Trip Hacks DC

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 holds jurisdiction over many of Washington, DC’s major tourist sites, from the National Mall to the Smithsonian museums to concession stands and gift stores. Rob explains the differences between the federal government and the local DC government, shedding light on why things in the city work the way they do. This episode is a little wonky and kind of nerdy, but it will make you a smarter traveler. When things go well, you’ll know who to thank, and when they don’t, you’ll know exactly where to direct your frustration. Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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 lights, he highlights what each month brings. We’ll talk through topics like weather trends, crowd levels, major events, and local quirks. Whether you're planning your first trip or you're a repeat visitor looking to experience DC in a new month, this episode is your all-seasons guide to experiencing the city. Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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 currently under renovation, when they’re expected to reopen, and how these updates might affect your plans. He also explains the impact of the DC Circulator bus closure and explores alternative ways to navigate the city. Plus, we tackle the elephant in the room: Is the new presidential administration and Congress influencing tourism in the capital? If you're planning a trip to D.C. this year or even just considering one, be sure to tune in to stay informed and make the most of your visit! Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

Trip Hacks DC is going on hiatus. In this episode, we’ll talk briefly about why and what’s next. After starting this project back in 2017 and approaching the 8-year anniversary, it’s time for a break and a chance to reboot the business. Things will be quiet for the next several months, but I plan to be back next spring, most likely around cherry blossom season in March 2025. If you’re a subscriber or listener, I appreciate you and look forward to starting a new chapter soon! Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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, friends and family, and travel agents. Who can you trust, and how can you navigate the potential conflicts of interest? By the end of the episode you will hopefully be a better, more informed travel planner. Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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 best sources for accurate weather forecasts, and how to interpret them. Plus, we'll discuss the potential for severe weather and what visitors should be aware of when planning their trip. Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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 Eateries of Washington, DC. We’ll go behind the scenes and discuss how JoAnn chose the eateries to highlight in the book and give a few of our own personal favorite places to eat. Full show notes are available on the Trip Hack DC website.

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 own two feet, you can skip the airport rental car and get around the nation’s capital without much trouble. Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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 Marvelous NYC podcast. We'll discuss not only why you should take tours, but also how to find good ones, which can be more difficult than you might think, and how to book your tours for the best possible experience. Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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 important logistics. We'll also discuss a few places that might tempt you for a day trip but where you should resist that temptation. Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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 unintimidating. We'll introduce all of the local pro sports teams and talk through what a gameday experience is like, where our teams play, how to get to the stadium or arena, and the best places to eat and hangout nearby. Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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 time of year. With the right expectations and preparation, you can have the best possible experience. Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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 realistically expect when you arrive in Washington, DC. Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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 or already planning one make sure to listen so you know what to expect! Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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. Whatever the case, we've got your back. Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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

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.

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 your first trip, you'll find practical tips to make your next visit a great experience. Full show notes are available on the Trip Hacks DC website.

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 Hacks DC website.

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 Hacks DC website.