From horseless carriages to self-driving transports, the past century-and-change has seen cars in every imaginable size, shape and form. But during that time there have been only a few vehicles that have transcended automotive history and entered into cultural history, making them iconic cars.

Status is by and large subjective, but there’s no arguing that these automobiles are as recognizable – both by name and design – and influential as any other four-wheelers that have crossed our paths.

Ford Model T

It’s impossible to formulate a list of the most iconic cars in history without starting off with the Model T. Henry Ford’s creation went beyond transforming the nascent automotive industry: It also had an indelible effect on American society.

First sold in 1908, the Model T was not the first automobile available for purchase in the U.S. It was, however, the first that most people could afford to buy. By revolutionizing mass production through assembly line manufacturing, which substantially lowered the cost to make the car, Ford was able to sell the Model T starting at $260, roughly $8,000 today. By the 1920s, more than half of the world’s registered automobiles were Fords. Closer to home, mass ownership of the vehicle helped connect rural Americans to the rest of the country and eventually led to the introduction of the numbered highway system.

The Model T was more than just the first mass-produced car. It was also revolutionary as an automobile in and of itself. It was the first to have a steering wheel on the left side (previous models had it in the center) and to offer a windshield. That’s not all. According to the Ford Motor Company, “The vehicle was also the first to have its engine block and the crankcase cast as a single unit, the first to have a removable cylinder head for easy access, and the first to make such extensive use of the lightweight but strong alloy known as vanadium steel.”

One characteristic the Model T is often thought to have lacked is color. It’s commonly believed that the vehicle was only offered in black. However, this was only true from 1914-1925. Before and after that time, it was available in several different colors including blue, red, grey, and green.

Ford last made the Model T available in 1927, replacing it the following year with the Model A. All told, more than 15 million Model T’s were sold.

Ford F-Series

If you stick to the roads of the Northeast you may be surprised to learn that the Ford F-Series is the best-selling vehicle in the country – and has been for decades. The truck is the most popular car in a majority of states, including nearly every one in the South and Midwest.

A few years after Ford debuted the Model T, customers began asking for a vehicle capable of hauling heavier loads to help them with work and deliveries. The company responded with 1917’s Model TT, which had the Model T’s cab and engine but a heavier-duty frame.

Following decades of commercial use, the first consumer F-Series debuted in 1948. “After the war, a lot of rural Americans moved to urban and suburban centers looking for work, and many took their Ford pickups with them,” said Ford historian Bob Kreipke. “Ford saw this as an opportunity, and began work on the next generation of trucks for 1948, what came to be known as F-Series Bonus Built trucks.”

Over the decades, the truck merged its utilitarian nature with improved aesthetics and creature comforts like two-tone paint, automatic transmissions, armrests, sun visors and improved heater and radio. It soon became a vehicle that fit in just as well on the farm as it did on Main Street. Today’s F-Series trucks are nearly as luxurious as any luxury car – but far more popular.

Volkswagen Beetle

There is not a more recognizable car in automotive history than the Volkswagen Beetle. Behind that famous bulbous shape is a fascinating story filled with twists and turns. Ironically, although it rose in prominence in the U.S. during the flower power days of the 1960s and ’70s, the car was first commissioned by Germany in the lead-up to World War II. The vehicle was meant to provide German citizens with transportation much like the Model T did in America, but as the war ramped up, production was put on hold.

The first Beetle exported to the U.S. arrived in 1950 and by 1968 America had become Volkswagen’s largest foreign market, accounting for 40 percent of the company’s produced cars. The Beetle’s unique shape – designed by Porsche founder Ferdinand Porsche – and bright colors attracted Americans looking to bask in the post-war glow. It remained popular when drivers began buying smaller, more compact vehicles and got a cultural boost when the car was featured prominently in Disney’s “The Love Bug.” In 1972, the Beetle passed the Model T as the bestselling car of all time.

In the 1990s, Volkswagen unveiled a sleeker, modernized version of the Beetle. This model was sold for the next 20 years until the marquee ceased production of the Beetle in 2019.

Ford Mustang

The mid-20th century was an exciting time for automobile enthusiasts. It was during this period when the idea that cars could be more than just a mode of transport – namely, they could be stylish – took hold.

Ford Motor Company took that concept to a new level when it unveiled the Mustang at the 1964 World’s Fair. The vehicle’s debut was featured on the covers of Newsweek and Time magazines. The publicity worked. With its long hood and short rear deck, the world’s first pony car had a look unlike any other, and consumers lined up. In its first year, the Mustang sold 400,000 units; in the first three years, 1.7 million. This made the Mustang Ford’s most successful vehicle since the Model A.

In case it needed more of the limelight, a green 1968 Mustang 390 GT was famously featured in the movie “Bullitt,” starring Steve McQueen. This helped launch the coupe from popular car to cultural icon.

Today, the Mustang remains as popular as ever. It has been the world’s best-selling sports car each of the past seven years.

Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is so ubiquitous on American roadways that it’s seen more as an everyday vehicle rather than an iconic car. But it’s precisely that popularity that makes the Corolla one of the most iconic cars in history.

At the time the Corolla was first produced in 1966, car ownership in Japan was still something the general public aspired to. Toyota allowed them to reach that goal by creating a car designed as not just a utilitarian form of transportation, but something owners could be proud of, while still being affordable.

“The market has demanded attractive vehicles – vehicles that don’t seem inferior when compared to others and even appear somewhat luxurious” said former Corolla development leader Tatsuo Hasegawa. As such, the car was given great attention to detail and came equipped with new technology and innovative features only seen in higher-end vehicles. These included a revolutionary engine, floor-mounted gear lever, separate bucket-type front seats, armrests, as well as a center console box, radio and heater.

The Corolla also holds an important place in American automotive history. The car was first introduced stateside in 1968 and became the first Japanese automobile to have a major footprint in the United States. Today, America imports more cars from Japan than nearly any other country, roughly $30 billion worth.

As you can observe on your daily commute, the Corolla is still around and still very popular. Through half a century and 12 model generations it has become known as the epitome of automotive efficiency and reliability. That has translated to sales of more than 50 million, making the Toyota Corolla the best-selling car of all time.

Chrysler Minivans

The minivan may not be the sexiest automobile in history, but when they were unleashed onto the public, these family mobiles were downright revolutionary. A van that could drive and handle like a consumer car was an idea that had never been broached.

In the mid-1970s, Ford Motor Company president Lee Iacocca felt the brand needed a family van model. A team of engineers developed a prototype, which Iacocca kept hidden out of fear that the project would get killed off my his boss, Henry Ford II.

A few years later, Iacocca left Ford to join rival Chrysler and was allowed to take his minivan idea with him. By 1983, the idea had finally come to fruition and the van was ready. Sold under two monikers, the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan, the vans were an immediate hit with consumers, selling 290,000 units in the first year. People loved the extra cabin room, sliding door, and car-like maneuverability. It was particularly popular with suburban families who could drive their kids around in one vehicle and still be able to fit that vehicle in their home garage. In no time at all, Chrysler had created a new segment in the auto market and other manufacturers followed suit, creating their own van models.

Toyota Prius

Electric vehicles are the wave of the future and it may not be long before they’re the only cars on the road. It may be difficult to imagine a time without clean-energy cars, but it wasn’t all that long ago – and it was the Prius at the helm of ushering in the automotive trend.

In the 1990s, Toyota set its sights on developing cars with better fuel efficiency. The result was 1997’s Prius, which first reached the U.S. in 2000. The car’s hybrid power system utilized regenerative braking that converts energy into electricity. Interestingly, the futuristic first-generation model was not a hit. Toyota’s designers went to work and came up with a completely redesigned Prius in 2003. The car got boasted an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated rating of 46 combined mpg.

The Prius exceeded expectations by selling hundreds of thousands of units internationally and quickly became one of the most talked about cars on the market. As time went on and climate change became more of a concern, the vehicle grew in popularity to the point where there was a waiting list just to buy one.

Now up to an estimated 58/53 mpg, the Prius remains one of the bestselling hybrids. Toyota has since introduced a plug-in hybrid model capable of 133 mpg equivalent.

Tesla Sedans

While Prius created the electric vehicle market, Tesla has taken it by storm. It started in the early aughts when a team of engineers formed Tesla, Inc. and set out to produce an electric vehicle that could not only meet the performance and capabilities of gas-powered cars, but surpass them, all while producing zero emissions.

Their first attempt was the Roadster sports car, which in many ways was an incredible success. It achieved 245 miles on a single charge, an unheard of range for EVs at the time, accelerated from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than four seconds and reached a top speed of 125 mph. But with a price tag north of $100,000, the Roadster was prohibitive to most customers.

The team went back to the drawing board and in 2012 unveiled the Model S, which immediately raised the EV bar. According to Tesla, the sedan boasted “the longest range of any electric vehicle, over-the-air software updates that make it better over time, and a record 0-60 mph acceleration time of 2.28 seconds.” Just three years after its release, the Model S was already the top-selling battery electric vehicle.

The only thing that threw the car from its throne was Tesla’s release of its Model 3. In 2018, its debut year, the smaller, less-expensive sedan moved 140,000 units – and the pace hasn’t slowed. Although it’s been around for less time than most of its competitors, the Model 3 has quickly outpaced the market and is currently the best-selling battery electric vehicle of all time with more than 1 million cars sold.

Tesla also produces two crossover models, the X and Y, but it’s the company’s sedans that remain most popular and iconic.

Have you driven any of these cars? How was the experience?

What other cars deserve a spot on this list? Let us know in the comments below!

A binge-worthy podcast is something you can really sink your teeth into – a show that you can put on for hours and get lost in. It’s an escape everyone can use now and then. Introducing, your next podcast obsessions.

