If you want to see one of the most unique holiday displays that demonstrates a beautiful blend of world-class artistic creativity and perfectly mastered technical skill, then look no further than ICE! at Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Maryland. From the seasonal festivities that have taken over the see-front harbor, including an incredible weekly tree lighting ceremony, snow tubing, and more this is an incredible holiday experience not far from home!
What is ICE! at Gaylord National?
ICE! is an incredible family-friendly event at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, MD, consisting of beautifully crafted hand-carved ice sculptures shaped into iconic holiday images from the stories and movies of our childhood! Inside this “cool” experience you’ll see over two million pounds of ice converted into frozen art, which took around 12,000 hours to prepare!
Upon entry to the experience, you are loaned an iconic blue parka to wear to make sure you don’t get cold as you walk around to admire the frozen art, which is maintained at exactly 9 degrees Fahrenheit. The best part though is that there are no time limits to your stay inside, and while the average visit lasts around 20 to 40 minutes, it’s nice to know you can enjoy all 14 of the unique ice displays without having to rush.
If you are interested in going to see the ICE! attraction at Gaylord National Resort, then you’ll need to purchase the tickets online in advance for a day and time that best suits your schedule. It’s important to note that some of the pricing will range based on the date and time of your choosing, so there may be certain slots that cost more than others, however, the average ticket price is $55 for adults (12+), and $35 for children (4-11), but children younger than four can enter for free.
Other holiday festivities at Gaylord National in National Harbor
If you plan to make the trek here to check out ICE! then you should know the festive fun doesn’t just stop there! In addition to the immense and immersive carved ice exhibit, they also have other fun activities such as ice skating in their outdoor rink, “winter” tubing when you slide down a big frozen slide, and of course, the nearby Ferris Wheel in Harbor National, which is lit up with holiday lights. Also, if you time it right, every night until December 30th, you can see the tree-lighting show at National Harbor, which is every 30 minutes starting at sunset until 9 pm.
If you’re looking for a perfect festive fun day trip plan that is family-friendly, then look no further, because this is the ideal plan for you!
Location: 201 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD