First date at national harbor (Burke, Reston: restaurant, price, centers)

[pgtvatitans]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

But the OP is coming from somewhere in NOVA, right? I'm thinking that if he/she is going to be heading east anyway, might as well keep going a scant 30 minutes to reach that quaint and romantic town, rather than pay out the wazoo to have mediocre and overpriced food at a gargantuan, boring hotel complex. Getting to Annapolis I'm pretty sure would take no more time than getting to Georgetown from Andrews. Especially when you factor in parking.

Maybe I missed something, but I don't see where the OP mentioned they are from NoVA. Even with that said, your point about National Harbor is valid, but I think that's why others have mentioned Old Town. Old Town is a really nice spot and it's even closer. It probably doesn't have the dining option of Annapolis, but it's a lot closer to Andrews, which is what the OP asked about. Maybe the OP can clear this up for us.

[Smoke_Jaguar4]

I would save Annapolis for a later date if the first date goes well.

[poloi3eai2]

National Harbor is nice but it feels a bit too prefabricated. All the restaurants are ehhh mediocre according to Yelp. It's pretty much a "town center" like you find in EVERY suburb these days but on the water. Hopefully National Harbor eventually turns into a self sustaining community with a mixture of locals and tourists.

I agree with everyone else on Old Town Alexandria. Old Town has more unique character and charm. There are ALOT of great date restaurants in Old Town that have good reviews. You can take her to Vermillion and brag that the Obamas had Valentines Day dinner there last V-Day. King St in Old Town also spans longer, it's about 1 mile each way so you'll have more time to walk and talk.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by pgtitans

Maybe I missed something, but I don't see where the OP mentioned they are from NoVA. Even with that said, your point about National Harbor is valid, but I think that's why others have mentioned Old Town. Old Town is a really nice spot and it's even closer. It probably doesn't have the dining option of Annapolis, but it's a lot closer to Andrews, which is what the OP asked about. Maybe the OP can clear this up for us.

I assumed they were from NOVA because this is the NOVA forum. If not, that does change things. I agree OT is very nice, and yeah, maybe there's no point in going to Annapolis instead of OT.

[YankeeAloha]

I suggest taking a walk inside the atrium of the Gaylord National Conference Center. There are gorgeous live plants inside and it has a sort of Disney-land feel to me. You will be fine there for a first date. Very safe. Also, if she suggested it, go with what the lady wants.

[Deeman804]

Originally Posted by YankeeAloha

I suggest taking a walk inside the atrium of the Gaylord National Conference Center. There are gorgeous live plants inside and it has a sort of Disney-land feel to me. You will be fine there for a first date. Very safe. Also, if she suggested it, go with what the lady wants.

What this person said^^^^

[RamblingMan]

Originally Posted by YankeeAloha

I suggest taking a walk inside the atrium of the Gaylord National Conference Center. There are gorgeous live plants inside and it has a sort of Disney-land feel to me. You will be fine there for a first date. Very safe. Also, if she suggested it, go with what the lady wants.

I agree, especially if NH was her suggestion. You can start with National Harbor and keep the water taxi to Old Town up my sleeve as an option.

I think National Harbor is ok, but it is still a work in progress. You can't expect it to have the charm of a two hundred year old neighborhood like Old Town or Georgetown. Architecturally, I think of NH as sort of a "Ballston-on-the-Potomac. It is new and a bit sterile, but then so are Ballston, Clarendon, RTC, and most of the other similar developments in the area.

[Carlingtonian]

With slight tweaking, the title of this thread could be a tawdry '50s paperback or Troy McClure film.


"You may know me from Eisenhower-era smut flicks such as Dollar Date at the Dock, High-Hemmed Harlots of the Harbor, Stephen and the Stevedore, and Pierre of the Perilous Pier."

(This of course is not meant to imply anything about the OP or his/her date!)

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by RamblingMan

I agree, especially if NH was her suggestion. You can start with National Harbor and keep the water taxi to Old Town up my sleeve as an option.

I think National Harbor is ok, but it is still a work in progress. You can't expect it to have the charm of a two hundred year old neighborhood like Old Town or Georgetown. Architecturally, I think of NH as sort of a "Ballston-on-the-Potomac. It is new and a bit sterile, but then so are Ballston, Clarendon, RTC, and most of the other similar developments in the area.

yah but - Clarendon is being developed by multiple developers, over time. It doesn't give me the same "every single sight line was planned by a committee trying to appeal to the neowalkable market" vibe that NH does.

[ChristineVA]

I'd be very happy with a first date at National Harbor. It's just EASY to get to, open, and navigatable (is that word??). I like Old Town but find it kind of a hassle. Anyway, just my 2 cents. I'm not very high maintenance!