Back in the early aughts, name brands were everything. They were a status symbol, an indicator of supposed wealth and a representation of what was undoubtedly “in.”
That was then. Nowadays? It’s all about the dupe.
What Is Dupe Shopping?
A shortened term for “duplicate,” dupe refers to products with a permissible similarity to another, more expensive product. For example, this $37 Amazon dress that’s a dead ringer for the viral $90 Skims version, or this insulated water bottle that could pass for the mega-popular Stanley, but for half the price.
Below, we see this in action. Rather than spend close to $1,000 on the trendy swivel chair from CB2, this user found an almost identical dupe on Wayfair for much less.
Dupes get you the look for less, and everyone wants in. Videos tagged with #dupe on TikTok have over 6.5 billion views, solidifying the trend’s gargantuan popularity – and mighty profit power.
Why Are Dupes Trending?
The short answer? Saving money.
Although brands that are commonly duped aren’t considered luxury (midrange brands like Skims or Abercrombie are popular duped brands, particularly for Gen Z), there’s a certain thrill in finding a cheap alternative for a popular product – especially if it’s been discontinued, sold out or otherwise unavailable.
Thanks to TikTok and Instagram, we’re now able to see the dupe possibilities on a whole array of products from makeup to jeans, water bottles, home decor, shoes and everything in between.
Three aspects to consider when searching for a dupe:
Material
Similar ingredients
Other features of the original product like shape, flavor or color.
Some dupes can be found simply by how they look. Over the holidays, many on social media were finding dupes for Pottery Barn holiday decor that looked essentially identical to those being sold at a higher price from the retailer.
Other dupes need a bit of research. Take the viral Flawless Filter makeup foundation from Charlotte Tilbury ($49) versus its dupe contender Halo Glow from e.l.f. Cosmetics ($14). Both have generally similar ingredients, which can suggest a comparable formula (not to mention Halo Glow’s almost identical packaging and applicator).
For a product like athleisure, it’s all down to feel. Both of these $23 leggings from Amazon and Lululemon’s coveted $98 Align pant have an 80% nylon composition, making them seemingly analogous. Paying special attention to a garment’s fabric make up also makes it a bit easier when buying online when you’re not able to see or feel the difference close up.
Of course, one of the best ways to investigate a good dupe is to search for it on social media. Simply searching for the product of your choice plus “dupe” in TikTok or Reels will reveal video upon video of users testing, trying on and reviewing, so you can see for yourself how its dupes really stack up.
Have you found a dupe worth sharing? Let us know in the comments.
This article is for informational purposes only. AAA does not endorse any of the products mentioned.
Our pets are family, but are they protected by our home and auto insurance policies like family?
Whether you are the parent of a recently adopted pet or a longtime animal lover, one thing is for sure: Pets bring unconditional love and joy into our lives. It’s our job to do everything we can to protect them, and that includes preparing for the unexpected. Can insurance help?
We spoke with Jodi DeSantis, vice president of insurance sales for AAA Northeast, to get answers to the questions about how your existing insurance policies may protect your furry loved ones. Details may vary by insurance carrier and state, so check with your agent to find out exactly what your insurance does and does not cover.
Are pets covered by home insurance if they get hurt in your home or yard or lost? If not, are there special coverages available that you can add to your policy?
Generally, home insurance will not cover your pet’s injuries or medical conditions. Specialty pet insurance is recommended to cover those types of expenses. On occasion, a home policy may offer reimbursement on a reward for a lost pet, however, this would depend on your specific terms and conditions.
Some home insurance carriers will exclude or decline to insure certain dogs or dog breeds; for example, dogs with a higher-than-average bite history or a dog that has bitten previously. If your dog or dog breed is not excluded, a scenario where your dog bites someone is generally covered under your home insurance liability coverage.
Liability claims related to dog bites and other dog-related injuries cost homeowners insurers $1,136 million in 2022, according to the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm.
Don’t assume that your home or renters insurance will protect you if your dog bites a person or another animal. Review your policy or contact your insurance company to find out if you own a prohibited breed, and always notify your insurance provider if you get a dog. If you don’t, it opens up the possibility of a liability that could have been avoided with timely notification.
Are pets covered by auto insurance?
Some auto insurance carriers may offer pet injury coverage if your pet is injured during an accident while riding in your car.
Always make sure that your pet is safely restrained in the car. Here’s what you should know about pet car restraint laws in your state.
What if you accidentally hit someone else’s dog or cat and it results in injury or death?
If you are involved in an accident where you are found to be liable for injury to someone else’s pet, those injuries are generally covered under your auto liability insurance.
What if you own an animal other than a dog or a cat? Are there special insurance considerations for pets that could be considered dangerous?
Many insurance carriers will decline to cover an exotic, wild, or dangerous animal. Many of these situations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
What everyone told you as a kid is true – owning a pet is a big responsibility, but it can be even more rewarding. Consider investing in a specialty pet insurance policy to offset the expense of needed medical care and investigate whether your home and auto policies cover you from other pet-related concerns.
While the beaches are mostly empty and the wind may be colder, that doesn’t mean Newport isn’t fun during the off-season. Many of the city’s attractions are open all year, so treat the family to hotels with indoor pools, an aquarium, a winter festival, food competitions, escape rooms, mansion tours and more.
Visit Feb. 16 to 25 for the Newport Winter Festival, offering 10 days of events designed for Newport guests of all ages, including live musical performances. The Rainforest Reptile Show and Princess Party are two events kids will love. If you’re more of a foodie, don’t miss the festival’s 27th Annual Chili Cook-Off on Feb. 17 at the Newport Marriott. Local restaurants compete to be the best, and you’re the judge – so bring your appetite! The following Saturday, the Newport Marriot will also be hosting the Mac and Cheese Smackdown. Festival bracelets are available for purchase that afford discounts on event admissions.
The annual Newport Burger Bender is scheduled from Feb. 16 –Feb. 25. During the event, Newport area restaurants come together to compete in fun categories like “Most Napkins Needed” and “Most Likely to Become a Menu Staple.”
The Sailing Museum features interactive exhibits, allowing visitors to choose a virtual “boat” that will be their avatar to guide them through the different stations, as they learn about water and waves, what a good sailor needs to know and the lives of great sailors of the past.
It’s seal watching season! Save The Bay offers seal watch tours and nature cruises in Narragansett Bay, November through April. Cruises conveniently depart from Bowen’s Ferry Landing. You can choose from a one- or two-hour tour, during which you’ll see seals swimming and laying out under the Newport Bridge and on Citing Rock located just off Rose Island.
Enjoy navigating through intricately designed rooms, crack codes, solve puzzles and unveil mysteries in one or both of the Paradigm Escape Rooms. The immersive gaming facility tests your abilities with “Da Vinci’s Test” or “The King’s Tomb.”
Who better to narrate a mansion tour than the mansion itself? During the Breakers Family Tour, you’ll also hear from family members and staff, as well as the friendly “dolphin” hiding under the grand staircase and the “dragons” in the dining room. Not only does the house come to life, but the sculptures and furnishings as well.
Newport’s Save the Bay Aquarium is relocating from Easton’s Beach to the Gateway Transportation and Visitor’s Center. Set to open this winter, it will feature marine life exhibits, hands-on activities and educational programs for kids.
Whether you like to relax by the pool or have kids that are anxious to splash around no matter the weather, these hotels have you covered.
Hotel Viking
Head up from Thames Street to One Bellevue Avenue where you’ll find the discerningly decorated Hotel Viking. Within the hotel is a refined pool complete with armchairs and chaise lounges for relaxing. Spa services are also available at the property’s Spa Fjör.
The Vanderbilt
The Vanderbilt’s sleek, heated indoor pool is the perfect complement to its stylish outdoor pool and the ideal place to turn when the weather gets chillier, but you are still craving a swim. You’ll find the pool tucked within a hotel influenced by the styles of Doris Duke as well as the mansion’s former owner, Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt.
Newport Harbor Hotel
The Newport Harbor Hotel is located just where you’d think – right on the Newport Harbor. It’s so close the hotel features its own marina. While views of the harbor and its impressive boats are exciting, sometimes the winter calls for a warm dip, and the hotel’s indoor saltwater pool is the ideal place to relax.
Newport Marriott
Escape the hustle and bustle that sometimes dominates Newport in the summer months with a winter stay at the Newport Marriott. Especially appealing at this hotel are the waterfront views, nautically themed guestrooms, and indoor fitness center and pool.
Wellington Resort
The Wellington Resort, conveniently located right on Thames Street, is home to 53 guest suites available for vacation renting. When the weather gets chilly, the indoor pool is a great place to hang out.
Howard Johnson Inn
Located just two miles north of Newport proper in Middletown, the Howard Johnson Inn is a great lodging choice if you’re looking for an affordable stay with quality, newly renovated amenities. Named Hotel of the Year 2023 by Howard Johnson and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the property features an indoor heated pool, a whirlpool spa and sauna available for guest use.
Looking Forward to Spring?
Planning a spring vacation? Enjoy all the wonders of Newport when it is awash in yellow during Newport Daffodil Days. Organizer Newport in Bloom has all the details as well as information about other floral festivals during the year.
Learn more about why Newport should be your next winter staycation.
Get ready to enjoy nonstop activities, entertainment and dining while onboard the 3,099-guest Norwegian Viva. The ship was christened in Miami in late November following its inaugural summer season in Europe.
Kate McGowan, partnership operation manager for AAA Northeast, was on Viva’s first voyage out of Miami. “The detail that went into designing this ship was incredible,” she said. “It felt so spacious and the public areas never felt crowded. There were so many cozy areas to escape to and fun features I haven’t seen on other cruise ships.”
Here are some of the adventures you can look forward to.
Don a helmet and buckle up in your personal race car as you zoom along the Viva Speedway, what Norwegian Cruise Line says is “the first three-level racetrack at sea.” Or go virtual with racing simulators in the Galaxy Pavilion. Get your adrenaline pumping another way while cascading down the side of the ship either on The Drop free-fall dry slide or the 10-story The Rush dueling slides.
