As MGM National Harbor celebrates its first birthday, here's a look back at some of the major events and milestones at the venue, as well as some of its attractions.
WASHINGTON — It has been one year since MGM National Harbor opened its doors in Prince George’s County.
In celebration of its first birthday on Dec. 8, 2017, here’s a look back at some of the major events and milestones at the venue, as well as some of its attractions.
An aerial view of MGM National Harbor. The venue celebrates its one-year anniversary on Dec. 8, 2017.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
An aerial view of MGM National Harbor. The venue celebrates its one-year anniversary on Dec. 8, 2017.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
An aerial view of MGM National Harbor captured during a spring sunset.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
An aerial view of MGM National Harbor captured during a spring sunset.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
The MGM lion is seen in front of the 23-story hotel during a preview tour of the MGM National Harbor, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 in Oxon Hill, Md. The $1.4 billion National Harbor casino and resort, just outside the nation’s capital, is scheduled to open this week.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
A sculpture called “Portal,” by Bob Dylan, is a 26-foot by 15-foot structure that is part of the casino’s west entrance.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
The Blossom cocktail lounge is one of the many places to grab at drink at MGM National Harbor.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
A look at the VIP Lounge for The Theater, the entertainment venue at MGM National Harbor.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
MGM National Harbor welcomed fall with the Falling Water display.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
Accents is one of the retail options at MGM National Harbor.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
The casino at MGM National Harbor has an Asian Gaming area featuring 16 Macau-style Baccarat and Pai Gow tables.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
The “Hope Springs Eternal” display took shape in March at MGM National Harbor.
(WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
The “Hope Springs Eternal” display took shape in March at MGM National Harbor.
(WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
Angelica Allen, right, stands with Tiana Johnson, left, inside the MGM National Harbor casino.
(WTOP/Michelle Murillo)
WTOP/Michelle Murillo
Boyz II Men perform at opening night of the Theater, Dec. 15, 2017, at MGM National Harbor.
(WTOP/Michelle Murillo)
WTOP/Michelle Murillo
A capacity crowd of about 4,000 on Dec. 16 welcomed Boyz II Men at The Theater at MGM National Harbor.
(WTOP/Michelle Murillo)
WTOP/Michelle Murillo
Jose Andres attends the MGM National Harbor Grand Opening Gala on December 8, 2016 in National Harbor, Maryland.
(Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for MGM National Harbor)
Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for MGM National Harbor
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — DECEMBER 08: Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake (L) and Michael Steele attend the MGM National Harbor Grand Opening Gala on December 8, 2016 in National Harbor, Maryland.
(Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for MGM National Harbor)
Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for MGM National Harbor
There is a barber shop at MGM National Harbor. The venue also has a salon and spa.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
The hair salon is one of the features at a spa located in MGM National Harbor.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
Ella-Rue is one of the retail options at MGM National Harbor.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
Ella-Rue is one of the retail options at MGM National Harbor.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
Fish by Jose Andres is one of the restaurants at MGM National Harbor. It “celebrates the best of Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, while including time-honored cooking techniques from around the world,” according to its website.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
SJP is the first stand-alone boutique store for actress and fashion designer Sarah Jessica Parker, who attended MGM National Harbor’s grand opening events.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
A look inside a room in the MGM National Harbor hotel.
(MGM National Harbor)
MGM National Harbor
The entrance to the MGM National Harbor hotel.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
Miss World 2016 and contestants at MGM National Harbor.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
Redskins Cheerleaders led an employee parade at the grand opening of MGM National Harbor in December 2016,
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
Former Speaker of the House John Boehner was among the honored guests at MGM National Harbor’s grand opening on Dec. 8, 2016.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
Former NFL player Jerome Bettis attends the grand opening of MGM National Harbor in December 2016.
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Courtesy MGM National Harbor
Guests arrive at the MGM National Harbor Grand Opening on December 8, 2016 in National Harbor, Maryland.
(Photo by Larry French/Getty Images for MGM National Harbor)
Photo by Larry French/Getty Images for MGM National Harbor
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — DECEMBER 08: Guests arrive at the MGM National Harbor Grand Opening on December 8, 2016 in National Harbor, Maryland.
(Photo by Larry French/Getty Images for MGM National Harbor)
Photo by Larry French/Getty Images for MGM National Harbor
The sun rises over MGM National Harbor after the casino and resort’s opening night. The resort remained at full capacity into the early morning hours after its 11 p.m. grand opening.
(WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
WTOP/Kathy Stewart
Guests trickle into the casino area of the MGM National Harbor following its grand opening on Dec. 8, 2016.
(WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
WTOP/Kathy Stewart
Guests of MGM National Harbor enjoy the facilities the morning after its grand opening.
(WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
WTOP/Kathy Stewart
The main lobby of the MGM National Harbor on opening night.
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
WTOP/Mike Murillo
The entrance to the Theater at the MGM National Harbor.
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
Sarah Beth Hensley is the Digital News Director at WTOP. She has worked several different roles since she began with WTOP in 2013 and has contributed to award-winning stories and coverage on the website.