Trip Hacks DC

Trip Hacks DC

Washington, DC travel tips and hacks hosted by tour guide Rob. In-depth interviews with local experts will help you plan your visit to the nation’s capital.

Episodes

March 1, 2024 42 mins

Spring is a magical time in Washington, D.C., marking one of the busiest seasons for travel and tourism. The famous cherry blossoms that paint the city pink and white are the major draw. The National Cherry Blossom Festival, spanning several weeks, offers a variety of fun and enjoyable events. If you're planning to visit the festival or hoping to catch a view of the blossoms, I've compiled everything you need to know about this tim...

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What do you expect from your visit to Washington, DC? Do you expect beautiful weather? Believe the cherry blossoms are in bloom all year? Or think you'll spot politicians on every street corner? Many visitors arrive in Washington, DC with misconceptions about the city and these can ultimately impact your trip. In this episode, we'll talk through some common misaligned expectations  that people have and discuss what you can realisti...

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Washington, DC tourism has finally reached a state of equilibrium; but that doesn't mean it's the same as in the beforetimes! What changed exactly? In this episode Rob looks ahead to 2024 and what tourism might look like in the coming twelve months. He covers topics like the return of tourism seasonality, restaurant openings and closings and the impact of the upcoming presidential election. If you're thinking about a trip this year...

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December 1, 2023 36 mins

In this podcast episode we're diving into the world of holiday traditions and how they might impact your travels. We'll cover the official federal government holidays, unofficial holidays and basically anything you might experience on a trip. Maybe you’re curious about what Washington DC is like on a specific holiday. Or maybe you already booked your trip and realized it’s over a holiday and now want to know what to expect. Whateve...

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It's not your imagination, Airbnb is different now! With a noticeable shift in the platform’s service quality and pricing structure over the past few years, and I am going to take a deep dive and explain why, in 2023, I can no longer recommend it for most Washington, DC travelers. However, since every traveler and trip is unique, there might still be some good reasons to consider it, and I'll talk about those too. 

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October 1, 2023 52 mins

Washington, D.C., is packed with history, culture, and sites. Planning your visit can be tough with so much to see and do. Most visitors don't have endless time, so making smart choices is key. In this episode, Rob breaks down the top tourist spots, sharing which ones are worth your time and which ones you can skip. Get ready to make the most of your D.C. trip!

Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website. 

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September 1, 2023 51 mins

Planning a trip comes with a lot of questions: When should you go? Where's the best area to stay? How do you put together a great itinerary? Every traveler is different, with their own likes, dislikes, and budgets. Over the years, I've learned some useful things about Washington, DC travel. In this episode, I'll share my personal opinions about planning a trip to the nation's capital. Whether you travel often or you're planning you...

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August 1, 2023 48 mins

This is a milestone episode for the Trip Hacks DC podcast! Almost five years after this show launched we've reached 50 episodes. Rob invited some friends and former guests back to ask questions and give you a behind the scenes view into being a tour guide, running a tour company, and creating travel content on the internet. Thank you to all listeners for helping the podcast get this far! 

Full show notes are available on the Trip H...

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How has Washington DC's restaurant scene changed since Covid? Is Georgetown a good neighborhood to go for a meal? Can you trust influencers on TikTok for restaurant tips? Jessica Sidman returns to the Trip Hacks DC podcast to answer all of these questions and more! Jessica is the food editor for Washingtonian Magazine where she covers the people and trends behind D.C.’s food and drink scene.

Full show nots are available on the Trip...

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Visiting Washington, DC should be a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone. In this episode, we're talking about tips for travelers with disabilities or those who need accommodations. We'll cover everything from how to choose a hotel, public transportation, and how to get around, to the best way to navigate the major tourist sites in the nation's capital. Joining this conversation are Kelsey Ibach and Jenny Burke. They are the c...

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Summer is the peak travel season in Washington, DC! In this episode, Rob will take you through all the essential information you need to know to make the most of your summer trip to DC. He will cover what to expect in terms of crowd levels, weather, and the special events, concerts, festivals, and sports that you won't want to miss. If you're planning a summer trip to Washington, DC, don't miss this episode full of practical advice...

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Washington, DC is a great family-friendly travel destination. In this episode, we're exploring the best of Washington, DC through the eyes of your kids, with the understanding that kids of different ages have very different interests! We'll cover activities tailored to toddlers, grade-schoolers, and teenagers alike. Rob is joined by guest Jennifer Liao of FamilyTripGuides, a local blog that is a wealth of information about things t...

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When it comes to travel, safety should always be a top priority, and this applies just as much to Washington, DC as it does to any destination. However, navigating the topic of safety can be tricky and it's a topic that deserves an in-depth discussion. In this episode, Rob covers everything from how to minimize your risk of falling victim to crime to avoiding scams that could drain your wallet. He also offers insights on staying sa...

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One of the best things about Washington, DC is that there are so many amazing and iconic sites. But there are also a lot of incredible gems! Visitors to the Nation's Capital spend a lot of their time downtown and on the National Mall, but there is also a desire to explore behind Federal Washington. A new book helps locals and visitors participate in quests to discover new areas.

In this episode Rob welcomes Washington, DC based ...

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Washington, DC tourism is different compared to pre-pandemic. But how different? What changed exactly? In this episode Rob walks through many of the ways that Washington, DC tourism has changed – from the best areas to stay, federal government site status, and restaurants closings. Then we’ll look ahead together to what’s to come in 2023. There are some exciting developments on the horizon but also an important political change tha...

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November 1, 2022 47 mins

Washington DC is a city of neighborhoods. There are actually over 100 neighborhoods in the nation's capital. The best itinerary for visitors is a mix of downtown federal government sites and local neighborhood experiences. In this episode you'll hear from Paige Muller, Chief Experience Officer of Curious Caravan, a custom trip planning service that curates one-of-a-kind adventures and itineraries for curious explorers seeking the u...

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October 1, 2022 36 mins

Washington DC is a museum city. People who visit often have ambitions of visiting many of our museums, but the reality is there are far too many to check out on a single trip. In this episode you'll hear from Noelle Harada, a TikTok creator who set a goal in 2022 to visit every museum in Washington DC. She is documenting each museum visit with a video and review.

Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website

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A vast majority of historic sites in Washington DC are dedicated to men in history. When you visit you'll find huge monuments to presidents and military leaders and other men who made an impact on our country. Sites to American women exist but there are fewer of them and you need to know where to look.

In this episode you'll hear from Kaitlin Calogera & Rebecca Grawl, authors of the book 111 Places in Woman's History in Washington...

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Sometimes it's useful to get a new or different perspective. A fresh set of eyes can highlight things that locals don't notice because we live here and see the city every day. In this episode you'll hear from Megan Marod, a licensed New York City tour guide who has visited Washington, DC several times over the past year. She shares some of the things she learned from those trips and offers tips to help you prepare for an upcoming t...

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June 1, 2022 38 mins

Washington, DC is a fantastic destination for the Fourth of July. There are major events like the National Independence Day Parade, a Capitol Fourth concert and the fireworks - plus a handful of smaller events. It's a fun day but important to know what to expect so you can navigate the crowds, road closures and summer heat. In this episode Rob consolidates all of his Fourth of July advice in one place. 

Full show notes for this epi...

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