fiber optics.

Specialty shops and markets located in the hotel main lobby and atrium include Pajama Party, Williamsburg Shoppe, Strictly First Glass, Urban Chic and Key Provisions.

The Gaylord can accommodate meetings and events for groups of 10 to 10,000 in its convention, meeting, exhibition and pre-function space. Four ballrooms, 82 meeting rooms and an 180,000-square-foot exhibition hall are located on three levels and connected to the hotel by an enclosed walkway.

The guest rooms all have décor inspired by the National Capital region. Rooms offer all the comforts of home including free high-speed Internet access, flat-screen TVs, oversized glass showers and soaking tubs.  Suites range from 800 to 2,800 square feet and feature six Presidential suites, eight expertly designed Concept suites, five Hospitality suites and 91 Executive suites.

Guests will love the 11th Hour Technology Center, a full-service center that offers a range of copying and printing and packing and shipping services.

And when the business is done, guests can be pampered in ultimate comfort at the upscale Relache Spa, a world-class Resort Spa with state-of-the-art fitness, wellness and salon treatment areas. Inside the sleek, modern setting of black and white marble, you’ll find 12 various treatment rooms, including a cool treatment area, a couples’ room and a Jacuzzi — all overlooking the Potomac River.

Since National Harbor is a new location, you won't find it on GPS devices. For directions and information, visit www.gaylordhotels.com.