Things to do near Gaylord National — top activities
Top things to do near Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center include exploring the resort’s 19-story glass atrium and indoor gardens, using the indoor Junior Olympic–sized pool and Relâche Spa, and walking the adjacent National Harbor waterfront (Capital Wheel, shops, restaurants). For short outings, take the free National Harbor circulator to Tanger Outlets or a quick drive to MGM National Harbor.
In this guide
- Walk the 19-story atrium and on-site public spaces
- On-site dining and bars for every mood
- Pool, spa and fitness — plan a recovery or active session
- Walk the National Harbor waterfront and boardwalk
- Casinos, outlets and family attractions near the hotel
- Day trips: Washington, D.C., Mount Vernon and historic sites
- Meetings, ballrooms and wedding venues at Gaylord National
Walk the 19-story atrium and on-site public spaces
Gaylord National’s glass atrium covers one-and-a-half acres of indoor gardens and a landscaped promenade you can stroll year-round at a steady indoor temperature. The atrium is a good first stop when you arrive early — public spaces include shops, dining venues and frequent seasonal displays and events.
Rooms and suites face the atrium on several levels; noted room types at the property include Room (, Room (, Tub), Executive Suite, 1 Bedroom, Suite, 1 Bedroom and Grand Suite, with many rooms offering river or atrium views.
- See the indoor gardens and fountain promenade
- Sit in the Belvedere Lobby Bar for an atrium view
- Browse Potomac District Café & Market for coffee and snacks
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Atrium garden | Landscaped promenade under the 19-story glass roof |
| Retail & cafés | Potomac District Café & Market and other shops |
| Seasonal events | Holiday displays and rotating attractions hosted inside the atrium |
On-site dining and bars for every mood
Gaylord National lists several on-property restaurants and bars so you can eat without leaving the resort. Key venues named on the property include Old Hickory, Harbor Social, Potomac District Café & Market, Belvedere Lobby Bar, The Whiskey Revolution and Lookout 18.
Old Hickory is the resort’s American steakhouse serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Harbor Social is an American-style sports bar with TVs and duckpin bowling. Potomac District Café & Market is the atrium café and market for coffee and light fare; Belvedere Lobby Bar, The Whiskey Revolution and Lookout 18 offer evening cocktails and whiskey selections.
- Old Hickory — breakfast, lunch and dinner (steakhouse and seafood options)
- Harbor Social — sports bar with duckpin bowling and TVs
- Potomac District Café & Market — coffee, quick meals and market items
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Old Hickory | Breakfast, lunch, dinner (steakhouse-style) |
| Harbor Social | Drinks, food, duckpin bowling |
| Potomac District Café & Market | Coffee, light fare, market items |
Pool, spa and fitness — plan a recovery or active session
The resort offers a Junior Olympic–sized, 24-meter indoor recreation pool (with whirlpool) reserved for overnight registered guests; a seasonal riverside sundeck, poolside bar and kids’ splash pad operate in warmer months. Pool hours and summer offerings vary; check with the front desk or concierge.
Relâche Spa overlooks the Potomac River and requires appointments for treatments; spa facilities (relaxation lounge, saunas, steam rooms) are for guests 18 and older. A 24-hour fitness center with cardio and strength equipment, including Peloton bikes, is available to overnight guests.
- Indoor pool access exclusive to registered overnight guests
- Relâche Spa — appointments required; spa users must be 18+
- 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes
| Amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Indoor pool | Junior Olympic-sized; whirlpool included |
| Relâche Spa | Appointment required; 18+ to use spa facilities |
| Fitness center | Open 24/7 for overnight guests; cardio, strength, Peloton |
Walk the National Harbor waterfront and boardwalk
Gaylord National sits directly on the National Harbor waterfront promenade, with shops, restaurants, seasonal sandy ‘beach’ areas and public art just outside the hotel. The promenade puts the Capital Wheel, dining, and retail within easy walking distance of the resort’s entrance.
The Potomac waterfront is also a launching point for seasonal water taxi service to Old Town Alexandria and The Wharf; water-taxi schedules and seasonal routes can change, so confirm current service before you go.
- Capital Wheel (observation wheel) — short ride time and views of the Potomac
- Outdoor sculptures and seasonal events on the waterfront
- Water taxi options to Old Town Alexandria and The Wharf (seasonal)
| Nearby option | Typical access |
|---|---|
| Capital Wheel | Short walk or quick drive from the resort |
| Shops & restaurants | Promenade adjacent to the hotel |
| Water taxi | Seasonal service from National Harbor to other waterfront stops |
Casinos, outlets and family attractions near the hotel
For entertainment within a few minutes’ drive, MGM National Harbor (casino and theater) and Tanger Outlets are nearby. The resort participates in a local circulator/shuttle service that connects Gaylord National with MGM and Tanger Outlets.
Family-friendly options close by include the Capital Wheel and the National Children’s Museum; the resort itself offers family activities such as a seasonal kids’ splash pad and on-site bowling in Harbor Social.
- MGM National Harbor — casino and The Theater at MGM (short drive)
- Tanger Outlets — outlet shopping reachable via local shuttle
- National Children’s Museum and waterfront family activities
| Attraction | Access from the resort |
|---|---|
| MGM National Harbor | About a short drive; local circulator connects the properties |
| Tanger Outlets | Reachable via the free local shuttle/circulator |
| National Children’s Museum | A short walk from the resort |
Day trips: Washington, D.C., Mount Vernon and historic sites
Gaylord National is a practical base for short day trips to Washington, D.C. landmarks (National Mall, Smithsonian museums), Mount Vernon, Old Town Alexandria and Arlington National Cemetery. Travel times vary by route and traffic; Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is roughly 5–9 miles away with a typical drive time of 15–30 minutes.
The resort does not provide airport shuttles; guests commonly use rideshare, taxi or pre-arranged transfer services. A seasonal water taxi can also be a scenic way to reach Old Town Alexandria and other Potomac waterfront destinations.
- D.C. museums and monuments — reachable by car or rideshare
- Mount Vernon — day-trip option by car from the resort
- No hotel airport shuttle — arrange taxis or rideshare in advance
| Destination | Notes on travel |
|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) | About 5–9 miles; common rideshare/taxi connection |
| Mount Vernon | Typically a short drive; plan for variable traffic |
| Old Town Alexandria | Option: seasonal water taxi or car |
Meetings, ballrooms and wedding venues at Gaylord National
Gaylord National offers extensive meeting and event spaces across multiple ballrooms and boardrooms. Major venues listed by the property include Potomac Ballroom, Maryland Ballroom, Woodrow Wilson Ballroom, Cherry Blossom Ballroom and RiverView Ballroom, plus numerous boardrooms such as the Fort Washington Boardroom and Presidential Boardroom.
These spaces are used for conferences, weddings and large events; the RiverView Ballroom includes large floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor terraces overlooking the Potomac River, and other ballrooms vary in size and pre-function space.
- Potomac Ballroom — large convention ballroom used for conferences and events
- Maryland Ballroom, Woodrow Wilson Ballroom, Cherry Blossom Ballroom — common wedding and event choices
- Fort Washington Boardroom and Presidential Boardroom — smaller executive meeting rooms
| Venue | Notable detail |
|---|---|
| Potomac Ballroom | Major convention ballroom on property |
| RiverView Ballroom | Waterfront ballroom with extensive glass and outdoor terraces |
| Fort Washington Boardroom | Executive boardroom option for smaller meetings |
