For the germ-conscious, the mindset upon entering a hotel room walks a fine line between the pampered world of room service and freshly made beds (gratefully made by someone else), and thoughts that could have you reaching for the hand sanitizer.

Microbiologist Philip Tierno, a clinical professor at New York University School of Medicine, assures that there’s nothing to fear. Once you know what to look for, your hotel room will be as tidy as home sweet home.

First things first – wash your hands. Tierno suggests giving your mitts a good scrub as soon as you arrive in your room to get rid of any germs you picked up during your travels.

Address germ hot spots such as doorknobs, telephones, tabletops and light switches by going over them with an antibacterial wipe and letting them air dry. “I usually bring a plastic bag to cover the TV remote,” said Tierno. In the bathroom, go over the counter, faucets, toilet lever and toilet seat.

Wash reusable glasses, ice buckets or coffee makers in your room before using them. You can use disposable cups and the plastic liner provided for the ice bucket.

As an extra precaution, you may also want to remove the bedspread or comforter. And if the hotel doesn’t use hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers, ask for an extra fitted sheet and pillowcases and double up.

When it’s time to freshen up, Tierno says you’re better off with a shower than a bath, which can harbor germs that are not easily removed. In a shower, only the bottoms of your feet are exposed.

Whenever you take off your shoes, he suggests protecting your feet with hotel slippers or a pair you bring from home. “I would not walk around barefoot.”

Even at the ritziest hotels, hundreds of people have probably stayed in the same room. The key is not to overthink things. Unless it is visibly unclean, relax, settle in and use these strategies to keep your space hygienic and maintain peak health during and after your trip.

AAA Diamond Ratings make finding quality hotels easy. Hotels are inspected and rated based on high standards, including cleanliness and comfort.

For more information, visit AAA.com/Diamonds.

Walt Disney World is a huge organism, filled with thousands of cast members from around the world. After their time at Disney, some of those cast members wind up making magic at AAA. I am one of those former cast members (a veteran of Toy Story Mania, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-A-Long Celebration and the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks). Recently, I had the pleasure of talking to Stacey Crowley, a travel sales manager at AAA Northeast who spent her early career working for the mouse.

Stacey and I were both part of the Disney College Program, which offers internships at Disney parks to college students. Many cast members start with the program, then stay on at Disney for years. Here, Stacey and I talk about getting your foot in the door, behind-the-scenes magic, upcoming attractions and other Disney insider tips for your vacation.

The following interview is edited for clarity. 

Sarah: What were your roles at Disney?

Stacey: When I started, I did my college program at the Emporium in Magic Kingdom.

[The Emporium is a mammoth-sized souvenir shop that stretches all the way down Main Street, USA. To say the least, it gets a lot of foot traffic.]

Sarah: Oh boy.

Stacey: Yeah, that was great. Let me tell you. After that, I was on the opening team for FastPass+ [Walt Disney World’s former FastPass system]. I wrote the training manuals and integrated FastPass+ into attractions. Then I went over into entertainment. I was a performer for a while, and then I was a character attendant and then I eventually was a trainer and a captain for shows and parades. So it was good! It was a lot of stuff.

Sarah: How did you decide to do the college program?

Stacey: Well, my plan was not to go to college after high school, but part of the rule for being in the program was that you had to do at least one semester of college. So I literally went to college for one semester just so I could do the college program.

Sarah: That’s so funny!

Stacey: I was like, “Listen, if this is what gets me in, I’m there.” It’s been my dream since I was probably 3 years old to work for Disney. My family used to go to Disney World literally all the time. There was one time when I was 4, and I had just met Mickey. My dad pointed his camera at me and said, “Hey, what did you think? How was that?” and I turned around and I said, “Dad, I’m gonna be Mickey Mouse one day!” And then fast forward 20 years later and that’s what I did.

Sarah: That’s amazing.

Stacey: So you were in attractions, right? You did Toy?

Sarah: Yeah, I did Toy Story Mania at the time when it was the most popular ride in the world. So we were all, like, insane when we worked there. It was a lot of pressure, having to put all those people through the ride every day. And it was pretty safety-intensive, we were all eagle-eyed for people leaning on railings or getting too close to the tracks. But I liked working at Hollywood Studios. What’s your favorite park?

Stacey: It depends on the day. Animal Kingdom is probably my favorite overall, if I had to pick. I’m obsessed with animals and conservation and I actually foster an elephant at a sanctuary in Kenya. But Hollywood Studios has to get an honorable mention.

Sarah: Are you excited about the new “Star Wars” land that’s coming in?

Stacey: Oh yeah, I have six brothers, so I had no choice but to like “Star Wars”. I think it’s gonna bring a lot more to that park. And I think that park needs a little more love. And it’s so immersive. It’s going to bring a lot to Disney. Are you a “Star Wars” fan?

Sarah: I am, yeah. I mean, I got to be way more of a “Star Wars” fan working at Hollywood Studios than I ever was before. Because they were just starting to push all the “Star Wars” stuff, and I got a “Star Wars” name tag that said I was from Alderaan, which was very special.

Stacey: That’s like the best thing ever.

Sarah: What’s your favorite Disney insider tip to give people who are visiting Disney World for the first time?

Stacey: Don’t be afraid of the pre-planning. It seems overwhelming, but it really takes away so much of the worry and the stress while you’re in the park. Another tip is to take advantage of the restaurants that are inside the parks. Magic Kingdom is a great example. If you can get breakfast at Be Our Guest, they start seating people an hour before the park opens. So you can go in and get pictures in front of the castle without anybody else there. You eat breakfast and then you’re literally right there in front of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. And you’re the first on line.

Sarah: So what was your experience in entertainment like? I’m really curious.

Stacey: It was very challenging. I mean, I danced my entire life. I danced for 23 years – ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, but it didn’t prepare me for what it would be like. There’s nothing in the world to describe what it’s like to have a little kid come up and hug Mickey Mouse. You’re seeing it from the inside, and you feel the emotion when they give the hug. You know? We had this one little boy at the Incredibles Dance Party in Magic Kingdom. He had a wheelchair, and I think he was there for three weeks. But every day, he came to dance with Frozone and the Incredibles. That’s the only time he would get out of his wheelchair, to try and show off his dance moves.

Sarah: When, in your opinion, is the best time of year to visit Walt Disney World?

Stacey: People looking for less crowds should go the first two weeks of January, after New Year’s Day. The week after Labor Day is also usually a little quiet because everybody is going back to school. But if you’re looking for best overall time, meaning less crowds and more activities, I would highly recommend September. You get Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, you get the Food and Wine festival, there’s just more happening around that time.

Sarah: What do you think about the new fireworks show, Happily Ever After?

Stacey: I love it a lot. But I mean, I loved Wishes [the previous Magic Kingdom fireworks show]. When I worked at the Emporium, my team and I got selected to run “Project E” which was where we got the chance to manage a team of CPs to redesign the store to what it looks like now. We did all the windows and stuff. I had just turned 18, I had no experience, it was crazy that they trusted me to do something like that. At the end of our college program, the manager took us to the roof of the Emporium to watch Wishes.

Sarah: Oh my gosh!

Stacey: I know! Every time I think about it, I could cry. It was amazing. I’m very partial to Wishes, but the new one … the projections and everything about it. How could you not love a fireworks show that Disney does? I’m really happy that we have a focus on Disney at AAA. There’s nothing like having AAA to back you up, and to have all the experts in your corner. I’m not the only one on the team who used to work for Disney, or who has this level of appreciation. It’s a smart choice.

Sarah: Yeah, there’s a lot of cross-pollination between Disney and AAA.

Stacey: It’s kind of funny, right? That’s a good way to put it.

Do you have a favorite Disney World story? Share it in the comments below!

Plan, book and save on your next Disney vacation with AAA. 

Food challenges sound simple enough: Eat a bunch of food in a certain amount of time and be rewarded for it. But anybody who has failed to conquer a food challenge knows that your eyes often can be bigger than your stomach.

Thanks to the television show “Man v. Food,” food challenges have gained an extraordinary amount of attention and restaurants are using this opportunity to beef up the stakes for those who dare to try them.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the top food challenges in the Northeast based on the following criteria:

• Difficulty (as in, you have to mentally prepare for these);
• Amount of time; and
• Rewards.

Connecticut

Cheese Truck Challenge
The Cheese Truck
New Haven

If you love grilled cheese sandwiches and happen to see the Cheese Truck driving around the New Haven area, you might be tempted to try the Cheese Truck Challenge. Eat 10 grilled cheese sandwiches with at least one topping of choice and you’ll get a free sandwich every week for a year and a sandwich named after you. Because nothing says sweet victory like a sandwich bearing your name.

Massachusetts

Eagle’s Challenge
Eagle’s Deli and Restaurant
1918 Beacon St., Brighton
Time limit: 1 hour

Do you like burgers? What about super-big burgers? Take on the Eagle’s Challenge! This monstrous burger is 5 pounds of beef – almost 10 patties – 20 slices of bacon and 20 slices of American cheese between a large bun. Plus, it comes with 5 pounds of fries, a deli pickle and a fountain soda of your choice. If you manage to finish, you’ll get a full refund and a $100 gift card.

New Hampshire

The Feedbag Shovel
KC’s Rib Shack
837 Second St., Manchester
Time limit: 30 minutes

Calling all BBQ lovers: KC’s Rib Shack is offering the ultimate Northeast BBQ test with its Feedbag Shovel. There’s so much food – 6 pounds, to be precise – that it comes served in a shovel. Don’t tackle this one alone – you’ll need at least three or four friends to finish it all.

It holds a full rack of ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked sausage and pulled chicken. But that’s not all. There’s also a half pound of baked beans and coleslaw, plus two pieces of cornbread.

If successful, you and your friends will get the meal free, some nifty T-shirts and your group’s picture on the KC’s Rib Shack hall of fame. Check out this cool video from NESN’s “Wicked Bites” to see what exactly what that shovel looks like.

The Grand Poutine Challenge
Chez Vachon
136 Kelley St., Manchester
Time limit: 1 hour

If you just can’t get enough poutine, how does a five-pound tray sound? Finish this gravy-and-cheese-curd French fry tray and your photo will be added to the wall of winners. This challenge is available only before 1 p.m.