“Radio Rental“

“Radio Rental” is a podcast about real-life horror stories, told by those who lived them, produced by Atlanta Monster’s Payne Lindsey. Although the stories are real, the podcast is hosted by a video store clerk named Terry Carnation, played by Rainn Wilson. This framing device provides some much-needed levity when the stories get a little too close to home. “Radio Rental” is all about close calls, mysterious strangers, weird memories and last-minute twists.

“You’re Wrong About“

What if the most widely-accepted version of the story, the story you’ve been hearing your whole life, just isn’t true? “You’re Wrong About” is a podcast about common misconceptions, the way stories get warped in the public eye. Host Sarah Marshall and her various guests take turns telling each other about things like the satanic panic, Anastasia Romanov, Koko the gorilla, Y2K and so much more. The podcast never stops surprising you.

“Rabbit Hole“

“Rabbit Hole” is a podcast from the New York Times chronicling how the internet can change people’s minds and lives. From algorithms that point people toward more and more polarizing content to forums that stoke conspiracy theories, “Rabbit Hole” is true to its name. The podcast asks, “What is the internet doing to us?” Columnist Kevin Reese tries to find out. Whether you’re an internet expert or a newbie, “Rabbit Hole” will shock you.

“Oh No, Ross and Carrie!“

On “Oh No, Ross and Carrie!,” Ross Blocher and Carrie Poppy investigate the fringes of belief – then take part in it themselves. The two embed themselves in self-help workshops, sample snake oil, attempt paranormal experiences and sit in on spiritual ceremonies. Listening to the two skeptics sharing their bizarre adventures is one of the most binge-worthy podcast experiences out there.

“You Must Remember This“

“You Must Remember This” by Karina Longworth is a beloved podcast all about Hollywood’s first century. This podcast boasts an incredible library of episodes all about the silver screen. Longworth’s meticulous research and soothing voice make “You Must Remember This” enthralling.

“My Year in Mensa“

When comedian Jamie Loftus took the Mensa exam, she didn’t think she’d actually get in. But once she did, she uncovered an alt-right underbelly of this network of “geniuses.” “My Year in Mensa” recounts online harassment, the hidden world of Mensa Facebook groups and Loftus’ visit to the annual Mensa convention – after being blocked online by half of the people there. “My Year in Mensa” is as shocking as it is funny. Loftus’s creative editing techniques and storytelling skill will make you want to listen to the entire thing all at once. If you like “My Year in Mensa,” try Loftus’s other podcasts, “Ghost Church,” “Aack Cast” and “Lolita Podcast.”

“The Dream“

Season one of “The Dream,” hosted by Jane Marie, is all about the world of multilevel marketing, or MLMs. Marie interviews a participant in the airplane game pyramid scheme of the 1980s, goes deep into multilevel marketing’s alleged ties to the White House and even has a former cosmetics marketer try (and fail) to make money selling makeup through an MLM. This show is shocking, funny and sometimes enraging. Season two explores the state of the wellness industry as Marie tries crystals, magnetic therapy, acupuncture and more. The personal connection that Marie brings to these stories, in addition to her and her team’s tireless research, make “The Dream” a must-listen.

“Killed“

We’re all familiar with the big news stories, the articles that change everything. But what happens to the stories that never get published? On “Killed,” Justine Harman brings dead stories back to life and tries to uncover why they were killed in the first place. The machinations behind these decisions are sometimes even more interesting than the stories themselves.

“Missing Pages“

The publishing world is filled with scandal, gossip and juicy stories. On “Missing Pages,” literary critic Bethanne Patrick uncovers some of the industry’s most outrageous characters, from published plagiarists to industry scammers who built their entire careers on deceit.

What are your favorite binge-worthy podcasts to listen to? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking for even more shows to listen to? Check out all of our recommendations in Podcast Pulse.

The purpose of a life insurance plan is to provide your family with a safeguard against an uncertain future, but many people worry that the evaluation process for new policies might be too stringent and involved for them to qualify. While many factors help a provider decide whether to take on your case, one of the most influential elements is your medical standing. Let’s explore one of the industry’s greatest evaluation tools: the life insurance medical exam.

Speak to a AAA insurance agent to learn more about your life insurance options.

The Life Insurance Medical Exam

Once a life insurance company reviews your medical history, your assigned representative may decide to pursue a thorough medical examination before coming to a conclusion on your eligibility and, ultimately, deciding on your premium rate. Because it is requested by the provider, the exam is performed cost-free by a qualified medical professional. Depending on your provider and their associated examiner, this process could take place at a designated office location or even in the comfort of your own home.

The exam itself involves a fair balance of reviewing previously submitted information, such as your medical history, and a standard physical evaluation. After your vitals are taken, you’ll be asked to provide a urine sample and undergo some basic blood work to check your cholesterol, glucose and other routine health measurements. Ordinarily, the entire exam can be completed in just 30 minutes or so, but will involve additional testing for older applicants. Pending your test results and in-depth review by the provider’s representative over the subsequent few months, the insurance company will decide if it is willing to accept your application and provide the requested coverage.

Managing Expectations

Now that you have a basic understanding of how the life insurance medical exam works, you’re probably wondering what elements of your health the insurance companies are most interested in. In addition to your full medical history (including any chronic medical conditions and medications), expect many of the questions to focus on your lifestyle choices, such as smoking, drinking and exercise. The examiner will use these details to extrapolate a larger view of the risk you pose to the provider.

Because your medical exam is such a significant part of your life insurance application, it’s essential that you take any steps you can to provide the truest results possible.

Here are a few tips to consider as you prepare for your exam:

• Avoid caffeine: Coffee and other caffeinated beverages can affect your heart rate, anxiety level and blood pressure. So it’s best to skip that morning cup of joe.
• Don’t exercise: You might be tempted to schedule a workout the morning of your exam to convey your fitness level, but this can actually negatively skew the results. Skip a day.
• Drink plenty of water: It’s important to stay hydrated prior to your exam, since this lubricates your body’s systems and provides optimal performance of your organs.
• Avoid smoking and drinking: Regardless of how often you drink or smoke, indulging in either in the hours prior to your exam will only hurt your results.
• Fast if necessary: They say you are what you eat, and when it comes to your medical exam, it’s somewhat true, especially since some foods can interfere with your vitals.
• Get a good night’s sleep: Your body is at its best when you’re rested and therefore less anxious. Schedule your exam in the morning and get to it while you’re feeling fresh.

The Results

You’ll find out if you’ve been approved for a policy a few weeks after exam. But even if you aren’t accepted by a particular provider, it isn’t the end of the world. You could always request a copy of the exam results to determine the underlying reason behind the denial or verify that no mistakes were made. This may be a wise move if you suspect something went wrong, since these exams remain on your permanent medical record.

At the very least, a deeper dive could inform subsequent attempts to gain coverage elsewhere. If you decide not to pursue a policy at a particular insurance company, there’s no need to repeat the medical exam if you apply elsewhere in the next six months. Your results are just as applicable at other providers and can help facilitate future applications.

Life insurance plans that do not require a medical exam are available, including the Guaranteed Issue Whole Life and Rapid Issue Whole Life policies offered through AAA Life.

Schedule an appointment with a AAA insurance agent to find a life insurance policy that’s right for you.

Is it time to cut the cable cord? When you consider the choice of streaming services available on the market, cost savings and access to acclaimed streaming-only TV shows and movies, the switch is tempting.

Platforms like Disney+ and Apple TV+ are giving cable companies a run for their money.

“This really is the golden age of content,” said Seana Norvell, director of consumer public relations for Roku. “There’s an incredible amount of great content out there available to watch for free or on paid channels…you have the ability to customize your experience based on what matters to you.”

On the other hand, the bundles provided by cable companies, which consolidate TV, phone and internet to one bill, may be worth the added price for convenience.

Before you start shopping, consider the options.

Why Cut the Cable Cord?

If you’re thinking about cutting the cable cord, you’re not alone. Streaming and cord-cutting surged during the COVID-19 crisis for access to original content that couldn’t be found elsewhere and continues to increase.

But for many cable converts, the most common reason is to save money. Streaming services are available without  expensive fixed-rate contracts. And as cable TV subscriptions fall, monthly costs are increasing. The average monthly cost for cable and internet in 2021 was $116 per household, according to a report by the bill payment company doxo.

Of course, as streaming services become more popular, their prices are increasing as well. “In the early days of live TV streaming … streaming [was] cheaper than cable,” says CableTV.com in their comparison. “With top services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV regularly raising their rates, that price gap is closing. Side-by-side, though, live TV streaming still has the edge.”

How to Cut the Cord

Keep in mind that if you want to cut the cable cord completely, you will still need to pay for internet. If you are currently paying for a cable bundle that includes TV, phone and internet, think of how much you will save just by cutting out the non-essentials.

Fast and reliable internet is key to taking your cord-cutting experience to the next level. Ask yourself if your internet connection is fast enough to stream content. If it seems slow, reevaluating your internet power and Wi-Fi set up can help you get a better sense of how much broadband you need for your household.

Then it’s time for the fun part: customizing your content. Try to mimic the things you like about cable TV, while removing the things you don’t. You’ll also discover a lot of new things to love, like original series and movies exclusive to certain streaming services. If you are new to streaming and want to explore what’s available, many services like Netflix, Hulu and YouTube Premium offer free 30-day trials.

If you don’t want to lose live TV channels, some streaming devices have free TV streaming options, such as The Roku Channel. Services like SlingTV and YouTubeTV also offer skinny bundles, a customized cable TV package that usually includes major broadcast networks like ABC, NBC, Fox and more.

If you’re looking for an easy way to compare streaming services and TV and internet plans and providers, sites like CableTV.com and Allconnect are great examples of free services that allows you to review all your options in one place and find what works best for you.

