Location: Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center 201 Waterfront Street National Harbor, MD 20745
Duration: November 19, 2009 through January 10, 2010.
Cost: Adults $19.99 (Mon-Thurs before 4 p.m.), $24.50 (after 4 p.m. and all day Fri-Sun.), Seniors $18, Ages 4-12 $13.00, Ages 3 and under are FREE. Walk-in tickets are available but visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets online (in advance). Visit www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com or call (877) 352-3629.
Description: A massive ice house constisting of holiday scenes made from two million pounds of ice (approximately 5,000 BLOCKS of ice). This wintery bliss is hand-sculpted by 40 international artisans from Harbin, China and kept at a chilling 9 degrees Fahrenheit.
Critique: I have visited ICE! twice now with my family, one in Nov '09 & again on Dec. 23rd. It is breath-taking and COLD as Shhhhhh (actually colder than that!). Upon entering, the overall location isn't terribly cold. You don't feel the full extent of it until you enter the actual ICE! display room. But luckily for us, ICE! was smart and remorseful enough to provide us with FREE parkas. YES...FREE parkas which go right over the winter coat, gloves and additional layers of clothes you have already. They come in ALL sizes.
Once inside the ICE! display room, there is an immediate wave of artic chill and visual dazzle. The scenes of holiday cheer range from polar bears in play to Santa's workshop in "motion" to a beautiful ice crystal-like nativity scene. Oh, I certainly can't for get the glacial slide for both kids & adults alike. I defintely suggest trying it out. Upon exiting, the display room you enter the ICE! gift shop with plenty of knick knacks for the christmas tree and members of the family. An extra perk for the kiddies is the FREE cookie coupons they give you courtesy of Java Coast , a coffee bar located inside of the Gaylord Hotel .
ICE! is definitely a family affair and a lovely touch in addition to your holiday to do list. I strongly urge that you plan a visit before Jan. 10th rolls around.
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Click here to check out pictures of what to expect at The Gaylord National Resort’s ICE!
~ Caribgem, Program Director