Best Trip Hacks DC Podcasts (2025)

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Why Circulator Bus Closed (And Who is Responsible) 45:29

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3M ago45:29

45:29

At the end of 2024, the DC Circulator bus carried its final passengers. The entire bus system is now shut down, a decision that has understandably upset many locals and tourists alike. In this episode, Rob breaks down who operated the Circulator bus system during its nearly 20-year run and what led to the decision to end it. He also dives into who …

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Your Month-by-Month Guide to Washington DC 45:44

5M ago45:44

45:44

Washington, DC has a unique vibe in each month. Setting the right expectations for the month you plan to visit can make a big difference to your trip. In this episode, Rob walks you through what to expect throughout the calendar year in the nation's capital. From cherry blossoms in spring and summer festivals, to fall colors and festive holiday lig…

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What to Expect for Washington DC Tourism in 2025 40:07

8M ago40:07

40:07

Washington, D.C., is set to look and feel a bit different in 2025. Many popular tourist sites are undergoing renovations in preparation for the USA's 250th birthday next year, but that’s not the only change visitors should be aware of. In this episode, Rob breaks down what to expect for the upcoming tourist season. He covers which sites are current…

1
Where to Find Trustworthy Travel Advice 53:43

12M ago53:43

53:43

Finding trustworthy travel advice is essential for a smooth and enjoyable trip, but quality recommendations aren’t always easy to come by. In this episode, Rob will talk through how to distinguish valuable insights from the noise. We’ll cover online sources like Google, YouTube, and social media, as well as offline options like travel books, friend…

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Washington DC Weather Guide for Tourists and Visitors 41:01

1y ago41:01

41:01

Weather can make or break a trip, and managing expectations is key for Washington DC visitors. In this episode, we'll cover everything travelers need to know about DC's weather to plan a successful trip and enjoy their stay. We'll explore what each of the city's four distinct seasons is like, provide packing tips for each season, and highlight the …

1
Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington DC 46:30

1y ago46:30

46:30

Where are you going to eat when you visit Washington, DC? What are some unique places that you can visit that you won’t find back home or elsewhere on your travels? In this episode we hope to give you some inspiration to seek out fun places to eat. Rob is joined by guest JoAnn Hill - a local author who just published the book Unique Eats and Eateri…

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Washington DC Transportation Guide for Visitors and Tourists 43:56

1y ago43:56

43:56

Transportation is a topic that’s important and relevant to just about every Washington, DC tourist and visitor. Getting around in DC is different than in a lot of the United States. Driving is not a good option for tourists! The good news is that there are plenty of great ways of getting around when you visit. Between Metro, hired rides, and you ow…

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Why Take Tours When You Visit Washington DC 1:24:31

1+ y ago1:24:31

1:24:31

Most visitors to Washington DC do not take tours. In this episode, we hope to convince you that you should! And show you that tours and experiences can easily be the best and most memorable part of a trip. Rob is joined by guest Megan Marod—a licensed New York City tour guide, social media personality who runs The Megan Daily, and host of the Most …

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Day Trips for Tourists: Exploring Beyond Washington DC 41:40

1+ y ago41:40

41:40

There are many potential day trips you can take with Washington, DC as your home base. What are they? Is it actually a good idea to use valuable time on day trips? In this episode, we'll explore some potential destinations that make for great day trips and why you might want to consider them. We'll cover things to do, how to get there, and other im…

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Tips for Attending Pro Sports in Washington DC 1:20:33

1+ y ago1:20:33

1:20:33

A great Washington, DC trip itinerary includes a mixy of touristy federal government sites and less-touristy local things to do. If you want to rub elbows with locals and see how many live, attending a pro sports game is a great way to experience local culture. The goal of this episode is to make the experience of attending a game accessible and un…

1
Everything Visitors Should Know About Washington DC Cherry Blossoms 42:18

1+ y ago42:18

42:18

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 c…

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Managing Your Washington DC Travel Expectations 40:08

1+ y ago40:08

40:08

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 so…

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What to Expect for Washington DC Tourism in 2024 29:38

2y ago29:38

29:38

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 im…

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Every Holiday in Washington DC 36:16

2y ago36:16

36:16

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 yo…

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Why I Don’t Recommend Airbnb in Washington DC 44:46

2y ago44:46

44:46

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 …

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Washington DC Experiences to DO and SKIP 52:12

2y ago52:12

52:12

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 yo…

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Rob’s Washington DC Travel Philosophy 51:17

