Every year the National Harbor offers exciting holiday activities, especially ICE! This year, the wonderland at the Gaylord National Resort showcases Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and you can learn how these incredible ice sculptures are carved. It’s fun for the whole family.
ICE! is open daily from November 18th through January 1st, 2018. Tickets cost $32-$39, plus tax, for ages 12 and older and $24-$32, plus tax, for ages 4 to 11 (kids 3 and younger are free). Hours vary and can be found here.
The 9-degree walk-through attraction features 13 scenes of more than
2 million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures, including everyone’s favorite characters Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, and more.
Guests can also enjoy the thrill of sliding down two-story-tall ice slides in the Island of Misfit Toys.
The attraction concludes with a breathtaking Nativity scene carved from crystal ice and set behind a twinkling light curtain. ICE! is open daily from November 18th through January 1st, 2018. Tickets cost $32-$39, plus tax, for ages 12 and older and $24-$32, plus tax, for ages 4 to 11 (kids 3 and younger are free). Hours vary and can be found here.
ICE!
If ice sculptures aren’t enough, Gaylord National Resort has also transformed itself into a Yuletide wonderland. Featuring more than 2 million lights, a suspended 55-foot-tall Christmas tree, a 20-foot-wide D.C. gingerbread display, and a magical Christmas Village, families and friends will be filled with holiday spirit when enjoying the resort’s plethora of activities.
Upon entering the Christmas Village, guests will delight in discovering a new ice-skating attraction, carousel, train rides, Cookies with Mrs. Claus, photos with Santa, and a Gingerbread Decorating Corner presented by Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas. To enjoy several of these attractions at a reduced rate, the resort has created Play and Save packages starting at $29.45 plus tax.
The resort also offers a Build-A-Bear Workshop experience, where guests make their very own furry winter friend—a cuddly, cute polar bear plush, designed exclusively for Gaylord Hotels that can be personalized with cozy winter clothing and accessories. For even more fun, families can work together to solve the Build-A-Bear Workshop Scavenger Hunt to gain a “beary” special prize.
New this year, Gaylord National is introducing a live entertainment show, JOY–A Holiday Spectacular, set within the resort’s stunning 19-story atrium. Visitors can enjoy the rich harmonies of classic and modern songs that celebrate the joy of the holiday season performed by Gaylord National singers. Tickets start at $11.99, plus tax, for all ages.
The show is followed by a free Tree Lighting Show that includes laser lights, a dancing water fountain, indoor snow flurry, and holiday music, all centered on the resort’s suspended Starlight Christmas Tree.
Visitors can also delight in a new family breakfast featuring Rudolph, the star of ICE! Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Breakfast is a one-of-a-kind interactive character breakfast experience with tableside visits by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, and Clarice. Children of all ages will enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, play games, and sing along to favorite music from the beloved television special. Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Breakfast is offered on select days and costs $39.99, plus tax, for ages 12 and older and $26.99, plus tax, for ages 4 to 11. (Kids 3 and younger are free.)
For visitors 21 and older, Gaylord National’s beverage director has created a Mistletoe Mixology class designed to teach participants the basics of cocktail making. The 90-minute hands-on class includes crafting three unique holiday cocktails paired with hors d’oeuvres provided by the resort chef. The class costs $29 plus tax and is available on select dates during Christmas On The Potomac.
Gaylord National Resort offers two overnight Yuletide packages, including unlimited priority entry to ICE!
ICE! Is Nice Package
- One-night room accommodations
- Unlimited, priority entry tickets to experience ICE! featuring
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Package starts at $219 for two people. Price does not include tax or resort and parking fees.
Christmas On The Potomac Package
- One-night room accommodations
- Unlimited, priority entry tickets to experience ICE! featuring
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - $100 resort credit per night for hotel dining and Relâche Spa services
- One (1) complimentary souvenir ICE! photo
Package starts at $279 for two people. Price does not include tax or resort and parking fees.
For more information on Christmas On The Potomac at Gaylord National Resort and to book a package or tickets to ICE! and other holiday attractions, visit the resort’s website or call 301-965-4000.
Renee Sklarew, coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Washington, D.C., tells us all about the many other Christmas offerings in our Nation’s Capital in her post Yuletide Festivities Abound in Washington, D.C. Check it out and Happy Holidays!
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