Culture

Get Out of Town

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. Join the mother-daughter duo Laurita and Lauren Portee on road trips to amazing destinations near the nation’s capital.

Shenandoah Valley, VA

28m 32s

The mountains are calling in the season finale, as Laurita & Lauren visit 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 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.

Episodes

  • Shenandoah Valley, VA: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Shenandoah Valley, VA

    S1 E8 - 28m 32s

    The mountains are calling in the season finale, as Laurita & Lauren visit 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 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.

  • Philadelphia, PA: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Philadelphia, PA

    S1 E7 - 28m 32s

    Spectacular food and history, plus a run up the famous Rocky steps, are on the itinerary as Laurita and Lauren visit Philadelphia. They make cheesesteaks at Campo’s, grab smoothies at Reading Terminal Market, and enjoy fine dining at Laser Wolf. Adventures include a Founding Footsteps Tour and stop at Shane Confectionery, plus stays at Center City’s Guild House Hotel and The Notary Hotel.

  • Charlottesville, VA: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Charlottesville, VA

    S1 E6 - 28m 49s

    A visit to Charlottesville offers Laurita and Lauren adventure and meaningful historical explorations. With delicious food 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. Plus, horseback riding with Indian Summer Guide Service, wine tasting at Veritas Vineyards and a poignant tour of Monticello.

  • Harpers Ferry, WV: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Harpers Ferry, WV

    S1 E5 - 28m 29s

    Laurita and Lauren have a thrilling and tasty visit to Harper’s Ferry in West Virginia. From multiple tours of Harpers Ferry 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.

  • Deep Creek Lake, MD: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Deep Creek Lake, MD

    S1 E4 - 27m 22s

    Mountain & water views beckon on Laurita & Lauren’s visit to Deep Creek Lake, MD. The Lake Pointe Inn connects them 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. Two meals at Firewater Kitchen & Bar and Dutch’s at Silver Tree are also part of the adventure.

  • St. Michaels, MD: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    St. Michaels, MD

    S1 E3 - 27m 6s

    Laurita and Lauren take to the water in the seaport town of St. Michaels, 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.

  • Richmond, VA: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Richmond, VA

    S1 E2 - 27m 59s

    Just a quick and affordable train ride away, Richmond offers Laurita & 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 & BIKE. 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.

  • Laurel Highlands, PA: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Laurel Highlands, PA

    S1 E1 - 28m 26s

    Laurita & Lauren visit Laurel Highlands to soak up views, architecture & local history. They stay at Oak Lodge and Falling Rock in the Nemacolin Resort, 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.

Extras + Features

  • Preview: Richmond: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview: Richmond

    S1 E2 - 30s

    Just a quick and affordable train ride away, Richmond offers Laurita & 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 & BIKE. 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.

  • Richmond's Poe Museum Isn't Your Typical History Museum: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Richmond's Poe Museum Isn't Your Typical History Museum

    S1 E2 - 4m 9s

    Lauren and Laurita pay a visit to the Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia, where they tour an enchanted garden inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's writings and see artifacts from the poet's life. But curator Christopher Semtner is quick to point out that this museum is not focused on things: "It's a museum about something you can't really display: the imagination." Could it also be haunted?

  • Quirk Hotel May Be Richmond's Most Creative Place to Stay: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Quirk Hotel May Be Richmond's Most Creative Place to Stay

    S1 E2 - 2m 57s

    Lauren and Laurita explore the Quirk Hotel in Richmond, Virginia's Arts District. The building was originally one of Richmond's high-end department stores but Katie Ukrop and her husband converted it to a hotel and art gallery. Art from Richmond artists is featured throughout the property including incredible murals in many of the guest rooms. The colorful vibe is perfect for the neighborhood.

  • Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater is "A Modern Heaven": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater is "A Modern Heaven"

    S1 E1 - 6m 22s

    Laurita and Lauren visit Fallingwater, a UNESCO world heritage site designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. The home is situated on top of a waterfall, which flows underneath it, and combines nature into the architectural design. The cantilevered structure has a cozy and homey feel as low ceilings and large windows provide a connection to the natural world outside.

  • Preview: Laurel Highlands, PA: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview: Laurel Highlands, PA

    S1 E1 - 30s

    Laurita & Lauren visit Laurel Highlands to soak up views, architecture & local history. They stay at Oak Lodge and Falling Rock in the Nemacolin Resort, 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.

  • The Charming Town of Ligonier is a Real-Life Stars Hollow: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Charming Town of Ligonier is a Real-Life Stars Hollow

    S1 E1 - 2m 28s

    Laurita and Lauren start their visit to Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands in the charming town of Ligonier, which is celebrated for its cafes, shops, and boutiques. Nearby outdoor recreation opportunities, including Ohiopyle State Park and Baughman Rocks, have earned the Laurel Highlands its reputation as Pittsburgh's adventure backyard.

  • A Stay at Nemacolin Resort is the Epitome of Relaxation: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Stay at Nemacolin Resort is the Epitome of Relaxation

    S1 E1 - 7m 45s

    Laurita and Lauren enjoy of a day of fun at Falling Rock, a 42 room boutique hotel that is part of Nemacolin, a luxury resort located in the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania. Falling Rock was designed by David Merritt, who was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, and uses principles of organic architecture to blend with the natural environment.

Schedule

About the Series

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.

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.

About the Hosts

Image
Episodes

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Episodes

Get Out of Town hosts

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 Stahlstown, PA, 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.

Bikes

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 & BIKE. 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.

steamed crabs

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.

Get Out of Town hosts

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 paddleboarding and kayaking in the nearby Deep Creek Lake State Park, while the Wisp Resort offers mountain roller coasters that spiral down the side of the often-snow-covered Wisp Mountain. Two meals at Firewater Kitchen & Bar and Dutch’s at Silver Tree are also part of the adventure.

Get Out of Town hosts

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.

horseback riding

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.

Get Out of Town hosts

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.

Get Out of Town hosts

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.

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