National Harbor offers a bustling hub of entertainment
Along a stretch of the Potomac River that separates Maryland and Virginia, National Harbor is a waterfront Maryland community. A small enclave of homes is bounded by a Tanger Outlets mall, the MGM National Harbor and the Capital Beltway to the north, while the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center and myriad restaurants sit on the south side. “The draw is the area itself, with its brand-new condos and townhouses,” says Frank Schofield, an associate broker with Summit Realtors. “People are focused on an entertainment-driven lifestyle. You can walk to shops, restaurants, entertainment and the waterfront.”
Though residents must venture outside the area for amenities like grocery stores, the proximity to the Beltway and Washington, D.C., draws commuters to National Harbor. “The attraction there is just the convenience,” Schofield says. “It’s more of a tourist-driven area, driven by the Gaylord and conventions happening there, and the MGM concerts and entertainment happening there. It’s a great community.” Recreation, whether on dry land or the river, is close by, and local events in and around National Harbor fill the calendar.
Housing variety on the fringes of the Potomac
The National Harbor community offers a variety of housing options, including single-family homes, condos and townhouses. The prices range just as widely as the architecture. Single-family properties, often ranch-style homes or split-levels, typically sell for between $420,000 and $650,000. Condo prices can start as low as around $100,000 and go as high as about $700,000. Townhouses often start around $650,000, but can cost over $1 million.“The area is more condo- and townhouse-driven,” Schofield says. “Townhouses and condos on the luxury side can go up over $1 million easily.”
Education within Prince George’s County Public Schools
Prince George’s County Public Schools serves the National Harbor community and gets a C-plus rating from Niche. Students can start at the C-rated Oxon Hill Elementary School. Oxon Hill Middle gets a C-minus, while Oxon Hill High School receives a B-plus rating. Oxon Hill High offers magnet programs like Advanced Placement courses and has a robust slate of athletics and extracurricular offerings.
Maryland parks on and near the Potomac River
National Harbor’s largest green space is Betty Blume Park, which has play areas, trails, and tennis and basketball courts. On the west side, the Potomac River Waterfront Park spans about 60 acres, with an elevated section featuring a trail crossing over the Capital Beltway.
The river itself is also a hub of recreation. “There’s life on the river and the boating lifestyle,” Schofield says. “You can dock a boat and go out and enjoy a day on the water with motorboating, kayaking and paddleboarding.” East of National Harbor, Henson Creek Golf Course is open to the public and has a nine-hole layout. Just north of the community, Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm have educational programs, live animals and historical artifacts from the area’s past.
Retail shopping and restaurant variety in National Harbor
Tanger Outlets National Harbor sits in the northeastern corner and serves as the main shopping hub of the community. Tenants include H&M, The Gap, Old Navy and a Nike Factory Store. For local dining, residents often head to the banks of the Potomac for an array of restaurants. Sports fans can order food and drinks while catching a game at Tom’s Watch Bar, while Succotash serves Southern food and the Walrus Oyster & Ale House offers seafood. Grace’s Mandarin and Rosa Mexicano specialize in international fare. “National Harbor is very walkable to restaurants and shopping,” Schofield says, “but you have to drive to grocery stores and daily-life stuff.” Grocery shoppers often go to an Aldi or Giant Food, each less than 4 miles away.
Driving into major cities on the Capital Beltway
The Interstate 495, known as the Capital Beltway, traces the north side of National Harbor. Washington, D.C., and Arlington are each less than 15 miles north via Interstate 295, and Baltimore is around 50 miles away. but But driving time can be impacted by traffic. “Mileage-wise, it’s convenient, but there is a lot of congestion,” Schofield says. “There are basically five bridges that cross the Potomac, and the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge is one of the busiest ones because it’s right on 495.” Commuters headed to Alexandria or Washington, D.C., can also take the Potomac Water Taxi, which departs from the National Harbor Wharf. Baltimore is around 50 miles away. MedStar Shah Medical Group at Oxon Hill is among the closest hospitals, situated within the community. Dulles International Airport sits less than 40 miles west.
Annual events fill the National Harbor calendar
Locals have no shortage of events in National Harbor throughout the year. Most occur in the summer, where the Plaza Stage shows films with Movies on the Potomac or puts on concerts with the Salute the Sunset Concert Series. Both run from May to September, while the Capital Wheel, a 180-foot-tall Ferris wheel, spins slowly alongside the river. Fooduary is part of National Restaurant Week, and other holiday events are held year-round. “It’s a great spot to view the Fourth of July fireworks,” Schofield says. “There’s something there every month – concerts, festivals, holiday celebrations, tastes of this and tastes of that.” Other events take place throughout the year at the MGM National Harbor and the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.
