The Pros and Cons of ICE! at Gaylord National at National Harbor: My First-Person Review

I have been going to see ICE! at Gaylord National at National Harbor for years now. It's an annual Christmas season tradition for us. ICE! is one of those experiences that’s unlike anything else. 

Below, I’ll walk you through everything I’ve learned from being there — the good, the magical, and the occasionally frustrating — so you can decide whether it’s worth carving out holiday time for.

Before we dive into pros and cons, here’s what ICE! feels like: a gigantic winter wonderland carved entirely from colorful ice blocks, complete with themed scenes, frozen slides, intricate sculptures, and an immersive walk-through experience. Think of it like entering a cathedral made of ice where every aisle tells a story — usually a holiday or winter tale — with shimmering lights and chill breezes that make you feel like you’re deep inside a frosty dream.

But does that dream live up to reality? Here’s my honest take.

❄️The Pros of ICE! at Gaylord National

1. Unforgettable Visual Craftsmanship

If there’s one thing ICE! consistently delivers, it’s jaw-dropping artistry. Master ice carvers come all the way from Harbin, China to make these ice sculptures. The level of detail in the carved sculptures is something that stays with you. I’ve walked slowly through the rooms, staring at scenes that captured expressions, textures, and motion in ice better than I ever expected possible. These aren’t your typical “ice figures.” The sculptors create entire vignettes — with characters, scenery, and intricate backgrounds — that look like they could be snapped straight out of a winter fairy tale. This year, the theme was Polar Express and the carvings were amazing from a huge train with actual seats to deer to a nativity scene (that is there every season no matter what the scene is). Whether it’s beloved holiday characters or original winter scenes, the light catching the ice is something you have to witness in person to appreciate. For pure visual artistry, this is one of the most impressive seasonal installations I’ve ever seen.

Reindeer made of ice above

Trees made of ice above

Super cute ice house above

2. Immersive Themed Experience

ICE! is more than static sculptures — it feels like a story unfolding around you. Each year has a different theme, and the designers build entire scenes that connect visually and emotionally. Past themes I've seen have been How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Walking through feels like turning the pages of a giant, frozen storybook. The Polar Express theme did not disappoint. The inside of the train pictured below.

A huge train made of ice above!

When you're done, you'll land in a large souvenir shop where you can purchase Christmas themed knick knacks, ornaments, candy, and more.

3. The Slides Are Actually Fun

One of my favorite parts are the ice slides. It’s primal joy: sit down, push off, and whoosh! There’s something about sliding down a slick, cold ramp that makes me feel like a kid again. Some people skip this part because they think it’s just for kids. Don’t do that. Even adults without kids will find themselves grinning on that slide. It’s playful, fast, and a great sensory break between admiring static sculptures. This year I only went down one time as the line was long, but in years past, the line was shorter, and I was able to go down multiple times.

Long line for the ice slide this year but it went pretty fast.

4. Holiday Spirit That Feels Genuine

The atmosphere at ICE! feels festive on a level that’s hard to manufacture. From the moment you step into the entrance — with themed music playing, there is holiday decor all around including a large Christmas tree and festive winter drinks like hot chocolate. It’s warming in an emotional way — even if it’s physically cold! This year, I also bought us a ticket to do the snowball throwing. It looked a bit kiddish and there were certainly plenty of kids throwing snowballs to see if they could get any into rings that say 50 or 100 points, but I was actually surprised at how much fun it was as an adult to throw snowballs.

The snowball game above

5. Delicious Hot Chocolate

The hot chocolate at ICE! at Gaylord National at National Harbor is the BEST I've ever had. I tried it two years ago, loved it, and then they didn't have it last year. Luckily, this year it was back! The store front that sold it is called Naughty & Nice. They had other Christmasy drinks as well. Yum, yum!

5. Great Photo Opportunities

You can get some great photos here. Whether it's in the atrium of the hotel in front of the big Christmas tree, looking at the ice sculptures, or sliding on the ice, you can take pictures with your phone. Before entering the room with the ice sculptures, staff will also take a picture of your group if you want and then that photo is available for purchase once you finish the attraction. Whether you’re Instagramming, TikToking, or just capturing memories with your family, ICE! makes it easy to get vibrant, unique, seasonal pictures that don’t feel generic.

5. Convenience

Whether you go to ICE! at the Gaylord National near DC (which I did) or at a different Gaylord National in a different state like the Gaylord Palms in Orlando, the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, or the one in Dallas, Denver, Nashville, or San Antonio, it will be at a Marriott hotel with opportunities to book a room and with parking close by. 

View from the hotel atrium above

The parking lot at the Gaylord National near DC is right next to the hotel, making for a convenient walk.

❄️The Cons of ICE! at Gaylord National

1. Tickets Are Pricey

Let’s talk cost — because this isn’t a cheap experience. Tickets for ICE! are expensive. Since I went on a Saturday this year, the tickets were around $50 per person. If we would have gone on a weekday after Christmas, the cost of the ticket would have been almost cut in half. The hot chocolate I had was over $8 and the parking pass to park on the paved lot next to the hotel was $23. If you’re on a tight budget, be prepared: this isn’t a low-cost holiday stop.

2. The Cold Is Really Cold

Here’s something they don’t overly emphasize in the marketing: it’s cold inside where the ice is. I mean, intentionally cold — like freezer-temperature cold. You’re given a heavy blue coat to wear over your regular coat. However, fingers and toes can get numb so be sure to bring gloves, a hat, and wear closed toe shoes. One treat is that when you're out of the ice room and walk outside, even if it's cold outside, it feels warm in comparison.

3. It’s Seasonal — and Crowded

By nature, ICE! only happens during the holiday period. You can go before or after Christmas. If you go during the week, like on a Monday, it's not going to be as crowded. We've done this in the past and it means shorter lines and multiple turns on the slides. This year, however, we went on a Saturday. Even though it was after Christmas, it was packed! Still fun! However, for less of a crowd and cheaper tickets, I would recommend going on a weekday. 

4. Shorter Than You Expect

It sounds odd, but a common reaction I’ve had — and heard from others — is that the entire ICE! walk-through goes by faster than expected. The sculptures are beautiful and cool to look at, the slide is fun, and you can definitely spend some time looking at souvenirs, but this is not an all day experience. You can easily be done in less than an hour if you don't linger around.

6. Not Standalone Unless You Add More Activities

Finally, the experience is wonderful, but it might not fill a whole trip unless you layer it with other National Harbor activities: dining, shopping, etc. We paired ICE! with a harbor walk and dinner, which made the time feel full and well-rounded. So plan accordingly if you’re thinking of carving an entire outing around this alone.

My Final Thoughts

Yes, ICE! at Gaylord National at National Harbor is worth experiencing — but with realistic expectations. It’s visually stunning, festive, creative, and emotionally uplifting. It’s the kind of holiday activity that makes me feel nostalgic and joyful. The craftsmanship alone makes it worth visiting, especially if you enjoy seasonal attractions that feel immersive and memorable. But it’s not perfect. It’s pricey, cold, and can be crowded. The key to enjoying it most is planning ahead: go during off-peak times, dress warmly, budget properly, and view it as one part of a larger holiday outing rather than a standalone event. For me, ICE! has become a holiday tradition — one I look forward to revisiting, photos and all. And don't forget to try the amazing hot chocolate!