Popular Streaming Devices

Once you’ve committed to cutting the cord, assessed your internet speed and have picked picked the streaming services that you want, you’ll need a device to stream on. Streaming devices allow you to access all of your favorites in one place by simply plugging into the HDMI port of your TV. They are generally inexpensive and once you buy it, you own it – no monthly rental fee.

Consumers with smart TVs may be surprised to learn that their device already supports all streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and more.

You can also watch most streaming services from your phone, tablet or computer.

Roku

Roku offers an impressive selection of streaming services and even more through the Roku Channel, while remaining an affordable alternative to cable. Their most inexpensive model, the Roku Express, is under $30. To start streaming, you can get a Roku device that connects to your current TV or opt for a Roku TV with Roku streaming services built right in.

Amazon

From the Fire TV Stick to the Fire TV Cube, Amazon’s streaming devices are the most versatile on the market, offering a range of features at an affordable price. Amazon’s streaming devices have some of the top apps for gamers and moviegoers alike, with Alexa integration via the remote – that means you can check the news, weather and sports scores using your voice. The Fire TV Stick has been one of Amazon’s bestselling products for years.

fuboTV

fuboTV is a live streaming television service that you can watch on your phone, tablet, computer or television. If the big game is on, fuboTV has a wide variety of sports channels to choose from. They also have a bevy of lifestyle entertainment channels to choose from, including the Hallmark Channel, Showtime, IFC or FX Movies. There’s also an on-demand section that you can browse.

Apple TV

Looking to bring cinematic value to everything you watch? Look no further. The Apple TV 4K delivers the best picture and sound quality today for those willing to spend a bit more. You can stream TV shows, movies and get access to Apple Originals in a clean and crisp 4K format. Plus, the Siri voice option and sleek design of the Apple TV remote offer an attractive interface. Don’t have a 4K television? Don’t worry. It’s is also compatible with HDR and Dolby Vision TVs. Available in two storage sizes.

Have you cut the cable cord? Are you still undecided? Tell us in the comments. 

Save on more tech with AAA Discounts. 

There’s nothing better than taking a vacation, though the anticipation leading up to one is a close second. Dreaming and planning out the details of your trip is exciting, but can feel overwhelming at times. Where should you stay? What should you eat? What attractions can you absolutely not miss? A great way to make vacation planning fun is to use Trip Canvas, AAA’s free travel planning tool. Trip Canvas lets you research, plan and book vacations all in one place. Plus, you get access to AAA’s travel expertise, savings and discounts.

How to Use Trip Canvas

Where do you want to go? Trip Canvas can help you figure that out. When you open the site, you’re greeted with the top trending destinations, tours, hotels, experiences and more. You can browse around and see what’s hot, or you can type in your desired destination in the search bar. I’ve decided to go to Japan.

When I search for “Japan,” Trip Canvas shows me a map of the country, as well as areas of interest and icons to show how many different experiences are offered here.

I can see information like how many cruises stop here, how many vacation and tour packages include Japan, how many hotels I can book through the site and how many things there are to do.

I choose a destination that I want to visit – Tokyo – and I skip the prompt that asks me when I’ll be going, because I’m not sure yet. Trip Canvas is flexible for any stage of planning, from the blue-sky daydream to the brass tacks decision-making. Next, I can choose from a series of inspiration prompts to tailor the results to me, personally.

Sounds good! I’m going to go with Adventure, Nature, Foodie and History, Art & Culture. Now, I can view all of the different experiences, tours, restaurants and hotels to inspire my trip. I can even open a map to see how close all of my different options are.

By adding a heart to one of my options, I’ve added it to my trip. Soon, I have my very own vacation planned and ready to book! And if I have any questions, I can even share my trip with a AAA travel agent through the website so they can see what I’ve planned.

When I’m done planning my trip, I can save it to my AAA account or to my email, and I can share it with my friends to entice them to come with me.

Get Inspired

Trip Canvas is built to help you dream, plan and book trips all around the world, whether they’re a couple states away or across the world. When you’re using Trip Canvas, you can rest assured that your plans all meet AAA’s high standards. Here are some Trip Canvas experiences you can find in some of the world’s most popular vacation locations.

Orlando

Take a vacation down to America’s playground with Trip Canvas’s help. At the Walt Disney World Dolphin, AAA members can stay on Disney property and still save money. Or you could try the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Orlando. You could visit one (or a few) of the area’s many theme parks, take a sunset airboat ride through the Everglades or even meet a manatee. After your adventure, have dinner with a show.

Nashville

If you’ve got a song in your heart, you’ll love Music City, USA. Music lovers will never run out of things to do in Nashville, from a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry House to the Country Music Hall of Fame. You can even take a line dancing class to really enjoy the local culture. Hungry? You’d better be. Nashville’s food is just as good as its music, with restaurants that offer farm-to-table Southern cooking and authentic seafood dishes.

Paris

So many things to do in Paris, so little time! Trip Canvas is the perfect way to make sure you don’t miss a thing in the City of Light. You can do some wine tasting, take a historic walking tour of the city center and even propose! Stay in luxury near Notre Dame or at a quiet boutique hotel. And don’t forget to eat! A great way to sample all the city has to offer is to take a food tour guided by a local foodie.

Rome

The past and present mix in Rome, also known as the Eternal City. With Trip Canvas, you can make plans to tour the city by Vespa, get access to Rome’s underground secrets and learn the ancient art of mosaic. When you’ve worked up an appetite, eat like a local! You can enjoy some of the best food in the world, from delectable street food to restaurants in historic locations.

With Trip Canvas, you can instantly become an expert in planning vacations all around the world – you have all the resources you need right at your fingertips. So what are you waiting for? Start planning now!

Hawaii’s second largest island offers experiences to satisfy every type of traveler, from beaches and world-class golf courses to historical cowboy towns, dramatic waterfalls and a slumbering volcano called Haleakala that dominates the landscape.

Drive

Traverse crazy curves and 59 bridges along the 64-mile Road to Hana in eastern Maui. Your reward is Instagram-worthy panoramas of East Maui’s black lava coastline and waterfalls. You can even sample the spring water. (Warning: It’s not very tasty).

Giddyup

Stop at the cowboy town of Makawao, and don’t miss the cream puffs at T Komoda Store and Bakery. At night, head to Lahaina to dine on traditional
poi, poke and laulau, while watching hula dancers.

Get Wet

Enjoy swimming, snorkeling and other watersports in Maui’s western resort area. Choose Ka’anapali for family fun, Wailea for its beaches and golf courses or upscale Kapalua for romance and pampering.

Dine

For farm-totable dining, try Merriman’s Kapalua. Get your sushi and sashimi fix – with a Hawaiian twist – at Sansei. For a front-row seat at sunset, book a table on the patio of Pacific’o in Lahaina.

Stay

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa has a lagoon-style pool and a nightly sunset cliff -diving ritual. Andaz Maui, known for contemporary decor and local cuisine, and Ritz-Carlton Kapalua have AAA Four Diamond amenities.

Featured image: Road to Hana (Wingmar / Getty Images)

Most Americans searching for European vacation ideas dream about winding cobblestone alleys, sidewalk cafes and ancient town squares, and then automatically think of the continent’s big five: London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam and Barcelona (or Madrid). All are world-class cities that should be on your bucket list. However, once you’ve crossed them off, it opens up an unlimited number of possibilities for your next destination.

To help narrow things down, we’re offering up European vacations that need to be on your agenda for someday (hopefully, soon).

Exploring the History of Italy

Hundreds of years before the ancient Romans came to dominate the Western world, the Etruscans and the Greeks shared the Italian peninsula. And for hundreds of years after the empire’s decline, successive societies rose and fell again. From the Stone Age to the Renaissance, each left an indelible mark that is still apparent up and down the boot.

Besides the eternal allure of Rome, an abundance of signs pointing to former glory linger in Florence, Milan and Venice, which all experienced a measure of dominance at some point throughout the centuries. All of the cities are easily reached by train, but it’s just as enjoyable to wind through the hilly countryside in a car.

Walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain

Camino de Santiago, the famed pilgrims’ trail, runs from the French border in the Pyrenees for more than 300 miles through northern Spain to the city of Santiago de Compostela, where legend says the bones of St. James are buried. Along the way, you pass through medieval villages and breathtaking landscapes, a journey that has inspired hundreds of books, including tomes by actors Shirley MacLaine and Andrew McCarthy.

Most people start in the city of Sarria, which is about a five-day walk from the end. Regardless of where you begin, it’s an indescribable experience.

Eating Your Way Through the French Countryside

Paris eternally tops every traveler’s wish list, for good reason, but the undeniable romanticism of the French way of life might be more easily found in the countryside than in the bustling city. From tiny neighborhood boites to palatial chateaus, the savory tradition of long, paced meals lives on in restaurants where the wine flows as freely as the friendly smiles.

Besides having charming bed and breakfasts near the beach, the idyllic town of Lion-sur-Mer is one of the best European destinations you never knew you wanted to visit. It provides a good home base for World War II buffs interested in learning about the D-Day invasion and the liberation of Europe.

Driving Through Mysterious Iceland

A relative newcomer to the tourist trail, remote Iceland has surged in popularity in the last decade, partly because its national airline offers free multiday stopovers in the capital of Reykjavik on the way to another destination.

On the Ring Road that circles the island, travelers will find hot springs, volcanoes and dramatic mountain backdrops under spectacular displays of the northern lights. Highlights can include descending 400 feet into a dormant volcano, climbing onto a glacier and swimming in the vivid Blue Lagoon. Perhaps not surprisingly, the ice cream scene in Iceland is special, with unique flavors like birch, dandelion and multiple varieties of licorice.