New Jersey

The Eighth Wonder Challenge
Clinton Station Diner
2 Bank St., Clinton
Time limit: 1 hour

The largest of several food challenges at Clinton Station Diner, the Eighth Wonder is no joke. This burger weighs a whopping 105 pounds, stands at almost a foot tall and you’ll need the help of nine other people to finish it. As a reward for conquering this massive burger, you and your team will get $2,000 in cash. So far, no one has been successful.

New York City

Phaal Curry Challenge
Brick Lane
99 Second Ave., New York
Time limit: One sitting

This food challenge is so intense, you have to declare prior to the challenge that Brick Lane “is not liable for any physical or emotional damage after consumption.” Even the chef has to wear a gas mask to prepare it. The goal is to finish a dish of hot curry made with nine different peppers with your choice of chicken, lamb, goat, fish, shrimp, paneer, tofu or veggies in one sitting. Finish it and you’ll get a bottle of beer, a certificate of completion proclaiming “extraordinary courage (and rather dubious judgement),” the title of Phaal Curry Monster and a picture on the online P’hall of Fame.

Supersize Mi Challenge
Mi Noodle Bar
391 Second Ave., New York
Time limit: 90 minutes

Fans of pho noodles will want to give this food challenge a try. You must consume 3 pounds of meat and 3 pounds of noodles, which may or may not include broth. Prizes include a free meal, $100 gift voucher, inclusion in the wall of fame and one free appetizer for future dine-ins “pho life.”

Lunchbox
1612  Forest Ave., Staten Island

The Lunchbox offers three very different food challenges, with free meals and T-shirts at stake. If you want to try any or all three, you must sign up online by filling out the form here. You also have to sign a waiver.

Motherload Sloppy Joe Challenge
Time limit: 30 minutes

Better have loads of napkins or even a bib ready for this one. The Motherload Sloppy Joe challenge consists of 8 pounds of sloppy Joe in a 16-inch Kaiser roll, 1 pound of melted cheddar cheese and a quarter-pound of diced onions with your choice of a 24-ounce beverage. Two people can take this challenge but they must each use only one utensil and finish the sloppy Joe in 30 minutes.

151
Time limit: 20 minutes

The 151 is an ultra-thick chocolate, strawberry or vanilla milkshake that’s served in two portions – one huge 150-ounce glass with a 1-ounce shot glass “chaser.” It’s topped with whipped cream and you must use a spoon or a straw to finish.

Death Wish
Time limit: 10 minutes

With a name like Death Wish, you know this food challenge isn’t for the faint of heart. You have to eat six buffalo wings mixed with chipotle chillies and the Hellraiser habanero ghost chili extract – considered the hottest in the world – within 10 minutes. You can’t use any utensils or napkins and you’re not allowed to drink anything until 10 minutes after you’ve eaten the last wing.

New York – Long Island

Kitchen Sink Sundae Challenge
Krisch’s
11 Central Ave., Massapequa
Time limit: 1 hour or less

Can’t get enough ice cream? This challenge involves 10 scoops and any three toppings that can’t be placed on the side; that’s 6 pounds in all! Finish all of it and get your picture on the wall of fame, a T-shirt and free ice cream. And yes, it actually comes served in a kitchen sink.

5-Pound Barbecue Challenge 
Swingbelly’s Beachside BBQ
909 W. Beech St., Long Beach
Time limit: 1 hour

This intense Long Island barbecue challenge includes a full slab of St. Louis ribs, a quarter pound of pulled pork on Texas Toast, a quarter pound of brisket also on Texas Toast, four Swingz (monster chicken wings), three rib tips, two sides and two pieces of cornbread. Finish this barbecue frenzy within an hour and earn a free meal, an official Porker T-shirt and your picture on the wall of fame.

New York – Upstate

The Colossal Pancake Challenge
The Ugly Rooster
312 N. Third Ave., Mechanicville
Time limit: 20 minutes

If breakfast food is more of your thing, try the Colossal Pancake challenge. This challenge features two 8-by-12-inch pancakes slathered in whipped butter, whipped cream, syrup and your choice of fruit or eight eggs. The prize for conquering one of the heartier food challenges is an Ugly Rooster T-shirt, your picture on the wall of fame and a free meal. Of the 250 customers who have tried it, only one has succeeded.

The Magnum Pizza Challenge
Chick-N-Pizza Works
2940 Union Road, Cheektowaga
129 Abbot Road, Buffalo
Time limit: 1 hour

Two people are required for one of the more intense food challenges in the upstate region. For this challenge, the team has to eat a pizza pie that weighs over 13 pounds and is 29 inches in diameter – the size of a wagon wheel. Competitors can’t take bathroom breaks and outside help is not allowed. But they can have unlimited soft drinks. If you conquer this challenge, you and your teammate can get two $25 gift cards and free pizza. Out of all the hundreds of customers who have attempted the challenge, only four have won.

Pennsylvania

Moby Dick Sandwich Challenge
Lucky Louie’s
8238 Perry Highway, Erie
Time limit: 1 hour

Eat through 2 pounds of Smith’s garlic-ring bologna, pierogi, sauerkraut, chili, cheese, grilled onions, bacon, fried eggs, cream cheese, ketchup, Greek sauce and Frank’s RedHot Sauce (7 pounds in all) within one hour and not only will you get a free meal but you’ll also get a free T-shirt and your picture – or “Fat Head” – on the wall of fame, as well as $100 in cash.

Belly Buster Challenge
The Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub
1452 Woodland Road, Clearfield
Time limit: 4 hours

You’ll need the help of a buddy with this barrel of a food challenge. In four hours, you’ll have to finish a 20-pound burger with a huge beef patty that’s loaded with cheese and veggies, served on a huge and dense homemade bun. This challenge takes so much preparation, reservations must be made at least three days in advance. Should you conquer one of the heftier food challenges, you’ll receive a free meal, free T-shirts for you and your friend, $400 in cash, your picture on the wall of fame and a certificate of completion.

Dog House Challenge
Ale Mary’s at the Bittenbender
126 Franklin Ave., Scranton
Time limit: 1 hour

One of the most dogged of food challenges, the Dog House Challenge requires you to eat three foot-long hot dogs within one hour. Specifically, you have to eat the following:

• The Notorious P.I.G. – a 12-inch all-beef, bacon-wrapped dog with pulled pork and Monterey Jack cheese
• The Snoop Dog – a 12-inch all-beef hot dog with short-rib chili, malt-liquor mustard and corn chips
• The Craig Mac – a 12-inch all-beef, bacon-wrapped dog with Gouda macaroni and cheese

Eat all three and get a free meal, a $25 Ale Mary’s gift card and 1-cent select drafts for the rest of the day.

Rhode Island

Kennel Club Challenge
Spike’s Junkyard Dogs
485 Branch Ave., Providence / 640 Reservoir Ave., Cranston / 1623 Warwick Ave., Warwick
Time limit: 90 minutes

This straightforward food challenge calls on the challenger to finish six large plain hot dogs, including the homemade buns. Toppings such as ketchup, relish and mustard are optional. If you manage to finish all six, you’ll get a free T-shirt and your picture on the wall of fame. Beat the store record and your meal is free. As of Sept. 18, 2018, the record is 25 hot dogs for men and 12 for women. This challenge is also available at the Allston, MA., location.

Know of any intense food challenges in the area we missed? Let us know in the comments.

To be honest, it’s fairly thrilling to roll into Chernobyl’s Exclusion Zone. Having ridden north from Kiev in a minibus over a two-lane road, we arrive at a checkpoint.

Authorities examine our passports, then admit us into an area that encompasses some 1,000 square miles, set 30 miles away from Chernobyl Power Plant’s destroyed reactor four. Inside stands the husks and hulks of some 200 former villages and towns, which now feel like a post-apocalyptic place. In all, about 200,000 people were evacuated.

“And no one will ever live here again,” our guide Anastasia, clad in fatigues, tells us.

Tours to this disaster site have never been more popular, with HBO’s hit miniseries “Chernobyl” putting the place back on the map – and boosting visitor numbers dramatically. Local tour operators, who typically run one-day tours to the site (which sits about 75 miles north of Kiev) are reporting a significant bump in bookings, increasing some 30-40% since the show started airing. Tours cost about $100 and usually include a simple lunch in a local canteen.

A Different Sort of Day Trip

The background: on April 26, 1986 an accident during a test on reactor four at a nuclear power plant sparked a fire and a meltdown, releasing unprecedented amounts of radioactive material. Soviet authorities eventually evacuated everyone within the Exclusion Zone. A fallout cloud drifted across Europe and between the initial trauma and continuing effects of radiation, thousands died (how many, exactly, is subject to debate).

My visit, which predated the television series, began in Kiev’s Independence Square where I joined a group of about a dozen people for the two-hour drive north. I was in the country to check it out as a tourism destination: Ukraine’s capital city sports a soaring skyline, interesting museums, monument-filled parks and restaurants that serve the best perogies, vodka and chicken Kiev in Eastern Europe. And from the capital many visitors are now adding a trip to Chernobyl to their itineraries.

Vincent Rees, who owns Cobblestone Freeway, a tour company based in Canada and Ukraine, says his phone has been ringing off the hook since the TV series started airing. Although he admits that a lot of those calls have been from journalists like me. But when it’s guests calling to book a trip, many wonder, is it safe to visit Chernobyl? “The radiation question – that’s always the first thing people ask,” he said. Experts seem to agree that in most spots, including all places on tour itineraries, the radiation has dropped to safe levels. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky just announced plans to turn Chernobyl into an official tourist attraction, a move likely to draw more visitors to the area.

But others aren’t so sure. Some question the ethics of visiting the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster, where so many died and where the course of so many lives was altered.

‘Annoyance, Fear and Grief’

As the minibus passes deeper into the Exclusion Zone, which runs along the northern border with Belarus, guides give a list of fairly commonsense rules: Don’t eat any plants or drink from water sources, and avoid sitting on the ground. We stop at reactor four, now enclosed in a protective dome, taking photos in front of it. In the wake of the show’s airing, social media influencers have descended on the site, in some cases taking inappropriate photos­ – including modelesque selfies – in front of hollowed out buildings and abandoned fun parks. It all prompted Craig Mazin, creator and executive producer of the HBO show, to ask people to “please remember that a terrible tragedy occurred there. Comport yourselves with respect for all who suffered and sacrificed.”

