Sometimes you just need to get away, and since one is the loneliest number, a romantic road trip with your significant other could prove to be the perfect mini vacation.
Romantic tastes vary, but you can’t go wrong with sunsets, ocean views and time spent in nature, coupled with delectable meals and cozy retreats. Fortunately, the Northeast has an abundance of regions that check all of these boxes and more.
From the northern coastline of Maine to the southern tip of New Jersey, here are some of the most swoon-worthy romantic road trips in the Northeast.
Nantucket
You’d go to the ends of the earth for your loved one, but you don’t need to go quite that far for this romantic road trip. Just get to the end of Massachusetts, then jump on a ferry and set sail for an island vacation, Northeast style. Nantucket may not be as well-known Martha’s Vineyard, but this neighboring plot of land has all the appeal but a fraction of the crowds. Take a romantic stroll along Sconset Bluff Walk, dig in to a toes-in-the-sand dinner at Galley Beach or enjoy a sunset cruise around the island.
The Hudson Valley
There are few Northeast locations more picturesque than New York’s Hudson Valley, a region stretching 150 miles along the Hudson Valley from Westchester to Albany. Nearly every turn brings breathtaking views, but some of the best are had at elevated perches, such as Poughkeepsie’s Walkway Over the Hudson or the top of Breakneck Ridge in Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve. Closer to sea level, the Innisfree Garden and Poets’ Walk Park are perfect spots for a romantic stroll. If the way to your heart is through your stomach, reserve a table at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The farm-to-table eatery is also the state’s only Michelin-starred restaurant outside of New York City.
Coastal Connecticut
Get away from the hustle and bustle by taking a romantic road trip back to a simpler time. Connecticut’s coastline is dotted with quaint, historic towns perfect for a quiet getaway. Mystic, Old Saybrook, Guilford, Madison and Old Lyme are just a few of the charming villages nestled along the Long Island Sound. Each is home to enough attractions to keep you and your significant other busy for a day. The area is also teeming with romantic bed-and-breakfasts should you want to extend your stay.
Newport and Narragansett, Rhode Island
If it’s a seaside stroll you and your significant other are after, you’ll find none better than the Cliff Walk in Newport. Not only does the 3.5-mile paved path give you a front-row seat to the coast’s crashing waves, it also guides you past the historic Gilded Age Mansions Newport is so well-known for. But that’s just the start of this waterfront destination’s appeal. There are museums, wineries and much, much more.
When you’re done touring the city, take a quick drive over the Newport Bridge and down Route 1A to the town of Narragansett. Here you’ll find beaches aplenty, along with porched-lined bed-and-breakfast spots where you can put your feet up and allow the ocean breeze to wash over you.
Maine’s Coastline
Wave-splashed cliffs, historical lighthouses, panoramic ocean views – every inch of Maine’s coastline looks like it was pulled from the canvas of a painting. The seaside towns dotted along the way, from Kennebunkport and Portland to Freeport and Camden, are just as charming and filled with countless attractions to keep you busy. (Don’t forget to stop for a lobster roll or two.)
Wander up the coastline until you and your one and only reach the Northeast’s one and only National Park. Not only does Acadia contain some of the country’s most scenic drives, its home to Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast. Wake up early and trek to the summit for a particularly special experience: From October 7 to March 6, Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the country you can see the sun rise.
Cape May, New Jersey
At the southern tip of New Jersey, you’ll find picturesque Cape May. The town has been a popular seaside destination for visitors dating back to the 18th century, so you know there’s something special about it. Cape May is a perfect year-round vacation spot for couples, as it offers something for everyone (or every pair). There are outdoor activities like parasailing and whale watching, luxurious spas to relax and unwind, and museums, galleries and live theater for the art aficionados. One particularly popular – and romantic – thing to do is take a ferry cruise along New Jersey’s southern coastline.
When it comes to 25th wedding anniversary celebrations, not much can top a 13-day tour of Italy with family, and Paramus, N.J., resident Franca Eleftheriades could hardly wait to experience the sights, cuisine and culture.
She wanted to add one more event to the packed guided tour – she told AAA Travel Counselor Claudete Fujikawa in the Hackensack, N.J., office that she and her husband Anthony wanted to renew their wedding vows in a church in Italy.
“I figured there was no better place; my parents were born, raised and married in Italy before they came to the U.S.,” Eleftheriades said.
Franca and Anthony Eleftheriades with their children during their vow renewal ceremony in Italy.
The Right Choice
This was the first time Eleftheriades arranged a trip through AAA, when she stopped in at the AAA branch next to her gym. “I met Claudete, we just hit it off, and she helped me with all of it,” she said. “She is easy to work with, patient, knowledgeable and went out of her way. I was a little nervous; we don’t travel much, and she helped with transfers and she helped reassure us. She took the extra step.”
The family booked the AAA Member Choice Vacations Italy’s Treasures: Art, Food and Wine of Italy for July. Squeezing a church service into a tight tour schedule sounded challenging, but Fujikawa did not hesitate to start planning. “I researched what day and time would be best to attend services at a local church,” she said. “Everything had to be coordinated with the itinerary as they were on an escorted tour. I advised the family to bring nice outfits to suit the occasion, such as a white summer dress.”
A travel advisor for 27 years, Fujikawa personifies what it means to go above and beyond. While all the trips she plans are special to her, “this was really one of the top,” she said.
Eleftheriades mentioned in a pre-trip email to tour manager Giulio Passariello that she and her husband wanted to renew their vows during the tour but understood the complex logistics involved.
“She told me any day during the vacation would work, and only if it was possible. She wasn’t expecting anything exceptional,” Passariello said in an email. “If not, she said, ‘absolutely no problem.’ It was simply her dream, but she understood they were traveling with a group. I replied that I would try to do my best, very sincerely!”
With no firm plans when the trip began, Passariello went to work, and he came up with the perfect event.