Cruising Along the Danube River

Another of history’s great empires, the Austro-Hungarian, lived and died along the storied Danube River, which flows through some of central Europe’s most photogenic cities. The architecture in the biggest cities – Vienna, Austria, and Budapest, Hungary – exudes all the pomp and circumstance of the Hapsburgs. The same sense of history can be found in the quirky smaller cities that you might never think to visit, like Nuremberg, Germany; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Belgrade, Serbia.

And thanks to competition from several luxury river cruise lines, it’s a great way to experience some of the best European vacations in comfort with high-thread-count sheets and premium dining options to go along with the beautiful views.

When you are ready, AAA travel advisors are available to help you plan for your future dream trips.

Featured image: Old Nuremberg, Germany. (Sakchai Vongsasiripat / Getty Images)

You’re looking into retirement (hooray!), which likely means you’ll no longer be covered under your employer’s dental insurance (boo!).

You may not know where to start when deciding which dental coverage is best for you. Luckily, Altus Dental makes it easy for AAA members in Massachusetts to find quality, affordable dental care.

Here’s what you should know before choosing how to go about this important next step in your health journey.

Fact 1: Most dental care isn’t covered by Medicare.

Many folks assume that once they retire, their Medicare plans will cover dental work like cleanings, fillings and dentures, but that is not the case. Medicare will only cover certain dental procedures that you’d receive in the hospital, leaving your basic oral health in limbo.

With an individual plan through Altus Dental, you can get coverage that compares to employer-sponsored insurance.

Fact 2: Oral Health is important for your overall wellbeing.

It’s no secret that taking good care of your teeth and gums keeps them healthy, but how does a healthy mouth affect the rest of your body? In many ways, bad oral health can be the catalyst for troublesome health issues, as it’s been linked to both heart disease and diabetes. Some studies have even shown a correlation between gum disease and Alzheimer’s.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 68% of people ages 65 and older are affected by gum disease, a condition that can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. Clinical research shows gum health and mouth bacteria are associated with conditions including:

• Heart disease and stroke.
• Diabetes.
• Pulmonary disease.
• Osteoporosis.
• Bacterial pneumonia.
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

By maintaining dental insurance through your retirement, you’re taking an important step in making sure your overall health is protected, too.

Fact 3: Those with dental insurance get checked regularly.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, folks with dental insurance are much more likely to visit a dentist on a consistent basis than those without, as paying out-of-pocket can be costly. Easy accessibility to routine dental care through individual dental insurance is the simplest way to maintain your healthy smile – and be prepared for the unexpected.

Fact 4: Retirees face unique dental needs.

Dental expenses can increase with age due to the kinds of services and procedures seniors may need like tooth extractions, implants and dentures. Offsetting these costs with individual dental insurance ensures that you get the care you need, so you can keep enjoying your retirement.

Fact 5: Altus Dental can help you stay covered and worry-free.

With Altus Dental through AAA Northeast, AAA members living in Massachusetts can get quality care and coverage, making oral health a breeze.

Explore the benefits and enroll now.

As a holiday all about gratitude, there seems like no better day than Thanksgiving to celebrate friendships old and new. Any excuse to get your chosen family together and share a meal is prime memory-making material. Here are a few Friendsgiving ideas to help you kick off the holiday season.

Schedule a Convenient Date

Scheduling your event before Thanksgiving generally works best.  Not only will your friends be excited for the first festivity of the season, but they may also already be in town for the holiday. Find out when everyone will still be in the area and pick a date accordingly. The weekend before Thanksgiving is one of the best times for your celebration, but you can even consider a mid-week meal.

Make the Turkey or Main Dish if You’re Hosting

Since Friendsgiving generally is held before Thanksgiving, no one will be tired of turkey just yet. If you’re hosting a traditional dinner, plan to make one. While the rest of the dishes typically arrive potluck-style, no one wants to be responsible for transporting a turkey in their car or – even more perilously – on public transportation.

As the host, it’s gracious to prepare the turkey or another main dish of your choosing. Setting a gorgeous bird or other homemade dish on the table ensures that there will be plenty of food to go around. As guests arrive, the table will fill up even more.

For the many Thanksgivings and Friendsgivings ahead, get yourself a good roasting pan. We recommend this All-Clad best-seller.

Ask Friends to Sign Up for a Potluck-Style Feast

While there are no rules for Friendsgiving, guests might be disappointed if there are ten versions of sweet potato pie but no stuffing on the table. Rather than assigning a specific dish to each person, distribute a spreadsheet via Google Docs or another file sharing service listing major categories such as appetizers, vegetable side dishes, grain side dishes and desserts. This allows your friends to see the gaps in the feast and specify the dishes they want to bring to round out the meal.

Prepare the Bar Area and Include Non-Alcoholic Options

Whether you opt to serve bottles of wine or cocktails, it’s a good Friendsgiving idea to have a variety of non-alcoholic options as well. Planning a mocktail that includes holiday flavors such as apple, cinnamon and cranberry ensures that everyone has a tasty drink in hand.

Designate a corner of the dining room or a section of kitchen counter as the bar area, and stock it with ice, glasses and bottle openers. You might even ask guests to bring a wine or spirit that pairs well with their potluck dish.

Create a Playlist

With the right tunes playing, your guests will fall into the holiday spirit in no time, plus every party needs a playlist.

Consider the preferences of your friends when choosing songs that will carry you from appetizers to dessert to lounging and chatting through the evening. Make sure to mix up genres and include enough variety to prevent your background music from becoming monotonous.

Express Gratitude in Creative Ways

While you certainly could go around the table and ask everyone to share what they’re grateful for, it’s possible to capture the spirit of the holiday in more creative ways.

Set out colorful calligraphy pens and allow friends to write their thoughts on a craft paper table runner or tablecloth. Alternately, you could ask them to share their wishes for the upcoming year. This kind of activity allows people to opt in or out as they feel comfortable.

Ask your guests to fill up a gratitude or memory jar and share the notes later in the day. Use this cute gratitude jar and notepad set, then give it away to the person with the best story.

Let Your Friends’ Talents Shine

There is no better time than Friendsgiving to let your loved ones know how much you appreciate their talents. If you have a friend who makes floral arrangements that would make anyone on Instagram swoon, ask them if they would like to create centerpieces. Your friend who just took an online course in calligraphy might be the perfect person to create place cards for the table. Wherever your guests’ strengths lie, think of ways to incorporate their talents in the holiday.

Incorporate some of these Friendsgiving ideas or use them as inspiration for your own creative spin on this popular gathering. and don’t forget to send all your friends home with to-go containers filled with leftovers!

Save on gifts for the holidays with AAA Discounts. 

Paired perfectly with pumpkin patches, meandering through apple orchards and Thanksgiving turkey, apple cider is a signature fall flavor. But have you ever wondered how apple cider is made? We visited Jericho Cider Mill in Jericho, N.Y., where they have been making cider for 200 years, to find out.

How to Make Apple Cider

Located alongside busy Jericho Turnpike, Jericho Cider Mill beckons passersby to stop in. The scent of apples being freshly pressed and baked into pies surrounds the roadside farm stand, stocked with pumpkins, gourds, and bin after bin of apple variety. If you can’t make it to the apple orchard to pick your own this year, you’ll find plenty here.

Inside the store, you can fill your basket with jugs of cider and baked goods prepared on site, from pies to turnovers, and of course, apple cider doughnuts. If you have time to spend, take your treats to one of the picnic tables outside to enjoy with a coffee, hot apple cider or frozen apple cider slushie.

In the back, hundreds of New York State apples are turned into cider. Two-thousand gallons are made per day, every day during the busy season, according to Kerry Ketsoglou, general manager of the mill. On a quick walk-through of the facility, Ketsoglou took us through the basic steps of the cider-making process.

Cider Basics

While not quite the same sweet drink we associate with fall festivals and farmers markets, people have been enjoying cider for centuries. History shows that our ancestors sipped on a boozy variety, brewed to make bitter apples more palatable.

Prohibition put a halt to production of alcoholic apple cider, and though it took a while to bounce back, hard cider has made a serious comeback. Take a look at our favorite Northeast cideries, where you can sample some of the best around.

So, what makes cider, cider? Unlike apple juice, the fresh-pressed juice used for cider is not filtered and has no water or preservatives added. That’s what gives sweet apple cider its unadulterated apple flavor, like biting directly into the fruit.

See How Apple Cider Is Made at a Cider Mill Near You

Jericho Cider Mill
Jericho, N.Y.

Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard
Fly Creek, N.Y.

B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill
Old Mystic, Conn.

Melick’s Town Farm
Oldwick, N.J.

The Hard-Pressed Cider Company
Jamestown, R.I.

Bashista Orchards & Cider Mill
Southampton, Mass.

Apple Cider Recipes

Besides drinking it straight, there are lots of delicious ways you can use apple cider. Once you’re all stocked up from the nearest cider mill, here a few recipes to get you inspired.

Apple Cider Doughnuts (The Kitchn)

Apple Cider Bundt Cake (Tutti Dolci)

Apple Cider Cookies (Betty Crocker)

Apple Cider With Mulling Spices (Magnolia)

Apple Cider Cupcakes (Tasty)

More apple recipes.

Enjoyed warm and mulled with spices or straight from the fridge, apple cider is the kind of drink that makes you feel cozy and festive, perfect for when the crunching leaves beneath your feet signal chillier days ahead.

What is you favorite local cider mill? Tell us in the comments.

For everything fall, head over to the Your AAA Fall Fest!

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your puzzle playing experience. Good luck!

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.

It’s been said that danger lurks around every corner. This is never more true than on the road. Crashes can, and do, occur on any street, regardless of location, condition and speed limit. But not all roads are created equal. While some may have danger around the corner, others have danger all around. All this danger can make for some hair-raising drives.

Roads can be scary for a variety of reasons. Some travel through hazardous terrain, while others are so flat and straight they become breeding grounds for speeding and unsafe driving. You’ll find dangerous roads from coast to coast, in crowded metropolises and areas so remote they’re difficult to access.