Taste the Cuisines of the World
The 16 dining venues across the ship include specialty restaurants that feature the first Mediterranean restaurant for the cruise line as well as Asian-Latin fusion, Japanese, French, Mexican and Italian cuisines, and a traditional American steakhouse.
More around-the-globe dining can be tasted at the Indulge Food Hall. Take a walk around the 11 eateries, eyeing your favorite dishes from Latin America, India and even Texas barbecue, then order electronically at your table.
You are sure to be entertained while watching the Broadway show “Beetlejuice: The Musical,” based on the Tim Burton movie and staged for the sea on Norwegian Viva. Or sing along to the songs from musical legends during “Icons,” a concert-like experience that shares favorite tunes from the last six decades from icons you love, such as Dolly Parton and Lady Gaga. The rock house band at the intimate Syd Norman’s Pour House will have you singing once again accompanied by a whole lot of clapping. You will be laughing out loud during the show at another intimate venue onboard: The Improv at Sea, where comedians do what they do best.
Get Your Game On
The cheering and energy from the audience may be the best part of the experience when two favorite television game shows are recreated onboard Norwegian Viva. “Deal or no Deal” can have you playing and dealing for cash with play cards available for purchase. “Press Your Luck Live” gets contestants avoiding the “whammys” to win big. Other onboard games get you moving with “interactive and tech-immersive mini golf” at Tee Time and a twist on darts at The Bull’s Eye. The Stadium provides a twist on pingpong and foosball and even the chance to play pickleball.
Pick Your Itinerary
It is an all-island Caribbean adventure with Norwegian Viva sailing through March 2024 from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on seven-day itineraries. The ship stops in a different port each day including Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. John’s, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
“The beaches at Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas) were stunning. I highly recommend splurging on a cabana or villa while there,” said McGowan.
Starting in April 2024, you can discover the Mediterranean and Greek Isles when Norwegian Viva repositions in Europe until November 2024.
Get insider tips, exclusive deals and more when you book your vacation with a AAA travel advisor.
Everyone loves a winter wonderland — until you have someplace to be, in which case snow quickly goes from being picturesque to burdensome. This is especially true when trying to dig your car out from the snow.
Freeing your vehicle of snow and ice might seem like a straightforward enough task, but the process contains plenty of pitfalls. Plus, if you do it incorrectly you can damage your car. Here’s how to get the job done correctly.
Gather Your Tools
You’ll need at least two tools to effectively dig your car out from the snow: a shovel to dig out a path for your vehicle and a snow brush to remove snow from the car itself. Do not use a shovel to clear snow off of your vehicle — it will scratch the car’s paint and glass.
Other helpful tools to have on hand are an ice scraper to clear off your windshield and a stepladder to deal with any snow on the car’s roof (if your vehicle is taller than you).
Clear a Path
With your tools in tow, head out to your car. First give yourself some room to operate. Shovel a path around the perimeter of your vehicle. This will make it easier to work and also provide space to rock the car back and forth if and when you get to that stage.
If you’re waiting until a snowplow comes by in hopes it clears a path for you, remember oftentimes plows just pile more snow up around the car, particularly if you’re parked on the street.
Start at the Top
Once you’ve dealt with the snow around your vehicle, it’s time to tackle the snow on your vehicle. Start at the top and move your way down.
Don’t leave snow on the roof of your car – it’s a serious driving hazard. Snow can fall onto your windshield and block your line of sight, or backward onto the road, posing a threat to motorists behind you. As tempting as it may be to use the long arm of a shovel to get snow off your car’s roof – don’t. You’ll just end up with a scratched car. A snow broom or soft-bristled brush is best tool for the job.
Clear the Doors and Tailpipe
Your next goal should be getting inside your car. Make sure your tailpipe is clear of any snow before turning on your car. There needs to be enough space around the tailpipe for exhaust fumes to escape. If there’s not, the fumes could back up into the car’s cabin and lead to fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.
Once the tailpipe is clear, you can turn the engine on and heat the vehicle, which will help melt any snow and ice on the windows. Try and get at least the driver’s door clear as early as possible.
Clear the Windshield and Windows
Hold off on this job until you’re able to start your car since defrosters will make the task much easier. Clear off all the vehicle’s glass — don’t forget the sideview mirrors. Be sure the windshield wipers are able to move but be careful when freeing them. Wipers blades are fragile and a bent frame won’t be able to clear the windshield properly.
Get Your Car Moving
Congratulations! You’ve cleared the snow from your car. Now it’s time to lodge that vehicle loose from its frozen burrow.
First, remove as much snow as possible from in front and behind all four wheels. It’s easy for a car to get hung up on the snow under the car, so shovel and remove as much as possible. Many cars have spoilers, air dams and valances that can be all damaged by trying to “plow” through the snow.
Once you have the snow removed, it’s time to get out of your spot. Try to keep the front tires as straight as possible. Turning the wheels hard to one side will make it more difficult to push through the snow. Start by slowly backing up. Then step on the brake, shift into drive and slowly move forward. If that didn’t get you out, rock the car from reverse to drive, using the brake in between shifting from drive and reverse. Patience is the key here. Never spin the wheels wildly; it will overheat the transmission fluid and possibly ruin the transmission.
If you’re still spinning your wheels, try putting some kitty litter, sand, salt or ice melt on the ground to improve traction.
The hard work isn’t done once you’ve dug your car out from the snow. Winter driving can be extremely hazardous. Follow these tips to stay safe on the road.
Don’t forget to prepare for the season’s harsh conditions by winterizing your car.
Almost one-third of millennials, the generation spanning ages 27 to 42, said the next time they go car shopping, they likely will come home with an electric car, according to the AAA 2023 EV Customer Sentiment Survey.
The survey results, released in November, revealed that 31% of millennials said an EV would most likely be their next car.
At the same time, the familiar misgivings about buying and owning an EV persist across all age groups.
EVs = Prestige
Other studies support millennial leanings. Millennial consumers rank the highest (72%) when it comes to considering purchasing an EV and the largest percentage of those who say they are “very likely” to consider an EV (37%), according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Consideration Study.
Some reports suggest that millennials are attracted to EVs by a desire for status, as well as to showcase affluence, as some EVs are seen as more prestigious than luxury gas-powered vehicles. The trend is more prevalent in cities, where there is greater access to charging stations. And for some, EVs are a better fit for their lifestyle. For those living in a house, it’s possible to install a charging station, allowing EV owners to anticipate long-term savings over the life of the car.
Elsewhere, research in Vietnam indicated that millennials there are shaping up to be the primary consumers of electric vehicles, in part because they are particularly attuned to state-of the-art technology.
Gen Z Not Far Behind
The Generation Z demographic, those born between 1997 and 2012, showed the second most interest in buying an EV. Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, were not far behind, with 18% saying they would buy a fully electrical vehicle for their next car.
Overall, 23% of U.S. adults said they would be likely or highly likely to purchase a fully electric vehicle the next time they buy a car. This was down slightly from 25% in 2022.
Environmental concerns (60%) and lower operating costs than a gas-powered car (76%) remain the primary motivators for purchasing EVs, though, 38% of Baby Boomers cited cutting-edge technology as a reason for an EV purchase.
Charging Concerns Persist
Consumers continue to list the same obstacles to EV ownership year after year. According to the AAA survey respondents, EVs cost too much, (59%), there are too few convenient places to charge them (56%), the cost of battery repair or replacement is too high (55%), and they fear running out of power while driving (53%).
An EV “ceiling” has developed, blocking increased adoption, Greg Bannon, director of automotive engineering research for AAA, wrote in a guest commentary for Automotive News. Despite lower prices and an increase in models to choose from, sales are stagnating, Bannon wrote. Consumers like the idea of owning one, but they are not convinced an EV is compatible with their lifestyle.
To punch through that ceiling, people may need to own two cars, an EV and a hybrid or gas-powered car, so they are confident they can take longer trips when they need to, he said. Drivers also can test the EV experience with a hybrid, Bannon noted. And to really boost EV sales, public charging stations need to dot the landscape.
“If we want to move the needle on EV interest and adoption, public charging must become more accessible, reliable, affordable and convenient,” said Bannon.
The J.D. Power study also warned that without more public charging stations and supporting infrastructure, EV momentum could stall further.
This is the sixth year AAA has administered the survey. It conducted 1,170 interviews, mostly online, with U.S. adults ages 18 and older in March 2023.
Tire care is an important part of car maintenance and something you should get into the habit doing at least once a month. It only takes a few minutes and could save you from having problems when you’re out on the road. Here’s what you need to do to be sure your tires are ready to roll.
Tire Care Starts With Your Eyes
Take a good look at each tire to see if there are any visible signs of damage. These include tears, bulges, bumps or wayward nails stuck into the tread. Even what looks like minor damage can cause major issues. Taking care of potential problems as soon as you see them can help avoid the need for flat tire roadside assistance later.
Make sure you check the whole surface of each tire including both the tread and the sidewall. Even if the tire isn’t flat, any damage is reason to consult a tire care expert for a thorough inspection. They can tell you if a replacement is necessary or if a repair can take care of the problem instead. Make checking your tires a regular part of your car maintenance schedule.
Check the Air Pressure
Properly inflated tires will not only keep you safer, they’ll extend the life of your tires and help your car get better fuel efficiency. Always check tire pressure when the tires are cool, not after you’ve been driving for miles and they’ve had a chance to get warm. Use the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure as your guideline. It can be found on an information sticker located inside the driver’s door for easy reference.
Many cars have a tire pressure monitoring system that includes a dashboard indicator when your tire pressure is low. If this light comes on, don’t delay. Check your tire pressure as soon as possible to avoid damaging your tire and add air until the right pressure is reached. If the light seems to come on frequently, have your tires inspected to see if you have a slow leak.