On my tour, we proceed through the sites with a mixture of awe and horror. The Ukrainians I spoke with while traveling in the country ranged from ambivalence to anger about the accident. Because it occurred during the Soviet Union era, a sense of blame persists. (Russians have expressed displeasure at their depiction in the HBO series, and plans are underway to make their own version.) And while some would prefer not to shine a light on it, some Ukrainians told me that they were pleased Chernobyl tours were helping produce a bump in tourism.

“Most of us feel resentment, annoyance, fear and grief,” Tanya Bakbardina, a client manager with Cobblestone Freeway, tells me in an interview after my visit. “It’s because this catastrophe affected the life and health of not only those who caught this tragedy or was an eyewitness, but also those who were born after 1986.”

Bakbardina adds that the feelings tend to split down age-based lines. For older generations, some of whom have suffered ongoing health problems, the anger still boils. (She admits that tour companies offering itineraries to Chernobyl sometimes take some heat from these Ukrainians.) But young people in the country – like the tourists who visit – are attracted to Chernobyl by their curiosity, detached by time from the actual event. “In this, they see romance, and dangers pleasantly tickle their nerves,” she said.

Hope and Renewal

After the reactor we have a look at the “red forest,” a stretch of radiation-scorched woodland. As we enter Pripyat – a purpose-built city to house workers at the nuclear plant, which was once home to some 50,000 people – it feels like a city of ghosts. We wind through an amusement park now frozen in time, grass curling up through cracks between the bumper cars, a yellow Ferris wheel – now an icon of the town – rusted and perpetually halted.

We pass restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and restaurants. Their hollow-eyed windows all staring at us, black and empty, then proceed through the Palace of Culture. The wooden floors of its once-fine gymnasium now wrecked, the pool emptied out. It’s all sad, but – more than that – eerie, as if you can still hear just the slightest whisper of the vibrant life that once surged through this place.

We finish by climbing to the top of a 15-story apartment building and walking around on the roof, with sweeping views of the destruction: a forest, sprouting all throughout the city, returning it all to nature, and the phantom of reactor four on the horizon. It’s all very green, and very melancholy.

But for Tanya Bakbardina, this view inspires hope.

“One lesson, for me, is that nature will survive even after the apocalypse,” she tells me later, adding that Ukraine continues to face a choice with how to deal with the aftermath of Chernobyl. “The Zone has two ways – to be forgotten or to be famous,” she said. “We chose the second way – the preservation of the memory of the heroes, whose action or inaction saved the world.”

Would you visit Chernobyl? Tell us in the comments. 

Let me get this right out in the open – I love food. All sorts of food: Ethnic. Street. Gourmet. Comfort. Free. But Providence food, especially.

As a born-and-bred Rhode Islander, I spend an inordinate amount of time exploring the capital city’s burgeoning foodie scene. From sushi to espresso, pizza to upscale fare, I love scouring Providence’s tasty nooks and crannies for the newest food sensations.

So, when an invite for a Providence culinary press trip crossed my desk, I was giddy, though a tad apprehensive. What new things could this jaded journalist learn about the city’s restaurants and Rhode Island in general?

Hint: A lot.

So here, in no certain order, is a list of my favorite Providence food destinations from that whirlwind weekend – some new, some classic, all delicious.

The Best Providence Food Destinations

Rhode Island Red Food Tours

Our first afternoon started out with a Rhode Island Red food tour of the downtown area. The three-hour-plus walking tour stops at eight restaurants throughout the city, with little bites at each one. You can even add alcohol pairings for an additional cost. It’s a lovely introduction to the city for newcomers, as well as those who have been in Rhode Island for a bit. Our guide Jenny dropped Providence knowledge and trivia like tasty breadcrumbs throughout the afternoon. The food offerings left me stuffed and happy.

Friskie Fries
100 Washington St.

Oh, how I love Friskie Fries. This spot, born from a popular food truck of the same name, serves gourmet french fries. Read: Crisp and golden, piping hot, with a soft center. You can get them buck naked, dusted with spices or all dressed up. Try the Rhode Kill for a taste of the classic Rhode Island wiener: they’re topped with New York System meat sauce, onions, mustard and celery salt. My favorite was the Alleycat, with fresh garlic, Parmesan and olive oil. The best-seller is the Miss Potato Head (a nod to Hasbro, which has its headquarters in nearby Pawtucket), which come smothered in sour cream, bacon, cheddar cheese and chives.

Yoleni’s
292 Westminster St.

Located in the old Tilden-Thurber building, the lovingly restored Yoleni’s is part Greek marketplace, part bustling breakfast-lunch-dinner spot. During our visit, owner Alexander Philippides served us a spread of marinated olives (ouzo, orange, herbs, etc.) and homemade Greek yogurt flavored with lemon. (You can customize your yogurt – the best I’ve ever had – with a selection of fresh fruit and granola.) The yogurt was so good that many of us came back at night to pick up some containers for a snack. It doesn’t get any more authentic than this: The original outpost store is located in Athens, and the olive oil is grown from the family’s trees in Olympia.

 

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Knead Doughnuts
135 Elmgrove Ave.

There’s a reason the Providence-Warwick metropolitan area was recently chosen as the top “donut” city in the nation. Hand-crafted doughnuts are having a moment, and Knead Doughnuts is a big reason why. (PVDonuts and Allie’s – if you’re up for a road trip – are also wonderful.) Of course, it doesn’t hurt that there’s a Dunkin’ Donuts shop on nearly every street corner. But visit one of Knead’s two Providence locations for doughnuts that will make you stop and savor. Every. Little. Bite. You’ll find old-fashioned, cake, filled and brioche varieties in flavors like Black Forest, vanilla glazed, chocolate, blood orange, cinnamon roll, peanut butter and jelly …. the delicious list goes on. There are also daily vegan and flourless options. If you visit the Custom House location, take a peek at the left side of the building. You’ll see this:

Cool, huh? The Avenue Concept, a Providence-based nonprofit that fosters public art, is behind the mural (“Still Here” by the artist Gaia) and several others strewn throughout the city. Head to the website for a map of where you can find them all.

Gracie’s
194 Washington St.

Spoiler alert: Gracie’s is one my favorite restaurants in Providence. It’s more than earned its AAA Four Diamond status with its tasty, inventive fare and outstanding service. We feasted like royalty in a dim, private room surrounded by wines of all vintages. Even the bread was amazing: We had our choice of warm sourdough or cornbread basted with duck fat. The menu changes with the seasons, with standouts like Atlantic cod loin with chickpea stew, chorizo and squid, and a tasting of winter vegetables. Save room for the specialty desserts that are all made in-house.

Sydney
400 Exchange St.

The avocado toast at this bright and sunny Australian-themed eatery is everything: slathered with bright-green avocado, cherry tomatoes and a smattering of feta. Or opt for the ricotta toast. A savory option is topped with winter greens and drizzled with balsamic, while a sweet version comes with honey and brûléed fruit. You’ll also find healthy yogurt bowls, breakfast sandwiches, overnight oats and a bevy of home-baked goodies, as well as light sandwiches for lunch. (Next time, I’m trying the signature roasted broccoli, served with ricotta salata and lemon-caper aioli on ciabatta. Drool.) Perfectly crafted beverages round out the menu, with offerings like flat whites, matcha green tea lattes and plenty of bold cold brew.

Malted Barley
334 Westminster St.

This is where I discovered I liked hard cider. A lot. Malted Barley has 37 craft brews (including cider and fruit beers made from bananas and pineapples) on draft, plus more than 60 bottles and cans. Order up a flight of your favorites and pair them with perhaps my favorite new Providence food find: a delectable, made-to-order fresh pretzel. You can get them plain and salted, served with a to-die-for apricot butter, or stuffed with myriad fillings for a sandwich. It’s a great place for lunch, a mid-afternoon snack or a quick bite before a show.

AAA members can save at restaurants all over the country with exclusive discounts from Restaurant.com. 

Can’t get enough Rhode Island fare? Tell us your favorite Providence food and be sure to check out these specialties throughout the state. 

As a writer, I sit at my desk. A lot. I often find that I’m slouching, my wrists are hurting, my buttocks are sore and my legs are cramped. But after recently attending a chair yoga class, I learned all that could change with a few easy exercises.

I was amazed at the stretches and poses provided by the instructor, Chris Molzahn, and the modifications she offered for doing the exercises at my desk. She understands the plight of the sedentary office worker.

“I’m stiff after sitting for 10 minutes! Getting up periodically and stretching helps,” Molzahn said.

Fellow yoga instructor Katherine McIntire agrees. “We find that people sitting all day is the new smoking. If people can get up and move once an hour, it’s good for the heart,” she said. “It’s also good for reducing stress. Anytime someone stops and does an exercise at their desk, they’re being mindful.”

Here are some great poses you can do without leaving the office.

SEATED CRESCENT MOON

This pose is great for those who find themselves hunched over their computer, causing back and shoulder

pain. Sit in your chair, feet flat on the floor. Raise both arms over your head and place your palms together. Bend slightly to one side, hold for a few seconds, then repeat on the other side for a great stretch of your sides, back and shoulders.

CHAIR PIGEON

This pose helps center your hips and spine. Sit in your chair, feet flat on the floor. Bend one leg and place it across so the ankle rests on the other knee and your leg rests at a 90-degree angle. Twist slightly to one side, hold, then repeat on the other side. Remember to breathe!

WRIST STRETCHES

Wrists and hands can get particularly crampy after a day filled with typing. Stretch your arms out straight in front of you, palm up and pull your fingers downward for a great finger and wrist stretch. Release and repeat with just your thumb, then switch sides. Then make wrist circles with both a closed fist and open fingers to keep those hands agile and the words on the keyboard flowing.

