austin

Austin

chicago

Chicago

denver

Denver

lasvegas

Las Vegas

madison

Madison

nashville

Nashville

philly

Philly

pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

portland

Portland

saltlake

Salt Lake

seattle

Seattle

twincities

Twin Cities

We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast DC

Kaela Cote-Stemmermann

 due to the government shutdown. It looks poised to end soon, but if you’re flying for the upcoming holidays, it's critical to plan ahead.

Here’s everything you need to know to get to your flight on time, and what to do at the airport.

✈️  Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

s? Yes, take the Blue or Yellow line to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport stop.

 $29/day at Terminal Garages and $19/day for the Economy Lot.

José Andrés designed the menu behind this fancy new credit card lounge. It’ll cost non-card holders $90. But once you're in, everything from cocktails to elaborate charcuterie is free. (Post-security, Concourse D)

— YouTube famous chef Carla Hall opened this Southern cooking restaurant with dishes like pimiento cheese, Chesapeake oysters, and crab soup. (Post-security, Concourse A)

Everyone’s favorite Petworth Pizza joint can be found dishing up made-to-order pies by Gate E51. There are also seasonal empanadas. (By gate E51)

 Before you go through security in Terminal 2, be sure to stop and admire the new 

150,000-piece Lego model of Reagan National Airport

 located by the Alaska Airlines check-in counter!

DCA was designed intentionally with art built in so the main hall is almost like a museum! Ten giant floor mosaics line the floor of the main concourse with pieces by 

🚕  Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

 No, but it’s easily accessible via MARC and Amtrak train routes from Union Station.

A Baltimore classic serving up Southern comfort food and all day breakfast. Dishes include chicken and waffles and pimiento-cheese biscuits, and challah French toast. (Post-security, Concourse A)

 — Well-known for great steamed crabs and the freshest crab cakes in town (or maybe just the airport). (Post-security, between B-7 and B-9)

 in Concourse B with smart sensors and LED stall occupancy lights.

 consisting of two different loops through Concourses A and B. Each loop takes approximately 20 minutes.

 — Adjacent to Security Checkpoint C is 

 with model planes, binocular viewers, and floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s also perfect for kids!

🚇 Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

 Yes, take the Silver line to the Washington Dulles International Airport stop.

 $32/day at Terminal Garages and $12/day for the Economy Lot.

— A wine bar with small bites, sandwiches, and charcuterie. But mostly, go for the wine. (Post-security, Gate B63)

— You know her, you love her. It’s one of the few quick but not fast food options in Dulles. (Post-security, Concourse B)

 coming to IAD next fall (thank goodness) like Ellie Bird and Bonchon!

— if you have an eligible card or are willing to pay a few bucks to enter, IAD has some worthwhile lounges, The Capital One lounge and Etihad Lounge are especially nice with great food!

 recently including Burberry, Mont Blanc, and L’Occitane.

Your Guide to DMV Airports

Everything to know about DC neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

DC Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

Looking for a fall getaway that doesn’t break the bank? City Cast DC contributor Tim Ebner was recently on the podcast and talked with Bridget about how this color-filled season is the perfect time to get away. Here are some of his suggestions for the 

If one of your favorite things about road trips is experiencing a beautiful scenic drive, Tim says you have to experience the road leading through the national park: Skyline Drive. “It’s almost as if you’re driving through the clouds on top of the mountain,” he says. For 

 inside the park which help you beat the crowds getting in, Tim says consider the Skyland and Big Meadows Lodge. September and early October rates ranged from $140 to $160 per night, but expect prices to go up in mid-October to coincide with peak leaf-peeping season.

Glamping is ideal if you want a weatherproof, comfortable outdoor experience. This charming and peaceful retreat offers glamping pods that are set up on wooden platforms, so you don’t have to worry about bugs crawling into your space. Plus, they do all of the work for you, which is a perfect camping experience if you don’t have the equipment or don’t enjoy setting up tents. 

. (Plus, subscribe to their newsletter for 10% off your first night!)

Our host Bridget Todd loves experiencing the waves during the autumn, and Tim agrees: Beach season does not have to end on Labor Day. Hotels along the strip lower their rates substantially in shoulder season, so you can find dozens of hotels along the strip for around $70 a night — rates you won’t find in the summer. Ocean City plans a lot of festivals during this time of year, and is upping its game with great golf courses and restaurants (Bridget and Tim especially love 

). Head to Assateague Island for the ponies!

More trip ideas, and how to travel sustainably.

