National Harbor

Today, Mike, Chloe and I traveled across the bridge to visit the National Harbor.  I had been once before, but I had no idea how developed it is!  We had a great time and were able to enjoy many of the attractions offered by the area:

• The Launch Zone area of the National Children's Museum.  Very cool; and FREE!  It's just a little place right now, as they are building a (what looks like it's going to be) wonderful children's museum set to open in 2013.  For now, they have a few exhibits and some really great activity tables.  I gather that the themes of these change from week to week. (Schedule is here)  Today, each table had represent a different artist, where you could learn about their style and do some experimental art.  This was the initial reason that we went to the harbor today, as LB is a budding artist of sorts!  She loved it, and her other favorite part was smelling the spices in the Middle Eastern exhibit (I'll post a clip below where you see her asking for "mo mell?" AKA "more smells?"

"Mo mell Daddy?"

Marble painting

Making a mobile

Chalking with Daddy, who is drawing a "man man" AKA "snowman"

Picasso style face

• There are so many restaurants at the National Harbor, but we chose a quick and yummy one at Baja Fresh.  They had a nice kid's menu; Chloe enjoyed a quesadilla, rice, applesauce, and milk!  Mike and I have decided to go back and check things out at night for a date!
• We also checked out "The Awakening" statue.  You may be more familiar with its other name: "Dude Emerging from the Ground"  It was fun to sit in the guy's mouth and tickle his giant toes. 

• Grammy would be proud, because out next stop was the world's only Peeps Store!  Chloe thought the big peep was a "man man."

• Lastly, we stopped in the Gaylord National Hotel, which is just beautiful.  Chloe loved the gardens and waterfalls, and Mike and I made a note the check and see if there are any deals to someday spend the night here!  (Maybe an extended date night?  Ah, one can dream!)

It took no time at all to get to the harbor on a Saturday morning.  There were a lot of folks there, but it was by no means too busy.  Parking was easy too.  This is definitely somewhere we'll be again!