Find more tips on healthy living. AAA.com/HealthFitness

For every person who is a fan of something, say a type of food, a movie, a music genre or even something less mainstream, like rattlesnakes or “Little House on the Prairie,” there’s probably a festival for it. Unique festivals across the United States include the Ellsworth Cheese Curd Festival in Wisconsin, the Fort Wayne Pugfest in Indiana and the Fantasy Fest in Florida, among thousands of others.

One of the sweetest, and perhaps more under-the radar festivals, has to be the annual Dirty Dancing Festival, celebrating its 10^th anniversary in 2019. Generally held in mid-September, the festival is an ode to the iconic 1987 movie. If you know who uttered the phrase “Nobody puts Baby in the corner” and can easily envision the classic “Come here lover boy” scene between Baby (Jennifer Grey) and Johnny (Patrick Swayze) in the fictional Catskills resort’s dance studio, this unique festival is for you.

Held in Lake Lure, N.C., one of the movie’s location sites, the tribute event offers everything a fan could want: watermelon races, dance lessons, reenactments, a screening of the movie, the Kellerman’s Talent Show, and of course, the festival highlight, the popular Lake Lift competition, attempted by eager volunteers.

Lake Lure has a population of just about 1,100 people, but it swells to at least triple or quadruple that during the festival, when people come from as far away as Germany to celebrate their favorite film. In truth, there aren’t that many physical spots in the area that remain from the movie to visit, but that seems irrelevant to the festivalgoers, who are just happy to be with like-minded fans.

Two spots that do remain include the dance floor where the talent show in the film took place, and the boathouse stairs that Baby carried a watermelon down and later practice-danced on. You can find the floor at the Esmeralda Inn, serving as the floor in the lobby and dining room, but you can’t access the stairs (they’re on private property now, though you can glimpse them from a boat). Local tour companies run sightseeing trips and can point them out to you.

Hardcore fans might want to stay at the 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa, which housed the cast and crew during filming. The dancers practiced in the inn’s Roosevelt Hall and visitors can book the exact rooms in which Swayze and Grey stayed.

One of the best parts of the festival is the gleeful audience participation. You can take dance lessons with professional instructors, then try out your moves in an amateur shag competition; take part in the Kellerman’s Talent Show after training with the Asheville Ballet dancers; or see if you can lift your partner over your head in the Lake Lift competition. This crowd favorite is held in the lake cove of Morse Park, around the corner from where Johnny and Baby practiced one of their most famous scenes. Couples enter the water and get two practice lifts before making the third try count. The year I attended there was a proposal, which brought the crowd to its feet with cheers and clapping.

More Not-to-Miss Unique Festivals in the U.S.

Lebowski Fest

It’s been almost 20 years since the movie “The Big Lebowski” came out, but you’d never know it from the legions of fans who still worship The Dude. Now in its 18^th year, the two-day Lebowski Fest, held this year in Louisville, Ky., celebrates all things Lebowski with a movie party, a live soundtrack tribute concert, unlimited bowling, plenty of White Russians and costume and trivia contests, a fitting tribute to His Dudeness.

San Fermin Festival in Nuevo Orleans

A hilarious riff on the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, the San Fermin in New Orleans also features a race of runners being chased. But instead of bulls in hot pursuit, participants are pursued by roller derby skaters. The “Rollerbulls,” armed with foam baseball bats and horned helmets,  give runners a swat if they catch up to them. The annual event is now in its 13^th year.

Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival

While the annual Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival is filled with the typical literary readings, live theater performances, author talks and discussion series, its Stella (or Stanley) Shouting Contest is both uniquely Williams and New Orleans, setting it apart in a fun spin. Contestants vie to rival Stanley Kowalski’s shout for “STELLAAAAA!!!” in the unforgettable scene from Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Both women and men are welcome to participate and yell for Stella (or Stanley) on Jackson Square, while onlookers cheer for their favorites.

Book a hotel near your favorite festival with AAA. 

When Plant City opened its doors in early June, it became just the second vegan food hall in the country ­(after vShops in Miami) serving exclusively plant-based cuisine. But Plant City did more than just open its doors: It moved the needle on Providence’s reputation not just as a foodie city, but as a forward-thinking one.

News broke early this spring that Matthew Kenney, a renowned vegan chef who built a plant-based restaurant empire comprising more than 30 restaurants across four continents, would be opening an Eataly-style food hall in Rhode Island. Kenney has been nominated as a James Beard Rising Star Chef twice, and was named a Best New Chef by Food + Wine magazine. His only two New England restaurants are both in Boston. The fact that he took notice of Providence for his flagship food hall, rather than opening in a large city with a guaranteed customer base, is a big deal.

“We were immediately met with so much enthusiasm when word got out of Plant City’s imminent opening,” Kenney said. That enthusiasm – the first three nights were booked basically as soon as reservations were available – indicates a growing appetite for healthier options when dining out. It’s easy to cook healthy food at home. It’s not as easy to have an exciting dining experience at a restaurant and still have it work with a whole foods diet. At least, it’s not as easy outside a major metropolitan area.

“The demand for vegan cuisine in Providence, which is a small city compared to most, became immediately obvious – yet there were few existing options in the area to support and fuel that demand,” Kenney said. “That’s a huge indication of just how big [plant-based cuisine] is becoming, because it shows that the initiative to engage in a healthier, more sustainable and plant-based lifestyle is not limited by geography or demographic.”

Three Floors of Vegan Goodness

Plant City has revived the building that once housed an iconic Providence restaurant, Barnsider’s Mile and a Quarter. Within its walls are five separate dining concepts, a marketplace, and a meeting space in the basement that will host yoga and meditation classes as well as food-related workshops.

“The experience [of a vegan food hall] is different, because it’s diverse, exciting and inspiring,” Kenney said. “You can sit down to have dinner upstairs, but also wander around trying different things, check out the marketplace and find yourself immersed in retail aisles filled with products that you haven’t seen anywhere else. The overall energy is higher, and it creates a really creative, inspired atmosphere.”

The first floor is home to a coffee shop serving vegan pastries (even croissants), a quick-service lunch counter called Make Out and a restaurant called New Burger. At Make Out, which serves bowls, you order a base and customize your toppings. For breakfast, maybe that’s oatmeal or non-dairy coconut yogurt, topped with roasted apples, almond butter and flax seeds. For lunch, it might be soy-ginger quinoa or field greens, topped with rosemary fingerling potatoes, charred broccoli rabe and roasted tomatoes with basil, and finished with citrus Sriracha or pesto dressing. At New Burger, the menu focuses on plant-based versions of comfort foods, like a classic burger with heirloom tomato, lettuce, sunflower cheddar and beet ketchup, or a Cobb salad served with tempeh bacon, tomato, cucumber, corn, avocado and herb ranch dressing.

Upstairs are two more formal restaurants. Double Zero is a pizzeria with menu options like truffle pizza, with cashew cream, wild mushrooms, Tuscan kale and lemon vinaigrette, and artichoke conserva with confit cannellini beans. At Bar Verde, the Mexican-inspired restaurant that shares the second floor, there are plant-based takes on Mexican favorites: wild mushroom carnitas, cauliflower al pastor, jackfruit pibil, hearts of palm ceviche.

“We’re lucky to have chefs that truly respect and understand the flavors, textures, fragrances and the natural beauty of plants,” Kenney said. “It’s because of this deep respect for food that creativity and innovation thrive in our kitchens.”

Room for Growth

Creativity and innovation are hallmarks of Providence’s dining scene, which might be why the city was immediately so taken by Plant City’s opening. The food hall has been embraced not just as a new place for vegetarians to go, but as a buzz-worthy restaurant piquing the interest of the larger community that just wants to have a delicious meal. Case in point: executive chef Luis Jaramillo is an omnivore. “When it comes down to it, our chefs are creating art, just like any other talented chef. Our medium just happens to be brighter, fresher, healthier and more alive,” Kenney said. He called Jaramillo “an incredibly talented artist who thrives in a creative environment and is stimulated by new projects and challenges … Any differences in personal lifestyle are left at the door.”

A few weeks after Plant City opened, an all-vegan food hall opened in New York. That makes three in the country: one in a city of nearly 9 million, one in a city of half a million and one in Providence. Will its 180,000 people keep this innovative concept alive? If the buzz around its opening is any indication, then signs point to yes. As people are increasingly shifting to wellness-oriented lifestyles, the appetite for vegetable-heavy cuisine is only growing – not just in big cities, but in smart ones. Success in Providence points to the idea that a lot more of the country is ready for healthy, gourmet-minded food than previously assumed.

“Plant City has served as one of the strongest indicators of just how much momentum there is behind today’s plant-based movement,” Kenney said. He’s using this buzz as inspiration to think about other smaller and often-overlooked areas. “Accessibility is such a big factor in our mission to spread this healthier shift toward plant-based cuisine, and we would never get anywhere if we didn’t expand to new, uncharted territories.”

What are your thoughts on Providence’s new vegan food hall? Do you plan to go soon? Have you visited already? Tell us in the comments. 

For more ideas on where to go for dinner tonight, search for restaurants at AAA.com/Diamonds. 

Some of the most popular podcasts today are limited-series podcasts. But that wasn’t always the case. When “Serial” premiered in 2014, “This American Life” bent over backwards trying to sell the idea that its spin-off podcast’s episodes were connected, a show that would have, over the course of multiple episodes, a beginning, middle and end.  That’s why it’s called “Serial” – the name has almost nothing to do with the subject matter. The main conceit was that you had to listen to all the episodes in order. As we all know today, people fell for it. Hard.

Limited-series podcasts scratch a special kind of itch – it’s a format that rewards both binge-listening and the slow drip of waiting for new episodes to come out. Limited-series podcasting allows creators to take their time in exploring a story, to plumb the depths of a piece and go down rabbit holes and cul-de-sacs. Whether you’re new to podcasts or a podcasting veteran, these limited-series podcasts are sure to captivate you.

Serial – Seasons One and Three

I won’t be shy about saying this: Season two of “Serial” does not measure up to the reporting and storytelling of seasons one and three. The first season of “Serial” is a deep dive into the murder of high school student Hae Min Lee, and the story of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, who was convicted of the crime. (The case is still ongoing; a judge in 2016 overturned the conviction and granted Syed’s request for a new trial.)  Sarah Koenig investigates the confusing tangle of clues around the case, while also growing closer to Syed during their series of phone conversations. It’s a meditation on the nature of truth and justice. Season three of “Serial” takes place at the Justice Center Complex in downtown Cleveland, where Koenig and her team of reporters spend a year witnessing the ins and outs of an average American courthouse. The level of access they were granted is amazing, and the season is a captivating listen.

