There is absolutely no shortage of summer fun when you plan a visit at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. This is our family’s favorite spot to get away from it all, kick back, and enjoy time together! Our family is still coming down from a high from our recent visit, where we got to experience all of the SummerFest fun! When you think of old fashioned American summer pastimes, you think barbeques, pool time, drive-in movies and live music! The Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center has brought these iconic American-themed activities as part of its SummerFest program featuring an All-American Celebration presented by Aquafina®. You can enjoy this celebration from May 25 through September 3, 2018. My family and I had the best time experiencing SummerFest!
My kids are ages 6, 12, and 13. It is sometimes tricky for us to find family fun that all 5 of us actually think is fun 🙂 SummerFest at the Gaylord National has that department covered. There is something here that everyone, every age, will enjoy. My family enjoyed some good eats, and a ton of fun activities. Here are a few of our favorites:
Pool time! All three of my kids love to swim! At the Gaylord National, overnight guest can enjoy the Jr Olympic Size Pool and pool deck. There is also a variety of oversized games including Connect Four and Jenga for families to play together outside. My kids thought the splash pad area was a ton of fun, too! I love that they have a pool bar outside as well. They serve alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. There are plenty of chairs inside and outside to lounge on and take a break! Saturdays they feature live music, sips, & snacks from 1-4 pool side.
Great American Road show Light Show- Free and nightly at 8pm and 9pm. This fun musical show celebrates the great American tradition of summer road trips. You will hear many favorite American tunes as you watch a dazzling show of colorful laser lights and dancing water fountains! Everyone was clapping and singling along. The Gaylord National always puts on a fun Atrium show!
The Silent Disco was the best part! My whole family loves music and loves to dance. Each guest is given special headphones with channels tuned to select music mixes created by the DJ. Choose your favorite station and dance the night away. They had a classic rock, 80’s, and a top 40’s station. It was so fun! This starts a bit late if your kids go to bed early, but it is worth it! Everyone was having a good time and we danced for almost 2 hrs!
The Ghost Tour-A National Haunting. This is a walking, kid friendly tour that is more history than scary. You learn a few pieces of history of the Potomac River. Our tour guide was aware of our young audience and made it enaganing and fun. Free for overnight guests, the spook-tacular 30-minute interactive walking tour highlights mysterious disappearances and apparitions along the famed waterfront. The tour is available on Fridays and Saturdays. The kids definitely asked a few questions and made some spooky faces, but overall no one was too scared. It was a fun start to the night!
See a full list of activities here.
This is such a getaway or staycation! If you are looking for something fun to do this summer, check out the SummerFest packages below!
Package Details
To experience the best of Gaylord National’s SummerFest and explore the growing waterfront scene of the Capital Region, the resort has created three overnight package options for travelers of all kinds.
For those looking for an adult escape, the SummerFest Harbor Fun Package includes:
- One (1) night accommodations
- Two (2) tickets on The Capital Wheel
- $50 resort credit for on-site dining or Relâche Spa
- Complimentary resort fee including internet, pool access, transportation on the National Harbor Circulator and more
- Complimentary self-parking
The package starts at $299 and is available May 25 through September 3.
For the family traveler, the SummerFest Family Escape includes:
- One (1) night accommodations
- Kids eat free at breakfast (one child free per paying adult)
- Complimentary resort fee including internet, pool access, transportation on the National Harbor Circulator and more
- Complimentary self-parking
The package starts at $299 and is available May 25 through September 3.
For travelers interested in a two-night stay to explore the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Explore the Capital Region package includes:
- Two (2) night accommodations
- Round-trip Express Eco-friendly car service to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for up to four people
- Two (2) round-trip tickets on the Potomac Riverboat Company water taxi to Old Town Alexandria
- Complimentary resort fee including internet, pool access, transportation on the National Harbor Circulator and more
- Complimentary self-parking
The package starts at $598 for two nights or $299 per night and is available May 25 through September 3.
We loved this getaway, and we think you will, too!
I was provided with overnight accommodations, in exchange for my feature. As always, all opinions are 100%my own.
