The Washington Harbour

The Washington Harbour is a mixed use development along the bend of the Potomac River in the southeast corner of the Georgetown District. Additionally it is an attraction along the riverwalk of the Georgetown Waterfront. What the Washington Waterfront isn’t is visible on Google Maps. When you view the Washington Harbour on Google Maps «Embassy of Sweden» shows up. Understandably new visitors to Washington DC can end up thinking that the offices, shops (very very few), and restaurants on the lower two levels are the gateway into the Embassy of Sweden and upper level apartments are offices serving the embassy. The upshot is that I spent time here but did not check in.
The Washington Harbour as far as being a genuine harbor is small. All I saw were a few boats. The harbor does service the boat cruises touring the Potomac River. When I was standing on the upper lever of the building, I took in more than a few boats and lots of geese. This is first-​rate photo spot of the Potomac River flowing south towards the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, Kennedy Center, Watergate, and public spaces of Washington DC. When I looked to the right, I took in the contradiction of the pristine landscape of Theodore Roosevelt Island and towering high rises of Rosslyn, Virginia. If I looked straight and above at the right moment I could watch the airplanes using the Potomac River as a landing path into Ronald Reagan Airport (the airspace over Washington DC is limited).
Washington Harbour is a port of entry for dining and coffee. There are eleven restaurants that include Farmer’s Fisher’s Bakers, Best Sandwich Place, and Nick’s Riverside Grill. Of course there is a Starbuck’s. The first-​rate photo spot views of the Potomac River carry-​on to the patio dining of the restaurants.
When I looked at the Washington Harbour from the Georgetown Waterfront Riverwalk, I saw a semi-​circular building bordering a pedestrian plaza. The centerpiece of the pedestrian plaza are the fountains. If I glanced at the exact fountain from November and March I’d be admiring the largest ice skating rink in the Nation’s Capital over an eggnog latte from the upper level Starbuck’s.
Regardless that this is a harbor, it is transportation challenged. The Metro is nonexistent in Georgetown. This requires a long walk to the nearest Metro station. In similar fashion to the majority of Washington DC, inexpensive parking is out of fashion. From Monday to Sunday parking is $ 12 an hour with a daily max of $ 20. It is a flat rate of $ 12 on Saturday and Sunday. Taxi transportation is plentiful. Being that this is a Harbor, it would be nice to have a water taxi service to West Potomac Park.
After spending time in Washington Harbour, I view it as a supporting attraction to the Georgetown Waterfront. It is an ideal spot to take a break from exploring Georgetown with the Potomac River while enjoying a meal or Starbuck’s at a first-​rate photo spot overlooking the Potomac River.

My husband and I came to the Harbour on our last day of being in DC. It was a perfect ending to a perfect week of being in Washington D.C. The weather was perfect and it was the perfect spot to sit and have some gelato and iced tea. This is not a shopping destination, as Unilocal would suggest. It is more of a wine and dine type destination, a great place to sit and look at the water on a beautiful day. There is an array of restaurants, plenty by the water and most of them have patios so you can sit and people watch (which is exactly what we did). There are also cruises that go around the Potomac River. I believe you can also rent out kayaks to take out onto the river.
There is also a «splash pad,» a bunch holes that spring out water. The kids love it. Also a bunch of benches away from the restaurants and lots of grass to relax on in case you want a quieter spot.

This is a beautiful spot! sitting at the outdoor tables of any of these restaurants on a nice sunny day, people watching and enjoying the beautiful views. Last time i came here was almost 6 years ago, i came here recently on a sunday afternoon after watching a movie across the street. It’s a really nice and relaxing place to enjoy lunch or dinner.
Although majority of the restaurants here are seafood, it’s a perfect spot for me to grab a coffee and relax. As it gets nice and warm out, i would love to come back here and walk, enjoy the views and grab some food/​coffee.
I didn’t notice many tourists here, it was mostly couples and familes just relaxing and having a good time. Kids running around chasing ducks and amused by them (including my grown friend) :)
I will certainly be back, mostly for people watching while enjoying some drinks.

Simply one of the most beautiful spots to visit in Georgetown, and that says a lot considering Georgetown is about as picturesque as DC neighborhoods come.
It can get a little crowded, but the Harbour is full of restaurants that offer waterfront dining, and Farmers Fishers Bakers (right near the fountain) is one of the best restaurants in DC, period. The Harbour is home to unbeatable views of the Potomac, fountains, pedestrian walkways, restaurants, bars, boat rides, and all of the charm of Georgetown mixed with an almost beachy vibe courtesy of the establishments that embrace the waterfront ambience.
Definitely a perfect place to take out-​of-​town visitors!

I’m a New Yorker who usually heads to DC once or twice a year. After I got tired of the same monuments and Smithsonian museums, I wanted to try something different. I decided to check out Washington Harbour. It’s located in Georgetown, which is the nicest part of DC. However, due to racism at the time, when they were constructing the DC Metro, Georgetown residents didn’t want the Metro in their community. As a result, this is the most isolated part of DC. The nearest Metro station, which I think is Foggy Bottom-​GWU, is about a 20 – 30 minute walk away.
Washington Harbour is basically a more upscale Baltimore Inner Harbor. There isn’t much to do here besides the boats and the seafood restaurants. This is an ideal place for a date (I saw many couples here) and it’s less touristy and congested than the National Mall, but IMO, it simply isn’t worth the long distance from downtown DC (unless you’re a DC resident who is just tired of going to the Air and Space Museum).

Cyndy’s Bottom Line: A place to people watch on land, on the water or on a private yacht .
There are shops and restaurants that scream tourist welcome!

I didn’t get to really wander around the Washington Harbour since I just came for the Nike Women Half Marathon check-​in and expo. From what I saw, there were quite a few shops and a wonderful view of the water. I’m sure this is a fantastic place to eat and/​or drink outside.

This place is pretty cool. I was very pleasantly surprised! What did I like?
Waterfront dining, nice river view… and BOATS! lotsa boats!
What I didn’t like.
— Entitled white lawyer types partying on boats trying to act like they are south beach studs when they are really style challenged «old boy network» DC nerds.
— Hardly any diversity. I’m from SF, so this is an issue for me.
I have to say that although DC pretty much stinks, this place is pretty cool and has been a bright spot in a tepid DC experience. The problem is that you can only go there a few times a year when it’s not too hot.
Also, this place is soooo american… the huge bars with a bunch of DC nerds putting on aires and trying to act cool. give me break. there is a difference between a poser and the real deal. weak sauce and tobasco sauce.
Other than that, it is a really nice! I like it and will be back!