MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino
4.4(39K)google
3.0(1.1K)yelp
casinoResortLuxurynightlifeLive MusicDate SpotIndoor
Overview
MGM National Harbor is a casino hotel in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. It opened on December 8, 2016, and cost $1.4 billion. It is owned by Vici Properties and operated by MGM Resorts International.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration0.5-1 day
Best TimeA premium year-round indoor luxury resort destination. Visiting on Friday or Saturday evenings between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM is exceptional. It allows you to view the multi-million dollar seasonal floral conservatory displays before catching a dramatic river sunset behind the sweeping Potomac vistas.
Getting ThereCommanding the Potomac riverfront. Via transit, take the Washington Metro (Blue/Yellow lines) to King Street-Old Town Station, then transfer to the NH2 bus line which runs straight to MGM. For drivers, exit I-495 (Capital Beltway) at Exit 2A and follow dedicated lanes into the advanced underground garage structures.
Travel Tips
- Self-parking fees dynamically spike past 30 USD during arena concerts; presenting an MGM Rewards Pearl tier card or higher completely waives the parking fee.
- The gaming floor strictly enforces a 21+ age limit; minors and infants in strollers are legally barred from loitering or standing on casino carpets and will be escorted out.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- The second-level outdoor terrace yields unobstructed sweeping views of the Potomac River and Washington Monument; shoot between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM for bright, even lighting.
Reviews
Positive
- The resort is modern and luxurious with a stunning, spacious conservatory atrium that features incredible, seasonally rotating floral art displays.
- Offers a fantastic all-in-one entertainment experience; the casino floor is well-ventilated and surrounded by high-end premier dining restaurants and upscale shops.
- Excellently situated on the Potomac River, offering spectacular waterfront views and distant glimpses of the Washington D.C. skyline from outdoor terraces.
- The staff and front desk team are highly professional and efficient, keeping excellent order, high security, and cleanliness even during busy weekends.
Heads up
- The dining and entertainment options inside are highly expensive with a massive markup, making it budget-unfriendly for casual visitors.
- The parking fees are heavily criticized; self-parking is pricey, and the garages face extreme congestion and surge pricing during major concert events.
- On Friday and Saturday nights, the crowd density is overwhelming, resulting in long lines everywhere and a noisy, chaotic atmosphere that lacks serenity.
- The soundproofing in some guest rooms leaves much to be desired, as hallway traffic and low-frequency bass from the entertainment venues can disrupt sleep.