Creating a Memory
“Considering the itinerary, pacing and timing, I planned to organize something in the evening, before dinner, while staying at the Hotel Villa Lecchi, a beautiful Tuscan villa immersed in the Tuscan countryside. That would give time to everyone to get prepared for the function and then go to dinner in the garden of the villa,” said Passariello. “The idea came to me not only because of the beauty of the place but also because in the park of the villa itself. Adjacent to the entrance, there is also an old chapel that is still consecrated that belongs to the villa itself. All the ancient noble families had a private chapel and a family priest in their summer residences and villas.”
The owner of the villa is a longtime friend, added Passariello, and he was willing to let the group use the chapel. He also knew an English-speaking priest in a nearby town.
A number of tour members joined the couple, along with their 24-year-old son and 21-year-old daughter, for the ceremony, and then for dinner at the villa. A woman from the villa even assembled a bouquet of herbs from the garden for Franca Eleftheriades. The finishing touch was musical accompaniment from a traveling choir that also was staying at the villa. It performed during the service and serenaded the Eleftheriades and guests during dinner.
“It was just meant to be,” Eleftheriades said of the impromptu celebration, adding she was grateful to all involved. She already has recommended AAA Travel to other friends planning trips.
A Lifelong Connection
Passariello and the Eleftheriades have remained in touch. “I have wonderful memories of the sensations I felt seeing and realizing that we managed to make their dream come true,” Passariello said. “I was also in tears, along with the entire group who cooperated as if we were one family. It all went well and even more … like when everything aligns perfectly, even exceeding expectations. It seemed like a fairy tale.”
The couple visited the AAA branch after they returned to show Fujikawa pictures. “She told me stories and I remember how she was all smiles,” said Fujikawa.
“And they booked another vacation.”
She encourages her clients to share with her any special reason for the vacation they are planning. “Based on the occasion, I try my best to make it memorable, whenever possible.”
Whether you’re craving truffles or turtles, barks or brittle, gummies or Gibralters (find out what those are below!), these Northeast candy stores are sure to satisfy.
Ready to take a sweet road trip but need a ride? Click here to rent a car.
Stuffed with jelly beans, gummy worms, candy corn and licorice, Chutters holds the distinction of having the longest candy counter in the world. It could take all day to browse the 500 different types of sweets stored in big glass jars, but don’t pass up the assortment of M&Ms before you start filling your bag. Save room for the gourmet chocolates and fudge! Chutters also has locations in Lincoln and Bretton Woods, N.H.
Some folks know not to mess with success, keeping beloved recipes in the family for generations. And so it goes at this shop, in business since 1927, where you’ll find luscious creams, fudge, chocolate cherries and even a dark chocolate-dipped Twinkie! Select chocolate by the pound from behind a glass case or grab a bag and fill it with your favorite hard candies and gummies.
Find Rhode Island-themed chocolate novelties, such as sea creatures, flip-flops, even chocolate seashells at Sweenor’s. In business since the ’40s, the fourth generation is still making many of its chocolate treats by hand, including clusters, barks and brittles.
You can spot this third-generation shop by its bright red and white striped roof. Once inside, you won’t know where to look first, because Pearl’s is loaded with nostalgic treats such as Dots, Pixy Stix, Laffy Taffy and Bit-O-Honey. Then there are peanut butter cups and caramels next to jelly beans and rock candy. Pearl’s is also known for its nuts.
Reportedly Vermont’s largest candy store – offering some 1,500 varieties – Middlebury Sweets is actually located in the middle of its namesake motel, which features candy-themed rooms. The shop sells handmade peanut butter cups, peanut butter and banana Elvis bark, Tiger Paws (also known as turtles) and novelty candy items. And if you need to crash after your sugar high, you won’t have far to fall.
Vermont Nut Free Candy is a mecca for chocolate lovers who have peanut or nut allergies. Courtesy of Vermont Nut Free Candy.
This shop, and its online site, is a mecca for chocolate lovers who have peanut or nut allergies. Stocked with boxed chocolates, bunnies and chocolate-covered pretzels, owners Gail and Mark Elvidge began the company in 1998 after they couldn’t find a safe chocolate product for their young son, who had a life-threatening peanut allergy. Find additional retailers on their website.
Everything made here is fair trade, organic and fully vegan – and seriously unique, from the legendary salted Galapagos turtles to caramels infused with cardamon, violet, rosemary sea salt and chile. The shop also sells its full chocolate collection, plus baked goods, at Confectionary! in New York City.
A variety of hard candies and chocolates are available at Samuel’s Sweet Shop in Rhinebeck, N.Y.
Aside from their Clodhoppers (peanut butter, pretzel and graham cracker covered in milk chocolate), another treat is finding Paul Rudd behind the counter. Rudd, known for roles in “Ant-Man,” and “Only Murders in the Building,” and, of course, for being voted People’s Sexiest Man of the Year in 2021, co-owns this adorable shop with “Walking Dead” actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Buy packaged goodies, chocolate by the pound or novelty items such as chocolate mac ‘n cheese and unbearably hot cinnamon bears.
New York City, Walpole, N.H; Boston and Cambridge, Mass.
Using a Swiss technique for crafting chocolate, Larry Burdick began his eponymous shop in 1987. Today, with four locations in the Northeast, the chocolate, including signature chocolate mice, is still made by hand. Burdick offers boxes for weddings, holidays and even drinking chocolates. No wonder it has been named best chocolate by Food & Wine and other publications.
According to its history, this candy biz dates to the 1800s when Mary Spencer sold hard sugar candies known as Gibralters. Today, find them along with molasses-flavored Black Jacks (a stick candy), penuche brown sugar fudge, nostalgic apple rings, butterscotch drops and nonpareils. Modern appetites will appreciate the assortment of chocolates, barks and patties, and in the summer months, lots of licorice.
Orne’s, which opened in 1884 and is still family run, is a must-stop for its signature fudge – don’t miss the chocolate walnut! – mint julep truffles and saltwater taffy. Some of its more unique sweets include pebbles, which are hard candies with a soft inner surprise, and gravel, milk chocolate inside a candy stone. A summer staple, Orne’s closes during the winter. It reopens in April 2024.