Here’s a look at some of the scariest, nerve-racking roads in America.

Million Dollar Highway, Colorado

Officially known as U.S. Route 550, local legend says Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway got its moniker after an early traveler proclaimed she’d have to be paid $1 million to drive it again. 

Winding through Red Mountain Pass in the San Juan Mountains, the roadway is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking in the country. But those stunning views don’t come easily. You’ll encounter steep cliffs and hairpin turns as you climb the highway more than 11,000 feet above sea level. If that’s not unnerving enough, the road, carved into the side of the mountains, has no guardrails. Throw in some harsh Colorado weather and the occasional rock slide and you have one of the most dangerous roads in the country, according to a list compiled by USA Today.

U.S. Route 1, Florida

Florida doesn’t have Colorado’s mountains, but it does have another lurking danger: It’s one of roughly half the country’s states without a full ban on using a handheld cellphone while driving. That might help explain why a recent study found that 17 of the 100 deadliest roads in America were in the Sunshine State, the most in the country. The research, which looked at death totals from 2015 to 2019, found Florida’s section of U.S. 1 to be the country’s second deadliest road. In total, 87 people died there over that time.

Most of the route up the eastern coast is straight as an arrow, inviting drivers to reach dangerous speeds. The southern end, known as the Overseas Highway, connects the Florida Keys to Miami. It consists of miles and miles of bridge driving, something many people find distracting or unsettling.

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, Louisiana

At nearly 24 miles long, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway holds the Guinness World Record for longest bridge over water. Depending on how you feel about driving for a half-hour suspended over a lake, the causeway can be a thrilling or nerve-racking experience. When you get toward the middle of the bridge, where dry land is completely out of view, it will likely veer toward the latter.

Being surrounded by water also leaves drivers open to the elements: The causeway can become enveloped in fog so thick that police have to usher drivers across the lake.

I-4, Florida

Interstate 4 between Tampa and Daytona Beach was once found to be the deadliest interstate in the country, recording 1.41 fatalities per mile. One explanation for the road’s high incident rate could be its route directly through Orlando, one of the country’s premier tourist destinations. “What’s the first thing they do when they get off the plane?” Glenn Victor of the Florida Safety Council asked Fox 35 Orlando. “They rent a car that they’re not familiar with and they’re on their GPS, so they’re looking at the phone and their GPS which, of course, is a distraction while they’re driving.”

I-45, Texas

Some roads are innately dangerous because of how they were designed or the terrain they traverse. Others are dangerous simply because of how many drivers use them – and the number of ensuing crashes they cause. The congested Galveston to Dallas section of I-45, which runs through downtown Dallas, was recently named the deadliest road in America by Budget Direct. Citing heavy traffic and driver complacency, the company found I-45 averages 56.5 fatal accidents for every 100 miles of roadway.

I-10, Arizona

Interstate 10 spans the width of the country, stretching from Jacksonville, Fla., to Santa Monica, Calif., but it’s the roughly 300-mile stretch through Arizona that has proven most foreboding. The highway’s long straight stretches through the desert are hot spots of high speeds, aggressive driving, illegal passing and inattentive drivers. Nearly 500 fatalities were recorded on Arizona’s I-10 over a recent six-year period.

I-15, Nevada and California

The 181-mile stretch of Interstate 15 connecting Las Vegas and Los Angeles is a straight, well-maintained roadway, conducive to safe traveling. And yet, it routinely ranks as one of the country’s most dangerous roads.

The problem isn’t the road – it’s the drivers. Motorists often speed on I-15 while traveling through the openness of the Mojave Desert. The fact they are likely coming or going from the party city of Las Vegas doesn’t help either. One study found that nearly a quarter of the crashes occurring on that section of the I-15 involved a drunk driver.

I-285, Georgia

Atlanta’s I-285 is known as “The Perimeter” because it circles the city in a 64-mile loop. It connects all the area’s interstates and highways and, in doing so, welcomes an onslaught of traffic, including tractor-trailers. The combination of congestion, sharp turns, interchanges and large trucks has turned I-285 into a lethal stretch of pavement. In 2015, Vox calculated the road’s fatality rate at 3.5 per every 10 miles, which, at the time, made it the country’s deadliest interstate.

U.S. Route 17, South Carolina

Winding through forests, marshlands and oceanside towns, South Carolina’s Highway 17 is one of the most scenic drives in the southeast. But looks can be deceiving. The road is filled with an endless number of sharp, blind turns and narrow lanes. The area is also home as well as an abundance of wildlife, creating other potential driving hazards.

All told, U.S. 17 in South Carolina is one picturesque – but perilous – drive. In fact, one study named it the country’s most dangerous highway for summertime travel.

Dalton Highway, Alaska

The James Dalton Highway stretches 414 miles through the Alaskan wilderness from Fairbanks to Deadhorse, located on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. The dirt-and-gravel roadway was constructed in 1974 to help facilitate the oil industry and to this day is mostly used to transport oil.

The Dalton traverses through some of Alaska’s most treacherous terrain, including forests, tundras, steep grades and the Yukon River. Traveling along the road is so dramatic, in fact, it’s the focus of the hit television show “Ice Road Truckers.” But what makes the Dalton Highway particularly dangerous is its remoteness. There are only three towns along the entire route, which includes a 240-mile stretch without a single gas station or rest stop. Should something happen to you along the way, it may take a long time to get help.

Highway 2, Montana

Montana is the country’s fourth-largest state by size but has the eighth smallest population. This means you can drive for a quite some time before coming across anyone else. Open roads can lead to pleasant drives, but they can also be quite dangerous. Nowhere is this more true than on Montana’s Highway 2, which stretches east-west across the northern end of the state.

The roadway maintains a 70 mph speed limit, even as it winds through some mountainous regions. And while the scenic nature may be eye-popping, it also means you’re far away from the nearest help. In 2021, the median EMS call in Montana took a total of nearly 45 minutes. That number only gets higher when first responders have to travel to and from remote Highway 2.

Road to Hana, Hawaii

Driving around the islands of Hawaii seems like a journey through paradise, but be careful what you wish for, especially if you’re traveling along Maui’s Road to Hana.

The 52-mile road connects Kahului to Hana along the island’s rugged eastern shoreline. And though the highway offers picturesque views of mountaintops, lush greenery and crashing waves, the Road to Hana is far from a luxurious drive. Along the way, you’ll encounter a whopping 620 turns and 59 narrow bridges. The route requires such caution it takes motorists anywhere from two to four hours to complete. That’s why the Hawaii Tourism Authority recommends traveling with a permitted tour company instead.

Have you driven on any of these dangerous roads? Tell us in the comments below.

If you want to keep your smile in good working order, it’s important to have dental insurance, even if you no longer have employer-sponsored coverage.

Oral health is an essential part of overall health, and seniors face unique challenges when it comes to teeth.

Fortunately for AAA Northeast members living in Rhode Island, Delta Dental makes it easier than ever to find an affordable coverage plan that offers a range of benefits and is widely accepted by dentists throughout the state.

Dental Insurance Pays Off

Regular dental visits help mitigate and prevent the oral issues older adults are more susceptible to.

Seniors are more prone to plaque and tooth decay, and are especially vulnerable to dry mouth and subsequent bacteria buildup, often caused by taking medications. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 68% of people ages 65 and older are affected by gum disease, a condition that can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.

Clinical research shows gum health and mouth bacteria are associated with conditions including:

• Heart disease and stroke.
• Diabetes.
• Pulmonary disease.
• Osteoporosis.
• Bacterial pneumonia.
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

The risk of oral cancer also increases for people ages 60 to 70, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Dental insurance offsets the cost of preventative care like checkups, cleanings and major procedures, so you don’t have to hesitate to see a dentist and continue routine appointments to stay ahead of your oral health.

How to Prepare Your Smile for Retirement

There’s plenty you can do to keep your teeth strong and healthy well into your golden years. Delta Dental of Rhode Island recommends the following tips:

• Maintain good oral health habits. In addition to brushing two times a day and flossing daily, eat a well-balanced diet, avoid tobacco products and limit alcohol consumption. If you wear dentures, remove and clean them daily.
• Do monthly self-exams for oral cancer. Look for unusual sores or swelling, white or reddish patches and changes in your lips, tongue and throat that last more than two weeks. Early detection can save lives.  
• Continue to see a dentist regularly, even if you have lost your teeth or wear dentures. Discuss replacement options such as dentures, implants and bridges to help restore your smile.  
• Consider the perks of a Health Savings Account. When you are planning to retire, take advantage of your employer’s HSA. Your contributions to the account are tax-deductible and can earn interest or investment gains over time. The money is yours to keep and can be used to fund out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses in retirement.
• Always have dental coverage. Whether it’s through a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicaid or individual coverage, it’s a good idea to research your options and enroll in a dental insurance plan that can cover the increased dental expenses that come with age.

Delta Dental offers a variety of individual plans for retirees to choose from, covering common procedures like dentures, cleaning, scaling, root planing, tissue grafts, veneers and more. With the largest network of dentists nationwide, it’s easy to find a dentist office near you.

AAA Northeast members in Rhode Island can get quality care and coverage at exclusive rates. Start searching.

How often do you go to the dentist? Let us know in the comments below.

With more and more drivers getting behind the wheels of EVs, you may have begun researching the price of these vehicles yourself. But before you calculate your budget and head to the dealership, know that EVs come with additional expenditures that can drive up the overall cost of ownership.

On the other hand, numerous lesser-known financial incentives exist that can help reduce this cost. These monetary bonuses, coupled with a growing number of convenience perks, can make owning an EV more achievable and appealing.