Keep a close eye on tire pressure when the outside temperature shifts. As a rule, when the temperature drops 10 degrees your car’s tires can lose between one-half and one pound of air pressure. Add or reduce the air in your tires to stay at the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Check the Tread
The fancy pattern of rubber on each tire is the tread and it’s specially designed to keep the tires firmly in contact with the road. It whisks away water and snow and flexes to make sure you have the best traction possible. When that tread wears down, traction suffers. You’ll notice the problem when your car tends to slip in poor road conditions.
It’s hard to tell at a glance if your tire treads are worn down, so there’s an age-old trick for making sure the tread is still good. All you need is a quarter. If you put a quarter into a tread groove with the top of Washington’s head facing down and the top of his head is not visible, your tires have at least 4/32 inches of tread and are fine for continued use. If you can see above the top of Washington’s head, it is time to start shopping for new tires. Do this simple car maintenance test in multiple spots on each tire. Poor alignment or incorrect inflation can cause the tread to wear unevenly. Checking in a few spots helps make sure you’re getting an accurate idea of overall tread wear and helps avoid a call to flat tire roadside assistance if your tire fails.
Keep Up Car Maintenance
Part of taking care of your tires is maintaining overall car maintenance. Have your vehicle’s alignment checked periodically. You may not even realize your alignment is out of whack, but all those potholes and bumps in the road take their toll. Proper alignment helps avoid excessive or uneven tire wear, so you can keep your tires longer.
Although you can’t see it, there are clues you may notice when driving a vehicle with bad alignment. If the steering wheel pulls in one direction or if it vibrates, that’s an indication that your alignment is off. A professional can check your alignment and make the necessary adjustments to your car’s suspension system to keep everything in order.
The key to effective tire care is to pay attention to them rather than waiting for that annual inspection. Check them every month as a part of regular car maintenance and take care of any problems promptly to extend the life of your tires and stay safe on the road.
What’s your preferred method of tire care? Let us know in the comments!
A variety of factors, from job market conditions to inflation and broader concerns over our economy, have made it so that many Americans can no longer rely on a single household income to support their families.
In fact, a 2022 report showed that 40% of Americans balance a side hustle with their primary job.
While most side jobs aren’t substantial enough to equate a living wage, they do provide dedicated workers with an outlet to develop skills they may already have and make some money in the process. In some cases, the experience earned might even blossom into a true entrepreneurial venture, allowing workers to start their very own businesses.
Let’s discuss some of the most popular side hustles you might want to consider.
Make or Sell Your Own Items
If you make anything, whether craft projects or baked goods, you could be sitting on a potential moneymaker. Likewise, if you have a creative itch you’re dying to scratch, you might be able to do so and monetize it at the same time. E-commerce sites and creator marketplaces like Etsy make it easy to sell your product to consumers that are interested in your product. It’s also a good opportunity to learn how to build and promote your own website.
Online Tutoring
Just because you have knowledge in a specific area doesn’t mean that others share your expertise. In this case, you might be able to find work either through the creation of online courses or by becoming an online tutor in math, science or another subject for today’s school-age students. Tutoring websites can help you to break into the field. Plus, you can’t put a price on the fulfillment of helping kids who might otherwise be struggling in school.
Become a Ride-Share Driver
Ride-share services have had a game-changing impact on the world of transportation. Anyone with a license can become a driver, providing you with yet another route (pun intended) to consider as you contemplate which side hustle best fits your schedule. It won’t necessarily be the most consistent money, and you’ll have to account for the fact that you cover gas and other expenses related to your car. Beyond that, you’ll have lots of chances to whip up some extra money.
Start a Freelance Business
If you have specialized knowledge or experience, you could also start your own freelancing business. Tons of companies are open to fully remote freelance work for a number of disciplines, including writing, coding and graphic design. Freelancer websites make finding these opportunities easier than ever, giving you the chance to tackle other projects in your downtime. Imagine gaining valuable experience that can pave the way for your professional future. Just be sure your freelance work doesn’t present any conflicts of interest.
Meal Delivery
When you don’t feel like cooking, what do you do? These days, you simply browse any of the many meal delivery services available. These companies work with local restaurants to provide delivery services, and much like the ride-sharing role above, the barrier to entry is low for aspiring drivers. Some companies don’t even require that you own a car to do so, just be sure to check which services operate in your area. Even if it doesn’t fit your side hustle goals, you’ll probably find exactly what you want for dinner tonight.
Virtual Assistance and Other Tasks
Besides a dedicated meal delivery service, you could perform a similarly helpful function by becoming a virtual assistant. The job description varies wildly depending on your employer and their business, ranging from making calls to social media management. There are online services for aspiring VAs and employers that will connect you to a company with needs that match what you’re qualified (or willing) to do. There are also companies that focus on tasks like running errands, moving and home repairs.
Babysitting and Companion Care
Traditionally, babysitting is a first job for teenagers or college students looking to make a little extra pocket money, but it’s a viable side job for anyone who likes and works well with kids, especially parents whose own children are now grown. Similarly, companion care – which boils down to spending time with and taking non-medical care of senior citizens – is a great way to earn a little money, while at the same time forming a true human connection.
Of course, with today’s technology, the possibilities are endless. Since you have so many potential side hustles to choose from, be sure that you select one that matches your interest level and, if possible, your existing skill set. Remember that side hustles are known as such because they often don’t yield significant income at first. Your passion and dedication, however, promise to carry you through this early period and prevent you from burning out before your investment begins to really pay off.
No one likes being sick. But as the temperature drops and people start spending more time indoors, the risk of catching a cold, flu or other infection increases significantly. Your immune system is your first line of defense against sickness.
Learn how you can boost your immune system naturally with these tips.
Immune System 101
The immune system is a complex network of cells, organs and tissues that work together to help your body combat disease and infection.
Humans are born with some innate immunity. This includes skin, mucus membranes and the lymphatic system, which produces, stores and carries white blood cells that fight infections and other diseases. Acquired immunity happens when you get infected and recover from an illness or when you’re vaccinated.
There’s no quick trick or magical pill for developing a perfect defense against illness, but there are some steps you can take to boost your immune system naturally.
Get Your Probiotics
There’s still much to be learned about how gut flora and the immune system are linked. But probiotics, which strengthen the good bacteria in the gut, can help with digestion and better your immune system.
“There are two ways to get more good bacteria into your gut: fermented foods and dietary supplements. Fermented foods are the most natural source,” according to Harvard Health Publishing. “Probiotic supplements, which are typically sold over the counter, are reserved to treat specific ailments as suggested by your doctor, and not recommended for everyday use.”
Fermented Foods
Foods that typically contain probiotics are fermented foods like kimchi, pickles, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh, sourdough bread and some cheeses (cheddar, gouda, mozzarella). Just be aware of your salt intake. If you’d prefer to drink your probiotics, there’s kombucha – a fermented tea drink, and kefir – fermented milk.
Yogurt
Yogurt is touted as one of the best sources of probiotics. Different types and brands of yogurt boast different amounts of probiotics – anywhere from 90 billion to 500 billion colony-forming units per serving.
When it comes to eating yogurt, make sure to check the sugar content. Look for options with “active” or “live” cultures that have more protein than sugar.
Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
Go for Fruits and Vegetables
Eating a diverse diet provides your body with the nutrients it needs to support your immune system. You want to focus on eating a mix of whole foods, especially fruits and vegetables, which provide a wide array of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
“Malnutrition or a diet lacking in one or more nutrients can impair the production and activity of immune cells and antibodies,” according to Harvard School of Public Health. “Diets that are limited in variety and lower in nutrients, such as consisting primarily of ultra-processed foods and lacking in minimally processed foods, can negatively affect a healthy immune system.”
Stay Hydrated
There’s a reason why we’re told to drink plenty of fluids when we’re ill. To be proactive, get in the habit of drinking enough water everyday.
While drinking water alone doesn’t necessarily give your immune system a boost, water keeps our bodies functioning properly. Drinking water aids in digestion, helps carry nutrients and oxygen to your cells, protects organs and tissues, regulates your body temperature and more.
Know When to Supplement
Taking supplements may sound tempting – especially when some packaging makes flashy claims – but they may not be as beneficial as you’d think.
“Although some preparations have been found to alter some components of immune function, thus far there is no evidence that they actually bolster immunity to the point where you are better protected against infection and disease,” according to Harvard Health Publishing. “Demonstrating whether an herb – or any substance, for that matter – can enhance immunity is, as yet, a highly complicated matter.”
Correct Deficiencies
However, supplementing for nutrients you’re currently lacking can be beneficial. For example, many Americans are vitamin B6- and vitamin D-deficient. Some women ages 12 to 19 are iron-deficient. Talk to your doctor about any supplements you are – or potentially should be – taking. You may want to consider having bloodwork done to see if you have any deficiencies.
Support Your Immune System
There are five micronutrients – vitamins B6, C, E, magnesium and zinc – that help maintain immune function.
“Supplements containing them are often sold as immune boosters in doses that greatly exceed the recommended daily allowance. However, there is no evidence that such supplements have more benefits than merely following a healthy diet,” according to Harvard Health Publishing. “Rather than popping pills to get these micronutrients, you’re wiser to use various foods to boost your immune system.”
What’s more, supplements don’t have the same FDA oversight as medications, meaning it’s likely safer and more effective to get immune system-supporting vitamins naturally, from food.
“Just like a healthy diet, exercise can contribute to general good health and therefore to a healthy immune system,” according to Harvard Health Publishing. “It improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, helps control body weight and protects against a variety of diseases.”
On the other side of the spectrum, obesity – and the low-grade chronic inflammation associated with it – can hamper the immune system.
To stay active, exercise regularly by going on a bike ride a few times a week or taking a 20- to 30-minute daily walk. If it’s too cold outside, check out these ten indoor workouts to stay fit and boost immunity.