If you’ve ever stopped at a big box store, you’ll get the appeal of this expansive space – it bills itself as Maine’s largest candy store – with some 8,000 square feet of everything sweet, from its own brands of candy and chocolate to sodas, ice cream and Maine-made products. Smaller Sweetz & More candy stores are also located throughout New Hampshire; see website for details.
Before you gobble up a pound of their caramels, meltaways and truffles, find out how they’re made by booking one of Fascia’s popular chocolate experiences, which include a demo and the chance to make your own chocolate bar.
Munson’s was known as the Dandy Candy Company when a young couple began making and selling wafers and ribbon candy from their garage in 1946. Today, Munsons is still family owned and has expanded to eight locations in Connecticut, where you can find its caramels, fudge, brittles and truffles, along with seasonal treats and UConn Husky bars.
Which of these candy stores will you go to satisfy your sweet tooth? Do you have another favorite candy shop that we forgot to mention? Tell us in the comments.
Can’t get enough sweets? Send someone you love (or yourself) a chocolate gift from Simply Chocolate. You can save 20% when shopping online with your AAA discount.
Whether you’re a solo traveler hoping to join like-minded people on your next vacation or a couple eager to explore with friends, a small group tour might be the perfect choice for your next trip.
AAA Member Choice Vacations (MCV) Explorations specializes in small group tours with an average of 16 travelers, so you can get to know the places you are visiting on a different level. Experienced tour managers plan the day with a mix of exciting experiences and plenty of free time to explore on your own or with new friends from your group.
A few of our favorite things about small group tours:
You can leave the logistics to the pros and still enjoy a personalized experience. No evenings and weekends spent researching hotels, reading restaurant reviews or comparison shopping for tickets and tour guides.
Deeper cultural immersion. Want to have lunch with a local? Fancy a tour of an iconic landmark without the crowds? Or do you want the chance to get to know your local guide by sharing meals and train rides together? These things aren’t often possible on larger tours.
Forging new friendships. With a small group tour, you’re not just a face in the crowd. These tight-knit groups offer a chance to get to know your fellow travelers and local guides.
There are many small group tours designed to suit various interests, from culture and history to wildlife and nature. Here’s a peek at just a few exciting AAA MCV Explorations tours.
A journey through Italy’s quintessential rolling hills and vineyards feels like stepping into a postcard. This small group trip kicks off with a day in Rome before taking you to Umbria to explore the historic streets of Orvieto, a majestic clifftop town. You’re sure to form new friendships and fall in love with new Italian foods (sheep cheese, anyone?) and small hilltop villages on this classic 10-day trip through two of Italy’s most beautiful, breathtaking regions.
Japan is a bucket-list destination for many American travelers. It’s a land of contrasts. Deep cultural traditions such as tea ceremonies and geisha entertainment coexist with the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, where you’re just as likely to enjoy dinner at a conveyor belt sushi joint as a traditional Japanese bar (izakaya) hidden in one of Shinjuku’s labyrinthine alleys. On this small group tour, you and your fellow travelers will experience it all: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, all connected by Japan’s famous bullet trains and led by a local guide.
You and your group will spend 12 days and 11 nights discovering the legends and history of this wild northern portion of the United Kingdom. Along the way, you can sip local whisky, learn the history of Scottish clans and enjoy the spectacular coastal views from a cozy hotel in windswept Loch Melfort. Last stop? Edinburgh, where the tour officially ends, but you and your crew will have the option to stay another night exploring.
Known as “the land of fire and ice,” Iceland is perfect for adventurers, nature lovers and landscape photographers of all skill levels. Prepare to forge new friendships as you visit the Langjökull glacier, go whale-watching, see wild Icelandic horses and take a dip in the Instagram-famous Blue Lagoon with a dozen or so fellow travelers. This trip is 10 straight days of breathtaking landscapes and incredible new experiences, all planned out for you and led by friendly local guides.
Are you dreaming of an adventure in Africa but don’t know where to start? This incredible small group journey perfectly balances cultural immersion, wildlife sightings and jaw-dropping scenery. You can forget the logistics and simply enjoy the trip as you take a deep dive into southern Africa. Get ready for eight safari drives, a memorable starlit bush dinner, a home-hosted lunch near Victoria Falls, South African winery visits and so much more. You’ll never forget this 15-day vacation with a small group of fellow adventurers and guides.
These five itineraries are just the tip of the iceberg. AAA Member Choice Vacations has dozens of small group Explorations tours in exciting places, including Machu Picchu and India’s Golden Triangle. Most tours also offer optional extensions for diving even deeper before or after the main trip. Learn more.
A typical consumer spends around 14 hours on their car buying journey, including researching and shopping online, according to a recent report by Cox Automotive. But at the end of the day, how and where you spend your time learning about a vehicle could impact your overall satisfaction with your purchase. One of the best ways to get to know a car is to take it for a test drive.
The average test drive at the dealership gives you only limited information. It takes hours – not just a few minutes – to decide whether the seats are comfortable enough or if the handling leaves something to be desired. Renting a car for an extended test drive, on the other hand, provides plenty of time to learn about all the bells and whistles. And it’s the most fun you’ll have conducting car-buying research.
Once you’ve narrowed your choices down, consider spending some quality time with your favorite vehicles, perhaps on a road trip or two. One of the most effective ways to do this is by renting. This may cost you some money upfront, but it could save you from buying a car that won’t meet your needs in the long run.
This could be an especially beneficial step if you are thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle, giving you extra time to learn about things like range and charging.
Even if the specific trim level is different in the rental compared to the car you want to buy, you can still experience how the vehicle handles and performs for different types of driving. Details like color, fabric vs. leather seats and other optional features, don’t matter on a test drive. Focus on what the car delivers in terms of comfort and performance.
If your weekday and weekend driving habits are different, make sure your rental time includes both types of days.
Things to Consider During an Extended Test Drive
On a standard test drive, you only have enough time to decide if the car handles well under limited circumstances. An extended test drive allows you to dive deeper into the car’s features. Create a checklist of things that are important to you and evaluate those features in each car.