The Gateway

The internet is full of people searching for meaning, and internet-famous spiritual gurus are there to give it to them. When Jennings Brown stumbles across one such spiritual leader, Teal Swan, something doesn’t feel right to him. Teal’s hypnotic YouTube videos seem calibrated to target the most vulnerable individuals, and as he digs into her past, he learns that a few of her followers have committed suicide. Brown journeys to Swan’s “retreat center” in Costa Rica to learn more about the controversial figure’s mysterious past. He never could have guessed how forthcoming Teal Swan would be, or how deeply the story would affect him.

The Dream

What if I told you that a small investment of a few hundred dollars could change your life forever? It can’t, but this is the promise of many multilevel marketing companies and pyramid schemes. Host Jane Marie uncovers the history of MLMs in America, drawing on her own family’s history and entanglements in a series of pyramid schemes that ran through her hometown. While it’s a highly personal podcast, it’s also universal. Who hasn’t seen one of their Facebook friends trying to hawk patterned leggings, dietary supplements or essential oils? Marie interviews a participant in the “airplane games” of the 1980s, goes deep into multilevel marketing’s ties to the White House and even has a former cosmetics marketer try (and fail) to make money selling makeup through an MLM.

Julie: The Unwinding of the Miracle

Julie Yip-Williams is the focus of this posthumous podcast. Julie is a writer, a musician, a world traveler, a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother. She also has terminal cancer. Her careful planning for her family’s future and exploration of her past becomes part of her process of accepting her own mortality. This brief, beautiful series is a portrait of the unimaginable and the inevitable. “This is a record we can all look back on,” she remarks to her family, even though she knows she’s only weeks away from death. This isn’t the story of a warrior or a martyr. This is the story of Julie.

Uncover Season One: Escaping NXIVM

CBC reporter Josh Bloch is catching up with a childhood friend, Sarah Edmonson, when she reveals that she’s just escaped a cult. NXIVM (pronounced “nexium”) was a sprawling network of multilevel marketers, self-help groups and faux-feminist empowerment programs in upstate New York and Canada. Edmonson tells the story of how she went from sitting in a circle and talking about professional development to being blindfolded and branded in a bizarre ceremony. Bloch takes us through the history of founder Keith Raniere, the development of NXIVM and the aftermath of Edmonson’s explosive tell-all with the New York Times.

The Dropout

Young entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes seemed to emerge out of nowhere. She dropped out of Stanford after just a few semesters to found a revolutionary blood-testing company, Theranos, and quickly became the youngest self-made female billionaire of all time. But Holmes was not all that she seemed. Theranos claimed to run hundreds of tests with just one drop of blood, but was that really true? And why did the company seem to have a revolving door when it came to employees? Also, why did Holmes allegedly dress like Steve Jobs and speak with a fake deep voice? “The Dropout” is more than a corporate scandal – it’s an indictment of the medical-industrial complex as a whole.

Honorary mentions

Listened to the above already? Some of my other favorite limited-series podcasts include “Dirty John,” “Dr. Death,” “S-Town,” “Missing Richard Simmons,” “Heaven’s Gate” and “Cold.”

Looking for some more podcasts? Check out my Podcast Pulse articles about shows for history buffs, the best girl power podcasts and ways to find the perfect show for you.

“I’m super comfortable on an airplane,” isn’t a phrase one hears often. Even in the most luxurious first-class seats, air travel can have a less-than-luxurious impact on the body.

Many effects are due to altitude, says Dr. Paulo Magalhaes Alves, a member of the Aerospace Medical Association who, through his work with MedAire, provides medical advice to the aviation industry.

The environmental pressure in aircraft cabins is generally at 6,000 to 8,000 feet, rather than at sea level. But unless you have a heart or respiratory condition, the resulting high-altitude effects – headache, fatigue and lower alcohol tolerance – won’t be serious.

“A rule of thumb is that anyone able to walk briskly for 60 yards or to climb a flight of stairs is probably OK to travel,” Alves said.

Reduced cabin pressure also causes gases – trapped in the gastrointestinal tract, the ears and sinuses – to expand. So carry chewing gum to help your ears pop, have decongestant at the ready and eat light on travel days.

This might be easier because, once you hit 30,000 feet, your sense of taste is altered. The cabin’s low oxygen level, relative humidity and background noise have been implicated as possible contributing factors, said Alves.

Cabin humidity is as low as 15%, which, contrary to popular belief, won’t truly dehydrate you.

“We might feel dry skin, mouth or even eyes, but that doesn’t cause any harm to our health,” Alves said.

True dehydration, which can cause constipation and headaches, is more likely the result of a hectic travel schedule and drinking too little water. Drink up and use skin moisturizer and eye drops, and you’ll be more comfortable.

The most dangerous possible impact of air travel – deep-vein thrombosis – is caused by sitting for long periods, rather than by the fact that you’re on an airplane. But Alves says this won’t happen unless certain risk factors are present.

“Recent surgeries, postpartum state, use of birth control pills, smoking, and particularly the association of them, increase the chance for DVT,” he said.

For healthy travelers, flying is a very safe means of transportation, said Alves. Most serious events are caused by a passenger’s underlying medical condition, he added, not by flying itself.

So drink up, eat right, stretch every now and then and enjoy your flight.

To read more articles about travel-related health topics, visit AAA.com/LiveWell.

You’ve probably read that travel, particularly airplane flights, takes a tremendous toll on our environment. But don’t despair – you don’t need to give up exploring the world to help make a difference.

One way that you can help reduce your impact on the Earth while traveling is to seek out places to stay that are eco-friendly. There are 54,000 hotels and motels in the United States alone, so you’re sure to find one that meets the green level you desire.

Search the websites of major chains to see what measures they’re taking to protect the Earth’s resources, or search for environmentally responsible hotels, motels and resorts through the Green Hotels Association.

Here are some things to look for in your next green vacation stay.

Installing Energy-Saving and Water-Saving Devices

The bulk of hotels and motels institute some sort of linen/towel reuse policy, which avoids running washers and dryers and wasting water to clean items that aren’t dirty. Put the “do not disturb” sign on your doorknob when you leave for the day, so your bedding won’t be changed unnecessarily.

Some establishments go a step further and practice rainwater harvesting or gray water reuse. With hotels’ large roofs and vast parking lots, lots of this free water can be collected for use in toilets, cooling towers and even landscaping, rather than letting it run into storm drains.

Best Western^® Hotels & Resorts’ Green Housekeeping Program grants its Best Western Rewards^® (BWR^®) members 500 bonus points, or an equivalent food and beverage credit, for each day they opt out of housekeeping services, on stays of two or more days. Guests can also use these points towards a free night stay on their next trip.

Find hotels that have swapped out incandescent bulbs for LED or compact fluorescent ones and those that have timers to turn off the lights when not in use. Programmable thermostats and double-paned windows are other ways hotels have renovated rooms to keep them comfortable without wasting energy. Even installing updated televisions can be a sustainable feature, because the newer models use less electricity than older sets. And the water savings from using low-flow shower heads and smaller-capacity toilet tanks add up quickly, and you likely won’t even notice the difference.

Recycling and Composting

Your grandmother was right when she admonished you not to waste food. Tossing uneaten produce, bread gone stale or meat that’s no longer fresh in the garbage not only means the energy used in producing that food was in spent vain but also the local landfills will reach capacity sooner than expected.

Mindful hotels keep their organic scraps out of dumps by composting them. When these scraps are added to the larger compost piles at local sanitation departments or farms, they metamorphose into what is known as “black gold” in the agricultural world. This nutrient-laden soil additive can then be used to boost future crop production, turning garbage back into food.

Another way to rescue food from the garbage bin is to donate it. Leftover banquet platters, trays of sandwiches or even giant fruit salads can be donated to shelters or other places to serve those in need. Doing so not only prevents the food from going to waste, it strengthens the bond between the hotel and its community.

And it’s not just food scraps that end up unnecessarily at the dump. Single-use items, like the mini bars of soap, small bottles of lotion and cellophane-wrapped plastic drinking glasses, add to the enormous amount of waste created in the hospitality industry. Look for hotels that participate in recycling ventures, such as Clean the World, which collects soaps and bottles of lotions and shampoo for distribution to areas of the world where they need these hygienic items (after a thorough decontamination process, of course).

Or plan your stay somewhere that uses large bottles of toiletries that are attached to the wall, eliminating the need for the small, disposable ones. Choose to stay in places that provide reusable glasses and mugs in rooms, rather than throwaway cardboard or plastic cups.

Reduce Food Miles

To reduce the distance food must travel to reach hotel restaurants, why not opt to stay at a hotel that has its own farm? This idea is not a new one in some parts of the world, but it is catching on here in the United States. Although hotels and inns in more rural settings might find growing some of their own food easier than those in a crowded city, even urban hotels can take part in this practice. For example, rooftop gardens are popping up in metropolitan regions across the country, and urban beekeeping has increased in popularity.

If a hotel doesn’t grow its own food, learn toward those that source their food from local vendors. Not only will your meals be filled with the freshest ingredients possible and keep the distance they must travel to a minimum, you’re sure to enjoy experiencing the specialties of the region, from local beef to seasonal fruits or fresh-caught seafood. The Best Western Plus Chateau Granville, in Vancouver, British Columbia, offers a “Go Green” menu that features local produce as well as a zero-waste food program, through which they compost organic matter and other recyclable items.

Steps You Can Take to Make a Difference

Being aware of your own individual actions when staying in a hotel can also help reduce your effect on the environment. Remember to turn off the lights when you leave the room, just like you do at home. Adjust the thermostat so the AC or heat isn’t running when you’re not there. And for visits to a city, consider staying within walking distance of your destinations, so you can leave your car in the garage for the duration of your stay. Small steps that both you and the hotel industry take to lessen adverse effects on our world can add up to big changes, if we all do our part.