Hidden Costs

Higher Insurance Rates

You can expect to pay a higher insurance rate for an EV compared to a similar model gas-powered car. This is primarily the result of the higher price tags attached to EVs. These vehicles also have expensive parts that can lead to costly repairs should they break.

Additional Registration Fees

To make up for lost gasoline tax revenue, many states have enacted laws requiring additional registration fees on EVs. Currently, 32 states have such fees for plug-in electric vehicles, and 18 also have additional fees on plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Lower Resale Value

When the time comes for you to move on from your old EV, you may choose to resell it. If that’s the case, your car might fetch a lower price than you expected.

Because EVs are evolving rapidly, older models quickly become outdated. This results in a faster depreciation than gas-powered cars. AAA’s “Your Driving Costs” study, found that, on average, EVs lose more than $5,000 in value each year. Gas-powered sedans and SUVs, however, depreciated between about $2,500 and $4,000. Hybrids also lose their resale value quickly, with an average annual deprecation of $3,800.

Home Charging Stations

While EVs can be plugged into a standard home outlet, many owners opt to use a home charging stations. These units can charge an EV significantly faster. However, this upgrade will cost you. The station itself can cost between $350 and $2,000. Installation will likely set you back at least $1,000, up to $5,000 depending on home electrical service capacity. On the bright side, a growing number of states are offering EV owners financial incentives for installing home charging units, which can help reduce the out-of-pocket costs.

Higher Repair Costs

EVs have fewer moving parts than a gas-powered car, which lessens the chance of something breaking or wearing down. When an EV does need a repair, however, it is often more expensive than one for a traditional car. Replacing a battery pack after its warranty has expired, for example, can cost thousand dollars. As an example, a battery for a Chevrolet Bolt could cost $8,000 and a battery for a Tesla could cost $12,000-$18,000. You may also be limited in your repair shop options, as not all repair technicians are familiar with EV repairs.

Perks

Local Financial Incentives

Federal, state and local governments provide rebates and/or tax credits to citizens who purchase an EV. These typically range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

Parking Advantages

A growing number of public and private entities are working to attract EV owners through parking perks. More and more private lots are becoming equipped with EV chargers, allowing drivers to charge their vehicles while away from home. Furthermore, these chargers are often located in convenient spots close to businesses.

Additionally, many cities are now offering free or discounted EV parking at municipal lots, according to UPenn’s Kleinman Center for Energy Policy.

HOV Lane Access

Several states across the country allow battery electric and hybrids access to high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, regardless of the number of passengers in the car. Exact rules and regulations vary from state to state.

(To identify your vehicle as eligible for HOV lane use, you may need to receive a special license plate, decal or register your toll transponder. These steps might require an annual or one-time fee).

Toll Discounts

Another hidden EV perk you might experience on the roadway is discounted toll fares. A growing number of states are offering owners of battery electric and hybrid cars reduced toll fares. New York’s Green Discount Plan, for example, gives EV owners a 10% discount on their E-ZPass rate. Similar programs exist in states across the country.

Bidirectional Charging

The batteries in EVs can receive a charge, of course, but many can also redirect that charge in order to power an external device. This capability, known as bidirectional charging, allows the EV to essentially act as a generator. It’s perfect for use in an emergency or any other time you find yourself away from an electrical source and in need of power.

Visit AAA’s Electric Vehicle platform for more information on these cars of the future.

America’s national parks are national treasures. Dedicated to the protection and conservation of history and nature in our country’s most spectacular open spaces, they belong to all of us to discover and enjoy.

Thank You for Participating! (Session Closed)

Browse through the photos we received for the September/October National Park-themed Photo Session in the slideshow below, and don’t forget to check our social media channels, where we will be sharing some of our favorites. Select photos may also appear in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine.

For more inspiration for your next trip, see these pro tips for amazing national park photos.

Did you know? AAA was instrumental in creating the National Park-to-Park Highway. A major stride for the American road trip, the route was established in 1920 to connect what was then all 12 national parks through 11 states of the American West.

Check out past AAA Photo Sessions and stay tuned for the next one.

Living together before marriage is nothing new. In fact, it’s now the norm. More than 75% of recently married couples cohabitated prior to tying the knot, according to the National Center for Family & Marriage Research. But these days, many couples are doing more than just splitting the rent. They’re taking the big step of purchasing a house together. A recent study found that 31% of Americans have purchased a home with someone they aren’t married to and more than half of those surveyed said they would consider it. 

Buying a house with your partner can have its benefits. The dual incomes may allow you to enter the housing market earlier than you would have alone. This means you’ll start building equity in a home sooner. Instead of spending money on rent that you’ll never recoup, you can start paying for an asset you’ll eventually own. However, as with any major life decision, there are some unique factors to consider when buying a house with your partner before marriage.  

Qualifying for a Mortgage 

First off, it’s important to know that your martial status has no effect on your mortgage application. In fact, it is illegal for a lender to discriminate against a loan applicant based on marital status. 

The big decision for unwed couples applying for a mortgage is whether they should apply jointly or for one member to apply alone. The answer depends heavily on you and your partner’s financial profile. If you both have good credit scores and low levels of debt, it could be a good idea to apply jointly. Showing two incomes on your application increases your chances of getting approved for a larger mortgage. 

However, when applying jointly, lenders often base their decisions on the lower of the two credit scores. Therefore, if one of you has a significantly worse financial situation, it may be best for the other to apply alone. 

Property Ownership 

There are three options for designating ownership when co-buying a house: 

Joint ownership: Joint ownership allows both parties to own an equal share of the home. With this, both members will have to come to a joint decision on whether to sell when the time comes. And, if one owner passes away, ownership of the property is automatically passed to the surviving owner. 

Tenancy in common: This arrangement gives ownership to both parties, but in unequal percentages. It is a popular option for unmarried couples due to its flexibility. For example, if one member is contributing significantly more money toward buying the house, they might have 70% ownership while their partner owns the remaining 30%. Tenancy in common also allows each member to designate an heir to assume their share of the property in the event of their death. 

Sole ownership: As the name implies, sole ownership means only one person legally owns the home, even if there’s another person living there. The owner is the only one who can decide to sell the house. 

Cohabitation Agreement 

Regardless of the type of ownership agreement you agree to with your partner, it’s a good idea to establish a cohabitation agreement. This legally binding document protects each party and is particularly useful if the relationship turns south and you decide to go your separate ways. The cohabitation agreement can include: 

• Who is responsible, and at what percentage, for each aspect of the property’s payments (mortgage, property taxes, maintenance, etc.).
• If the relationship ends, what happens to the house. Will both parties agree to sell, or will one buy out the other? 
• If the house is sold, how the proceeds will be divided.
• How newly acquired assets will be divided.

Since a cohabitation agreement is a legal document, it is best to consult a real estate attorney when drafting it. 

Tax Implications 

Married couples are allowed to deduct the interest on up to $750,000 in mortgage debt when filing jointly or $375,000 if filing separately.  

An unmarried individual can also claim interest deductions on up to $375,000 in mortgage debt. However, the IRS only permits one homeowner to claim the deduction if unmarried. If both you and your partner are planning to itemize your deductions, the issue of mortgage interest should be discussed and agreed upon beforehand. 

AAA recommends consulting a tax expert regarding the filing process.

What Happens If You Get Married

If you and your partner eventually tie the knot, you’ll likely want to revisit your home ownership paperwork. Property ownership is often dictated by state law. In some states, your spouse will automatically gain ownership of the house once you are married. In other states, you may need to add your spouse to the deed (if they’re not already on it) to legally reflect co-ownership. 

Whether you’re buying solo or as a couple, AAA Home Loans is here to answer all of your home buying questions and offer the best rates possible.  
 
And if you’re new to the home buying process be sure to check out our upcoming webinars!

Proper car maintenance goes far beyond an annual inspection. It requires being proactive and regularly checking the condition of your car, not just when you have to or when you think there is a problem.

The detriment of neglecting car care is twofold. Car maintenance mistakes can decrease the longevity and performance of your vehicle. Additionally, minor problems that could have easily been fixed can turn into major issues that require extensive – and expensive – repairs.

We spoke with mechanic Mario Cipriano from AAA Approved Auto Repair facility Mezzio Auto & Body Repair in Naugatuck, Conn., for his tips on car maintenance.

What is the biggest car maintenance myth or misconception?

I believe one of the biggest vehicle maintenance misconceptions is that the max tire pressure on the tire is the manufacture recommended tire pressure. The true recommended tire pressure is on the tire placard usually located on the driver’s door jamb. I have also seen the tire placard on the three other door jambs and even the inside of the fuel door.

What’s the most common mistake people make in regards to keeping their car in good shape?

The most common car maintenance mistake I notice is drivers failing to keep the correct fluid levels in their vehicles. At least once a day we see a vehicle with low coolant or engine oil that does not register on the dipstick. Major engine damage can occur if proper coolant and oil levels are not maintained.

What are your best tips for keeping your car in the peak condition?

My best tip is to get it serviced and inspected three to four times a year. The inspection should include checking the wipers/washer system, belts, hoses, fluids, filters, tires, starting/charging systems, steering, suspension, external lights, undercarriage, leaks and diagnosing any warning lights that appear.

The season’s high winds and rough weather can wreak havoc on windshields. What is the best way to deal with a car’s cracked windshield?

The best way to deal with a cracked windshield is to get it replaced by a qualified technician. Even a small crack will jeopardize the structural integrity of your windshield.

Are there any other car maintenance tasks you recommend?

Pay close attention when inspecting the steering and suspension, and perform a four-wheel alignment. Wiper blades should be replaced regularly too. Also, getting your vehicle thoroughly cleaned inside and out is important. Then touch up any new chips in the paint. Finally, a good coat of wax or ceramic coating should be applied.

For the best car care, find a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility near you.

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What automotive questions do you have for our mechanics? Let us know in the comments below.

