The Carousel at National Harbor — Attraction in Oxon Hill

Really cute place for kids to take carousel ride and play. One star for the event coordinators. I booked my sons birthday party here. Everything was going well in the beginning. I meant to book the whole place but I got called and the lady I was working with said they're building a pavilion and it'll be perfect for my son's party. A week later I spoke with the lady again and she said the pavilion won't be ready which is fine coz I moved my son's party a week after Easter and I asked if it'll be ready by then. She asked somebody and she said yes it will be. So I booked and paid for the pavilion with all the good stuff included in the party package. She said she would call me again a week before the party for last minute updates. Never got a call. I called a few days prior to the party, the lady I was working with was out of town and left a note to the other people to call me and say that the pavilion is not ready. So...they had planned for my party to be in a very small section of the venue with 5 picnic tables crammed. They promised 2 folding tables for food but we got there and there was no table. So we had to set up the ones we brought. I specifically asked for them to have the pizza ready at 1pm... the party captain said the pizza is arriving at 2pm. "Custom pictures" were given but they're not even worth framing or sharing to families. The party captain had left prior to the end of our party. The party package came with a dozen balloons.... tied in dental floss.

Had I not called, their website was still advertising the pavilion which was non existent at that time. The following day, i checked and they changed it back to the old one. No apologies, no nothing from the lady I spoke with over the phone a few days prior. I was upset but didn't even bother because it was too late to make changes. It was very windy that day and I literally had to bring sand bags to hold stuff down. We just had to adjust. They could have been handled the situation better, instead they're like...oh well.. I paid for the best package they offered and got...

I gave my daughter’s second birthday party at the Carousel in August. It was an amazing experience. You can pick various time blocks throughout the day, but for a little extra, you can come before it opens, and have the entire space- Carousel, Playground, and Covered picnic table area (4 long tables) just for your event. My daughter and the other children (and adults!) had a ball! The entire park area borders the water, which is beautiful for an outdoor event. The people who helped me schedule were amazing. They sent me pictures of the site before hand and assured me I could bring my own food and drinks (unless the online brochure has been updated, it says you cannot). They also assign you a party host. The young man working that morning helped us set up and clean up! The only drawbacks I would note is that you have to pay for parking and there is no bathroom on site. You have to walk to one of the restaurants (I think Chipotle is closest). I still...

This is a beautiful carousel at National Harbor. There are many different animals in addition to the traditional horses (hummingbird, tiger, eagle, polar bear, lion). Children pay a flat fee ($7.00) and receive a wristband that allows them to ride all day. I really liked that. When we went (Mid-week), it was not crowded and my child just stayed on the carousel till she was tired of riding it (about 8 times). I thought that was great. I rode with her (standing) since she is small and I was not charged an extra fee. There are picnic tables near the carousel. I would definitely go back to...