🍷 Plus, best wineries in the DMV

Looking for a fall getaway from Washington, D.C. that doesn't break the bank? Here are some fun travel suggestions in Virginia and Maryland that are all under $150.

The Best Fall Trips Under $150

Best Fall Trips Around the DMV

Find the best of everything that DC has to offer.

DC’s Best

DC's Best

Sometimes sunbathing in Malcolm X Park just isn’t enough and you need a real beach. As someone who loves the water but hates driving, these are my best tried-and-true beaches within a three hour drive of D.C.

Haters will say it’s not a “real beach” but it’s more than enough to scratch the itch for me. It’s super convenient and has great views of the Bay Bridge. The only downside is the sand can stain your legs a bit orange.

A personal favorite, this dog-friendly beach is hidden behind a park. It’s small but the water is shallow and warm, so it’s perfect for swimming if you’re a baby getting in the water like me. It’s also quieter than other beaches. Pro tip: Be sure to stop by the Stevensville Crab Shack on your way back!

Technically still on the Potomac, this beach is clean and rarely crowded. There are public bathrooms on site, a pier, and a cute town right behind the beach. Just beware, it tends to have quite a lot of jellyfish!

Now we’re getting to the good stuff: the beaches on the ocean. They might be a little further, but they’re well worth a visit. Rehoboth has a long boardwalk and a well-maintained beach with big waves. The connecting town is picturesque, with everything from ice cream to oyster shacks.

A fan favorite of horse girls everywhere, Assateague is more than just a beach, it's a National Park with tons of birds and wildlife — including wild horses. The beach itself is wonderful (just be careful horses don’t get your snacks!) and the surrounding town and nature make for a great weekend trip.

Washingtonians often say this is the closest “real beach,” and honestly I find it a bit overwhelming… but it 

fun. The boardwalk is complete with rides, crappy t-shirt stalls, and more fried dough than you could eat. It’s mayhem most of the summer, but you just have to lean into it.

The chiller cousin of Ocean City, Bethany Beach is the quintessential Mid-Atlantic beach town. Less crowded than others on this list, the beach is perfect for families and there are cute shops and inns just a few steps from the water.

More Things To Do In the DMV This Summer

The Best Beaches Within 3 Hours of DC 

Indoor pools are every swimmer’s go-to most of the year, but it’s hard to resist the tranquility swimming outside can give you, especially during the hotter months. Whether it’s a swimming hole near your favorite hiking trail or a classic beach day, Washingtonians have a lot to choose from.

Located in the Lower Falls portion of the 

near Syria, Virginia is a swimming hole great for a cool dip. Not only is the water chill, but you’ll be surrounded by an abundance of trees and waterfalls, a perfect conclusion to a gorgeous hike mostly along streams. The trailhead is about a 2-hour drive from D.C., and the swimming hole is located near the 1.4-mile mark of the trail, if you’re starting at the trailhead. Because the trail is located in Shenandoah National Park, you’ll still be required to pay the park’s entrance fee which ranges between $15 to $30.

Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland

You know a beach is worth visiting if herds of horses inhabit it. That’s right, Assateague Island’s sandy beaches are home to wild horses who can be admired from afar (emphasis on ‘afar’) as you swim at one of the island’s two beaches. The beaches themselves are their own attraction offering warmish waters and designated swimming areas, making the nearly 3-hour drive to get to the island worth it. Entrance passes 

 but watching horses as you swim, I’d argue, is priceless.

Just an hour's drive from D.C. is Maryland’s 40-foot-deep water quarry which has its own dedicated swimming club and most importantly a rope swing. 

The Beaver Dam Swimming Club’s water quarry

 has rolling logs, diving and jumping platforms, and is strongly recommended to only experienced swimmers. If not everyone in your group can take on the quarry, then they can pay the club’s two freshwater swimming pools a visit instead. Admission prices start at $20 depending on when you visit.

Located on the Delaware Bay and in the city of Lewes is Lewes Beach, 

that make up this homely beach town. Lewes Beach’s small waves make it a perfect spot for a swim with little to no turbulence, and its proximity to beach homes means you’ll share the beach with families and beachgoers who also appreciate the beauty of this area. The drive to Lewes from D.C. is about three hours, and there is no entrance fee, but do expect to pay for metered parking.

travel

Your Guide to DMV Airports

Best Fall Trips Around the DMV

The Best Beaches Within 3 Hours of DC

Latest articles

Your Guide to DMV Airports

Best Fall Trips Around the DMV

The Best Beaches Within 3 Hours of DC

The Best Places To Swim Outside Near DC

Latest articles

The Best Places To Swim Outside Near DC