Headed to the Bay State for a weekend getaway or searching for a daytrip that won’t cost too much? There are plenty of attractions and activities in the area that will keep you entertained, active and cultured without having to spend any dough. Whether you’re the outdoorsy type, a history buff or a science enthusiast, you’re sure to find something that appeals to you on our list of things to do for free in Massachusetts.

Minute Man National Historical Park

Concord, Lincoln and Lexington

The Minute Man National Historical Park honors the first battles of the Revolutionary War at the sites where they occurred on April 19, 1775.

Start off at the Minute Man Visitor Center where you can get acquainted with the park and history of that momentous day with a quick multimedia presentation. Then, head out to the park’s other notable landscapes and attractions.

You can walk the Battle Road following in the footsteps of the Minute Men or head to the North Bridge where the famous “shot heard around the world” was fired. Park rangers are on hand at some locations to answer questions. There are also various guided programs and presentations with the park staff in the warmer months.

Arnold Arboretum

Boston

A haven for plant and animal lovers, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is spread across 281 acres, throughout which you can explore and learn about 15,000 types of plants. The arboretum offers both self- and docent-guided walking tours of varying levels of difficulty and time. The 120-minute, 2 1/2-mile director’s tour provides a glimpse of flora and fauna through Director Ned Friedman’s viewpoint. There are plenty of kids’ activities, including wildlife bingo and story walks, featuring illustrated children’s books displayed throughout the arboretum.

Mount Greylock State Reservation

Lanesborough

In the Berkshire Mountains on the western side of the state, you’ll find Mount Greylock State Park, which includes the highest point in Massachusetts at 3,491 feet.

There are a variety of activities to enjoy, depending on the season, including hiking, mountain biking and snowmobiling. Visiting in the fall? Be sure to check out one of the fall foliage driving routes and additional free activities like a farmers market and weekly community potluck dinner.

When it comes to one of the most popular things to do for free in Massachusetts – hiking – you’ll find a variety of trails based on different durations and abilities, including paths along former ski trails and ones that explore waterfalls. If you’re not up for the hike, you can also drive to the top of the mountain.

Freedom Trail

Boston area

While some stops on the Freedom Trail, including the Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Paul Revere Home and Old North Church do have admission fees, others are free. Plus, it costs nothing to walk the trail.

Start at the downtown visitor center at Faneuil Hall, where you can plan your walk with the help of rangers. Then, head upstairs to see the great hall where protests, political rallies and debates have been held for the past 275 years. Visit the Bunker Hill Museum and climb the 294 steps to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument, commemorating an important Revolutionary War battle. Next up is the Charlestown Navy Yard, where you’ll find the USS Constitution, aka “Old Ironsides,” one of the oldest ships in the world still afloat, and the USS Cassin Young, an important ship from World War II. You can board and tour both.

Coit Observatory

Boston

Are you an astronomy lover or big fan of the great beyond? Judson B. Coit Observatory, located on the Boston University campus, offers public open nights on Wednesday evenings year-round, weather permitting. You can look through multiple Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes and binoculars with the guidance of the observatory manager, who helps point out planets and constellations.

Admission to this evening event is free, but tickets are required, and they go quickly, so be sure to grab them online.

Great Falls Discovery Center

Turners Falls

The Great Falls Discovery Center is housed in a series of old mills and features diorama exhibits celebrating the history of the Connecticut River. They present information about the environments surrounding the longest river in New England and the impact of human settlement.

Interested in learning more? Check out the museum’s self-guided activity sheets. The property is also home to four acres of gardens and lawns for exploring and relaxing. The great hall features art exhibits, and special events are held for adults and children.

Cape Cod Rail Trail

Cape Cod

Some of the best free things to do in Massachusetts are in the great outdoors.

The Cape Cod Rail Trail brings runs for 25 miles through scenic Cape Cod, across six towns – Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans – and through state and national parks.

You’ll find the trail filled with mostly bikers during the warmer months, thanks to the flat and easy-to-navigate terrain. The trail is also used for running and walking, horseback riding and, in winter, cross-country skiing. Be sure to stop at some of the kettle ponds, formed by glaciers and featuring crystal clear water.

Massachusetts Historical Society

Boston

The Massachusetts Historical Society was founded in 1791 and claims to be the “oldest organization in the United States devoted to collecting materials for the study of American history.”

Collections are vast and shared with the public in exhibits, which have included past displays on the Boston Massacre, women’s voting rights and Boston abolitionists. Items in the collections include belongings of notable historical figures, newspapers and posters, letters between Revolutionists, tea leaves from the Boston Tea Party and even copies of the Declaration of Independence handwritten by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

Interested in doing some in-depth research? Make an appointment to visit the library.

Plan your next trip with AAA Travel.

And for more things to do in the Northeast, check out Budget-Wise.

What are some of your favorite free things to do in Massachusetts? Share them in the comments below.

Featured image: Arnold Arboretum. (Chris Devers / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

A graveyard might not be the first place you’d think to visit or include as a stop on your next road trip or vacation. But graveyards and cemeteries can be beautiful and are often historic as well. In the Northeast, the historic graveyards near you may include the graves of pilgrims, founding fathers, artists, activists and other well-known historic figures. Here are some of the most scenic and historic graveyards in the Northeast.

Trinity Churchyard

Manhattan, N.Y.

The parish of Trinity Church has three cemeteries, but none so historic as Trinity Churchyard in lower Manhattan. While it may have been in use since the 1660s, the oldest surviving memorial dates to 1681. Many historic figures are interred at Trinity Churchyard, including Alexander Hamilton, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, Philip Hamilton, Angelica Schuyler Church, Hercules Mulligan, Francis Lewis, William Bradford and Robert Fulton. Make sure to visit the Soldiers’ Monument in memory of the Revolutionary War, and the Fireman’s Memorial Monument, in memory of six firefighters who were killed during the Civil War.

Calvary Cemetery

Queens, N.Y.

Trinity Churchyard is miniscule in comparison to Calvary. It’s the largest cemetery in the United States, containing over 3 million graves and stretching across 365 acres. Calvary Cemetery was featured in “The Godfather,” and many infamous organized crime figures are interred within its grounds. Other notable burials include the first person to be processed through Ellis Island and a survivor of the R.M.S. Titanic sinking.

Green-Wood Cemetery

Brooklyn, N.Y.

As you pass through the massive Gothic revival gates of Green-Wood Cemetery, you’re also stepping back into history. This rural cemetery, opened in 1838, is like a combination of a graveyard and an inviting public park. There are many notable figures interred in the grounds of this National Historic Landmark, including Leonard Bernstein, two of the Fox sisters, Nathaniel Currier, James Ives, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Jean-Michel Basquiat and several Roosevelts.

Mount Hope Cemetery

Rochester, N.Y.

The sprawling Mount Hope Cemetery was founded in 1838 and is an early example of the rural cemetery movement, which aimed to make cemeteries more inviting to the living. Rural cemeteries are designed like parks or gardens, with rolling landscapes and pleasing features like ponds or gazebos. Mount Hope Cemetery is certainly picturesque, and contains a wide variety of different monuments from its long history. You can even see Tiffany glass windows on some of the mausoleums. Many historic figures are buried here, but perhaps none so prominent as Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. Both gravesites attract visitors who often come on Election Day to pay their respects.

Mount Auburn Cemetery

Cambridge, Mass.

Mount Auburn Cemetery was the very first rural cemetery in the United States, founded in 1831. This National Historic Landmark doubles as an arboretum, as its vast collection of trees shade its historic monuments and rolling landscape. Its beauty made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the 1800s. Notable gravesites include Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Winslow Homer, Harriet Ann Jacobs and Julia Ward Howe. Visitors can also enjoy buildings like the Washington Tower and the Bigelow Chapel.

Granary Burying Ground

Boston

Established in 1660, Granary Burying Ground is one of the most historic graveyards in Boston. While it may appear to be an unassuming old cemetery at first, Granary Burying Ground is actually the final resting place of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Robert Treat Payne, Paul Revere and several members of Benjamin Franklin’s family (Franklin himself his buried in Philadelphia). It is also the final resting place of the victims of the 1770 Boston Massacre, including Crispus Attucks.

Myles Standish Burial Ground

Duxbury, Mass.

The Myles Standish Burial Ground, established in 1638, is the oldest graveyard in the country. It takes its name from one of its most famous inhabitants, Capt. Myles Standish, who came to America on the Mayflower. Several other Mayflower passengers are interred in the burial ground as well. This peaceful graveyard filled with time-worn and battered gravestones is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Standish’s final resting place is marked with an American flag and surrounded by cannons.

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Concord, Mass.

Though it has no relation to “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving (that story takes place in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.), Concord’s Sleepy Hollow is a particularly literary historic graveyard. Established in 1855, this cemetery is most well-known for Authors Ridge, the final resting place of Henry David Thoreau, Nathanial Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Visitors to these graves are known to leave pens, pencils and poems behind in honor of these literary legends. The cemetery is also home to several other writers, as well as Mary Lemist Titcomb, the founder of the Bookmobile.

Swan Point Cemetery

Providence, R.I.

First established in 1846, Swan Point Cemetery is a rural cemetery that’s still in operation today. Offering standard burials, green burials, cremation and more. There are a lot of ways to spend eternity in Swan Point Cemetery. Visitors can take self-guided historical walking tours, which will take them to sites like the Memorial Grove Garden Megalith, the largest stone in an American cemetery, the white marble Grosvenor Lot, the Hope Memorial Garden and more. Many Rhode Island governors and other politicians are buried in these grounds, as well as author H.P. Lovecraft.

Hope Cemetery

Barre, Vt.