Some important things to consider include:
Noise: Listen for the level of road noise in the car while driving. Does road noise make it difficult to carry on a conversation with others in the car or to hear the radio? Even at low speeds, is the engine too loud for you?
Adjustability: Can you customize settings to make the seats and other features comfortable? Take into consideration the seat angle and height, cup holder and armrest positioning, as well as the fit of the seat belt. A long drive can reveal design features that could move a vehicle to the top or bottom of your list.
Safety: Do you feel secure in the car? Does the vehicle feel solid with smooth movement, particularly at cruising speed on the highway? It’s essential that you feel safe in your car. Checking safety ratings is important, but you also need to feel personally secure in the vehicle.
Power: The trick is to get enough power to do the job but not so much that you feel out of control or burn fuel needlessly. Does the vehicle make it up steep hills without feeling like it’s struggling? Some drivers are content with 140 horsepower, while others would never consider anything less than 200. If you don’t have a preference, then factor in fuel efficiency, and choose the smallest engine that effectively handles the job.
Gadgets: Play with the interface of the entertainment system, assessing the placement and ease of use of the controls for features like cruise control and the stereo.
As you spend more time driving your rental, you’ll develop a better idea of how well the vehicle suits you. This will help you determine whether the car in question is suitable for your lifestyle and driving demands. After all, the last thing you want is to be stuck with a car that struggles to meet your needs.
We’ve all heard the phrase “you can’t burn the candle at both ends” to symbolize what happens if we overextend ourselves by working too much without rest. But in an increasingly stressful world where Americans are working more than ever, it seems that lots of candles are already totally burnt out.
This unique type of stress has a name: burnout, or occupational burnout. It is an all-encompassing state of physical and emotional exhaustion induced by chronic workplace stress. Sound familiar? You bet. Employee stress has been increasing for over a decade and remained at a record high in 2022, according to a survey conducted by Gallup.
So, we’re all stressed. What now?
Burnout Symptoms
Identifying burnout is the first step in addressing it. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is categorized by, “feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.”
What Causes Burnout
Several factors contribute to these feelings, often stemming from a combination of professional and personal circumstances. Professionally, high work demands, lack of control, insufficient support and unclear expectations can create a perfect storm for burnout to rear its head. Individual traits like perfectionism and an inability to say ‘no’ can also increase the likelihood of burnout occurring.
Dealing With Burnout
Studies have shown that employees who experience workplace burnout have a 180% greater risk of developing depressive disorders, making it even more important to know how to decrease its effects.
When it comes to beating burnout at work, prioritizing self-care is a must to replenish physical and emotional energy. Establish a routine that includes plenty of sleep, nutritious meals and regular exercise. Taking breaks throughout the day can also prevent burnout by allowing moments of relaxation to create space between stressful tasks.
Learning to set clear boundaries between work and personal life can help, too. Establishing limits on the amount of time and energy dedicated to work-related tasks prevents work from pooling into other areas of your life and creating a false sense of urgency.
Of course, reaching out for support when you need it is never a bad idea. Discussing your feelings with friends, family or a mental health professional can provide valuable insights and coping strategies to help you manage and overcome the feelings of burnout.
How to Prevent Burnout
Experiencing burnout once is more than enough. To avoid feeling its effects again, there are a few things you can do. First, regularly assess your stress levels and overall well-being. Incorporating self-reflection into your routine, like performing daily check-ins on how you feel, can identify potential stressors before they escalate. Overcommitting to tasks, assignments and projects can lead to overwhelming stress, so be selective about the tasks and responsibilities you take on by developing the ability to say ‘no’ when necessary.
Burnout is a real and prevalent challenge in our fast-paced world. Recognizing its signs, addressing its root causes and adopting a proactive approach to well-being can help in navigating and preventing burnout once and for all.
Have you ever experienced burnout? How did you resolve it? Tell us in the comments.
The big game is on the horizon and you’re getting ready to host friends and family to cheer on your favorite team. You’ve wiped the fingerprints from your television screen, gone shopping for snacks and started working on your three-bean dip. But have you thought about safety?
If you’re having a game day party at your house this year, keep these home insurance tips in mind.
Keep an eye on your guests.
If you’re planning to serve alcohol to your guests, keep an eye on how much they’re drinking. It is of the utmost importance that no one who has overindulged winds up behind the wheel. If someone does overdo it, make sure that they go home with a designated driver, call a taxi or hire a ride-sharing service to get them home safely.
Watch open flames on the stove and grill, and make sure they’re clean from residue before you start cooking. Have a fire extinguisher on hand in case things get out of control.
Make sure you’re storing and cooking foods at the appropriate temperatures to minimize the risk of food poisoning, and always wash your hands before and after handling food.
Ask guests beforehand if they have any serious food allergies. If so, you might want to rethink the bowl of peanuts.
Minimize falling hazards.
Before the party, make sure that the paths leading up to your house are clear of ice and other debris, so that even in the dark they can be traversed safely. Inside the house, clean up any spills as soon as possible so that nobody slips and falls.
Whenever hosting a large event, you might want to consider event insurance.
Look into umbrella coverage.
While your existing homeowners insurance policy will protect you from liability losses in some situations, you might need some additional coverage. Umbrella coverage, also known as a personal liability policy, provides extra protection for the big game and beyond.
Learn more about your homeowners insurance coverage options.
In the Northeast, the colder season is traditionally a time for hunkering down with a good book, bracing for bitter temperatures and trying to stick to those vexing New Year’s Resolutions. But is it the best time of year to buy a house? For house-hunters willing to brave the elements and choose from a slimmer inventory of homes, the experts say yes.
According to the national online real estate database at Zillow, the best time to sella house is March. In addition to spring bringing a rose-colored hue to real estate, families typically like to purchase closer to the summer months and avoid uprooting the kids during the school year.
As a result, the inventory of houses on the market tends to be highest during these peak late spring/early summer selling months. A seller’s market is great for those trying to unload real estate, and higher inventory certainly gives home buyers more properties to choose from, but competition from other buyers is also likely to peak during this period, driving prices higher.
