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)
Getty Images for MGM National Ha/Larry French
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)
Getty Images for MGM National Ha/Larry French
General view of the atmosphere at 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)
Getty Images for MGM National Ha/Paul Morigi
General view of the atmosphere at 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)
Getty Images for MGM National Ha/Paul Morigi
Former Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and former RNC Chair 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)
Getty Images for MGM National Ha/Paul Morigi
Michael Voltaggio (L) and Jamie Schreiber 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)
Getty Images for MGM National Ha/Paul Morigi
Former Virginia Sen. John Warner, second from left, poses for a photo with MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO Jim Murren (L), and other guests as they attend the MGM National Harbor Grand Opening Gala on December 8, 2016 in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images for MGM National Harbor)
Getty Images for MGM National Ha/Larry French
Maryland Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller talks with a guest at 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)
Getty Images for MGM National Ha/Paul Morigi
The MGM National Harbor on opening day. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
The MGM casino and resort at National Harbor opens Thursday. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Inside the MGM National Harbor. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Inside the MGM National Harbor. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Inside the MGM National Harbor. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan speaks at the grand opening ceremony for the MGM National Harbor Dec. 8. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker speaks at the grand opening ceremony for the MGM National Harbor Dec. 8. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Violinist Ken Ford during a grand opening ceremony for the MGM National Harbor. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Sarah Jessica Parker with Maryland elected officials on stage during a grand opening ceremony for MGM National Harbor. Parker is opening her first stand-alone boutique store at the luxury resort and casino. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Sarah Jessica Parker on stage during a grand opening ceremony for MGM National Harbor. Parker is opening her first stand-alone boutique store at the luxury resort and casino. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Sarah Jessica Parker is opening her first stand-alone boutique store at the luxury resort and casino. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Sarah Jessica Parker is opening her first stand-alone boutique store at the luxury resort and casino. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Inside the MGM National Harbor. Bruno Mars plays the casino’s 3,000-seat theater on Dec. 27(Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Dining options inside the MGM National Harbor.(Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Inside the MGM National Harbor. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Inside the MGM National Harbor. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Dining options inside the MGM National Harbor.(Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson has a new restaurant at MGM National Harbor. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Inside the MGM National Harbor. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Inside the MGM National Harbor. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Inside the MGM National Harbor. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Inside the MGM National Harbor. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Dining options inside the MGM National Harbor.(Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
Inside the MGM National Harbor. (Courtesy Shannon Finney, www.shannonfinneyphotography.com)
(Courtesy Shannon Finney)
WTOP reporter Kristi King takes advantage of the perks of a being a journalist: She checks out the new MGM National Harbor during a sneak peek ahead of the expected crowds Thursday. (WTOP)
A wall sculpture by Margaret Boozer that uses soil taken directly from MGM National Harbor’s construction site, is seen behind the hotel lobby desk, 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 December 8th. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP
Local artist Margaret Boozer made the art — a topographical map of the region, using 10,000 pounds of soil from the construction site at MGM National Harbor. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
The conservatory is the center focus at MGM National Harbor. The room is 80-feet tall with an all-glass ceiling. The theme of the room will change throughout the year — decorations that celebrate the Chinese New Year are up next. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
The hotel tower can be seen from the conservatory. MGM National Harbor officials refer to the Maryland resort as a “boutique hotel,” since it has 308 guest rooms and suites, compared to 5,000 at MGM in Las Vegas. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
The lobby bar and lounge inside MGM National Harbor. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
The polished stainless steel sculpture “Fighting Cash,” by Liao Yibai, is seen 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
The ballroom at MGM National Harbor is 16,200 square feet. It has its own kitchen attached to the space. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
A portion of Bob Dylan’s “Portal,” a metal collage with an aquatic theme, is seen during a preview tour of the MGM National Harbor, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 in Oxon Hill, Md. With an art collection of 72 pieces by 33 artists will flow throughout the casino and even outside. 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
The “Blossom” cocktail lounge is seen with a cherry blossom theme, 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/Alex Brandon
Slot machines in the casino are seen 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, advertises a gambling floor “bigger than the White House,” is scheduled to open December 8th. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP/Alex Brandon
The MGM National Harbor logo is seen around a roulette wheel in the casino 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, advertises a gambling floor “bigger than the White House,” is scheduled to open December 8th. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP/Alex Brandon
The casino at MGM National Harbor is 125,000 square feet. There is no entry fee to gamble, but visitors must be 21 or older. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
The casino at MGM National Harbor features a number of table games, including poker, and 3,300 slot machines. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
The “Blossom” cocktail lounge is one of the high-limit gaming areas inside the casino. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
An Asian gaming room inside the casino at MGM National Harbor. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
The theater at MGM National Harbor seats 3,000. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort)
(Courtesy MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort)
Ginger, a pan-Asian restaurant, is located in the conservatory space at MGM National Harbor. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
Shake Shack is one of several fast-casual concepts inside the “National Market” section of MGM National Harbor. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
In lieu of a buffet, MGM National Harbor has a “National Market” section, featuring several fast-casual restaurant concepts. National Market is open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
In lieu of a buffet, MGM National Harbor has a “National Market” section, featuring several fast-casual restaurant concepts. National Market is open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
In lieu of a buffet, MGM National Harbor has a “National Market” section, featuring several fast-casual restaurant concepts. National Market is open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
Starbucks is another concept inside the “National Market” area of MGM National Harbor. It overlooks the casino. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
The bar area of Steak House by brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, is seen 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
Steak House is designed to look like a home. Each room is decorated with photos and personal belongings from brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s restaurant at MGM National Harbor is open 24 hours. Samuelsson is also designing the in-room dining options at the hotel. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
José Andrés’ seafood-focused restaurant, Fish, at MGM National Harbor. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
A room on the 11th floor is seen 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 December 8th. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP
The two-person shower in a 23rd floor suite has a view that includes most of Washington, and Alexandria, Va., as seen 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 December 8th. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP
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)
WASHINGTON — MGM National Harbor opened in Prince George’s County, Maryland, on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016.
The 24-story resort and casino includes 15 dining options, a 3,000-seat theater and 18,000-square- feet retail. Click through the gallery for photos of the new space.