There are 61 national parks scattered around the country, so the best way to see all of them (or at least as many as you can) is to cross a few off the list in one trip.

Fortunately, the Southwest is home to several national parks, all within short traveling distances to each other. Member Choice Vacations’ Canyon Country tour winds through three states, stopping at three national parks. During the eight-day expedition, travelers will explore not just these parks, but several other equally exciting destinations in Arizona, Utah and Nevada.

Take a look at some of the trip’s stops around Canyon Country.

Sedona

The first stop on this majestic tour of the Southwest is the picturesque town of Sedona. Surrounded by towering red rock monoliths, there may not be a city in the country that rivals Sedona’s natural beauty. Among other sites, travelers will get the opportunity to see Oak Creek Canyon. This 12-mile long canyon ranges from 800 to 2,000 feet deep, creating a unique and breathtaking landscape.

Sedona also has a thriving arts scene and historic uptown area. It’s the perfect spot to spend an afternoon exploring the city’s galleries, boutiques and restaurants.

Afterward, the tour heads north to the Kaibab National Forest. The 1.6-million-acre site borders both the north and south sides of the Grand Canyon. The forest features a little bit of everything: canyons, prairies, peaks, plateaus, 300 miles of trails and four designated wildernesses. Guests will travel through the southern portion of Kaibab on the way to their destination: the Grand Canyon’s South Rim.

Grand Canyon

There may be no better testament to the majesty of the Grand Canyon than when President Theodore Roosevelt said, “In the Grand Canyon, Arizona has a natural wonder which is in kind absolutely unparalleled throughout the rest of the world … You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it.”

Those “ages” Roosevelt spoke of are 2 billion years of geological history that have carved out an unparalleled landscape. Translation: Visiting the Grand Canyon will be a memorable 24 hours.

The tour travels along the East Rim Drive. During this excursion, you’ll be able to see sights such as the Little Colorado River Gorge, Marble Canyon, Navajo and Rainbow Bridge, and Horseshoe Bend. Afterward, a short ride takes you to Cameron Trading Post. For a century, this locale has been a haven for travelers, traders and explorers.

This is the perfect time to head to the Grand Canyon, as the park is celebrating its centennial. Special events will be held throughout the year in honor of the park’s magnificent 100 years.

Lake Powell

After leaving Grand Canyon, you’ll continue north toward the Utah border and Lake Powell. The lake is technically a reservoir, formed when a damn was built in the 1960s and flooded the Glen Canyon, creating 185 miles of glistening waterways. This stunning setting will be your home for the next two nights. On your first morning, you’ll hit the water as you enjoy an invigorating breakfast cruise along Lake Powell.

Navajo Nation

In the afternoon, you’ll get to explore Navajo Nation. This surrounding area covers more than 17 million acres across three southwestern states. You’ll have the unique opportunity to see this land by choosing between a visit to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park or touring the Navajo and Antelope canyons.

The Tribal Park’s valley boasts sandstone towers that rise to 1,000 feet surrounded by miles of mesas and buttes, shrubs and trees, and windblown sand to create an otherworldly scene. Travelers will enjoy a guided tour narrated by a Navajo Tribe member. It will also include a visit to a traditional Navajo hut called a “hogan.”

Navajo and Antelope canyons are geological wonders branching off Lake Powell. Guests will enjoy a canyon adventure cruise through these areas.

Bryce Canyon National Park

The following day, head to Utah’s first national park. In 1915, U. S. Forest Service Supervisor J. W. Humphrey came to the rim of Bryce Canyon and said, “You can perhaps imagine my surprise at the indescribable beauty that greeted us, and it was sundown before I could be dragged from the canyon view.”

You’ll get the same view that inspired Humphrey to turn Bryce Canyon into a national park when you walk along the Rim Trail from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point. This path offers hikers the chance to view the Main Amphitheater from above. Bryce Canyon is famous for its hoodoos (thin spires of rock). In fact, it has the largest concentration found anywhere on Earth. The sights are surely something you won’t soon forget.

Zion National Park

Zion is the third and final national park on the tour. Zion National Park’s location at the intersection of the Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau and Great Basin creates one of the most unique landscapes in the country. It is highlighted by Zion Canyon, a 15-mile long, 2,400-foot deep, half-mile wide canyon of red and white sandstone cliffs.

Fortunately, travelers will have more than enough time to explore. The Canyon Country tour allots a full day to take in all that is Zion. In the afternoon, guests can choose to continue sightseeing outdoors or visit the Zion Human History Museum.

Las Vegas

The last stop on the tour is Las Vegas. You’ll have come a long way from the rugged outdoors, so kick up your feet and enjoy the big city. Spend two nights exploring the bright lights of the Vegas Strip, a 4-mile stretch of nonstop fun and excitement. Afterward, it will be time to pack your bags and head home!

Book a tour of the American Southwest with AAA Member Choice Vacations. 

Recent research from AAA has found that extreme temperatures can have a drastic effect on the driving ranges of electric cars. The research reveals that when temperatures reached 20 degrees Fahrenheit, driving range was reduced by 12 percent. When temperatures rose to 95 degrees, there was a 4-percent decrease in electric vehicle range.

The effects were more significant when the cars’ heating and cooling systems were in use. In cold temperatures with the heat running, driving ranges decreased by 41 percent. When factors were reversed (high outside temperatures, air conditioning in use) driving range decreased by 17 percent.

“The research clearly shows that electric vehicles thrive in more moderate climates, except the reality is most Americans live in an area where temperature fluctuates,” said Megan McKernan, manager of the Automotive Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center. “Automakers are continually making advances to improve range, but with this information, drivers will be more aware of the impacts varying weather conditions can have on their electric vehicles.”

AAA urges electric vehicle owners to be aware of a reduction in range and the need to charge more often to minimize the chance of being stranded by a dead battery. Drivers should also make time to pre-heat or cool down the inside of their vehicles while still connected to the charger. This will reduce the power demand on the car battery. Owners should also park in a garage, if possible, to stabilize cabin temperature.

“The appeal of electric vehicles continues to grow since a greater variety of designs and options with increased range have come onto the market,” said Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering and industry relations at AAA. “As long as drivers understand that there are limitations when operating electric vehicles in more extreme climates, they are less likely to be caught off guard by an unexpected drop in driving range.”

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

Motorists can find charging stations along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA Roadside Assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/Mobile.

Long Island has a long and rich history, and it’s peppered with historical landmarks. How do you know which landmarks are the right ones to visit? And how can you even make sense of all of them, when so much has happened in Long Island history? That’s where the Washington Spy Trail comes in.

All along Route 25A on Long Island you and your family can smuggle secrets with George Washington’s Revolutionary spies, get a taste of the Gilded Age and party through Prohibition. No matter which attractions you choose, you’re sure to have an unforgettable trip.

Secrets on the Washington Spy Trail

It’s the Revolutionary War and Long Island is under British occupation. NY Route 25A (then known as “The King’s Highway”) was an important route for Revolutionary-era spies like Abraham Woodhull, Benjamin Tallmadge and Caleb Brewster. These spies smuggled important secrets from behind enemy lines to General George Washington and his Revolutionary forces. The inlets and coves along the North Shore provided the perfect way to smuggle secrets across the Long Island Sound. On the Washington Spy Trail, you can follow in the footsteps of history (and learn some spy secrets). There are 26 signs marking the way along the North Shore of Long Island.

The Brewster House

Built in 1665, the Brewster House in Setauket was once a tavern and general store owned and operated by Joseph Brewster. Joseph’s cousin, Caleb Brewster, was a patriot spy who was tasked with delivering secret messages to George Washington, then stationed in Connecticut. One of the inlets that Caleb used to hide his boats was about 150 feet away from the Brewster House. Did Joseph have something to do with it? The Brewster House is the oldest house in the Town of Brookhaven, and it will please any history buff.

Raynam Hall

Raynam Hall in Oyster Bay was commandeered by the Queen’s Rangers – a regiment of around 300 British troops. It happened to be the home of one of George Washington’s intelligence operatives, Robert Townsend. Townsend used the occupation of his house as an opportunity to spy on British soldiers. He communicated with other patriot spies using invisible ink!

The Job Sammis House

The Job Sammis House in Huntington was built in 1740, and home to militia man Job Sammis. Sammis stored guns and ammo for the Suffolk County militia in his home, earning it the nickname “The Arsenal.” It is said that Sammis held onto these stores even after the British occupied Huntington in September 1776. Learn more about Huntington’s fascinating history at the Huntington Historical Society.

Three Village Inn

You can stay overnight at the c.1751 Three Village Inn in Stony Brook. There you’ll find waterfront cottages and rooms, many named after members of Washington’s Spy Ring.

Prohibition Secrets Revealed

In the 1920s, the North Shore was a hotspot for rumrunners and bootleggers, who delivered alcohol to and from the glittering Gold Coast mansions. Due to its proximity to New York City, illegal booze was smuggled into Long Island from Canada, the Caribbean and even Europe. Do you dream about the Jazz Age? There’s no better place to tour prohibition landmarks than on Long Island. Here are some hot spots you don’t want to miss.

Sands Point Preserve

Sands Point Preserve is home to a few Guggenheim mansions: Falaise, Hempstead House and Castle Gould. In the 1920s, Hempstead House at Sands Point Preserve was home to Daniel and Florence Guggenheim, who had a reputation for throwing extravagant parties. One Friday night in April 1924, the local police discovered 814 cases of liquor near the estate. The rumrunners were later discovered at Hempstead Harbor.

Sands Point Preserve also served as one of the filming locations for the Prohibition-Era HBO show, Boardwalk Empire.

Finnegan’s Restaurant and Tap Room

Finnegan’s Restaurant and Tap Room, which opened in 1912, is the oldest continually-operating bar in Huntington. During Prohibition, it had to turn into a speakeasy. Finnegan’s had two doors – the main door and the secret, speakeasy door. Mr. Finnegan actually made the whiskey and gin himself at that time. He sold it along with other stores provided by local rumrunners. Ordering a drink at Finnegan’s is like ordering a taste of Long Island history.

