Re: Upper Potomac good spots for lunch
Any one recommend a couple of good spots to tie up and get lunch in DC on the Potomac.
National Harbor has some restaurants. But you have to walk into the complex from the docks. Last time I went by there, they wanted $20 to tie up my 16' Zodiac for 4 hours (so we went elsewhere).
If you go to the DC harbor (behind Hains Point Park) you can find a few restaurants near the Gangplank Marina (e.g. Phillips) and the fish market. We often go to the fish market. There are a number of places that sell cooked seafood for carry out in addition to the raw seafood for taking home. I've seen crews from some of the big yachts buying food there.
One place has an outdoor dining area available, but it is only for their customers (they make this very clear and will run you off if you get your food from one of the other vendors). Otherwise you have to find your own place on the dock. There is a dock behind one of the vendors that you can tie up to and there is an other area where you can tie up to an empty barge and the boardwalk. Landing there is free.
Fairly often (i.e. Saturday evenings) the place can be crowded and a bit of a mad house (people who try to drive though the middle of the place should have their licenses revoked), but it is fun and an interesting experience.
You can also go to Alexandria. There is a town marina next to the Torpedo Factory. There are some restaurants nearby (e.g. Charthouse) and a small mall with a food court. You can also walk into the town. Last time I stopped there (late Mar) I couldn't find anyone at the dockmaster's office. The CG boat that was tied up there couldn't tell me where to go about mooring there, so I don't know if there is a charge or not. I just tied up in an empty slip, had lunch, and wandered around the TF for awhile.
There is also Washington Harbor in Georgetown. There are a number of restaurants right there. You can also walk into Georgetown itself. I've never stopped there, but on nice weekend days the docking area can be full and boats have to raft up.