Barre is also known as the Granite Capital of the World, and that’s plain to see in Hope Cemetery. Established in 1865, Hope Cemetery features exceptional granite monuments in unique shapes and styles. The monuments and gravestones of Hope Cemetery are so unique that it’s also known as a museum of granite sculpture. Many of the gravestones in the cemetery were actually designed by those resting just below. Visitors can see monuments shaped like airplanes, furniture, race cars, intertwined lovers and more.

Grove Street Cemetery

New Haven, Conn.

Time to head to the Ivy Leagues. Grove Street Cemetery is a historic cemetery surrounded by the Yale campus. Founded in 1796, the Grove Street Cemetery was the first chartered burial ground in the United States. It was also the first cemetery to allow for the creation of family lots, so family members could be buried alongside each other. Before then, bodies were simply buried anywhere in the graveyard where there was enough room. The “city of the dead” layout of Grove Street Cemetery included named roads and walkways to make it easier for visitors to navigate. Unsurprisingly, many Yale presidents and faculty are buried here, along with notable historic figures like Eli Whitney and Noah Webster.

Are we forgetting any historic graveyards or cemeteries? Tell us about them in the comments below!

Looking for some chills and thrills with your history? Check out these haunted places in the Northeast.

One of the best ways to experience a new country or culture is through a culinary lens. Cuisine is a pathway to the history, politics and economy of a culture, and there is perhaps no better avenue than street food.  

What we have come to call street food is often the everyday fare of working people around the world. It is food that is affordable, practical in that it is usually portable, and fast, frequently consumed on the go from work or school. For travelers, it’s a way to eat on budget and among locals.

Some of my most memorable travel experiences have been eating meals streetside, snacking while walking along a river that intersects a city or simply people watching while sampling a place’s best street food offerings.

For the purpose of this article, I define street food as food bought and consumed outside, rather than inside of a restaurant setting. Streets foods are often sold from food trucks, carts and stalls, hawker centers, night markets and at the roadside.   

When you’re not traveling the globe, the next best thing is to visit the places in our communities where chefs are serving street food favorites. The following are the types of street foods I remember fondly from my own travels, offered right here in the Northeast.

Ta’amiya and Hawawshi

Cairo, Egypt, is a bustling, energetic city situated adjacent to the Sahara Desert. Travelers come in droves every year to see the Great Pyramid of Giza. But Cairo also offers a vibrant street food scene, sometimes overshadowed by the pyramid’s allure.  

Translated from Arabic as “tasty little bits,” ta’amiya is a popular Egyptian street food. And while they look much like traditional falafel, they aren’t made with chickpeas. These snackable fritters are made with mashed fava beans, garlic, onions, coriander and cumin and dressed in sesame seeds.

I get my ta’amiya at Zooba in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where they’re moist, fluffy and packed with flavor. Served as side dish in portions of three, they appear on the menu as Egyptian Falafel.

But the main attraction at Zooba is the Hawawshi, a handheld crispy pita stuffed with minced meat, onion, garlic, peppers and herbs. I go for the Street Hawashi, which features meat without any additional toppings, though options with cheese and slaw are also offered. Like most types of street food around the world, Zooba’s hawawshi is portable, affordable and delicious.

Oyster Omelet

Hawker centers in Singapore and Malaysia are frenetic, crowded, mostly outdoor food venues with a variety of food stalls. They are perfect for gathering with friends and sharing family-style meals from a large sampling of the region’s offerings.

In both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I was hooked on oyster omelets. These savory, fried, greasy, delicious concoctions of egg, green onions, bean sprouts and a tapioca starch batter, feature a magical mashup of chewy, crisp and gooey textures. Paired with spicy sambal or chili oil, oyster omelets are the ideal accompaniment to a cold local beer on a hot day.

My favorite oyster omelet in New York City can be found at Kopitiam. Their oh chien (oyster cake) is dressed with fragrant, fresh cilantro and comes with spicy house sambal sauce. If you grab an outdoor table, it almost feels like being transported Jalan Alor Food Street, Kuala Lumpur’s famous hawker center.

Baleadas

Baleadas are a seemingly simple meal of flour tortillas filled with refried beans, queso and crema. Filling variations can include sliced avocado, pickled red onions and eggs, chicken, pork, or beef. Honduran crema and Honduran crumbled queso duro make the flavors of baleadas pop, but it’s the freshness of the ingredients that make them special.

Baleadas will fill you up cheaply and quickly before starting your day. After a week in Honduras, I was hooked on breakfast baleadas and I long to go back to experience them again; for now, I’ll stick to Rinconcito Copaneco in Jersey City until I can return again.

Pho Bo Kho/Bo Kho

I had limited exposure to Vietnamese food where I grew up in the suburbs. Today, Vietnamese food in America is far more prominent.

Pho, a beef broth, rice noodle soup, is the most ubiquitous Vietnamese dish in the States, though in my opinion, it is best experienced streetside, on a plastic stool, mopping the sweat from your brow in the thick, humid, Vietnamese air.

Pho Bo Kho is closer to a stew than a traditional Pho, featuring a darker red broth, carrots, lemongrass, star anise and cinnamon. The rich, spicy flavor induces sweat, which cools you on even the hottest days in Saigon. If you are traveling through Connecticut, stop at Pho Viet, just ten minutes from central Hartford, and order a steaming bowl of Bo Kho.

Cevapi

Cevapi is the national dish of Bosnia and Herzegovina, though a similar variation is found throughout the Balkan region. Minced lamb, veal, pork, beef or a combination of meats are seasoned with salt and pepper, shaped into sausages or miniature patties, skewered and roasted. The meat is served with flatbread and chopped, raw, white onion, which begs to be made into a sandwich.

Cevapi is sold in restaurants and as a street food dish, and there are slight regional variations within Bosnia & Herzegovina. Whether you are in Mostar, Sarajevo, or the countryside, it’s a foregone conclusion that you will be repeatedly asked, “Have you tried cevapi yet?” Try it for yourself at Burek King in Clifton, New Jersey.

Harira

Harira is a hearty soup of lentils, tomatoes, chickpeas, turmeric, cumin and cinnamon. The non-vegetarian variety comes with chunks of lamb. The soup is often considered to be Morocco’s national dish, and you can find it offered morning, afternoon and night.

At the Jemaa el-Fna Squarein Marrakech, ware sellers, street carts, tourists, locals and performers all mix to form a lively evening scene. Street hawkers beckon patrons towards their bowls of snail shells, skewers of grilled meats and boiling pots of harira. Get some for yourself at Zerza in Manhattan’s Essex Market. Morocco is well-known for its tagine, but it is high time that its street food culture gets the recognition it deserves.

Stinky Tofu

There was a popular streetside lunch bar in Taipei City that I passed every day while I was in Taiwan, and I could smell the pungent, noon-time meal before I could ever see the restaurant’s storefront. The odor was coming from stinky tofu, a popular dish served in restaurants and night markets, often as a side dish or as part of a larger meal.

True to its name, stinky tofu is tofu that has been fermented in brine for upwards of a few months, and served with any combination of mustard greens, cabbage/kimchi, dried shrimp, bamboo shoots and Chinese herbs. The dish is sour, spicy and savory with a mix of soft and crunchy textures. Yes, it does smell quite funky, but it is also delicious. (I am deeply impatient with anyone willing to write off stinky tofu based on its scent alone.)

In Queens, head to the New York Food Court in Flushing for your stinky tofu fix. In Manhattan, try Bings and Noodles for a slightly less funky variety.

Tamales

Tamales are a handheld, portable meal that originated in Mesoamerica, having likely spread from Mexico or Guatemala to the rest of Latin America. They are made of masa or corn dough, steamed inside of a banana leaf or a corn husk. The inside is commonly stuffed with slow-cooked pork or chicken, beef, beans, cheese, and/or mole.

The best tamales come from fresh masa, and my indicator of a great tamale is whether it has retained a bit of moisture rather than being dried out. My favorite tamale in New York City comes from Factory Tamal. The mole poblano with chicken tamale showcases chef Fernando Lopez’s roots from Puebla, where he learned to make mole in his family’s tradition.

Egg Hoppers

Hoppers are light and crispy, bowl-shaped pancakes made from a fermented rice flour and coconut milk batter that is steamed or fried. They come with a sunny-side up egg in the center and are often served with a sambal or curry.

This was my go-to breakfast in Colombo, Sri Lanka, ordered adjacent to the beach and enjoyed overlooking the surf. At Lakruwana Restaurant in Staten Island, you can order a hopper meal, which comes with one egg hopper filled with your choice of vegetables, chicken, pork, lamb, beef, fish or shrimp and three additional plain hoppers.

Pizza

Ok, pizza may not be a street food I have eaten overseas – at least not in the same form as a New York slice, but it is the epitome of what makes street food so wonderful.

As a New Yorker, I can tell you that pizza is ubiquitous in New York. It crosses class boundaries and is eaten by all regardless of age, occupation, religious beliefs or cultural background. It’s eaten on sidewalks, on the subway (don’t do this), in parks, in the office, at school lunch and in restaurants in all corners of the five boroughs.

Pizza has become something to brag and argue about, creating tribal lines as New Yorkers claim their favorite pizza spot as the best. Local variations in Detroit, Chicago and Connecticut have created loyal followers, ready to argue on behalf of their home city’s pizza like rival sports fans defending their teams.

My favorite slice in the city is the burrata slice at L’industrie in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The pizza shop expanded its size within the last year, and business has been booming, as evidenced by a packed patio and lines out the door on Friday nights. Grab a few slices and a soft serve ice cream topped with olive oil and salt.

Once you have traveled throughout the Northeast to try each of these street food classics, I hope you will feel inspired to go to the true source of each meal. There is nothing that compares to the experience of having a local meal in a foreign culture.

So, hit the road to get your fill within your home region for now but try to hop on a flight to experience street food abroad someday, too. A AAA travel agent will be happy to help you plan your trip!

Featured image: Ta’amiya from Zooba.