Trip Hacks DC

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. 

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 co-founders of The Inclusive Traveler, an accessibility-focused travel community that spreads awareness, encourages others to travel, and promotes an accessible future. At the end of the episode, we chat about what we can all do to make travel more enjoyable for everyone.

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

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 and inspiration to help you make the most of your visit.

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

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 to do with kids in the DC area and beyond.

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

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 safe as a pedestrian or bicyclist, as well as tips for those looking to experience the city's nightlife during their visit.

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

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 author JoAnn Hill back to the podcast. JoAnn is the author of the new book Washington, DC Scavenger: The Ultimate Search for Washington, DC's Hidden Treasures. She previously appeared on the podcast to discus her first book Secret Washington, DC: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. You can follow JoAnn on Instagram.

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

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 that may disrupt travel plans and that you definitely want to know about.

View the full show notes from this episode on the Trip Hacks DC website. 

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 unexpected in Washington, DC.

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