Stony Brook Wetlands

Head to Stony Brook Harbor for a 1 ½ hour ride on the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s pontoon boat, “Discovery,” for a wetlands cruise. While seeing the natural flora and fauna of the wetlands, you’ll also get up close and personal with the coves where bootleggers and rumrunners could anchor their boats in secret. If you don’t want to take the pontoon boat cruise, you could rent a kayak or a canoe and explore the wetlands yourself.

Long Island’s Blue Bloods

At the turn of the century, the North Shore of Long Island was a playground for the rich and famous, filled with sprawling “country estates” that looked more like palaces. Today, many of the surviving estates have been transformed into museums, gardens and more, and are open for the public to enjoy.

Old Westbury Gardens

Old Westbury Gardens is one of the best-preserved gold coast mansions on Long Island. Built in 1906, Old Westbury Gardens is the former estate of John Shaffer Phipps, a U.S. Steel heir. The Charles II-style mansion is surrounded by 200 acres of gardens, walkways, woods and even a hedge maze. It even served as the inspiration for the design of the Buchanan estate in the 2013 film “The Great Gatsby.”

The Vanderbilt Museum

Purchased in 1910 by William K. Vanderbilt II, the Vanderbilt estate spans 43 acres. When construction on the sprawling Spanish Revival mansion was complete, Vanderbilt christened the mansion “Eagle’s Nest,” due to its position on a hill.

Today, the estate is the Vanderbilt Museum. The museum is a mix of living history in fully-restored rooms of the house and specimens of marine, bird and insect life collected by Vanderbilt himself. It also has a planetarium and rooftop observatory.

Oheka Castle

Built in 1917 by Otto Hermann Kahn, Oheka Castle is styled after a French chateau. At the time Kahn lived there, it was the second-largest private home in America. Today, Oheka Castle is an opulent hotel and event venue, with 22 acres of finely manicured gardens to boot. Oheka claims to have been the inspiration for Gatsby’s estate in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” Its exterior was even used to portray Charles Foster Kane’s home in one of the greatest films of all time, “Citizen Kane.”

In addition you’ll find other noteworthy sites along the North Shore of Long Island, N.Y., including museums, such as the Smithsonian-affiliated Long Island Museum of Art, History and Carriages in Stony Brook and the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington, as well as performing arts centers such as the Staller Center in Stony Brook.

In Oyster Bay, you can also visit the ‘Summer Whitehouse” and home of President Theodore Roosevelt.

If you’re coming from Connecticut, it’s an easy trip on the Port Jefferson Ferry from Bridgeport, right into the heart of Long Island’s historic North Shore.

This is only a small selection of the wonderful landmarks you can visit on the Washington Spy Trail. The next time you head out for an adventure, consider taking a step back into history!

Only 50 miles from Miami, Bimini’s white sand beaches lead water enthusiasts to the main action. Beyond the shoreline, there are preserved coral reefs, groups of tropical fish and underwater attractions including a shipwreck artifact to explore on a breathtaking snorkeling excursion.

For even more adventure, take a personal watercraft on the ocean, observe marine life through a glass-bottom kayak or find out why Bimini is the sport fishing capital of the world.

Take a Jet Ski Tour

For a high-speed sightseeing adventure, skim across the waves on a jet ski. Look back at white sand beaches while you head off for an exhilarating trip to more remote areas. On a one-hour guided tour led by local professionals, you won’t miss any of the gorgeous sights on the outskirts of the island. Plus, you’ll be guided to a private sand bar that’s only accessible by jet ski for a delicious drink while you relax in a secluded spot, making it the perfect adventure for couples.

Snorkel Around a Historic Shipwreck

The islands of the Bahamas are home to a number of historic shipwrecks, and the crystal-clear waters around Bimini allow snorkelers to explore the S.S. Sapona among others. Plan your excursion with Bimini Undersea, the water sports center located at Resorts World Bimini, where you can book undersea and water sports activities and acquire the necessary equipment.

About 80 years ago, the S.S. Sapona ran aground during a storm, ending its storied past of rum running during Prohibition. Now snorkelers can explore the ship’s skeleton with the whole family. Since the ship sits in only 15 feet of water, it’s a shallow site where children can become familiar with the sport of snorkeling. Book double site snorkeling to encounter reef sharks, turtles and schools of brightly colored tropical fish after you experience the shipwreck.

Discover World-Famous Fishing

With its tropical north-flowing current, Bimini is one of the world’s top fishing destinations. Plenty of record-setting big game fish like tuna, swordfish, wahoo and marlin have been reeled in by fishermen from around the world. Charter a six-passenger boat complete with all necessary gear and bait for the ultimate experience.

Since Bimini sits on westernmost edge of the Bahamas and the edge of the Gulf Stream, the warm waters surrounding the island are great for fishing any time of year. If you’re new to the sport, the abundance of fish makes it a great place to learn. You might even catch a fishing tournament while you’re there.

Rent a Glass-Bottom Kayak

Jump in a kayak to paddle along Paradise Beach or seek out the bird species that make their home in the red mangroves of Bimini’s natural bays. In a glass-bottom model, you don’t even have to pop out for a swim to see the kaleidoscopic colors below the surface.  Coral reefs, tropical fish and other marine life are visible below. Whether you opt to explore the island independently or sign up for a guided tour, the calm water conditions make Bimini an ideal spot for kayaking with groups of all ages.

Relax in a Water Hammock

Even the most adventurous traveler needs a few moments to rest and recharge. An ocean water hammock may be the most luxurious way to get ready for your next activity. After observing all the activity below the surface of the Caribbean, take a few moments to lay back and enjoy the breezes as you float along the surface.The calm waters are the perfect spot to look back at the white sand beaches and begin planning your next excursion.

Dive Into an Underwater Oasis

With diverse marine life, a magnificent preserve of coral reefs and haunting sites, Bimini offers a colorful playground for novice and experienced divers. Plan to explore Bimini Road, which some believe is a relic of the lost ancient city of Atlantis. The orderly arrangement of underwater stone steps measures fifteen hundred feet in length. You’ll also find sunken Spanish galleons and the Hesperus, a shallow dive site known as “Turtle Wreck” for the loggerhead turtles that gather there at night.

Other mysterious areas to explore are natural formations including large underwater sinkholes and sea caverns. Openings in the popcorn shaped coral of the Little Caverns reef zone are filled with marine life, but you might be distracted by the bright yellow fins of the queen angelfish that swim past. On a diving excursion you also might encounter dolphins and plenty of loggerhead turtles.

Discover a treasure trove of excitement at Resorts World Bimini where you can book these activities and experience all the island has to offer.

Car batteries can often be an overlooked component of automobile maintenance. However, most of the roadside assistance calls AAA Northeast receives are for battery and electrical issues. Additionally, many of these issues can be avoided with precautionary tests and replacements of damaged batteries. Here are a few tips to keep your car battery in top shape and ensure you’re not stuck in your tracks.

Maintenance

Car batteries all require regular maintenance to provide the longest life. This includes regular driving of the vehicle several times per week in order to maintain a full state of charge. These drives should be longer trips with steady cruise speeds. “Short local trips are not optimal for longest battery life and performance,” said Jason Carrara, manager of technical program training at AAA Northeast. “They don’t provide the complete recharging a battery needs after giving energy to start your car.”

Testing your battery

Batteries become damaged in hot weather and are stressed during cold weather. In other words, battery damage commonly occurs during hot summer months, but does not reveal itself until the winter, when more power is needed to start the vehicle. “If your car needed a jump during the cold weather, you fixed the symptom but not the underlying problem,” said AAA’s Car Doctor John Paul.

All car batteries will eventually die. The average battery life in the Northeast is between three to five years. As they age, batteries should be checked yearly not just in winter.

Battery terminals

As noted in most owner’s manuals, battery terminals require regular removal and cleaning in many environments. This will ensure proper performance every time you turn the key or push the button to start your car. Electricity cannot flow properly, and your engine will not start, if terminals are covered in corrosion.

Periodically disconnecting the car battery to clean its terminals with water and baking soda can help extend its life. This valuable service can also be performed by AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities, your regular repair/maintenance shop, or AAA Mobile Battery Service.

Draining a battery

If you accidentally drain the battery and need a jump-start, your battery needs to be recharged properly on a battery charger likely for several hours, sometimes even a whole day. Simply running the car for 30-60 minutes, as was a common remedy years ago, or going for a ride will usually not completely recover your battery and will shorten the life and performance ability of your battery.

“It is the cycling of a battery that causes a shortened life,” Paul said. “If you let your vehicle battery die, such as by leaving the lights on, even after a full recharge the battery will never make it come back 100 percent.” When you get out of your vehicle lock the doors and make sure the lights are off.

AAA members receive a complimentary battery testing and terminal cleaning. AAA also offers mobile battery testing, battery replacement, and disposal and recycling of your old car battery. Learn more at AAA.com/BatteryService.

If you have questions about your car battery, or any automotive issue, ask John Paul at AAA.com/CarDoctor.

You may be indifferent to fashion and current trends but that doesn’t mean you have to look like it. Style can be accomplished with little effort. Keep this advice in mind the next time you are shopping or diving into your closet.

Iron Your Clothes

Sorry for starting with a chore, but you really should iron your clothes. Nothing looks shabbier than a wrinkled outfit. Running a quick iron over your shirt and pants will make them look more stylish, and even more expensive. It’s a quick fix that makes you instantly more attractive. Don’t fall for ironing “hacks” like putting your clothes in the dryer with a wet towel or hanging them in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. These tricks often take longer and look worse. Stick to the old-fashioned iron, it’ll do the trick.

Stick to Dark Wash

If you’re going to wear jeans, stick to dark wash rather than light wash. Dark wash jeans look more polished and have a slimming effect, while feeling exactly the same as light wash jeans. When you wash your jeans (which you don’t need to do after every wear) turn them inside-out to preserve the dark dye.

Wash Some Color Into Your Hair

Feeling a little sensitive about your salt and pepper? You don’t need a salon to get your best look. Just For Men has introduced Control GX for easy at-home grey care. Control GX shampoo and beard wash reduces grey gradually, just by washing with it in the shower. You don’t have to change anything about your routine, you just replace your regular shampoo with Control GX until you get the look you want. If you want to keep more or less greys, all you have to do is adjust how often you use Control GX.

