An interesting perspective of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge with a detail of “The Awakening”
Over the years, when returning from either Dulles or Reagan National, I have caught glimpses of the progressive development of National Harbor while crossing the I-95 Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Potomac River.
The bridge itself was recently rebuilt over a span of years, and finally completed in 2009; although construction of a monstrous interchange directly to the west in Alexandria continues, seemingly forever.
Children Love this Poor Guy
I always enjoy crossing the bridge when traveling west with views of Alexandria, low flying planes on approach to Reagan National and even a view of the Washington Monument in the distance to the north.
With twelve lanes, it is, I would guess, the world’s most costly drawbridge, and the only one of a few drawbridges on the interstate highway system.
Why a drawbridge on an interstate highway? Well there’s a centuries old statute that requires naval vessels to have access to the Capital. Also, on occasion, large boats do need passage to and from DC. The new bridge is twenty feet higher than the old, requiring it to be opened sixty times on average a year.
Anyway, it finally seems that National Harbor is complete as well. Yet it looks like construction has begun on a Disney Resort Hotel to the south (what a shame).
As it was still early afternoon and before rush hour, I opted to make an unplanned stop.
I was returning from an appointment in posh McLean and driving south along the very scenic George Washington Parkway. Along this parkway are many stunning views of DC from the Virginia side of the Potomac.
I was annoyed that the parkway heading south had nowhere to park. I observed two small scenic parking areas when traveling northbound earlier and I made a mental note to return to photograph this area once some signs of spring return.
Yet heading southbound, as I saw not a single “No Parking” sign the entire route, I was tempted to just pull off the road onto the grass. But sightings of numerous local police vehicles thwarted that decision.
Guardian to the Gateway of National Harbor
Annoyed that I didn’t get any photographs on a sunny day, I opted, for the first time ever, to check out the freshly completed National Harbor. It was in the high 40’s, but a brisk breeze made me happy that I had tossed my winter jacket in the backseat. Fortunately gloves were not needed.
There’s nothing “national” about National Harbor. It is a privately held commercial development featuring a large convention site with a half dozen or so upscale hotels and dozens of eating and shopping venues. There are even condos for sale.
The centerpiece of this city-with-no-real-purpose is the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center. It features a soaring glass atrium, as modern hotels often do.
The shopping area just north of the convention center resembles that of a small harbor town with its very own marina and two other massive piers. It has the standard mix of upscale to modest shops and eateries, but thankfully no fast food or Starbucks (how refreshing). The McCormick & Schmick’s lunch menu looked quite reasonable.
In an odd coincidence, I read that the National Harbor main street called American Way is modeled after Barcelona’s famed Las Ramblas, but I hardly saw a connection. It was too new and clean! A modern Mayberry maybe. I’ll make a final judgment after I return from Barcelona, as my hotel, Le Méridien, is located right on La Rambla.
The place was almost entirely deserted, but I’m sure that will change when the long awaited warmer weather arrives. There seemed to be a large presence of taxis and local and state police. Odd I thought as this fake little city likely harbors no criminals.
The Gaylord National Hotel Atrium - Photo Credit Peterson Companies
I was tempted to stop for lunch but was not at all hungry as I had a large breakfast in McLean before my appointment. So I just wandered around a bit and attempted a few photos in a stiff wind.
From National Harbor there are both water taxis and tour boats to Alexandria, Georgetown and Mount Vernon. So this might be a good starting point to tour those areas.
It would be perfect if there were free parking, but alas, these developers need some means of recovering the four billion dollars that they poured into this giant project. $11 a day is not bad and even with the water taxi fees, it’s likely cheaper than parking in DC – and far less stressful.
I am planning to return again when my sister comes for a visit in a few weeks. I, hopefully, I will not need my winter coat! I’m tempted to return just for the Sunday Italian Brunch in the atrium, and then take the water taxi for an afternoon stroll though historic Alexandria or Georgetown.
Oh if you wish to see a full shot of the tortured man in the sand of “The Awakening,” I posted it here.
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