Save on Active&Fit Direct membership with AAA Discounts. Choose from thousands of fitness centers and studios nationwide and get access to thousands of guided workout videos.
Avoid Immune Suppressors
Too Much Stress
Stress weakens the immune system, according to numerous studies since the 1980s as well as psychologists in the field of psychoneuroimmunology.
Some stress is natural and largely unavoidable. But, “people who are older or already sick are more prone to stress-related immune changes,” according to the American Psychological Association.
Learn more about how too much stress impacts your health and ways to cope with daily stressors.
Unhealthy Substances
If you want your body to be able to defend itself, avoid consuming harmful substances. Protect your respiratory health by not smoking. And, if you drink alcohol, only drink in moderation.
“Clinicians have long observed an association between excessive alcohol consumption and adverse immune-related health effects such as susceptibility to pneumonia,” according to U.S. National Library of Medicine. “This association has been expanded to a greater likelihood of acute respiratory stress syndromes … and slower and less complete recovery from infection and physical trauma.”
Lack of Sleep
Sleep is an essential part of supporting your immune system. Getting enough high-quality sleep is proven to strengthen your body’s defenses and helps vaccines respond more efficiently.
Not enough sleep can even increase your chances of getting sick. “In the short-term, the risk of infections has been found to be higher in people who sleep less than six or seven hours per night. Studies have found that insufficient sleep makes it more likely to catch the common cold or the flu,” according to the Sleep Foundation.
How will you support your immune system this winter? Tell us in the comments.
Saving money is a skill, and like any skill, it sharpens over time with practice. The key to successful personal finance is adopting small positive practices. The more these saving habits become a part of your life, the more they become second nature – and the more your bank account grows as a result!
Develop a Smart Investment Strategy
A good rule to follow, whether at a casino or when monitoring the stock market, is knowing when to cut your losses. Give yourself an amount at which you’ll sell your stocks when your portfolio isn’t looking so good – maybe it’s the amount you initially put in, or perhaps something higher. You don’t want to lose more than you originally spent.
Unpack the emotional and psychological side of money. Listen to Season 2, Episode 2 of our podcast, Merging Into Life: How to Manage Money Stress and Build a Healthier Mindset.
One of the best saving habits you can get into is to pay your debts off in full when possible, or at least higher than the minimum. Paying off a credit card bill or medical bill little by little may be easier in the short run, but the downside to consistently choosing the minimum option is that you accrue interest, so you pay more in the long run.
Use Your Credit Card Carefully
Having a credit card comes in handy, but it’s important to avoid overspending. Keep in mind the money you have in your checking or savings account and never spend more than what you actually have. Unlike most debit cards, credit cards offer reward points and other benefits, so they can be a great asset for your finances.
Limit the Late-Night Snacks
One great piece of advice for both your body’s health and your financial health – don’t eat anything after midnight! We consume food to have energy for the tasks ahead. After midnight, the only task you should be focused on is sleeping. Avoiding late night snacks after this time can help you cut down on grocery bills, or the cost of restaurant food if you’re out late with family or friends.
Buy Higher-Quality Products
Some items are worth more money for good reason and choosing them over cheaper products can actually save you money in the long run. Take a car, for example; you may be tempted by the lower price tag of an older, used car. In the short run, yes, you save money. But once the car starts breaking down and you start having to bring it into the shop for repairs, you’ll wish you had purchased a newer model.
Keep Your Car in Good Shape
Speaking of cars, make sure to keep yours well-maintained. Regularly getting oil changes and checking to see what that funny noise is under the hood, rather than ignoring it, can help you avoid more costly problems down the road (no pun intended).
Manage Your Money Online
Consider switching to online banking and setting up automatic payments. This might seem a little scary because you may not feel like you have as much control over your finances, or you might be worried that a payment will be taken out when your account doesn’t have enough funds.
To set your mind at ease, try using an app like Mint, which alerts you when your funds are running low. Setting up automatic payments for your bills prevents you from accidentally paying late and getting charged late fees. After all, slipping up and forgetting to pay one of your bills can happen to even the most conscientious among us.
In addition, apps and sites like this are useful in two other amazing ways:
They give you an overview of all your accounts, helping you keep track of everything so your finances are less overwhelming.
They allow you to see the patterns in your spending habits, enabling you to see where your money is going every month, and what you might want to cut back on.
Still feeling wary about online banking? At least take one piece of advice from this tip: Create a spreadsheet for yourself that keeps track of all your accounts at once. Getting a bird’s- eye view of your finances can really help you with your budget.
Set up Your Retirement Fund Early
Don’t wait too long to start setting up a retirement fund. Once you have a better feel for what you have and what you’re pulling in regularly (using the previous tip), you’ll be better able to gauge how much you can part with each month to put into this essential fund. Putting aside 10% of your income each month for retirement is a safe bet. To make this easier you can set up an automatic transfer of a designated amount of money each month to go into these separate accounts, so you never accidentally skip a month.
Add More Money to Your 401(k)
Speaking of retirement, if you work at a job that allows you to have a 401(k), you might consider going for a higher contribution, or even up to the limit, also known as “maxing out.” Think carefully if you can afford it in the short term, though – maxing out is not for everyone’s budget. But if this saving habit is doable for you, you’ll end up with more money for your retirement than you would’ve with the lower contribution. In fact, it’s also a good idea to increase your 401(k) contribution every time you get a raise.
Pick up Handy Household Skills
In the process of sharpening your money-saving skills, you may also want to pick up some other valuable skills along the way, especially regarding your home. To save money on home upgrades and small repairs you may want to DIY some of your design projects or pick up a few basics on plumbing, painting and fixing leaks. You’ll be proud of yourself, too!
Establishing even just one or two of these money saving habits can help you reach your money goals. Get started today!
This article has been updated and republished from a previous version.
It’s true: Home is wherever your pet is. The most recent statistics show that about 45% of households have dogs and 26% have cats, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. While many pet owners like bringing their pets along on car trips, they may not be aware of cat or dog car restraint laws.
Laws on restraining pets differ from state to state, but it’s the invariable laws of physics that are most important when it comes to the safety of you and your pet. If a vehicle is traveling at 60 miles per hour, so are its passengers, and any unrestrained passenger (human or animal) becomes a projectile in a crash unless restrained. A 30-pound dog traveling at 60 miles per hour requires 1,800 pounds of restraining force, making it impossible to hold onto a pet to restrain them in your arms.
Pets can also easily become distractions in the car. Whether you’re taking them to the vet or a park or bringing them along for a hike or road trip, using pet restraints like dog car seats or seat belts help keep them safe in case of a crash and lower the chances they will disrupt your driving.
If you’re driving with your pet in the car, you should get to know your state’s restraint laws, as well as the laws of other states you may cross into.
In Connecticut, distracted driving laws could be applied to drivers carrying their pet on their laps. When it comes to dogs being transported in an open truck bed, they must be contained in a crate or cage. This is a measure to prevent them from falling or jumping out of the vehicle.
Maine
For pickup trucks, convertibles and other open vehicles, Maine laws require some kind of dog car restraint in order to protect canines from being thrown from or trying to escape the automobile. Additionally, pets shouldn’t be carried on the driver’s lap. Violators can be charged under distracted driving laws.
Massachusetts
Again, dogs being transported in the bed of a truck must be safely secured, in either a cage or crate that is properly tethered to the vehicle. There are also height requirements for the sides and tailgate of a truck – they must be at least 46 inches high. Fines can start at $50.
In Massachusetts, laws also prohibit essentially anything that could interfere with a driver’s operation of their vehicle. Though the language is a bit vague, this law can prevent a dog from riding on the driver’s lap, sitting in the front seat or being unrestrained in the car.
New Hampshire
Similar to other states, dogs traveling in truck beds must be properly secured within a crate or cage that’s correctly cross tethered to the vehicle. New Hampshire laws also require certain heights for the sides and tailgate of the vehicle.
In New Jersey, carrying an animal in a cruel or inhumane manner can result in a fine. This kind of disorderly offense could cost a driver anywhere between $250 and $1,000 per offense. Using safety restraints can help protect your pet.
New York
Currently, New York does not have specific laws regarding how to properly restrain pets in the car. A bill prohibiting unrestrained animals in automobiles was first proposed in 2009 but has yet to pass in the state legislature.
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, dogs traveling in a vehicle need to be secured in some way. This can include within a crate, restrained with a harness or dog car seat belt. Pets can also be under the physical control of a person other than the driver. Violators who don’t restrain their dogs can pay a fine up to $200 depending on the number of offenses.
Vermont
Vermont‘s laws regarding pet restraints are a bit more ambiguous. According to this state’s laws, animals cannot be transported in a cruel or inhumane manner. So safely securing your pet isn’t a bad idea in Vermont.
Approved Harnesses and Carriers
Some northeastern states have laws requiring dogs be restrained or secured while riding in a vehicle, while other states’ laws are a bit more vague. If you would rather err on the side of caution and opt to use some kind of pet restraint, there are many safe options to choose from.
Kurgo products are designed for owners and dogs with an active lifestyle. They sell a variety of car products, like the crash-tested Car Safety Dog Harness and Seatbelt Tether.
Additional Pet Needs
When it comes to other pet needs on the road, be sure you have enough food, treats and water. A reflective leash and portable water bowl are helpful to have on hand, as well as a few toys. And finally, don’t leave home without your dog’s collar and ID tag(s).
If you’re taking your pet on a longer trip, check out these tips.
And did you know you can add your pet to your AAA membership? With the complimentary AAA Pet ID Tag Program, AAA can help reunite lost pets with their owners. It’s just another way we provide peace of mind to our members. Visit your local AAA branch to register your pet.
Do you drive with your pets? How do you keep them safe in the car? Tell us in the comments.