Buying a house in the winter, however, puts the buyer back into the driver’s seat. Yes, there are usually a much smaller number of homes on the market, but there are also fewer buyers to compete with, and sellers might be much more motivated to get a deal done, providing buyers with critical bargaining leverage.
“Sellers are much more motivated in the winter,” says Alan Wood, a broker with RE/MAX Plus in Rochester, New York “We like to say winter sellers aren’t just in the market, they are on the market, and really want to sell, and buyers can often get a little better price because of the lack of competition.”
Of course, not everything about winter makes it the best time to buy a house. Accumulated ice and snow can make it difficult for buyers to carefully evaluate the exterior of the home and the quality or quantity of the landscaping. “From a buyer’s standpoint, it is difficult to evaluate a home when everything is covered in snow,” says AAA mortgage consultant Louis Alfaia. “Be sure to visit your possible new home when the roof and yard is clear to avoid any nasty surprises.”
Wood agrees and says there’s nothing wrong with asking to see summer photos of the yard or taking some extra time for a more thorough inspection of things that are easily hidden by snow, including roof issues, grading issues, and damage to sidewalk, driveway and patio pavement.
A little extra due diligence aside, wintertime house hunters can expect a bevy of advantages over spring and summer buyers, including extended rate locks and discounts on everything from interest rates to moving company fees. “We move 80% more people in the summer than in the winter,” says Lior Rachmany founder and CEO of Dumbo Moving, the largest moving company in New York City. “As a result, winter moves, on average, cost 25% less than summer moves.”
And like purchasing a home at any time of year, patience and timing are key to finding a great deal on a house during the winter months. “Except in extreme cases, winter sellers still typically wait to negotiate until the house has been on the market for awhile. Even if winter is the best time of the year to buy a house, sellers will still usually work their offers until the 30-day mark, and then begin looking to either negotiate or revisit their listing price.”
Wintertime house-hunters are likely to be well-positioned for increased inventory to hit the market over the next two decades, too. According to Zillow, more than a quarter (27.4%) of the nation’s owner-occupied homes will be sold as a “Silver Tsunami” of Baby Boomers vacate their houses for retirement communities and assisted living facilities. Since this critical demographic has already raised their children, sellers won’t have to worry about matching the market to their kids’ academic calendar.
And don’t be surprised if you run into some lingering holiday spirit. According to Alfaia, sellers will often keep decorations up to give buyers a cozy, nostalgic feeling. “It can be a great time to see a house if it is decorated,” he says. “If you can tolerate the elements, and exercise some patience, winter just might be the best time to buy a house.”
Learn more about how AAA can help you with mortgages.
Like nearly any other aspect of America’s past, countless names have been lost or forgotten through the years of the automotive industry’s history. More often than not, those names belong to people of color. Black pioneers have made innumerable contributions to the car world. Here are six trailblazers that steered the industry – and society as a whole – in the right direction.
Born in Kentucky in 1877, Garrett Morgan would go on to become one of the great inventors of his time. By the 1920s he already had several inventions under his belt, including hair refiner and an early version of the gas mask.
Morgan’s success allowed him to own an automobile (reportedly the first African American in Cleveland to do so). After witnessing a terrible accident at an intersection, an idea was sparked.
Traffic signals had already been invented but they only consisted of two signals: “Go” and “Stop.” The problem was that drivers never knew when the signal was going to switch. This caused cars to stop abruptly or still be in the intersection when vehicles traveling in other directions began to move.
(Courtesy of the Western Reserve Historical Society)
To solve this, Morgan invented a T-shaped traffic signal that had a third, “caution” signal, essentially a yellow light. When the “caution” signal was on, traffic in all directions stopped and intersections would clear. On Nov. 20, 1923, Morgan was awarded a patent for a three-position traffic signal. His original traffic signal prototype is on display at the Smithsonian’s Museum of American History.
Aside from his technical contributions to society, Morgan was a pillar in Cleveland’s African American community. He founded the Cleveland Call, one of the most important African American newspapers in the country, and was a leader in the city’s NAACP chapter.
Patterson learned blacksmithing and worked for a carriage maker before co-founding his own business in 1873. For the next 20 years, the company ran a successful business making expertly crafted horse-drawn carriages.
In 1893, Patterson bought out his partner and formed C.R. Patterson & Sons. When he died in 1910, his son Fredrick took over the flourishing business as the transportation business was revolutionizing. The younger Patterson began noticing an influx of “horseless carriages” on the roads and knew that automobiles were the future. C.R. Patterson & Sons produced its first car in 1915. Known as the Patterson-Greenfield automobile, it sold for $850.
Patterson & Sons quickly established itself as legitimate auto manufacturer. According to the Historic Vehicle Association, the Patterson-Greenfield model was comparable in quality and workmanship to the Ford Model T.
There are no known Patterson-Greenfield automobiles in existence today, but several C.R. Patterson & Sons Company carriages have survived. The National Museum of African American History & Culture states that Patterson & Sons remains the only African American-owned automobile company in United States history,
Became one of the country’s great race car drivers, despite being barred from the Indy 500.
Born in 1897, Charlie Wiggins became an expert mechanic after apprenticing at a local automobile repair shop in his native Evansville, Ind. In 1922, he moved to Indianapolis, opened his own shop and built a race car out of nothing but junkyard parts. Nicknamed the “Wiggins Special,” it was his dream to drive the car in racing’s greatest event: the Indianapolis 500. But Wiggins was denied entry because of his skin color.
Undeterred, he and several other African American drivers formed their own racing league called the Colored Speedway Association. Wiggins’ exceptional driving and top-notch cars lead him to many victories, earning the nickname the “Negro Speed King.”
The highlight of the Colored Speedway Association circuit was the annual 100-mileGold and Glory Sweepstakes. According to the Historic Vehicle Association, the race’s 1924 debut drew a crowd of 12,000 – the largest sporting event held for African Americans up to that point. Over the next decade, Wiggins would win three sweepstakes championships.
