When you’re a parent, life is often a flurry of errands and kids’ activities. When you have babies and toddlers, you measure time in terms of nap schedules, feedings, and how many times you’ve cleaned up the same mess. When your kids are school-aged, like mine, your weeks become sprints between homework and karate, Cub Scouts and the science fair, violin practice and baseball. Add in a solid week of the flu taking up residence in your house, and it’s easy to see how we get run-down from it all.
My husband and I were ready for a little “us” time, so we looked for a nearby destination to celebrate our 16th anniversary. We wanted it to be close enough that it was easy to get to, and didn’t take up too much of the weekend just getting there. But we wanted it to be someplace where we could stay overnight and feel like we were getting “away.” We found just what we were looking for at The National Harbor!
I despise city driving, but getting to The National Harbor was quick and easy. The area is known for the Gaylord and MGM hotels, which are certainly fabulous and right in the middle of all the action, but we stayed just outside the main drag at the Harborside Hotel. There are several things about the Harborside Hotel that make it a great value: the complimentary shuttle that gets you to and from the sights easily, the free breakfast, free parking, 24-hour coffee, and on-site restaurant. We were well-pleased that, even though the Harborside Hotel is a smart value, it doesn’t skimp on providing guests a comfortable atmosphere. The lobby is full of nice places to relax – modern but cozy nooks that invite you to grab a drink from the bar and unwind. The rooms themselves are likewise comfortable but dressed urban chic with modern art, crisp white linens, dark woods and leather accents. And I appreciated that the toiletries were nice-quality and adequately sized. If you’ve experienced the sad shampoo and conditioner at a budget hotel, you know what a difference it makes when a hotel provides quality products! Top it all off with the warm welcome we got from the hotel staff, and the wine and cheese plate we had in our room, and our anniversary getaway was off to a great start!
The shuttle to the harbor area was clean, modern, and effortless. It was waiting for us when we were ready to go, and came back to collect us later that night when we called for it. Upon arriving in the heart of The National Harbor, we were excited that there was so much to do and see right there. The streets were lined with interesting shops to explore (Alex and Ani, Charming Charlie, Peeps and Company, Carhartt, and many more). There were countless restaurants, plenty of open places to hang out, and lots of unique and clever pieces of art that were whimsical, thought-provoking, or otherwise great conversation starters! Not only that, but everything was spotlessly clean – a herculean feat, I would think, for a waterfront area with so much foot traffic!
We settled into dinner at The Redstone American Grill, where we were greeted with such warmth and personal attention that I felt immediately relaxed and ready to indulge. The ambiance in the restaurant adds to that feeling – rugged dark wood ceilings, deep booths overlooking the water, open fire rotisserie in the back, and huge bar buzzing with the happy sounds of grown-ups enjoying a night out. It’s sophisticated casual. Not stuffy or pretentious at all, but a definite step up in quality, atmosphere, and service from a regular steakhouse. The menu features comfort food and grill favorites with local flair and attention to detail. Our waiter, Tyrone, helped us decide on the lodge cornbread for an appetizer, and it was absolutely as delicious as he said it was! I had a hard time deciding between the seafood dishes, but ended up choosing the crab cakes and Old Bay fries (which were awesome!) while my husband ordered the Cajun ribeye with a baked potato and root vegetables. We were savoring the food, and taking in the views when we were visited by Sous Chef Milton, who just came to make sure we were enjoying our meals. He was delightful and endearing, and chatting with him added to our feeling that we weren’t just eating a meal, but we were being hosted for the evening. On our way out, a party that was waiting for a table heard my husband tell me that it was the best ribeye he’d ever eaten, and they stopped him to ask about it. I had to let them know he’s from Texas, where steak is a serious business, so if it got his “best ever” rating then it had to be good!
Despite the cold, we walked around a little to check out the “Awakening” sculpture on the beach. From there, it was just a few steps over to The Capital Wheel – the huge Ferris wheel that soars above the Potomac River waterfront. Each car is fully enclosed and climate controlled, so even with the cold night air we were able to enjoy the unparalleled views. I thought it might be a little scary, but it was more of a thrill, and once you get to the top you can see all the way to the Washington Monument!
Being on The Capital Wheel reminded me that we celebrated our very first anniversary with a hot air balloon ride, way back before we had kids and so many responsibilities. I wouldn’t trade the journey we’ve had together as parents for anything, but it was so wonderful to spend the weekend focusing on each other, having plenty of uninterrupted time together, and enjoying such a fun destination!