Everybody loves the sight of a winter wonderland … until you have to try to drive around in one. Snow, ice, freezing temperatures and low visibility can quickly turn that dreamscape into a nightmare. Fortunately, there are a host of features in modern vehicles that make driving in snow and hazardous conditions much easier and, most importantly, safe. While most vehicles have these features available, some put more of an emphasis on safety than others, making them the best cars for winter driving.
Nearly all Subarus are great for winter driving. Not only is the marque well-known for scoring high safety marks, every model in its lineup, with just one exception, comes standard with its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. This system sends power to all wheels simultaneously for maximum traction and acceleration. In slippery conditions, that power is distributed to the wheels with the best traction. This helps the car maintain a firm grip on the road.
Some of the Crosstrek’s other features add to its case as one of the best cars for winter driving. Most notably, the compact SUV has nearly nine inches of ground clearance. This makes driving on snow-covered roads much easier. The spacious storage room and raised roof rails should be enough for all your cargo if you’re going on an adventure. Add it all together and the Crosstrek is the perfect vehicle to get you through the winter.
If there’s a car manufacturer you can trust to build suitable vehicles for winter driving, its one that has to deal with winters in Sweden.
Much like Subaru, Volvo is renowned for vehicles that are both extremely safe and snow-friendly. And much like the Crosstrek, the V90 Cross Country comes with all-wheel drive, extra ground clearance and spacious cargo room.
The car’s Off-Road mode recalibrates responses to make driving on rough terrain easier. It comes with adaptive headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, collision avoidance systems, road-sign recognition and blind spot monitoring. Heated seats are also available.
Jeeps are known for their ruggedness, so it’s natural to find one on a list of best cars for winter driving. The Grand Cherokee comes available with the Quadra-Lift suspension that lowers the car at highway speeds and raises it for off-road driving. Also available is the Selec-Terrain Traction Management system that adjusts how power is distributed to the front and rear wheels. This enhances traction and handling on snow and other slippery surfaces.
What really distinguishes the Grand Cherokee from Jeep’s other models when it comes to great winter-driving cars is its comfort. It easily fits five adults as well as boasts abundant cargo space. Add in available heated seats and steering, and the Grand Cherokee is a cozy oasis from the winter cold.
The Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road trim includes Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive, which enhances responsiveness and stability by distributing more power to the wheel that needs it.
But you don’t have to go to the top trim level to experience the best the RAV4 has to offer. Standard on all models is Multi-Terrain Select. Drivers can choose between four modes – including Snow — for enhanced traction. The system works by sensing slippage and then regulating wheelspin as needed.
The SUV also comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense. This program includes a host of driver assistance features including pedestrian detection, lane departure alert and automatic high beams.
Boasting top safety awards, gas and hybrid trim options, and a reasonable price tag, The CR-V is one of the top compact SUVs on the market. It comes standard with front-wheel drive, but Honda’s Real Time all-wheel drive, which responds to adverse conditions, is available. Considering how inexpensive the base model is, tacking on additional features still shouldn’t break the bank.
Honda Sensing – a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist system – comes standard in all trim levels. For additional safety help, blind spot monitoring and LED fog lights are also available.
While all the cars on this list have ample storage room, the CR-V takes it to another level. The SUV’s fold-down 60/40 split rear seatback creates an adaptable cargo space of more than 75 cubic feet.
The Top Car Features for Winter Driving
Winter Tires
Once the first snowfall of the year hits, the discussion on the need of winter tires begins. Our experts agree that if you live in a cold climate and regularly drive on snow during the season, you’ll want to invest in winter tires.
Winter tires have two specific features that distinguish them from all-season tires: material and tread pattern. The rubber compounds of winter tires stay flexible in below-freezing temperatures. Additionally, their unique tread patterns and deeper tread depths help channel and expel snow and reduce snow buildup.
All-Wheel Drive
All-wheel drive works by delivering power to all of a vehicle’s wheels instead of just two. Most of today’s best systems drive the front or rear wheels continuously and engage the other set automatically as needed. This is critical when driving on the snow because if one or two tires lose traction, power can be diverted to the other tires to help the car stay in control.
Advanced Safety Features
The same systems that keep drivers safe under normal conditions are even more important when adverse conditions arise. Features such as anti-lock brakes and stability control are required by law. Others, such as adaptive headlights and forward collision avoidance are almost always available. All these features can drastically improve vehicle control and visibility on wintery roads.
Heated Seats and Steering Wheels
Heated car seats and steering wheels may seem like more luxury features than safety features. But being comfortable and alert is critical to operating a car safely. These add-ons can go a long way toward getting a person prepared to drive.
Ground Clearance
Sedans can have as little as four inches of clearance from the undercarriage to the road. If you get a major snowfall, the car isn’t going anywhere regardless of the other features. SUVs however, can surpass eight inches of clearance. The more space, the easier it is to drive over the snow.
Regardless of the car your drive, stay safe on the roads this season by brushing up on our winter driving tips.
AAA Northeast is not affiliated with or sponsored by the car manufacturers discussed in this article. The article reflects our own independent analysis.
Whether you buy or build one, it’s always smart to keep an emergency roadside kit in your car — you never know when you might need it.
Before winter arrives, consider supplementing your kit with a few extra tools and supplies to help you stay safe in the season’s toughest conditions.
Year-Round Roadside Kit Essentials
There are a handful of items you should always keep handy for driving emergencies. These include:
First aid kit with extra medication.
Jumper cables or jump pack.
Portable air compressor.
Extra cell phone charger.
Flashlight.
Jack, lug wrench and a spare tire.
Non-perishable food and water.
Road flares or reflective triangles.
Toolkit.
Winter Driving Kit Additions
Shovel / Long-Handled Snow Brush or Broom / Ice Scrapper
Clearing snow off your vehicle and digging it out are two of the most common winter driving challenges. You’ll need at least these three tools in your winter driving emergency kit to effectively get the job done.
A shovel can help you clear a path around the car, as well as in front of and behind all four tires. Collapsible shovels are available for easy storage. A long-handled snow brush or broom should be used to remove snow from the vehicle itself. An ice scraper is the right tool to clear your windshield and windows when the winter weather has frozen over.
Kitty Litter / Sand
If you’re stuck in a slippery patch of snow and ice, kitty litter and/or sand can be your best friend. These substances help improve traction, allowing your tires to grip the road and propel the vehicle forward.
Camping Blanket
Staying warm will be one of your main priorities — and obstacles — if you’re in a winter roadside emergency. A blanket can go a long way in this situation. Your best bet is to look for a camping-style blanket that can be packed up tightly to easily fit in your car.
Lock and Windshield De-Icer
You can’t drive your car if you can’t get inside. Your locks can easily freeze shut if any type of precipitation is followed by plunging temperatures. De-icers can help thaw the lock and windshield quickly and get you on your way.
Rain Poncho
Wearing wet clothes in cold weather can cause hypothermia. For only a few dollars, a simple poncho can protect you and your clothes from the rain and snow. Plus, it can fold up inside a compact package to easily store in your winter driving kit.
Boots, Gloves, Hats
You may be best off keeping an entire extra set of warm clothes in your car. But if you have to narrow it down, make sure to have warm, dry sets of boots and gloves on hand, as well as a winter hat.
Your hands and feet are most likely to come in contact with the snow. Plus, extremities are often the first body parts to feel the effects of cold weather, so making sure these body parts are protected and well-insulated is vital. As for your head, heat escapes from every area of your body, so keeping your noggin uncovered is a mistake.
Hand and Feet Warmers
For an extra layer of protection, stock up on hand and feet warmers.
Extra Windshield Wiper and Fluid
Winter weather is particularly taxing on your vehicle. The onslaught of rain, snow, sleet and ice means your wipers will be working overtime. But this weather can also cause wipers to break. Keeping your windshield clear is paramount in safely operating a vehicle, so you don’t want to be stranded without effective wipers (or enough wiper fluid).
Pro tip: When replacing your wipers as part of regular car maintenance, save the old wipers for emergencies.
Sports Drinks
We know that it’s always a good idea to have extra water in your vehicle. In the winter months, however, you may want to supplement your hydration supply with sports drinks, which typically freeze at a lower temperature than water.
Additional Warning Devices (Flares and Reflective Triangles)
Warning devices should be part of your year-round roadside kit, but you’re more likely to use them in the colder months. The sun sets earlier during the winter, increasing the odds that it will be dark outside while you’re dealing with your emergency. Being stuck on the side of the road in the dark without any (or enough) warning devices can be very dangerous.
When it’s time to get into the holiday spirit, nothing makes the heart grow three sizes quite like a good Christmas movie.
Our Holiday Movie Showdown pitted eight of the most beloved festive flicks against each other for your votes. So, who “sleighed” the competition?
After three rounds and nearly 6,000 votes, the winner is “It’s a Wonderful Life”!
It turned out that Kevin McCallister’s booby traps were no match for Ralphie with “A Christmas Story” beating “Home Alone” by 90 votes. And in the battle of the comedies, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” defeated “Elf” by a similar margin. The 1964 stop-motion favorite “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” crushed “The Nightmare Before Christmas” with 90% of the vote in the animation category.
After breezing past “Miracle on 34th Street” and “A Christmas Story,” in the first two rounds, “It’s a Wonderful Life” took on Rudolph for a battle of the classics in the finals, coming in with the knockout and winning by just ten votes!
Thank you for participating. Now mix up some hot chocolate, pop some popcorn and enjoy the holidays with your favorite movies.
Holiday Movie Polls
Let’s get your thoughts on a few more controversial holiday film questions.
Holiday Movie Watchlist
While the debate for best holiday movie may never truly be settled, we’ve put together a holiday movie watchlist of essentials that could put anyone in a jolly mood. To help us choose, each movie here has an average Rotten Tomatoes score of 68% or higher.
Oldies but Goodies
These classic holiday movies from the 1940s and 1950s bring the nostalgia.
“Holiday Inn” (1942)
This classic, seasonal Irving Berlin musical follows a trio of performers (played by Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Virginia Dale) who try their hand(s) at running a country hotel.