In 1934, driver Bill Cummings hired Wiggins to tune his car for the Indy 500. Road & Track states that Wiggins posed as a janitor in order to elude Jim Crow laws. Thanks to Wiggins, Cummings won the Indianapolis 500 and set a track record.
Wendell Oliver Scott was born in Danville, Va., in 1921. He learned about cars from his auto-mechanic father. His first job was driving a taxi before he started running moonshine whiskey, which required him to drive fast in order to evade the police.
At the time, Danville’s racing scene was struggling with attendance. Owners thought recruiting an African American driver would help fill seats. They asked the local police for the fastest driver in town and in 1952, Scott became the first African American to compete in an official stock car race. He would go on to win 120 races in lower divisions, while continually being denied entry into NASCAR because of his race.
Then, in 1961, Scott was able to take over the auto-racing license of white NASCAR driver Mike Poston. He was officially a member of NASCAR’s top-level Grand National circuit – the first African American to do so. Just two years later, Scott became the first Black driver to win a NASCAR premier series event with a victory at the 100-mile race at Speedway Park in Jacksonville, Fla.
By the end of career in 1973, Scott had accumulated 20 top-five finishes. The NASCAR Hall of Fame, into which Scott was inducted in 2015, lists his 495 starts 32nd on the all-time list.
Scott passed away in 1990. It would be another 23 years before a second African American, Bubba Wallace, won a NASCAR race, a full half-century after Scott accomplished the feat.
Kenny Wright, driver for Miller Bros., with a 1955 Chevrolet station wagon, NHRA V-Stock class. Wright was photographed in 1970 for "Driver of the Week" for East Coast Drag News magazine at Atco Dragway, Atco, N.J.
Leonard Miller (center) and Kenny Wright (right), awarded Top 10 Award at Atco Dragway, Atco, N.J., October 1970.
Black American Racers mechanic Kenny Wright (left), owner Leonard Miller (right) and driver Tommy Thompson awarded SCCA Northeast first place trophy in 1977.
Leonard Miller with BAR driver Tommy Thompson at The Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, Wis., in 1978.
Leonard Miller with BAR engineer Ron Hines (right) and BAR driver Tommy Thompson in the driver's seat at The Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, Wis., in 1978. (All photos courtesy of the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian institution)
The first African American team owner to enter a car in the Indianapolis 500 and win a race in NASCAR.
Growing up outside of Philadelphia in the 1930s, Leonard Miller was introduced to automobiles at a young age through his mother, who worked as a housekeeper. “All of these rich, white families had all these rare cars that were beautiful and sounded good,” Miller told Smithsonian Magazine. “So, I said that was for me. And that’s what started me off to a lifetime of races.”
He would go on to pave the way for African Americans in the world of auto racing. It began when he formed Miller Brothers Racing, which won dozens of races throughout the Northeast from 1969 to 1971.
In 1972, he became the first African American owner to enter a car in the Indianapolis 500. Miller’s team was also the first Black professional race team to have a national sponsorship and to enter a Black driver in competition in England.
During this time, Miller also created the Black American Racers Association with, among others, Wendell Scott. The group promoted driver development and honored African Americans in auto racing. At its height, it included 5,000 members from 20 states and several racing disciplines.
With the help of his son, the automotive pioneer later founded NASCAR’s Miller Racing Group. The team won many races through the 1990s and early aughts. In fact, the father-son duo became the first African American team owners to win a track championship in NASCAR history with a victory at Virginia’s Old Dominion Speedway in 2005.
Homer B. Roberts was the first African American car dealer in the country but his greatest achievement occurred far away from the dealership. A veteran of World War I, Roberts was the first Black man to attain the rank of lieutenant in the United States Army Signal Corps.
Following the war, Roberts moved back to his native Kansas City and began selling cars. He specifically targeted selling to the African American community. In 1919, he put his first ad, for seven used cars, in the Kansas City Star, the prominent local Black newspaper. By the end of the year, he had secured 60 sales – all to Black drivers.
In the following years, business continued to grow. Roberts opened offices and showrooms and hired salesmen. In 1923, he opened a brand-new dealership named Roberts Company Motor Mart. Smaller automobile manufacturers saw potential in the African American market and backed his business. This helped Roberts land franchises with Hupmobile, Rickenbacker and Oldsmobile.
Hit hard by the Depression, the dealership closed in 1929 – but not before Roberts had etched his name in history.
McKinley Thompson Jr.
Ford’s first Black automobile designer
One day in 1934, while walking home from school in his hometown of Queens, N.Y., McKinley Thompson Jr. spotted a silver-grey Chrysler DeSoto Airflow. Although he was just 12 years old at the time, Thompson’s life was forever changed. “There were patchy clouds in the sky, and it just so happened that the clouds opened up for the sunshine to come through. It lit that car up like a searchlight,” he later told the Henry Ford Museum. “I was never so impressed with anything in all my life. I knew [then] that that’s what I wanted to do in life—I want[ed] to be an automobile designer.”
In the early 1950s, after serving in the Army Signal Corps in World War II, Thompson entered and won a design contest in Motor Trend magazine. His prize was a scholarship to the ArtCenter College of Design. After school, he went to work for Ford’s advanced design studio in Dearborn, MI. With that, Thompson made history by becoming the first African American automobile designer.
One of Thompson’s first projects was contributing sketches for the Ford Mustang. His most notable contribution, however, came in 1963 when he and other Ford designers conceptualized the Ford Bronco. According to the automaker, Thompson’s work “influenced the design language that would become iconic attributes of the first-generation Bronco.
“McKinley was a man who followed his dreams and wound up making history,” said Ford Bronco interior designer Christopher Young. “He not only broke through the color barrier in the world of automotive design, he helped create some of the most iconic consumer products ever – from the Ford Mustang, Thunderbird and Bronco – designs that are not only timeless but have been studied by generations of designers.”
What other Black pioneers in the automotive do you know about? Tell us in the comments below!
It’s a great time to book a trip to Hawaii, and Pleasant Holidays has everything you need to make it perfect.
