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You still can't do pull-ups at Reagan National

Nearly a year after the Trump administration unveiled a $1B program for airport renovations, none are planned at Reagan National or Dulles.

News

Nearly one year and $1 billion later, you still can&#x27;t do pull-ups at Reagan National Airport <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="à la RFK Jr" data-vars-click-url="https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a69675859/rfk-jr-sean-duffy-pullup-competition-airport/" data-vars-content-id="51503744-ee8d-45bd-8aa6-9426fa5b8511" data-vars-headline="You still can&#x27;t do pull-ups at Reagan National" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a69675859/rfk-jr-sean-duffy-pullup-competition-airport/" target="_blank">à la RFK Jr</a>.Why it matters: The Trump administration&#x27;s nearly $1 billion &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Make Travel Family Friendly Again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/transportation-secretary-duffy-launches-make-travel-family-friendly-again-campaign" data-vars-content-id="51503744-ee8d-45bd-8aa6-9426fa5b8511" data-vars-headline="You still can&#x27;t do pull-ups at Reagan National" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/transportation-secretary-duffy-launches-make-travel-family-friendly-again-campaign" target="_blank">Make Travel Family Friendly Again</a>&quot; initiative promised healthier, more family-friendly airports with amenities like exercise and play areas. But travelers at DCA and Dulles won&#x27;t see new ones under the initiative anytime soon.

IndyCar, not F1, is taking over D.C. Here's the difference.

D.C.'s first downtown race could help IndyCar gain ground with viewers.

Sports

Raise your hand if you know the difference between Formula One and IndyCar. Why it matters: One racing league is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="taking over D.C." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/10/dc-indycar-race-bud-denker-freedom-250-grand-prix" data-vars-content-id="f194ee9e-b312-4b00-857a-d33a96063f2d" data-vars-headline="IndyCar, not F1, is taking over D.C. Here&#x27;s the difference." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/10/dc-indycar-race-bud-denker-freedom-250-grand-prix" target="_self">taking over D.C.</a> this weekend — and it&#x27;s not the one with a movie starring Brad Pitt.

Inside the D.C. supper club introducing young adults to art galleries

Things to Do

A new art-centric dinner series is bringing young Washingtonians together while also introducing them to the local gallery scene.The big picture: This comes as more people are looking for ways to beat <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="loneliness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/02/26/loneliness-crisis-why-explained" data-vars-content-id="364e5f45-cd01-40c8-8e41-36e8967da608" data-vars-headline="Inside the D.C. supper club introducing young adults to art galleries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/02/26/loneliness-crisis-why-explained" target="_self">loneliness</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="connect IRL" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/06/dating-apps-burnout-singles-events" data-vars-content-id="364e5f45-cd01-40c8-8e41-36e8967da608" data-vars-headline="Inside the D.C. supper club introducing young adults to art galleries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/06/dating-apps-burnout-singles-events" target="_self">connect IRL</a>.

A software engineer hacked D.C. Restaurant Week — and built a better guide

A new site lets diners search thousands of dishes, compare deals and discover hundreds of Restaurant Week menus.

Food and Drink

We food writers have plenty of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Restaurant Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/04/dc-restaurant-week-2026-new-and-classic-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="d29f57a5-9ecb-4632-ab5f-ad491abe0457" data-vars-headline="A software engineer hacked D.C. Restaurant Week — and built a better guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/04/dc-restaurant-week-2026-new-and-classic-restaurants" target="_self">Restaurant Week</a> hacks, but it took a software engineer to truly crack the code on D.C.’s event.Why it matters: Like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="D.C. tech wonks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/31/311-app-alternatives-josh-jacobson-civic-tech-government-tools" data-vars-content-id="d29f57a5-9ecb-4632-ab5f-ad491abe0457" data-vars-headline="A software engineer hacked D.C. Restaurant Week — and built a better guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/31/311-app-alternatives-josh-jacobson-civic-tech-government-tools" target="_self">D.C. tech wonks</a> building better versions of the city&#x27;s apps, Adam Stambouli tackled one of Restaurant Week&#x27;s biggest headaches: searching hundreds of menus scattered across the internet.<ul><li>His free new site <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Let&#x27;s Eat, DC" data-vars-click-url="https://letseatdc.com/" data-vars-content-id="d29f57a5-9ecb-4632-ab5f-ad491abe0457" data-vars-headline="A software engineer hacked D.C. Restaurant Week — and built a better guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://letseatdc.com/" target="_blank">Let&#x27;s Eat, DC</a> lets diners hunt for specific dishes, new restaurants, highly rated spots, dietary options and good deals.</li></ul>

A glam cocktail bar just pulled into Union Station

Continental Club channels the golden age of rail with vintage-inspired cocktails and plush parlor-car vibes.

Sip a Paper Plane before your train — a glam cocktail bar just pulled into Union Station.Why it matters: After years when chains dominated the historic station, it&#x27;s trying to become a dining and drinking destination again — harkening back to its early 20th-century heyday.

Summerween hits D.C. with parties and pumpkin spice

Nothing is spookier than a PSL in this heat.

If there’s one thing we know about D.C., it’s that we go hard for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/09/11/fall-foliage-guide-dc-maryland-virginia" data-vars-content-id="e0ad026b-848e-4bf0-bae9-f8248bc413e6" data-vars-headline="Summerween hits D.C. with parties and pumpkin spice" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/09/11/fall-foliage-guide-dc-maryland-virginia" target="_self">fall</a> … perhaps too hard.Why it matters: Something wicked this way comes. Yes, we’re referring to Summerween.

