Ready for your next getaway? These five destinations with direct flights from Dulles International and Reagan National airports offer stunning views, immersive activities, cultural enrichment, and delicious regional fare.
Anchorage, Alaska
Direct flights are offered from Dulles on United Airlines.
Choose a window seat to take in Anchorage’s mountainous and water-rich setting as you land. Start with a guided Anchorage Trolley Tour for almost guaranteed moose spotting. The Anchorage Museum showcases local artists and more than 600 artifacts by indigenous Alaskans. Visit the Alaskan Native Heritage Center to see life-size reproductions of native abodes and dancers. For outdoor adventures, take a flightseeing tour over rugged peaks and land on a glacier in Denali National Park.
Beyond the city, the Alaska Railroad offers day trips for scenic and wildlife viewing. Head south to Seward for whale-watching and glacier-viewing cruises in stunning Kenai Fjords National Park. Or head north to quirky Talkeetna to take in the dining, hiking, and local bar scene.
Stay
The Historic Anchorage Hotel has a boutique, Victorian vibe, and the Snob Hollow Inn offers full apartment layouts. Outside of town, try the upscale Alyeska Resort, known for its spa.
Eat
Snow City Café is unbeatable for breakfast, and Simon & Seafort’s is a mainstay for hearty dinners. Grab an Alaskan-inspired cone at Wild Scoops.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Direct flights are offered from Dulles on Allegiant Air and from Reagan on American Airlines.
Known for its lovely green waters and uncrowded white beaches, this Emerald Coast town was one of only two U.S. destinations to make Expedia’s 2026 Destinations of the Year list. A local artificial reef program has converted unusable vessels into sunken reefs to create offshore marine habitat and ideal conditions for scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing. Follow nature trails through Henderson Beach State Park’s coastal dune ecosystem, where you may spy migratory birds, reptiles, and other creatures. Take a dolphin cruise or cast your line from a boat or from Okaloosa Island’s fishing pier. Or just enjoy Fort Walton’s uncrowded white sands and stroll its boardwalk to shop, sip, and dine alfresco.
Visit Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park for educational encounters with dolphins, turtles, alligators, and rescued manatees. Or dive into learning about local animals and ecosystems at the Emerald Coast Science Center.
Eat
For beachside bites, check out Manatee’s Tiki Bar. For more substantial fare, try The Gulf on the bayside or Stewby’s Seafood Shanty for local bites.
Stay
Both Waterscape Resort and Beal House (Hilton Tapestry) offer easy beach access. Waterscape has beachside condos, and the beachfront Beal House overlooks the Gulf.
San Antonio, Texas
Direct flights are offered from Dulles on United Airlines and from Reagan on American Airlines.
To get the lay of the land of this Texas Hill Country town, take a guided river cruise along the San Antonio River. Or stroll the 15-mile pedestrian River Walk for outdoor culture, drinks, and dining. The historic Alamo is being updated to deepen the visitor experience. Also check out the new World Heritage Center, which leads you into the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy Spanish language films and performing arts at the recently restored Alameda Theater, known for its blacklight murals. Need to cool off? Descend 180 feet underground on a guided tour of the Natural Bridge Caverns. Or do a deep dive into local life at the newly reopened interactive Institute of Texan Cultures.
Stay
The Omni La Mansión Del Rio has balconies overlooking the River Walk. Located in a former brewhouse, Hotel Emma has live music in its lobby bar.
Eat
Get your caffeine buzz at Revolución and grab a cocktail and walking tacos from Lo Cura on the River Walk. For Michelin-starred dining with a Mexican focus, head to Mixtli, or find a Texan focus at Isidore.
Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico
Direct flights to Albuquerque are offered from Dulles on United Airlines.
A stroll through Old Town Albuquerque offers galleries, eateries, and nightlife. Or walk the 16-mile Paseo del Bosque Trail along the Rio Grande to spy wildlife — which may include porcupines. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center offers insights into the state’s 19 Pueblo cultures. To overlook the area or take a scenic hike, take a 15-minute ride on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway to the 10,378-foot crest of the mountains.
Less than an hour’s drive away, Santa Fe is an arts and culture hot spot. Don’t miss a stroll through the historic Plaza area. Wander along through the Canyon Road Arts District to explore the 80-plus eclectic galleries and studios. Reserve an early spot at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum to beat the crowds, and plan to spend a few hours on Museum Hill, including at the Wheelwright Museum. Hop aboard the Sky Railway for a scenic or wine-fueled ride outside the city.
Eat: Albuquerque
Find local comfort food at Sadie’s and sip craft beers at the Native American, women-owned Bow & Arrow Brewing Co.
Stay: Albuquerque
The funky new Arrive Albuquerque is decorated with a Route 66 theme. The four-star, Pueblo-inspired Hotel Chaco offers a rooftop restaurant.
Eat: Santa Fe
Head to Weldon’s Museum Hill Café for outdoor dining or the lauded Sazón for high-end Mexican fare.
Stay: Santa Fe
Hotel Santa Fe is the only downtown Native American–owned hotel. For luxury, try the Eldorado Hotel & Spa.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Direct flights are offered from Dulles on United Airlines and from Reagan on JetBlue.
San Juan’s Spanish roots trace back to 1521, and Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory in 1898. The island’s food, architecture, and activities reveal its lively mix of Spanish, African, and Taino cultures. You can explore 300 miles of coastline with multiple ecosystems, including soft, sandy beaches and the cloud forests of El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. forest system. Cruise along the Old San Juan shoreline and admire the fortress walls during a mini boat tour or chill out on a sunset sail. Take a guided tour through the highly walkable old town to learn about cultural traditions, local foods, and more. Explore the sea with a naturalist at Blue Kings while snorkeling on the less-crowded south side of the island. Or kayak through one of the island’s three bioluminescent bays.
Eat
For cocktails, check out Identidad and the eclectic, multiroom La Factoría. Mar y Rosa offers elevated drinks and dining in a rooftop setting while farm-to-table Vianda has earned James Beard Award nods.
Stay
The historic, coast-side Condado Vanderbilt has a lovely infinity pool, and Magdalena 1163 is a sleek boutique inn.
Feature image of Anchorage, Alaska, courtesy Visit Anchorage, photo by JoyO.Photos
This story originally ran in our April 2026 issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