2y ago51:17

51:17

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 pla…

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Trip Hacks DC Turns 50! 48:01

2y ago48:01

48:01

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 listene…

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Washington DC’s Food & Restaurant Scene in 2023 46:15

2+ y ago46:15

46:15

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 an…

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Accessible Travel Tips for Visiting Washington DC 55:30

2+ y ago55:30

55:30

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'…

1
Tips for Visiting Washington DC in the Summer 35:23

2+ y ago35:23

35:23

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 plann…

1
Visiting Washington DC with Kids of All Ages 42:48

2+ y ago42:48

42:48

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 …

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Staying Safe When You Visit Washington DC 50:42

2+ y ago50:42

50:42

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 …

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Explore Washington DC with a New Activity Book 37:46

2+ y ago37:46

37:46

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 i…

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How Washington DC Tourism has Changed & Looking Ahead to 2023 33:31

3y ago33:31

33:31

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…

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Explore These Washington DC Neighborhoods 47:15

3y ago47:15

47:15

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…

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Visiting Every Museum in Washington DC 36:52

3y ago36:52

36:52

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 vi…

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Women’s History Sites in Washington DC 42:52

3y ago42:52

42:52

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 Calog…

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New York City Tour Guide Reviews Washington DC 47:26

3+ y ago47:26

47:26

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 thin…

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The Fourth of July in Washington DC 38:45

3+ y ago38:45

38:45

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 cons…

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Where to Stay When You Visit Washington DC 55:54

3+ y ago55:54

55:54

When you’re planning a trip, where to stay, which hotel, and what area, is a big decision. It’s why one of the first things I did after I started Trip Hacks DC was create a where to stay guide. In this episode you'll learn about all eleven recommend areas. What are the pros of each area? What are the cons of each area? And what are some solid hotel…

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Newer and Lesser Known Monuments in Washington DC 40:01

3+ y ago40:01

40:01

When you visit Washington, DC you will almost certainly check out the major monuments and memorials on the National Mall. Over the past few years, several new monuments have opened around the city. These are monuments both to former presidents and to major wars. Because they opened during the pandemic, their ceremonies didn't have much fanfare. In …

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National Cherry Blossom Festival in 2022 and Beyond 25:48

3+ y ago25:48

25:48

For the first time in three years National Cherry Blossom Festival events are back in person. This is an exciting development after years of missing out on one of the most anticipated events in Washington, DC. However, it's important to know what's changed and how. In this episode Rob is joined by Diana Mayhew. She is the President of the National …

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Insider Travel Tips from a DC Tour Guide 58:36

3+ y ago58:36

58:36

When is the best time of year to travel? What's the best process to choose a hotel? How do you find the best tours and experiences in a destination? In this episode Rob takes the mic to tackle all of these questions and more. He brings his decade of experience as a tour guide and applies it to how he travels. It's a different perspective than you'l…

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Is Washington DC Tourism Coming Back? 44:38

4y ago44:38

44:38

Are travelers coming back to Washington, DC? Is the tourism industry recovering? The answer is yes. But also no. It's complicated. The only way to properly explain it is to walk through what 2021 was like month by month. In this episode Rob takes the mic for a solo podcast. He talks about how Trip Hacks DC tour business fared in 2021 and what the e…

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Use this Travel Hack when You Visit Washington DC (or Elsewhere) 40:11

4y ago40:11

40:11

How do you book your airfare, hotels, and tours? What websites do you use? What would you think if I told you that the websites you use to book your trip could make or break your travel experience? This is an important topic whether you're traveling to Washington, DC or elsewhere! In this episode Rob takes the mic for a solo podcast. He covers a to…

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Tips for Moving to Washington DC 59:16

4y ago59:16

59:16

Trip Hacks DC is primarily a source of travel content for Washington, DC visitors. But once visitors get here, especially when they sign up for a Trip Hacks DC tour, they have a lot of questions and curiosities about what it's like to live in DC. If you're planning to move here, hopefully you'll find plenty of useful information in this episode. If…

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How to Plan the Best Washington DC Trip 49:00

4y ago49:00

49:00

At the time of recording there are nearly 200 Trip Hacks DC YouTube videos and dozens of podcast episodes with travel tips galore! But how do you tie all of those tips together into a tip itinerary? This episode's guest walks you through how he took the tips he learned from Trip Hacks DC and designed an itinerary around them. Rob welcomes Doug McKn…

