One of the most unique finds in the Washington D.C. area, The Awakening features a giant trying to rise out of the ground. The statue is 72 feet (22 metres) long. The image is one of a giant struggling to free himself from the earth, with arms, legs, and head protruding from the sand.
The huge statue was created in 1980 by J. Seward Johnson, Jr. for Washington D.C.’s 11th annual Sculpture Conference. It was placed at Hains Point in East Potomac Park. Later, in 2007, it was purchased and placed in National Harbor as a special attraction. A small beach plot was created alongside the Potomac River to display the monstrous sculpture.
The artist created the sculpture in 2009, installing a copy of the original in Chesterfield, Missouri.
The harbor also offers shops and dining along the waterfront, as well as paddle boats that can be the perfect activity on a warm afternoon.