Making memorable Hawaii vacations for more than 60 years, Pleasant Holidays has been voted Best Tour Operator to Hawaii by travel industry insiders for 19 consecutive years. You and your AAA travel advisor can trust Pleasant Holidays to provide experience, expertise, an extensive product line and exceptional value for your travel dollar.
From five-star luxurious beachfront hotels for an elegant escape to budget-friendly condo-style accommodations perfect for family getaways, there are options for all travel styles. Island experts are available in Hawaii, ready to provide onsite assistance, insights and a touch of the aloha spirit.
Pleasant Holidays offers the best vacation deals, including exclusive packages loaded with extra value. Only available from Pleasant Holidays, these deals feature special hotel rates, daily breakfast or food and beverage credits, spa discounts and more, providing unmatchable value and savings for your dream vacation. Exclusive rates and added values are available at five hotels on three major islands: ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach and The Twin Fin on Oahu, Aston Kaanapali Shores and The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali on Maui and Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on the Island of Hawaii.
Ask your AAA Travel Agent about Pleasant Holidays’ Zero Brand Change Fees and complete vacation packages, including convenient flights, exciting activities and cancel-for-any-reason travel protection coverage beginning at $49 per person.
As a AAA Member, receive a $50 per booking activity voucher valid toward a variety of select activities when you book a Pleasant Holidays Hawaii vacation. Use that voucher to round out your vacation experience by immersing yourself in the natural beauty and culture of the Hawaiian Islands. It’s best to book tours and activities in advance, all in one place, with Pleasant Holidays.
Schedule a lei greeting for your arrival to set the mood, reserve your rental car for the freedom to explore at your own pace, book a private tour or snorkeling outing and enjoy a relaxing kayak journey. And don’t forget the luaus! Pleasant Holidays can help you with admission to the most unforgettable luaus, including premium seating options for a great view of the action.
Pleasant Holidays also offers the most competitive fares on major airlines serving Hawaii, as well as inter-island flights for multi-island itineraries. Major airlines are adding new flights for summer, so it’s more convenient than ever to get to the islands.
During Aloha Days, available through AAA Travel and Pleasant Holidays, receive $175 off per booking. Aloha Days offers are valid on new bookings made March 1 to April 30, 2024 for travel through December 14, 2024. Roundtrip airfare and a minimum five-night stay at a participating resort are required.
Trust the Hawaii experts at AAA Travel and Pleasant Holidays for the ultimate Hawaii vacation experience.
If you’re thinking about visiting Newport for the first time, you’d be in good company. You see, Newport is the star of many firsts. It hosted the first circus in the U.S. (1774). It was the first city in the country to have gas-illuminated streetlights (1803). Even the first electric light photograph was taken in Newport (1866).
What’s its next first? Welcoming you!
Between its rich and storied history, award-winning restaurants, scenic views, shopping and attractions, Newport is a destination that refuses to be boring. With all there is to do, it might be hard deciding where to start, but your search ends here.
Here are five of our favorite Newport attractions.
Cliff Walk
Take a stroll back in time. Cliff Walk – named for its location upon the soaring seaside cliffs of Newport’s eastern shoreline – is a 3.5-mile trail that takes you past jaw-dropping ocean views and gorgeous Gilded Age mansions. A visitor favorite, Cliff Walk is designated as a National Recreation Trail within a National Historic District, making it a uniquely special place. Start your journey at Memorial Boulevard near Easton’s Beach. Walking the trail in its entirety takes about 2.5 hours. Open from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year and free to enter.
Want to experience Downton Abbey and the Gilded Age in real life? Have your pick of more than a dozen magnificent properties, all teeming with the history, art and architecture of their heydays. As summer cottages for America’s wealthiest from 1870-1910, every Newport mansion tells a story, giving visitors an intimate look behind the curtain of the lavish lifestyles and opulent culture of those who lived in them, and the realities of the servants who worked to keep everything running.
Self-guided audio tours and guide-led tours are available. Plus, be on the lookout for events taking place within the mansions all throughout the year from ballet performances to holiday celebrations and much more.
Newport’s position on Aquidneck Island made it an ideal location as a colonial sea port for whalers, traders and adventurers. Today, Newport’s famed harbor is home to sailing of all sorts from America’s Cup competitions to cruises and more.
Visitors can join in on the fun. Climb aboard your choice of sailboat or power boat with Newport Classic Cruises to take in the stunning views of the harbor and Narragansett Bay either on a warm sunny afternoon or as a sunset cruise to close out your day. Other ways to get your sea legs include taking a seal cruise, chartering an antique yacht and taking a guided tour cruise to learn about the harbor’s history.
Once you’ve explored all you can on foot, it’s a good time to take a meandering ride down Ocean Drive. Beginning at historic Bellevue Avenue, this 10-mile road winds and weaves through one of the most scenic sections of Newport. It passes through gorgeous natural landscapes and famous landmarks such as Hammersmith Farm – where Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis grew up, Gooseberry Beach, Fort Adams State Park and Breton Point State Park.
Want to make your drive even better? Renting an antique car to cruise along in only maximizes the experience, in our opinion.
To truly experience a place, you must try the local fare.
You won’t have trouble finding a gem, either. Newport has one of the best food scenes in the state of Rhode Island, boasting award-winning restaurants and some of the freshest seafood around. Craving something hearty? Order a bowl of clam chowder at The Black Pearl, where they’ve been perfecting their famous recipe for over four decades. Or head on over to Flo’s Clam Shack for a half dozen of golden clam cakes to enjoy while you take in the eclectic surroundings.
During the summer months, you can’t do better than a classic Maine-style lobster roll from Luke’s, served from a waterside window and alongside other tempting menu items like shrimp rolls and crab rolls. Scales & Shells has you covered for seafood pasta cravings with their lobster fra diavolo that’s made-to-order and impossibly flavorful. For local ingredients, colonial charm and white tablecloths, try White Horse Tavern, a beloved favorite that’s been open since 1673.
