Nonstop Love: Rapidly Reagan

[KarenPriceWard]

Beginning October 13, Dallas Love Field is FREE!  The restrictions of the Wright Amendment will be gone, ushering in nonstop destinations that span from coast to coast.   Southwest has been counting down the years and weeks (literally—we have a billboard at the Love Field entrance and a countdown clock in our Headquarters lobby) until we can say, “Goodbye, Wright Amendment. Hello, America!"   We are excited to begin this new era by serving five new nonstop destinations on October 13, followed by ten additional new nonstop destinations on November 2.  The addition of these 15 new nonstop destinations will bring Southwest to a total of 31 nonstop destinations from Love Field. In anticipation of this momentous event, each week we will take a look at one of the cities that North Texas Customers will be able to soon visit nonstop on Southwest.  Each post is written by a Southwest Employee who is affiliated with the city and can give an insider’s view of what to see and do while visiting.  Enjoy! I’ve since moved away from Washington D.C., but I fondly remember running along the Potomac River and enjoying the Smithsonian museums and festivals on the weekend.  Also, my family and I enjoyed packing a picnic lunch, sitting near the Potomac River on the grassy area with other families, and watching the planes take off and land at Reagan National.  Now, we have the pleasure of watching the Southwest Airlines red belly planes fly over our heads, which makes the roar of the engines even more enjoyable. In terms of daily departures, Washington D.C. has almost thirty, connecting ten cities.  And I can’t wait for the Nonstop service from Dallas Love Field to start!  I lived there for almost four years, so there’s lots I can recommend—her are some of my favorites. Your Washington D.C. to-do list: To Eat:

• Busboy and Poets:  This chic, hip, casual dining restaurant has character and offers vegetarian and vegan menu choices as well as an assortment of American food.  They display art and host live streams of various performances, and the building also serves as a bookstore.  Check out one of their locations for some good food and a late night Poetry Slam.
• Red Velvet Cupcakery:  Located near the Verizon Center at Penn Quarter, Red Velvet Cupcakery has been spotlighted on several media outlets for their delicious creations.  Stop by for a cupcake—or two!  It’s a quick treat, you won’t regret.

To Do:

• Bike and Running Trails: Washington D.C. hosts a bunch of great bike and running trails.  I prefer to run the Smithsonian Mall, around the Nation’s Capital, but the views alongside the Potomac Gorge are beautiful as well.  You can always find overlooks and picnic areas for pit stops, so you can enjoy the area and get a workout in!
• Tidal Basin: See the Jefferson Memorial and surrounding scenery—like the delicate cherry trees—from the water!  At a relatively reasonable price, the paddle boats are available to rent by the hour.  Spend some time in the sun enjoying the Washington D.C. air!

To See:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial:  Opened recently in perspective to other Washington D.C. Memorials, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is home to a larger-than-life statue of the memorial’s namesake.  The beautiful MLK statue is definitely a must-see site on your visit.
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial: The FDR Memorial is a series of memorials with carved quotes and sculptures highlighting pieces of FDR’s history.  Along with the MLK Memorial, the FDR is near the National Mall, an iconic site for our Nation.

My City Secret:

• Kennedy Center Millennium Stage:  Catch a free (no tickets required) performance at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.  Shows start every day at 6:00 p.m. (EST), and the Kennedy Center also offers other free events and exhibits.