When a downtrodden father and husband, George Bailey (James Stewart), wishes he’d never been born, his guardian angel (Henry Travers) pays him a life-saving visit. A must for any holiday movie watchlist!
After an old man named Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) fills in for Santa in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, he changes the lives of those around him.
There are many adaptations of this holiday classic, but this version comes highly rated and is one of the most faithful to the original story, telling the tale of a crotchety businessman who’s visited by ghosts.
This romantic comedy musical follows two singers (played by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) who join a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to put on a Christmas show.
*Some honorable mentions for this category include “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944) and “The Shop Around the Corner” (1940).
Kid-Friendly Favorites
These G-rated movies and shorts are perfect for young kids – and kids at heart.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1964)
This stop motion film is filled with iconic imagery and songs while telling an important lesson that’s equal parts nostalgic, heartwarming and festive.
The first Peanuts special to air on television, this animated classic tells the story of Charlie Brown and his friends as they learn the true meaning of the holidays.
The original adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s beloved tale, watch as the grouchy Grinch goes from hating and trying to steal Christmas, to fully embracing it.
A magical top hat brings a snowman to life in this classic animated film that makes a great singalong for little ones. (Get tips to build your own snowman here.)
These holiday movies are filled with adventure, laughs and holiday spirit. Check out these ‘nice’ – PG-rated – flicks fit for the whole family.
“A Christmas Story” (1983)
This fan-favorite holiday classic follows a young boy, Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who wants nothing more than a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.
In this iconic movie, 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation. Hijinks ensue when two bandits (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) target his home.
In this flick, Will Ferrell’s portrayal of Buddy, a grown man who thinks he’s an elf, is hilarious and heartwarming, making a feel-good holiday movie for everyone in the family.
When Santa (voiced by Bill Nighy) misses delivering gifts to one child on Christmas Eve, his youngest son, Arthur (voiced by James McAvoy) steps up to try and save the day.
Although it’s a newer addition, the hybrid animation style of “Klaus” gives a nostalgic holiday feel while telling the story of a postman who discovers the location of Santa.
From action and horror to fantasy and other less conventional themes, these holiday movies – ranging in rating from PG to R – stray from the classic formula but are still festive in their own way.
“Gremlins” (1984)
The focus is more on the creatures than Christmas in this flick where a father gifts his son a “mogwai” with a specific list of care instructions.
This action classic stars Bruce Willis as a New York City policeman who’s attending a corporate holiday party with his wife. Things go awry when a group of terrorists threaten the festivities.
This horror follows a young woman babysitting a boy during the holidays when danger threatens the peace. This movies starts out a little cringe-inducing, but its many twists will keep you on your toes.
These holiday flicks – rated PG-13 and R – are for more mature audiences. Focusing on humor and adult situations, these ‘naughty’ holiday movies will have even the biggest ‘Grinches’ feeling festive.
“Trading Places” (1983)
Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy star in this social satire where two men change places, experiencing opposite socio-economic lifestyles during the holidays.
Bill Murray stars in this comedy about a cold-hearted television executive. “Scrooged” is crude and hilarious – but also nostalgic and festive thanks to the “Christmas Carol” formula it follows.
This slapstick comedy follows husband and father, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), as he tries to prepare the perfect Christmas for his family, but things go off the rails.
A raunchy black comedy, “Bad Santa” stars Billy Bob Thornton as a grouchy conman and his partner in crime, Tony Cox, who pose as a mall Santa and elf in order to steal from outlet stores.
Every season in Italy has its charms, but when is the best time to visit Italy for the ideal mix of good weather, value and elbow room (that’s “spazio di manovra,” in Italian)?
Get ready to trade in your pumpkin spice latte for some caffe amaretto because you don’t want to miss Italy in the fall.
Italians call their home “bel paese” – the beautiful country – and it’s especially true when the heat of summer gives way to the sunny days and cooler nights of October.
Set your sights on Italy in October to explore Rome, Venice, the Amalfi Coast and beyond, without melting into a puddle of molten lava.
“Air conditioning is not as much of a thing in Italy as it is in the U.S., so that can be an issue for some when it’s very hot,” said AAA travel advisor Jennifer Della Pena, who suggests both early spring and fall for those who who prefer cooler temperatures.
There is a caveat, however. “If you are going to Southern Italy and Sicily, that climate is very different than if you’re doing the Dolomites on the border of Switzerland,” Della Pena added. The former is generally warmer than the latter.
For example, the weather in Italy in October can still be pleasant enough to hit the beaches of the Italian Riviera, particularly earlier in the month. The Rome climate is moderate, averaging pleasant, 72-degree highs during the day. But the mercury dips to an average of 58 degrees in Lake Como, and even chillier in the Italian Alps.
Keep in mind that this time of year is also considered the start of rainy season in Italy, so be sure to pack a raincoat, just in case.
Summer is peak season in Italy, so try to plan around those months if you can. “If you really want fewer crowds then you have to go off-season like March and November or full-on winter months,” Della Pena said.
Both October and November are the best months to visit Italy to tour Rome, Pompeii and other historic cities if you want to avoid large swarms of tourists and have good weather.
Going off-season will also generally save you some money, which is certainly another perk.
The Best Places to Visit in Italy in Fall
Now that you know the best time to visit Italy, here’s where you’ll want to go while you’re there.
Rome
We’re not saying you’ll have popular Roman attractions like the Trevi Fountain, the Forum and the Colosseum all to yourself if you visit Rome in the fall, but once the summer crowds thin out, the experience can be more like a vacation and less like gladiatorial combat.
Borghese Park is a great place to enjoy fall colors, and more moderate temperatures make this time of year perfect for exploring ancient Rome’s version of a superhighway, the Appian Way, via bicycle.
The ruggedly beautiful southern coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula isn’t just a magnet for visiting tourists – Italians love it, too. By October, however, popular destinations like the towns of Positano, Salerno, Amalfi and Ravello are less crowded as summer visitors go home and Italians go back to work, making fall truly the best time to visit the Amalfi Coast.
Most attractions, hotels and restaurants remain open, and less traffic on the fabled Amalfi Drive means more time to explore other nearby sights like Pompeii, the island of Capri and Naples, famous not only for more than 4,000 years of history but also as the birthplace of pizza.
The Lakes Region
Italians have been fleeing the summer heat for the cooler lakes region in the north since before an emperor sat in Rome, but destinations like Lake Como, with its famous villas, and Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore remain attractive options through the month of October, when roads and restaurants are less crowded, resort room rates are less stratospheric and amenities, like ferries, continue to operate, albeit on a reduced schedule.
Visiting in November is a bit trickier. Although fewer attractions are open when the weather turns wintery, snowfall in the lake valleys brings its own unique beauty and charm.
Piedmont
The annual Alba Truffle Fair is a savory highlight of fall in Italy’s Piedmont region, which sits at the base of the Alps, along the border with France and Switzerland. But truffles aren’t the only fall food celebrated here. Piedmont is famous for a bevy of other culinary delights, including walnuts, chestnuts and hazelnuts, autumn vegetables dipped in “bagna cauda” – a hot sauce made with anchovies, olive oil and garlic – and sampling chocolate in the region where Nutella was born.
Sicily
The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily is ringed with beaches that can be enjoyed for swimming and sunbathing well into October. Visiting the largely shadeless Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is far more pleasant in the fall than in the baking Sicilian summer. If temperatures do get a little chilly during your stay, you can always warm up with a hike to Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe.
Vibrant and cosmopolitan, Milan’s famous shopping, events, museums and nightlife hum along year-round. Opera season begins in November, with performances at the legendary La Scala opera house; it’s also the month when the city hosts its annual Jazz Festival. And, of course, attractions like the Duomo cathedral, shopping in the glass-roofed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and museums celebrating Milan’s most famous inhabitant, Leonardo da Vinci, are open throughout the fall months.
Following a two-year federal investigation and at least 1,000 crashes, Tesla has recalled about 2 million electric vehicles in the U.S. in response to concerns about the software in its Autopilot feature.
The recall involves almost all Teslas sold in the U.S. since 2012 and covers all models. The move was spurred by a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into accidents involving Teslas, which determined the design of the car’s Autopilot system “can provide inadequate driver engagement and usage controls that can lead to foreseeable misuse of the system,” according to the NHTSA. In its Defect Information Report, Tesla noted that Autopilot’s software system controls “may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse,” leading to Tesla filing a safety recall with the agency, the NHTSA reported.
The Autopilot program is described by Tesla as an advanced driver assistance system standard in all its cars, designed to increase safety and relieve pressure on drivers. Cars can automatically steer, accelerate and brake within their lanes, while Autosteer helps the car maintain speed and stay in its lane. Enhanced Autopilot assists with changing lanes on highways.
The company, which released its first electric car in 2008, plans to reduce the risks from Autopilot by simplifying the activation and deactivation of Autosteer and installing more alerts to ensure drivers are paying attention.
Tesla used to offer a full self-driving capability for its cars that allowed the vehicle to operate on its own, but that system has been put on hold.
The investigation remains open as the NHTSA continues to assess Tesla’s remedies for the Autopilot system.
Autopilot programs such as Tesla’s have been hailed as a major convenience for drivers, but some worry there are still too many flaws in the systems, causing too many accidents. AAA’s 20223 automated vehicle surveyrevealed that 68% of motorists are afraid of self-driving cars, an increase of 13% from 2022. Many drivers also did not like sharing the road with them.
The NHTSA is monitoring the performance of self-driving cars and has a Standing General Order to receive data from crashes involving cars with advanced driver assistance systems, allowing the agency to assess and investigate trends and safety risks associated with crashes.
Is your car on the list? Here’s what to do if your car has been recalled.
Tells us how you feel about Tesla’s Autopilot and other self-driving features in the comments below.
