“Why this sound sounded merry! It couldn’t be so! But it was merry! Very!” exclaimed The Grinch in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The Grinch is very much a part of the Christmas on the Potomac celebration taking place at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, a Marriott Hotel, in Maryland.
After a nine-mile drive from Union Station in Washington D.C., we arrived at a waterfront destination where the imposing Capital Wheel (a Ferris wheel) is the centerpiece of the community, with movies and Santa rides during the holidays. On the short drive to the hotel — past apartment dwellings and office buildings with ground-floor commercial establishments — I noticed restaurants, a cheese shop, wine shop, market and the waterfront promenade.
The vast lobby of the Gaylord, an almost 2,000-room hotel, welcomed with fabulous holiday decorations and a display with a multitude of gingerbread houses. From the lobby, from restaurants and many of the rooms, guests can view the 1.5-acre Garden Atrium, with a huge, star-shaped tree pointing toward the 19th-floor ceiling. Behind its glass walls, the Capital Wheel is in full view.
Merry aptly describes the multitude of family-friendly experiences set amidst millions of holiday lights and fabulous floral displays. The hotel events are open to the public and some are even complimentary, such as the three nightly performances of the “Christmas Miracles Light Show,” a nightly sound, laser light and dancing fountains extravaganza. Something is always happening in the Atrium, including Capital Blend, an eight female a capella group.
The breathtaking highlight show “Cirque Dreams Unwrapped” is an all too exciting, 25-minute performance with acrobats and flying trapeze artists that takes place footsteps from front row, and then, high above the Garden Atrium stage.
Each year, the Gaylord builds an enormous Christmas Village — 35,000 square feet this year — offering child-friendly events and holiday boutiques, including a Build-a-Bear Workshop. New this year is an exciting 15-foot-high, four-lane ice tubing hill called Reindeer Rush.
Tickets and packages of tickets are needed for some activities, such as a private space for creative youngsters to decorate gingerbread houses from a kit or enjoy warm cookies and milk as they listen to Mrs. Claus tell the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
The spectacular event is ICE, in a 15,000-square-foot tent cooled to 9 degrees (they give you a parka to top your layers). This amazing display illustrates the story of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas with hand-carved ice sculptures in 13 vibrant colors, including a house-sized igloo in clear ice. Forty ice carvers from the Harbin Ice Festival in Beijing, China, carve the annual display from 2,000,000 pounds of ice. Plus, there’s a new ice-skating rink, Winter Square.
Families visiting D.C. can travel by car/taxi (there’s a metro and bus, but it’s complicated), but it’s best to stay overnight. Overnight guests enjoy certain private-to-guest privileges, such as skating on the outside rink on holiday Saturdays, 9–10 p.m., watching a private ice-carving demonstration by Chinese artisans and starting the weekend at the Grinch Feast, eating green eggs and ham.
Among the holiday family packages, guests who reserve the Christmas Suite enjoy in-room sweet treats, valet parking and a one-hour private photoshoot.
The rooms are spacious and ours had a balcony overlooking the Atrium. Rooms include televisions with cable, free WiFi, a safe and bathrooms with showers, tubs and amenities.
The Relache Spa has 13 treatment rooms, including a couple’s suite. On a lower level, there’s an arcade, fitness center and huge indoor pool. There are shops and food stands as well as three restaurants. At Pienza Market, there’s a terrific omelet maker, an impressive breakfast buffet, and lots of pizza and burger items are on the menu at National Pastime Sports Bar and Grill. At Old Hickory Steakhouse, Patricio was as warm as the bread he served along with steaks and terrific sides. The mini egg nogs and chocolate cream in chocolate cups were perfect.
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Mar 27, 2024Book the Ultimate Mother-In-Law Suite in New York City’s West Village
Family travel can be hard after welcoming a newborn. Some families want their in-laws or parents close to help and soak up all the time with the newborn. For families traveling to or living in New York City, Maison Hudson, a collection of new luxury residences in the city with hotel-like amenities, has an option perfect for grandparents or visiting family.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Destinations
Mar 27, 2024Outdoor Family Adventures on Offer with Four Seasons
Four Seasons Resorts offer outdoor experiences perfect for family travelers this spring. Check out some of what awaits your traveling brood:
Destinations / North America
Mar 27, 20243 Family-Friendly Hotels in Baltimore
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is surrounded by activities and attractions to keep families busy for several days, and for those who travel to get there, a trio of nearby hotels welcome children with amenities such as swimming pools, kid-sized bathrobes and bunk beds.
Sponsored Content
Travel Tips to Help Protect Your Health and Your Trip
Five Tips to Help Minimize Potential Travel Problems
Destinations / North America
Mar 26, 2024Spring Festivals in New Orleans
Spring has sprung in New Orleans, Louisiana, for family travelers! Bring your crew to the Big Easy this season for a variety of family-friendly festivals, events and attractions.
ShareThis