Pay what you can at these D.C. Michelin-starred restaurants

Albi and Oyster Oyster are joining a global experiment that lets diners pay what they can at some of the world's top restaurants.

Can you spend $20 or $200 on a Michelin-starred meal? On Aug. 26, it doesn’t matter — some of the world’s best restaurants will let diners pay what they can.Why it matters: What began as a community-minded experiment among Mexico City chefs is going global this year — and two of D.C.’s best restaurants, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Albi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.albidc.com/" data-vars-content-id="a1619d21-a68a-47ff-9c72-8e1ad3777934" data-vars-headline="Pay what you can at these D.C. Michelin-starred restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.albidc.com/" target="_blank">Albi</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oyster Oyster" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oysteroysterdc.com/" data-vars-content-id="a1619d21-a68a-47ff-9c72-8e1ad3777934" data-vars-headline="Pay what you can at these D.C. Michelin-starred restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oysteroysterdc.com/" target="_blank">Oyster Oyster</a>, are joining in.

The 6 best bars for watching the Nationals

Whether you want cheap beers, giant screens or stadium vibes, these bars deliver on game day.

Baseball is made for barrooms. The slow pace. The broadcast patter. The endlessly debatable decisions.Why it matters: Watching a game with strangers creates fast friends and fosters civic pride.

Laoban, Seven Weeks Coffee among D.C. area's fastest-growing companies

From Union Market-born dumplings to Ashburn coffee, these DMV food businesses landed on the 2026 Inc. 5000.

Some of the DMV’s fastest-growing companies are dishing out dumplings, coffee and iced tea.Why it matters: Food and beverage businesses punched above their weight on this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Inc. 5000" data-vars-click-url="https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2026" data-vars-content-id="18f761c2-b986-4c24-97cd-fc1f0758b0a4" data-vars-headline="Laoban, Seven Weeks Coffee among D.C. area&#x27;s fastest-growing companies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2026" target="_blank">Inc. 5000</a>, the annual ranking of America&#x27;s fastest-growing private companies based on three-year revenue growth.

New food options coming to Dulles and Reagan National

Good news for hangry travelers: New food options are hitting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dulles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/30/trump-dulles-airport-plan" data-vars-content-id="a91b46ee-2677-4fd2-867a-244bcf55bc78" data-vars-headline="New food options coming to Dulles and Reagan National" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/30/trump-dulles-airport-plan" target="_self">Dulles</a> and Reagan National.Why it matters: More options = less likelihood that you&#x27;ll have to fill up on mini pretzels 30,000 feet in the air.

New Bethesda spot pairs sushi with Japanese cakes and soft serve

Sushi Masato is now open, with omakase-inspired tastings on the way. An adjoining dessert shop will soon serve mille crêpe cakes, Hokkaido milk soft serve and other Japanese sweets.

Sushi, fluffy Japanese cakes and soft serve — one new Bethesda spot promises all three.Why it matters: Family-owned Sushi Masato and The One Cake want to become a neighborhood destination for Japanese comfort food and sweets.

Snow Crane is back on Capitol Hill — and serving a $300 melon

The cult-favorite Capitol Hill pop-up returns this weekend with artful ice cream, matcha and one of the rarest melons you'll ever taste.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Snow Crane" data-vars-click-url="https://www.snow-crane.com/" data-vars-content-id="8a9a9f30-6e0a-4817-8ce5-cf3526894116" data-vars-headline="Snow Crane is back on Capitol Hill — and serving a $300 melon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.snow-crane.com/" target="_blank">Snow Crane</a>, the summer&#x27;s hottest cold treat pop-up, returns to Capitol Hill this Sunday through September.Why it matters: Chef Takeshi Nishikawa is drawing long lines to a takeout window at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Little Pearl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.littlepearldc.com/" data-vars-content-id="8a9a9f30-6e0a-4817-8ce5-cf3526894116" data-vars-headline="Snow Crane is back on Capitol Hill — and serving a $300 melon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.littlepearldc.com/" target="_blank">Little Pearl</a> for his artful Japanese ice creams, floats and matcha — so popular he&#x27;s adding a second residency on Barracks Row.

This new D.C. rooftop channels resort life in St. Croix

Croix opens Friday near Navy Yard with Crucian cuisine, botanical cocktails and an open-air rooftop lounge.

A new rooftop bar and restaurant near Navy Yard is bringing the feel of a Caribbean resort to D.C.Why it matters: Restaurateur Keem Hughley is turning D.C.&#x27;s rooftops into escapist destinations. After opening the Seychelles-inspired <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realmrooftopdc.com/" data-vars-content-id="e93cc851-4e4d-4602-bf5a-e95cec6f77a7" data-vars-headline="This new D.C. rooftop channels resort life in St. Croix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realmrooftopdc.com/" target="_blank">Realm</a> in Shaw last year, he&#x27;s now looking to transport diners to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Food and Drink 🍽

A software engineer hacked D.C. Restaurant Week — and built a better guide

A glam cocktail bar just pulled into Union Station

Summerween hits D.C. with parties and pumpkin spice

Pay what you can at these D.C. Michelin-starred restaurants

The 6 best bars for watching the Nationals