As technology and engineering advance with each passing year, cars are being sold more as lifestyle choices than as modes of transportation. But all those extras we pack into our car choices can get expensive, and most of the time we just want to get where we’re going.
Ironically, most of the cheapest new cars still have all the infotainment and safety features we’ve come to expect. Along with top-of-the-line fuel efficiency.
So, when you parse a car down to its most essential function, which automobiles are worth their weight in gold? These are the cheapest new cars of 2024.
Nissan Versa
Starting Price: $16,130
The discontinuation of the Chevrolet Spark, which has reigned as the cheapest car for several years, means there’s a new king in town. With a starting price of $16,130, the Nissan Versa is the cheapest new car of 2024 for the second year in a row.
The Versa was completely redesigned in 2020, creating a much-improved vehicle. (No more manually operated crank windows.) The car now comes with more legroom than one would expect, plenty of cargo room and a 122-horsepower, four-cylinder engine that’s more than adequate.
Safety is addressed with a host of features including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beams. The entry-level Versa S sedan retains Bluetooth functionality, but lacks the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration you can find in higher trims.
2024 Mitsubishi Mirage
Mitsubishi Mirage
Starting Price: $16,695
The Mirage’s engine provides an impressive fuel economy of 36 mpg city / 43 mpg highway, but don’t expect much power out of it. Mustering a lowly 78 horsepower, the Mirage is the least powerful car on the market.
That doesn’t mean this compact vehicle has nothing to offer. It comes standard with several safety features – forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning and automatic high beam. The model also features an Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible 7.0-inch display.
For 2024, Mitsubishi is offering the Black Edition Mirage, with black trim, standard 15-inch black alloy wheels, a black roof spoiler and black side mirror caps.
The Mitsubishi Mirage may not be the most fun car to drive, but if you’re running errands or commuting around the city, it may be the best cheapest new car of 2024 for you.
2024 Kia Forte
Kia Forte
Starting Price: $20,915
The lower-end 2024 Kia Forte models have a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, with 147 horsepower and 132-pound-ft of torque. The only transmission available is CVT. The base model has 15-inch steelies, an 8-inch infotainment screen and a 4.2-inch driver information display. Also included is an engine immobilize to deter thefts. As for to entertainment features. owners get a four-speaker sound system, although the LX still includes forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, rear occupant detection alert and driver attention warning.
AAA members get great rates and competitive terms when shopping through the AAA Auto Buying program. Learn more about our network of certified dealers and to start comparing vehicles today.
AAA Northeast is not affiliated with or sponsored by the car manufacturers discussed in this article. The article reflects our own independent analysis.
Feel like you’re sailing away without having to brave the biting wind. You probably associate sailing with the summer months, but here the popular water sport is celebrated all year round. The Sailing Museum offers an interactive museum-going experience. Prospective sailors of all ages will enjoy the mental, physical and teamwork challenges as they gather rewards for their virtual lockers. Looking for a more low-key experience? Check out the Legends of Sailing exhibition, which honors sailors from the National Sailing Hall of Fame and America’s Cup Hall of Fame.
Looking for a teambuilding activity that will delight families with older children (ages ten and up)? Visit the Paradigm Escape Rooms where participants can work together, combining their ideas to navigate adventures with themes like “The King’s Tomb” in which gamers are tasked with hunting down a ruby hidden in an ancient Egyptian tomb.
Located north of Newport proper in Portsmouth, the Newport Car Museum is a must-stop for any car enthusiast. The museum is divided into seven sections, each dedicated to a different type of vehicle. Their collection of nearly 100 cars includes Corvettes, Fords, Porsche, fin cars, American muscle cars and more.
Fans of cars of all types should also pay a visit to the Audrain Automobile Museum during their Newport winter staycation. Rotating exhibitions celebrate rare cars from throughout history, as well as current models. Check the museum’s website to discover the exhibits featured throughout the winter.
One of the biggest draws to Newport is its Gilded Age mansions and winter is the perfect time to pay them a visit, as there are usually less crowds. Explore the homes of former members of Newport’s elite society to discover their history, all while taking in stunning views. Many of the mansions are open throughout the winter and some feature specialty exhibits during this time.
Head to this former twentieth century firehouse for a night of fun as The Bit Players perform their award-winning improvisational comedy show. The theater fits just 75 people, so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. Attending a show is the perfect opportunity to warm up with some laughs after a chilly Newport winter day.
The Newport area is full of breweries and wineries, and the fun doesn’t stop when the weather gets chilly. While some of these establishments do have hours that change with the seasons, many are proud to be either open most of the winter or year-round, including Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth and Taproot Brewing Co. in Middletown, which hosts events into late February. If you are enjoying tastings, remember to enjoy responsibly and designate a driver.
Head to the Jane Pickens Theater in Newport’s Washington Square for a cinematic experience or live performance. Different entertainment presentations are featured depending on the night.
Ryan Amusements is a family-friendly game center with arcade games, kiddie rides and, of course, a stellar prize counter for cashing in all those points you’re sure to win.
Nature Is Always Open: Explore Aquidneck Island’s Beauty
If you’re willing to bundle up and brave the chilly temperatures and wind, Newport’s hiking areas and nature trails are excellent activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Pay a visit to the Norman Bird Sanctuary where you’ll be able to explore seven miles of trails. Another option is the Sakonnet Greenway Trail, which holds the honor of being the longest continuous nature trail on Aquidneck Island.
Save the Bay offers seal tours exploring Narragansett Bay that run from November through April and conveniently depart from Bowen’s Ferry Landing. You can choose from a one- or two-hour tour, during which you’ll witness harbor seals chilling out both under the Newport Bridge and on Citing Rock located just off Rose Island. If you’re also a lighthouse enthusiast, sign up for another of the organization’s offerings: the Seal and Lighthouse Tour.
Be sure to remember your camera when packing for your Newport winter staycation. Your photos are sure to make your social media fans green with envy. The Castle Hill Lighthouse looks even more magical when covered in snow and the Cliff Walk’s rocky paths lead walkers to grand views perfect for capturing and posting.
Newport’s sunsets are famously impressive. You’ll want to snag a spot overlooking Newport Harbor to experience these memorable sunsets. Try Van Zandt Pier, which also offers views of Newport Bridge. Or head to Beavertail State Park located just over the bridge in Jamestown, an area featuring commanding cliffs, making it the ideal spot to take in a signature Newport sunset.
What could be cooler (pun totally intended) than a restaurant set on Newport Harbor? As winter approaches, the palm trees at The Reef are replaced with igloos where you can dine off the restaurant’s signature seafood menu. Each igloo has an individual theme with comfortable seating and colorful design.
For the ultimate sumptuous hot chocolate experience, head to The Chanler at Cliff Walk where you can enjoy your gourmet beverage fireside.
Inns and Boutique Hotels With Fireplace Rooms
After exploring Newport and the surrounding area, there’s nothing like retreating to a room with your very own fireplace. Options include the Francis Malbone House, set in a restored colonial home, and the equally cozy Armistead Cottage B&B and Beech Tree Inn & Cottage. Settle into the Hydrangea House Inn on Bellevue Avenue beside Newport’s famous mansions or get a room with a harbor view at 41 North. Wherever you choose, you’ll want to bring a good book and grab a cup of tea. There’s an armchair by the fire with your name on it.
Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Check out our holiday shopping guide for the best holiday gifts under $100, $50 and $20.
Since our members are the root of everything we do, your feedback is important to us. Let us know if you run into any issues while playing, or share your ideas for future puzzles by emailing us.
Do small towns like in Hallmark movies really exist? In the Northeast, they sure do. The cute small towns of the Northeast are signatures of the region’s charm and New England style. With the help of this comprehensive graphic, here are some of the coziest small towns to visit in the Northeast.
Small Towns in New York
Ellicottville
The picturesque village of Ellicotville is one of the best small towns to visit in New York. Ellicottville features two ski resorts: Holiday Valley Resort and HoliMont, for those who want to try hitting the slopes. Make sure to get some drinks and a bite to eat at the Ellicottville Brewing Co., where you can do brewery tours and a wine tasting – just remember to enjoy responsibly and designate a driver or use a ride share if you need. Want to relax after skiing up a storm? Stop by the Ellicottville Salt Cave and Spa to get pampered and practice some self-care.
During the warmer months, you can explore Sky High Adventure Park, the biggest aerial park in the state, featuring platforms, bridges, obstacles and ziplines. For a more low-key experience with the trees, visit the Nannen Arboretum, which features rare and exotic trees, a replica of a 500-year-old Japanese stone garden, a peaceful pond and bountiful gardens filled with flowers.
Lake Placid, N.Y.
Lake Placid
Perhaps best known for hosting the 1980 Winter Olympic Games, Lake Placid is a hot spot (or should we say, cold spot) for winter sports. This cute village in the Adirondacks offers Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, bobsledding, skating, snowboarding, ice climbing and has quick access to Whiteface Mountain.
No snow? No problem! Lake Placid is filled with new mountain bike trails weaving through dense foliage, hiking trails, rock climbing along with kayaking and canoeing on Mirror Lake. After you’ve had your fill of outdoor adventure, go shopping and dining along picturesque Main Street. Grab a mug of hot chocolate and get cozy.
Cooperstown
If you’re a fan of America’s favorite pastime, Cooperstown is definitely one of the best small towns to visit. Billed as “America’s Most Perfect Village,” Cooperstown is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum. There, you can experience the storied tradition of baseball in America through exhibits on topics like the history of baseball cards, the evolution of the sport from 1970 to the present day, the bronze plaques honoring those in the Hall of Fame and more.
While you’re in town, visit Doubleday Field, where some say baseball was invented in 1839. Not a baseball person? Check out the Fenimore Art Museum, which features fine art, folk art, photography and more. If you’re staying overnight, head to the Otesaga Hotel, a AAA Four Diamond, luxurious and historical resort.
Small Towns in Connecticut
Mystic, Conn.