Ordering food or going out to eat can seem so easy compared to whipping up a meal on your own. Aside from the quick fix, instant gratification of eating out, there are benefits of cooking at home, too. You might have heard that it’s good for your wallet and your waistline, but there are many factors that might convince you to start making more home-cooked meals.
Quality Time
Nothing brings people together quite like food, and that includes food prep. Cooking together is a great form of quality time between friends, family and romantic partners. Eating a home-cooked meal around the kitchen table is a great way to decompress from the day, share stories and connect with family members of all ages.
Nutrition
When you cook your own food, you have more control over what you’re eating. You can include nutrients you’ve been missing out on, fresh vegetables and lean proteins. Once you get comfortable in the kitchen, you can experiment with different types of ingredients that might taste better or add more nutritional value.
You also have more control over portion size, which could mean cooking just enough food or making sure you have leftovers for days to come. If you want to cook at home more but aren’t interested in doing it every day, look into the world of meal prep. Some people cook all their dinners for the week in one go, and portion it out every night.
In addition to cooking to your specific dietary needs, you can also cook to your specific tastes. Want more spice? Add as much as you want. Are you a fiend for onions? Now you can pile them up on whatever meal you’d like. The control you get when you’re cooking your own meal is really unparalleled to anything you could get while eating out.
Financials
In most living situations, it’s cheaper to make your own food. If you have no experience cooking, your wallet might take an initial hit when you’re stocking your kitchen with the essentials, but you’ll save in the long run.
If you’re trying to save more week to week, cooking at home is a great start. You can even make dupes of your favorites for less than it would cost to get them at a restaurant. Just make sure you buy the right amount of ingredients for what you need. If you buy too much food and don’t wind up eating it, you’re basically throwing money down the garbage disposal.
Need a Hand?
If you don’t consider yourself a cook or don’t have time to go to the grocery store or track down new recipes, consider trying a meal kit delivery service. Ingredients are delivered straight to your door, along with weekly recipes and thorough instructions. It’s a great way to teach yourself how to cook, become more comfortable in the kitchen and get in the habit of cooking for yourself. You’ll also build up a backlog of recipes that you can return to again and again.
HelloFresh is a subscription service that delivers the ingredients and recipes necessary for delicious weekly meals. With fresh, pre-portioned ingredients, seasonal recipes and over 30 fresh meals to choose from every week, you’ll never get tired of being in the kitchen. Plus, AAA members can save on their subscription.
Home Chef is a similar service that allows you to teach yourself to cook via a weekly delivery of ingredients and recipes. AAA members can save here too, so take a look at both and see which recipes are the ones for you!
Ready to start cooking? Check out our full list of AAA meal kit discounts here.
Do you you prefer to cook your own meals? Have you ever tried a meal kit? Tell us in the comments.
It’s not always easy to drive in winter conditions, and it can seem even harder when you’re not driving your own car.
If you need to rent a car when there’s ice and snow on the ground, there are a few important tips that you should keep in mind.
Which Car Should You Choose?
One of the most important things to consider when driving in winter is what you’re driving. Depending on what the rental company has to offer, you may have a wide variety of vehicles to choose from. But which are best for driving in winter conditions?
If you’re looking for a car that can handle serious winter conditions, opt for an all-wheel drive sedan or SUV. If you’re headed somewhere with deep snow, you might want the higher ground clearance offered by an SUV.
Some SUVs have advanced all-wheel drive features that can actually improve your winter driving skills. However, not all SUVs have this feature, so check before renting.
Think about renting a car you’re familiar with. If you drive a sedan at home, perilous weather conditions might not be the best time to try out a large SUV. It’s easier to adapt to a car that’s similar to the one you drive at home, and sometimes that’s just as important as all-wheel drive. It’s also not a great time to try out driving an electric vehicle, since they have instant torque (which can be unsettling to first-time EV drivers) and limited cold weather range. If you do rent an EV, make sure to map out charging stations in advance.
And no matter what type of car you’re renting, make sure it has at least all-season tires. If the climate is particularly snowy, opt for vehicles with dedicated winter tires. Even a front-wheel drive vehicle can perform well in winter if it has four winter tires.
If you’re traveling, you’re probably not carrying a full winter car kit with you. But you don’t want to be caught out in the snow without the necessities. If you’re going to be out in winter in a rental car, it’s a good idea to bring along a long-handled snow brush and an ice scraper, just in case. It might also be helpful to get a small, collapsible snow shovel so you can dig your car out if it gets snowed in.
Get to Know Your Vehicle
Don’t hit the road without familiarizing yourself with your rental vehicle. Take a moment at the rental lot to learn where all the important controls are. Find out how to turn on the lights, toggle the windshield wipers, the defroster, traction control, all-wheel drive operation and even the radio and GPS. You don’t want to be fiddling around with buttons and knobs while driving in the middle of an icy road.
If you’re not familiar with how some aspects of your rental car work, try them out in an empty parking lot before you start your journey.
Driving in Winter Weather
All-wheel drive is great, but it can’t change the laws of physics. Even though an all-wheel drive vehicle will get you moving better in the snow, the handling and stopping won’t change that much in comparison to a front-wheel drive vehicle. All-wheel drive might get you up the hill, but when you’re coming down the hill, all vehicles are basically toboggans. Don’t let all-wheel drive make you overconfident behind the wheel. You might feel solid and secure until you have to make an evasive maneuver, which could cause you to skid.
Skidding happens when your wheels lock, when you apply the brakes or accelerator too hard or when you hit a slippery surface while driving around a curve too fast. The most important thing to remember when your car starts skidding is that you should not panic. Continue to look at the path you want to travel, steer in the direction you want the car to go, avoid slamming on brakes and continue to steer even after your tires stop skidding.
When you’re driving on a highway, stay in the lane that has been cleared most recently, and keep your distance from the cars ahead of you. In snowy or slippery conditions, the normal following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. Avoid changing lanes unless you absolutely have to, since you could possibly lose control of your vehicle when driving over built-up snow between lanes. Do not use cruise control when you’re driving in inclement conditions, like icy, wet or snowy roads.