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Secret Washington DC 45:58

4+ y ago45:58

45:58

Washington, DC visitors all know about the major sites - the monuments, memorials, museums and historic places. But there is so much more out there! There is an entire "secret" side of Washington, DC that many visitors, and even some locals, never truly discover. A new book tells the stories of some of the places. In this episode Rob welcomes Washi…

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Eating Well & Supporting Black Owned Restaurants in DC 44:08

4+ y ago44:08

44:08

Travelers have a plethora of restaurant choices when they visit Washington, DC. Everyone wants to eat well but many travelers also want to know how to support the businesses that are rooted in the local community. The reality is, if you want to sample some of the quintessential DC foods you need to check out some Black owned businesses while you're…

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The Best Washington DC Tours & Activities 55:45

4+ y ago55:45

55:45

There are so many fun things to do when you visit Washington, DC that the options can feel overwhelming. You might wonder: are free tours any good? Is it worth it to splurge on a private tour experience? Is the best mode of transportation to see the monuments by foot, bike, Segway, or bus? In this episode we tackle all of these questions so you can…

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Washington DC Hotel Tips 51:02

4+ y ago51:02

51:02

In this podcast episode you'll learn about a great areas to stay (and avoid) on your Washington DC trip. Plus what amenities to look for in a hotel, how to do your research, and a few tips for finding the best deals. Chris Raney from Yellow Productions joins Rob for this conversation. On Chris's YouTube channel, he produces travel videos that are f…

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Stories from Presidential Inaugurations in DC 39:36

5y ago39:36

39:36

Covid-19 has significantly disrupted the 2021 inauguration. Unfortunately that means the excited crowds, the parade and parties from past inaugurations won't really happen this year. Instead, we rounded up some of our favorite stories from past presidential inaugurations to give you a sense of what a more typical inauguration is like. Some of these…

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Washington DC Travel Tips During & Post Covid-19 50:16

5y ago50:16

50:16

After months of closures and travel restrictions, some are starting to get back out and explore. Washington, DC is slowly but surely reopening tourist sites and attractions. However, it's extremely important to set realistic expectations and research every detail of your trip. You don't want to be disappointed or caught of guard once you arrive the…

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The Future of Trip Hacks DC 26:16

5+ y ago26:16

26:16

2020 is a rough year for the Washington, DC travel industry. Halfway through the year, it's clear that tourism is not going to be the same because of Covid-19. As a result, it's time to discuss the future of Trip Hacks DC. In this episode Rob takes the mic for a solo podcast. He takes a behind-the-scenes look at what the decline in tour revenue has…

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Washington DC Movies to Watch Before Your Trip 37:44

5+ y ago37:44

37:44

Whether you're looking for something to watch during the 2020 quarantine or trying to get inspired for an upcoming trip, these Washington, DC movies will provide hours of entertainment. Washington, DC doesn't have nearly as many movies set here as New York or Los Angeles, but there are still plenty of gems. In this episode Rob is joined by Ronald Y…

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How Washington DC Tourism Evolved over the Years 48:29

5+ y ago48:29

48:29

What is Washington, DC tourism going to look like post COVID-19? We don’t know! No one does. Rather than guess wildly about the future we thought it would be more useful to look back for lessons from how things changed over the past few decades. How did 9/11, government shutdowns, new sports venues and Uber change the way that visitors experience W…

1
Coronavirus & the State of DC Tourism 34:04

5+ y ago34:04

34:04

The Washington, DC tourism industry is upended because of Coronavirus. In fact, that's true every where in the world as there is currently nowhere that safe for travel. There were many hints that a crisis was coming, but the damage happened quickly and painfully. In this episode Rob takes the mic for a solo podcast. He describes the first three mon…

1
Airbnb: the Good, Bad and Ugly 51:14

5+ y ago51:14

51:14

Accommodations is one of the most important decisions that travelers make. Airbnb and other home rental websites like Vrbo offer an alternative to standard hotel stays. Are they better? What do travelers need to know before they book one? We've got a few Airbnb tips to share. In this episode Rob is joined by Jocelyn Wolters. She is a member of the …

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National Parks near Washington DC 37:33

5+ y ago37:33

37:33

Washington, DC visitors spend a lot of time on the National Mall, a National Park Service unit that gets more yearly visitors than Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, combined! Park enthusiasts won't have to spend all of their time on the Mall. There are plenty of other great National Parks near DC. In this episode Rob is joined by Danielle…