Mystic
This former whaling village has so much to offer, and it’s almost a completely walkable small town. Go back in time at the Mystic Seaport Museum, journey below the waves at the Mystic Aquarium and enjoy the dining and shopping opportunities at Olde Mistick Village. Oh, and don’t forget to grab a slice at the iconic Mystic Pizza.
Essex
Known colloquially as “the perfect small town,” Essex is surrounded on three sides by the Connecticut River. You can get a great view of the river at the central town dock, which is home to the Connecticut River Museum. A must-do on any visit to Essex is a ride on the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat to experience the beauty of the Connecticut River Valley. Staying in town overnight? Try sleeping in one of the cozy beds at the Griswold Inn, which first opened its doors in 1776. You can also get a bite to eat and listen to some live music in its lively tap room.
Small Towns in Massachusetts
Stockbridge
If you’ve ever wanted to step straight into a Norman Rockwell painting, head to Stockbridge, the inspiration for Rockwell’s “Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas.” It has to be one of the coziest small towns in America if it has his stamp of approval. Art lovers can enjoy the Norman Rockwell Museum here as well as the town’s various historical buildings, the Tanglewood Music Center and the Berkshire Theatre Festival. You can even stay the night at the Red Lion Inn – from the painting!
Provincetown
Affectionately known as P-town, Provincetown is located on the northern tip of Cape Cod. Provincetown has a long and storied history, from its roots as an artists’ colony to its past and present popularity as an LGBTQ vacation destination.
Small-town New England streets combine with a Bohemian streak of creative energy to create one of the most unique towns in the Northeast. Visitors will love the beaches, of course, but you should also enjoy some of the local attractions, like the nationally recognized Provincetown Art Association and Museum, Pilgrim Monument, the Province Lands Bike Trail and more. Can’t decide what to do? There’s no better way to spend a day in P-town than strolling along the busy and colorful Commercial Street.
Rockport, Mass.
Rockport
At the tip of Cape Ann, Rockport is one of the cutest small towns to visit in the Northeast. Take a walk down Bearskin Neck for some of the best shops, art galleries and restaurants in town – and don’t miss the lobster at Roy Moore Lobster Co. You can enjoy the miles of beaches, or go kayaking, sailing, fishing and whale watching along the coast. Nature lovers will enjoy Halibut Point State Park, a protected former granite quarry filled with nature trails, tidepools and stunning ocean views. Finish the day with a sunset dinner at My Place By the Sea, a seaside restaurant with breathtaking views.
Small Towns in Rhode Island
Watch Hill, R.I
Watch Hill
This coastal section of Westerly, more low-key than nearby Newport, is filled with charming boutiques, antique stores and restaurants. Grab a bite at the historical Olympia Tea Room, stroll along the miles of beautiful beaches, go sailing, tour the Watch Hill Lighthouse or ride the Flying Horse Carousel, the oldest continually operating carousel in the country. Bird watchers will enjoy hiking through the Napatree Point Conservation Area, a hot spot for feathered friends. Watch Hill is also home to the Ocean House, the only AAA Five Diamond Designated hotel in Rhode Island.
Little Compton
Incorporated by the Plymouth Colony in 1682, Little Compton has a lot of history. You can step back in time at the Wilbor House Museum, which was built in 1690, and the Little Compton Commons, an iconic New England village green and one of the last three town commons in Rhode Island.
While you’re in town, do some wine tasting at Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, catch some sun at South Shore Beach and explore the dunes and tide pools of the Goosewing Beach Preserve. Want to stay for the night? You can find accommodations at the iconic Stone House Inn, built in 1854.
Small Towns in Vermont
Stowe, Vt.
Stowe
The hills are alive in Stowe, one of the greatest ski towns in the Northeast and one of the most beautiful small towns in America. This “Ski Capital of the East” is nestled between the Worcester Range and the Green Mountains, including Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in the state. Skiing and snowboarding are the way to play in Stowe, featuring the birthplace of alpine skiing in the trails of Mount Mansfield.
There are many resorts to choose from when you’re planning your Stowe vacation, including Stoweflake Resort & Spa, Stowe Mountain Resort and AAA Three Diamond Designated Trapp Family Lodge, founded and run by the actual von Trapp family portrayed in “The Sound of Music.” It’s no surprise that the beautiful Stowe vistas reminded them of their native Austria.
Woodstock
Not to be confused with Woodstock, N.Y., Vermont’s Woodstock is a charming New England town complete with covered bridges, idyllic bed-and-breakfasts and beautiful ski slopes. Visitors can stroll along the streets, stopping at the green and shopping at a majority of locally owned businesses. Skiers will enjoy the Saskadena Six Ski Area, but Woodstock also offers amazing opportunities for biking and horseback riding. You can also visit the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, the only National Park in Vermont.
There are many dining options to choose from, like the casual Worthy Kitchen and the more refined Restaurant at the Covered Bridge. And don’t forget to swing by the Billings Farm and Museum, a working recreation of a 19th century dairy farm. They might even let you try some cheese. Stay at the luxurious Woodstock Inn & Resort, a AAA Four Diamond Designated property established by Laurance and Mary Rockefeller.
Chester
If you’re looking for a small town that’s straight out of a Hallmark movie, Chester is literally it. The 2008 Hallmark movie “Moonlight and Mistletoe” was filmed in Chester. This cozy small town contains two historic districts, 19th century architecture and the 550-acre Chester Town Forest. Visitors can enjoy antiquing, hiking and easy access to the nearby ski areas in the Green Mountains. Snuggle in for the night at either Inn Victoria bed and breakfast or the Fullerton Inn and Restaurant, both beautiful and historical hotels.
Small Towns in New Hampshire
Littleton, N.H.
Littleton
There’s a little bit of everything in Littleton. You’ll be greeted to its historical downtown by a bronze statue of Pollyanna throwing her arms wide open – a tribute to hometown author and “Pollyanna” creator Eleanor H. Porter.
Littleton has a lot to offer in terms of outdoor activities. You can bike and hike at Kilburn Crag and the PRKR MTN Trails, ski at the Mount Eustus Ski Area and kayak at Moore Dam Lake. In town, you can sit at the longest candy counter in the world in Chutters, get some unique pieces at the Bad Art gallery and grab some grub at the iconic Littleton Diner.
Meredith
The lake resort town of Meredith is one of the cutest spots in the Granite State. Since it’s a lake town, there are many opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating and water sports. But there’s fun to be had on land, too! You can ride the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, explore the Meredith Sculpture Walk and hike at Ahern State Park. Don’t forget to catch a show at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse, known as the best professional theater in New Hampshire.
Small Towns in New Jersey
Clinton
The picture-perfect streets of Clinton offer small-town charm in the Garden State. Start you visit by going to the open-air Red Mill Museum Village along the South Branch Raritan River. The museum covers 10 acres and contains 12 historical buildings, including a schoolhouse, a log cabin, a blacksmith shop and the Red Mill itself. In another historical mill you can find the Hunterdon Art Museum, which has a focus on contemporary art and fine art prints.
The town’s main street is filled with shops selling everything from pickles to dollhouse miniatures. Want a bite to eat? You can eat locally sourced foods at The Clean Plate Kitchen or even grab a gourmet hot dog at Designer Dawgs. Yum!
Cape May, N.J.
Cape May
The seaside resort city of Cape May looks like something out of a storybook, filled with colorful Victorian gingerbread architecture and sun-drenched beaches. While you’re relaxing or walking along the beach, you might even find a Cape May diamond – a clear quartz pebble that has washed down from the Delaware River. Enhance your experience with a whale watching excursion, a visit to the Historic Cold Spring Village living history museum or a trip to the top of the Cape May Point Lighthouse. And don’t miss your chance to try the seafood at The Lobster House before you leave.
Small Towns in Maine
Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport
The resort town of Kennebunkport in southern Maine is a popular summer colony, but it’s cozy all year round. You can sail down the Kennebunkport River, stroll or sunbathe on one of the town’s beaches, browse the unique boutiques in Dock Square and go whale watching.
You can also tour the Seashore Trolley Museum, which is all about the history of the trolley, especially in Kennebunkport. Nature lovers will enjoy the 2-mile Parson’s Way shoreline trail and the crashing tides at Blowing Cave Park. If you’re coming in winter, don’t miss Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude, a festival in which Santa arrives to town on a lobster boat, naturally.
Camden
Like Kennebunkport, Camden is a resort town through and through. Its population actually triples during the summer months, so its off-season can seem pretty calm and cozy in comparison. You can take a boat tour through the picturesque Camden Harbor, go antiquing in town, see a performance at the Camden Opera House, enjoy the beauty of the Merryspring Nature Center and more. If you’re visiting in winter, you can even go skiing at the Camden Snow Bowl, the town-owned ski area. It’s the only ski area in the country with a view of the ocean. They even host the U.S. National Toboggan Championships there!
Small Towns in Pennsylvania
Jim Thorpe, Pa.
Jim Thorpe
Nestled in the Pocono Mountains, you’ll find Jim Thorpe, a town named after the Native American sports legend. This picturesque town looks like it came straight out of a postcard no matter the season. Jim Thorpe is the perfect destination for people who like outdoor sports – it offers mountain biking, paintballing, whitewater rafting, hiking and more.
Explore Lehigh Gorge State Park, take a ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, tour historical Victorian mansions and go shopping along Stone Row. When you’re finally done for the day, you can retire to the Inn at Jim Thorpe, a grand Victorian hotel built in 1849.
Honesdale
The northeast Pennsylvania town of Honesdale is considered the birthplace of the American railroad, as it was home to the first steam locomotive run on rails in the country. You can still take a ride on the historic Stourbridge Line today. But that’s not all you can do in this town! Take a hike up Irving Cliff, explore the town’s many Victorian era-buildings on a walking tour or go on an adventure with the Northeast Wilderness Experience.
What are some of your favorite small towns to visit? Let us know in the comments below.
