WETA Debuts New Local Travel Series April 3

ARLINGTON, VA — March 2, 2023 — The Mid-Atlantic region is a traveler’s paradise. Within just a half-day’s drive of D.C., the possibilities for exploration and adventure are endless. With so many enticing options, it can be hard to know exactly where to go —and what to do when you get there. Coming to WETA channels and the PBS App in April, the new WETA local television series, Get Out of Town, offers a solution. Co-hosted by D.C.-area mother-daughter duo Laurita and Lauren Portee, Get Out of Town takes viewers on road trips to eight amazing destinations near the nation’s capital. For more information, visit weta.org/getoutoftown.

The series airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on WETA PBS and 8 p.m. on WETA Metro beginning April 3, with a sneak peek on March 27 at 9:30 p.m. on WETA PBS and 8:30 p.m. on WETA Metro, following the season finale of WETA production If You Lived Here. Episodes of Get Out of Town will also be available to stream on the PBS app.

"We wanted to create a series that was not only fun and entertaining, but one that could also serve as a travel guide,” said Miguel Monteverde, Senior Vice President and General Manager, WETA Greater Washington. “We’re very fortunate to live in an area so rich in history and blessed with natural beauty; we hope this show will encourage viewers to travel and explore our region more.”

Get Out of Town will showcase destinations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Each episode recommends places to stay, restaurants to try and activities for people with all kinds of interests and a variety of budgets. Get Out of Town will also introduce the residents, business owners, historians, trail-and-river guides, chefs, artists and others who make each destination special.

About the Hosts

Get Out of Town is hosted by Laurita and Lauren Portee, a mother and daughter who share a passion for adventure. They discovered they were great travel companions when they took a trip to France in 2012. Today, Laurita is retired and Lauren has recently finished graduate school, so they are more than ready to hit the road. They consider themselves to be best friends and love spending time together seeking out new places and trying new activities.

“My mom and I have different tastes and styles, but we are both foodies and love to travel,” said Lauren Portee. “And we’ve both learned a lot about these places, the history and the background that we maybe didn’t know at first. I can’t wait for everyone to see the fun we have and hopefully decide to get out of town themselves.”

“I’m all about seeking joy wherever I go. Traveling with my daughter has been one of the best experiences of my life, and to do it as part of this wonderful new WETA series is even better,” said Laurita Portee. “It was fun challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone on many of our activities!”

Viewers who enjoy history, culture, relaxation, outdoor adventures – or all of the above – will find Get Out of Town to be an essential guide to local getaways.

Episodes

Monday, April 3: Laurel Highlands, PA



Laurita and Lauren drive to southwest Pennsylvania to visit the Laurel Highlands region, where they soak up views, world famous architecture and local history.

They stay at Oak Lodge in Stahlstown, PA, and and Falling Rock at Nemacolin, enjoy local meals at Darlington Inn and Out of the Fire Café, and take a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. The Laurel Highlands adventure also includes summer tubing, mini golf and getting to meet some local animals.

Monday, April 10: Richmond, VA

Just a quick and affordable train ride away, Richmond, Virginia offers Laurita and Lauren an art- and culture-filled adventure.

They tour the Poe Museum and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and take an art and history bike tour with Basket and Bikes. Along the way, they stay at the Linden Row Inn and the Quirk Hotel and Art Gallery, and enjoy meals at Lillie Pearl and Wong Gonzalez.

Monday, April 17: St. Michaels, MD

Laurita and Lauren take to the water in the seaport town of St. Michael’s, Maryland.

They learn to sail with Sail Selina II and explore the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, while staying at the Wildset Hotel and the Inn at Perry Cabin. Food exploration includes cracking crabs at The Crab Claw and enjoying local favorites at Ava’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar.

Monday, April 24: Deep Creek Lake, MD

Mountain and water views abound on Laurita and Lauren’s visit to Deep Creek Lake, Maryland.

The Lake Pointe Inn connects the hosts to paddle boarding and kayaking in the nearby Deep Creek Lake State Park, while the Wisp Resort offers roller coasters that spiral down the side of the often-snow-covered Wisp Mountain. Meals at Firewater Kitchen & Bar and Dutch’s at Silver Tree are also part of the adventure.

Monday, May 1: Harpers Ferry, WV

Laurita and Lauren have a thrilling and tasty visit to Harpers Ferry in West Virginia.

From multiple tours of Harpers Ferry’s historical sites to rafting down the Shenandoah with River Riders, this destination is full of surprises. The hosts stay at the Clarion Inn and the Rockhaven B&B, get a bread-making lesson at Bolivar Bread and dine at Snallygasters Cafe and the White Horse Tavern.

Monday, May 8: Charlottesville, VA

A visit to Charlottesville, Virginia offers Laurita and Lauren both adventure and meaningful historical explorations.

With delicious food stops at Bodo’s Bagels and Angelic’s Kitchen, and stays at The Clifton and The Draftsman hotels, the hosts get a new perspective on Laurita’s college town. The visit also includes horseback riding with Indian Summer Guide Service, wine-tasting at Veritas Vineyards and a poignant personal tour of Monticello.

Monday, May 15: Philadelphia, PA

Spectacular food and history, plus a run up the famous Rocky steps, are on the itinerary as Laurita and Lauren visit Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The hosts learn to make cheesesteaks at Campo’s, grab smoothies at Reading Terminal Market, and enjoy fine dining at Laser Wolf. They learn about local and national history from Founding Footsteps Tours, and stop at Shane Confectionery to taste some of the oldest chocolates in town, all while enjoying stays at Center City’s Guild House Hotel and The Notary Hotel.

Monday, May 22: Shenandoah Valley, VA

The mountains are calling in the season finale, which features Laurita and Lauren enjoying the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.

From Skyland Restaurant at Shenandoah National Park to Luray Caverns to ATV-riding with Appalachian Adventures, the season concludes with great adventures and views of the Virginia countryside. The hosts also visit Hank’s Grille & Catering and stay at The Mimslyn Inn and the Massanutten Resort.

About the Production

Get Out of Town is produced by WETA with Leapfrog Productions, the same team behind If You Lived Here, WETA’s popular D.C.-area house-hunting and neighborhood series. For more information, visit weta.org/getoutoftown.

About WETA

WETA is the leading public broadcaster in the nation’s capital, serving Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia with inspiring and educational content on television channels WETA PBS, WETA Metro, WETA UK, WETA PBS Kids and WETA World; radio station WETA Classical 90.9 FM; streaming content services and additional digital offerings at weta.org and via social media. WETA is also the second-largest producing station for the PBS system, with news and public affairs programs including PBS NewsHour and films by production partners Ken Burns and Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Get Out of Town joins an impressive lineup of locally produced and presented programs, including house-hunting and neighborhood series If You Lived Here, restaurant exploration series Signature Dish and local arts showcase WETA Arts. WETA is also the new home of high school TV quiz show It’s Academic, which spotlights the academic accomplishments of local high school students. Sharon Percy Rockefeller is President and CEO of WETA. More information on WETA and its programs and services is available at weta.org. Visit facebook.com/wetatvfm on Facebook or follow @wetatvfm on Twitter.

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