Our “5 Things We Love About…” series continues today with some of the features and amenities at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Address-wise, DCA Airport is in Virginia. But it is just a 20-minute Metro ride from the airport to the National Mall and all the free Smithsonian Institution museums.
Keep in mind that some of the amenities we love at DCA may be temporarily unavailable due to health concerns. We are confident they will be back.
And don’t forget to take a look at some of the other airports profiled in the “5 Things We Love About…” series.
5 Things We Love About Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
1. The views of Washington, D.C.’s monuments
Nice, right?
Aviation geeks who would rather look at airplanes than landscape and monuments know what Gravelly Point Park sits at the end of DCA’s longest runway and offers great plane spotting opportunities.
2. The Historic DCA Lobby
Washington National Airport opened for business on June 16, 1941 with service from two airlines: American and Eastern.
Back then the facility was “ultramodern” in terms of building design, air traffic control, and convenience.
Today, the historic Terminal A lobby still feels swanky, in that 1940s way.
You’ll also find photos from the earlier era along the wall in the hallway to the west of the lobby and, nearby, an exhibit area with artifacts and information from Abingdon, a colonial plantation that once stood on the airport’s grounds.
3. Ben’s Chili Bowl restaurant
DCA has a branch of Ben’s Chili Bowl, a landmark restaurant in Washington, D.C. known for chili dogs, half-smokes, and milkshakes.
4. The Art at DCA
Art is an integral part of Terminal B/C, which was designed by renowned architect Cesar Pelli.
The permanent artwork includes ten floor medallions on the concourse; 11 balustrades that overlook the concourse; 5 murals; 2 stained glass friezes and more.
5. The Rocking Chair Lobby in Terminal A
We love any airport that has rocking chairs. Don’t you?
Did we miss some of your favorite features or amenities at DCA – Ronald Regan Washington National Airport?
Let us know in the comments section below.
