It is cold. Really cold. Like, nine degrees Fahrenheit cold. Most people walking into the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Maryland during the holidays are looking for warmth, but then they pay to walk into a giant refrigerator. That is basically what ICE! at Gaylord National is—a massive, walk-in freezer kept at a temperature that would make a penguin shiver.
You get a blue parka. It’s iconic, honestly. Everyone wears the same oversized, heavy-duty blue coat because your light autumn jacket stands zero chance against the chill required to keep two million pounds of ice from turning into a very expensive puddle.
People think it's just a few statues. It isn't. It’s a full-blown immersive world carved by hand by artisans who fly in from Harbin, China. These guys are the real deal. Harbin is famous for its International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, and they bring that same level of technical mastery to the National Harbor. They use chainsaws, chisels, and tiny little picks to turn blocks of ice into translucent art.
The Logistics of a Frozen Wonderland
The sheer scale is hard to wrap your head around. We are talking about 20,000 square feet of space. To keep that much area at nine degrees, the Gaylord uses a specialized cooling system that runs 24/7. If the power goes out, the art stays, but the stress levels of the management probably go through the roof.
The ice itself isn't just frozen tap water. That would be cloudy. To get those crystal-clear sculptures, they use "clear ice," which is frozen slowly from the bottom up to push out air bubbles. Then there’s the "milk ice," which is white and opaque, and the vibrant "colored ice" created by mixing dyes throughout the freezing process.
Every year has a theme. You’ve probably seen A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, or The Polar Express recreated in frozen form. For 2024 and heading into the 2025/2026 seasons, the themes continue to lean heavily into nostalgia.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Cold
You’ll see people showing up in shorts because they spent the morning shopping at the Tanger Outlets nearby. Don't do that. Even with the provided parka, your legs are exposed. Your toes will go numb in about fifteen minutes if you're wearing sneakers without thick socks.
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Pro tip: bring gloves. The parka has pockets, but you’ll want to take photos. Holding a freezing cold smartphone with bare hands in a nine-degree room is a special kind of pain.
Honestly, the slides are the highlight for most. There are usually five two-story tall ice slides. You sit on your parka and fly down. It's fast. It’s slightly terrifying if you aren't expecting the speed. Adults do it just as much as kids, and there is zero shame in that.
The National Harbor Context
National Harbor isn't just the Gaylord. It’s a whole ecosystem. You have the Capital Wheel, which looks great from the frozen windows of the hotel, and the MGM National Harbor just up the hill. But during the winter months, the Gaylord is the undisputed anchor.
The "So. Much. Christmas." programming is the umbrella for everything. While ICE! at Gaylord National is the main draw, the atrium is where the "free" stuff happens. They have a nightly laser light show and a suspended Christmas tree that is actually quite impressive. The tree is made of synthetic materials, obviously, but the way it interacts with the fountain show and the indoor "snowfall" (which is actually soap bubbles, let's be real) creates a genuine atmosphere.
Money and Timing
It’s expensive. Let's not sugarcoat it. Between the tickets, the "Peak" pricing on weekends, and the $30+ for parking at the resort, a family of four can easily drop $200 before they've even had a snack.
- Peak Days: Friday through Sunday and the week of Christmas.
- Off-Peak: Mid-week in November or early December.
- Bundle Up: Buy a pass that includes the snow tubing or the ginger-bread decorating if you want to stay all day.
If you want to save money, park at the public garages in National Harbor rather than the hotel's valet or self-park. It’s a short walk, and you’ll save enough for a hot chocolate afterwards.
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The Artistry Behind the Scenes
The sculptors from Harbin spend about 30 days carving the attraction. They live on-site or nearby and work in shifts. They follow a literal blueprint provided by Warner Bros. or whichever studio owns the year's theme.
The detail is insane. You’ll see individual whiskers on a cat or the texture of a scarf, all carved into a medium that is notoriously difficult to work with. If a sculptor makes a mistake, they can’t just "undo" it. They have to "weld" a new block of ice onto the sculpture using water as a bonding agent and freeze it instantly.
Why It Stays Popular
Some people call it a tourist trap. Maybe it is. But it’s a high-quality one. In an era where everything is digital and AI-generated, there is something deeply satisfying about seeing two million pounds of physical material shaped by human hands.
It’s tactile. Even though you aren't supposed to lick the ice (seriously, don't do that, your tongue will stick), you can feel the radiation of the cold coming off the walls.
Avoiding the "Frozen Meltdown"
If you're bringing kids, have a plan. The transition from a heated hotel lobby to a nine-degree room can be a shock to the system.
- Bathrooms first. Once you are in the parka line, you aren't coming out for a while.
- Phones and Batteries. Cold kills lithium-ion batteries. Keep your phone in an inner pocket close to your body heat until you are ready to snap a photo.
- The Exit Shop. You will exit through a gift shop. It’s inevitable. Be prepared for the "I want that" onslaught.
Beyond the Ice
When you finish the walkthrough, you’re dumped back into the temperate climate of the Gaylord Atrium. It feels like a tropical rainforest by comparison. This is the best time to do the other activities.
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The snow tubing is usually located in a different area. They use "artificial snow" which is basically crushed ice. It’s fun, but the lines can get long. If you have the budget, the "Fast Pass" style options are actually worth it during the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
Final Practical Insights
The National Harbor is windier than people realize. Being right on the Potomac River means the wind chill outside can be just as brutal as the temperature inside the exhibit. If you're planning to walk to the Capital Wheel or eat at one of the restaurants like Succotash or Walrus Oyster and Ale House, keep your winter gear on.
For the best experience, book the first time slot of the day. The ice is "fresher," the crowds are thinner, and the parking hasn't reached chaotic levels yet. Most people aim for the sunset slots to see the lights, but the early bird gets the best photos without a stranger's head in the frame.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the Gaylord National’s official website for the specific theme of the current season and book your tickets at least two weeks in advance. If you are staying overnight, look for the "ICE! Package" which usually includes "Extra Cool Hour" access—allowing you into the exhibit before the general public. Download the National Harbor parking app to compare rates between the hotel and the city-managed garages. Finally, pack a pair of wool socks; your feet will thank you when you’re standing in line on a floor made of frozen water.