National Harbor is a waterfront development on the Potomac River in Prince George’s County, Maryland, just south of Washington, D.C. Built on a former industrial site, it has become a mixed-use destination with hotels, residences, restaurants, shops, offices, and public spaces arranged along the riverfront. Its most recognizable landmark is the Capital Wheel, a large observation wheel overlooking the Potomac and surrounding region. The waterfront setting, pedestrian streets, and concentration of cultural and entertainment venues give National Harbor a distinctly urban character within suburban Maryland.

National Harbor has a relatively modern identity, but its location connects it to the longer history of the Potomac River and the Washington region. The surrounding area was part of Piscataway territory, and the river served as an important route for Indigenous communities before European settlement. Today, National Harbor’s public art reflects a range of artistic traditions and includes sculptures positioned throughout the waterfront district. The Awakening, a large sculpture depicting a giant emerging from the ground, became one of the site’s best-known public artworks. The Gaylord National Resort also hosts conferences, performances, and seasonal events.

The waterfront provides the setting for many of National Harbor’s principal attractions. The Capital Wheel rises beside the Potomac and offers elevated views across the river toward Alexandria and Washington, D.C. The National Harbor Marina accommodates recreational vessels, while the waterfront promenade provides access to restaurants, shops, and public gathering spaces. Tanger Outlets National Harbor is located within walking distance of the main district, and MGM National Harbor adds a large entertainment complex nearby. Water taxis and other boat services connect National Harbor with locations along the Potomac, including Alexandria and Washington, depending on the operating season.

National Harbor’s dining scene draws on the wider Chesapeake region as well as international and contemporary American cooking. Maryland blue crab and crab cakes are prominent regional specialties, while seafood restaurants commonly feature oysters, shrimp, and other Chesapeake Bay products. The waterfront also contains a wide range of restaurants serving cuisines from different parts of the world. A distinctive feature of National Harbor is the way public art, retail, dining, hotels, and recreation are concentrated within a walkable waterfront district. Its location on the Potomac also places it close to major attractions in both Maryland and the nation's capital.