Your Clothes Should Fit You – Not the Other Way Around 

Toss or donate clothes that don’t fit you anymore (or never fit you to begin with). Well-fitting clothes will always make you look better and more put-together. It doesn’t matter what number is on the tag, as long as it’s the number that fits.

Try Monochrome

Are you uncomfortable with mixing and matching colors? Many people find color one of the main hurdles to planning their outfits. You can skip this step entirely if you put together some monochrome outfits in neutral tones. Once you get more comfortable with your style, you can start adding pops of color with accessories like ties, pocket squares and even socks. Soon you’ll be mixing and matching effortlessly.

Throw a Jacket On

Looking a little too casual? Just a t-shirt and jeans? A suit jacket or blazer can make your outfit look more intentional and stylish. It also makes you look like you’re the kind of devil-may-care guy who’s comfortable in business and casual wear all at once. Any kind of jacket can bring an outfit together. Leather jackets and bomber jackets are great additions to any wardrobe. There’s nothing better than layers.

Tuck Your Shirt In

You don’t always have to tuck your shirt in to look good, but tucking your shirt is a fast way to give yourself a more streamlined silhouette. If you’re not ready to commit to a full tuck, try the French tuck, popularized by Queer Eye’s Tan France. Just tuck in the front of your shirt, a little to the side. Boom – you’re stylish.

Do you have any favorite fashion tricks? Let us know in the comments below!

Outside of the typical, heavily-hyped and more glamorous attractions, there are quite a few of what some may consider weird things to do in NYC. But weird can be good.

Some of the most captivating stories are hidden in plain sight; you just need to know where to look.

Weird Things to Do in NYC

Bannerman Castle 

More commonly known as Bannerman Island, Pollepel Island in the Hudson River appears from a distance like a vision from a fairy tale. Above the trees, Bannerman Castle looms, the hauntingly striking shell of a long-abandoned military surplus warehouse.

In the early 1900s, Francis Bannerman, who made a business of buying and selling war equipment and ammunition, purchased the island and built the Scottish-style castle, which he used as an arsenal and summer home. But after his death, the land and castle slowly began to crumble. A 1969 fire significantly damaged the structure and in 2009 a partial collapse altered its appearance even more.

The Bannerman Castle Trust is a not-for-profit organization that has been working with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to restore and preserve the island and castle, and beautifies the property with gardens. From May through October, boat, kayak and self-guided walking tours are available to the public.

City Hall Station

Preserved in time directly beneath City Hall, this retired 1904 subway station is a remarkable remnant from the transit system’s past. Unmatched by the purely functional, not-so-pretty stations of today, its chandeliers, skylights and Guastavino tile vaulted ceilings speak of a time when style and aesthetics were considered alongside utility. Unfortunately, as the New York Subway system grew, commuters opted in favor of efficiency and the stop was closed in 1940.

Although the train does not let out at City Hall, the station can be seen on the downtown 6 train, which loops through as it transitions from the downtown platform to head back uptown (ask your conductor if you can stay on board for the trip.) Tours are available to members of the New York Transit Museum.

Coney Island Sideshows 

Eccentricity is ingrained in Coney Island culture, which is partly due to its deep-rooted history of sideshow entertainment. At Sideshows by the Seashore theater, visitors can witness burlesque and magic shows and a traditional ten-in-one continuous circus sideshow where you can see sword swallowers, fire eaters, contortionists and other unique acts, all produced in signature Coney Island style.

Roosevelt Island 

Although now a family-friendly residential area and home to a Cornell Tech campus, Roosevelt Island’s past looked much different. Once called Blackwell Island and later on “Welfare Island” (1921-1973), hospitals, asylums and prisons filled the landscape of the small plot in the middle of the East River from the early 1800s through the 20^th century.

The island is only 2 miles long, but boasts six designated landmarks, several of which allude to its unusual history. The Octagon Tower, for example (now a fancy living complex), was once the central hall of New York’s first municipal asylum. But Roosevelt Island’s abandoned Smallpox Hospital is perhaps one of the eeriest things to see in New York. Known as “Renwick Ruin,” the hospital took turns as a city hospital and nursing school before it was closed in 1950. It is the only landmark ruin in the state.

Getting to Roosevelt Island is an adventure in itself. The Roosevelt Island Tramway takes passengers on a five-minute ride across the river from a station at 59^th street and Second Avenue. It is the first of only two commuter aerial trams in North America.

Find and book a hotel with AAA in and near NYC.

Weird Museums in NYC

A post shared by Mmuseumm (@mmuseumm) on May 18, 2017 at 5:36pm PDT

Mmuseumm 

Housed in a former freight elevator in Tribeca, the tiny Mmuseumm describes itself as “a modern natural history museum dedicated to the curation and exhibition of contemporary artifacts that illustrate and humanize the complexities of the modern world.” In other words, it showcases everyday objects in a way that is designed to make you think. Previous exhibits have included “Objects Removed From People’s Bodies” and “The Cornflake Taxonomy.”

Mmuseumm is visible 24/7 and can also be scheduled for private visits. Curious passersby can call the number posted on the front door for a toll-free audio guide of current exhibits.

Ripley’s Believe it or Not Times Square

If you’ve got a penchant for the peculiar, you will find it at Ripley’s Believe It or Not Times Square.

The museum’s “Odditorium” features over 20 themed galleries and interactive exhibits that appeal to the curious side of all of us, featuring collections of stories, artifacts and people so odd and extraordinary that, like the name says, you must see to believe – or not.

Smack dab among all the blinking lights of Times Square, the attraction is a fun place to spend a few hours. Save over 30% with tickets purchased in advance online with AAA.

Roadside Attractions

The Big Duck 

On the way to the Hamptons on Route 24, the Big Duck in Flanders is hard to miss and hard to pass by. Standing at 20 feet tall and 30 feet long, the duck-shaped building was originally built in 1931 by a Riverhead farmer who sold ducks and eggs from the shop within. Today, the ultra-photogenic roadside attraction is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Stop into the gift shop, which sells duck memorabilia and trinkets, and serves as a rest stop with tourist information and clean bathrooms. It’s open year-round, but it’s recommended that you call before you go (631-832-3377).

 Find and book a hotel with AAA in the Hamptons.

Kaatskill Kaleidoscope 

Among the Emerson Country Stores in Mount Tremper, just a short distance from Woodstock, a 60-foot grain silo converted into the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope (Guinness World Records-approved) treats travelers to an unforgettable and unique psychedelic experience. Inside the small darkened room, visitors either lay on the floor or on tilted boards and watch as a constantly shifting set of colors and shapes set to music dances above them. Next door, the Kaleidostore has a variety of kaleidoscopes for purchase.

Find and book a hotel with AAA near Woodstock. 

Cross Island Chapel

Do you dream of having a small wedding? It can’t get much smaller than this. At about 29 square feet, this tiny chapel in Oneida claims to be the “World’s Smallest Church” and only has enough room for a bride, groom and officiant. Plus, it sits in the middle of a pond, so be ready to row! The sign out front tells you all you need to know about the little church, which is non-denominational, including its availability for special occasions and meditation.

Yes, weird is good. Some of New York’s oddest places show the greatest character and reveal the most interesting history. Now that you know where to find them, go out and explore!

What’s your favorite odd attraction? Tell us in the comments.

It’s hard to think of a step in the homebuying process more important than the home inspection.

Like figuring out what you can afford and getting preapproved for a mortgage, a home inspection can alert you to any potential issues, saving you from headaches and heartbreak down the road.

Here are answers to some common home inspection questions.

Why is a home inspection so important?

It can be hard to spot many issues during an open house or a showing. Some problems – like radon gas – are invisible. Even if you did have an extended period of time to look through a house, it’s unlikely you could match the experience of a professional home inspector. Getting a home inspected before you close your mortgage can help you identify problems that may alter your interest in a property.

How do I pick an inspector?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recommends asking 10 questions before choosing a home inspector, including what the inspection covers, how many inspections he or she has completed and if the inspector has experience with residential properties. Click here for the complete list.

My inspector found a problem. Can I ask the seller to fix it?

Navigating post-inspection negotiations is one reason buyers hire real estate agents. Agents – on your behalf – can ask sellers to address issues or offer credits to fix some issues after closing.

Is there anything an inspector won’t check?

Most home inspectors will look for and identify visual pest and septic issues but will normally recommend further inspection by a qualified expert in those fields if there is evidence of a bigger potential problem.

What kind of problem is so great that I shouldn’t buy a home?

Safety concerns should be at the top of your list. High levels of radon, for example, can contribute to lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. If a home has high radon levels and the seller refuses to remediate the issue, you should consider walking away if you aren’t prepared for additional expenses and risk.

Can I finance repairs for the home if the seller won’t make them?

Yes. The Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation program is one option, especially for buyers looking to address common issues like roof repairs or heating system upgrades.

Problems You Can Spot Yourself

Hiring a home inspector is almost always a good investment when buying a home. That said, there are a few things an average Joe can look for that may spell trouble.

Look Before You Leak

Warped or missing roof shingles can be a bad sign. A leaky roof can lead to big problems and costly repairs.

You Smell That?

Noxious odors are never a good thing. Take a whiff in each room, especially the basement, to see if anything catches your nose. A musty smell in the cellar may indicate water issues. Be wary of suspiciously placed fans, which may be masking unwanted aromas.

Water, Water, Everywhere

Water damage inside walls can be hard to see, but you can spot signs of damage if you look closely. Bring discolored or warped drop ceiling tiles or floorboards to your inspector’s attention.

All Cracked Up

Take a good look at the ceiling in every room and take note of any cracks. They could be serious structural issues – or just harmless cosmetic imperfections. Either way, it’s worth passing along to your home inspector.

Loosey-Goosey

Loose handrails and cracked steps aren’t just safety concerns – they can be liabilities. Take a good look at every step inside and outside the house. Use the handrails as you go to see if they wobble.

Finding a safe, sturdy home doesn’t mean much if you can’t pay for it. Learn how AAA can help you to make the mortgage process as easy as possible. 

What do you look for in a home during an open house, a showing or an inspection? Let us know in the comments. Your approach could help others!

It might come as a surprise, but the Northeast is home to some of the world’s most spectacular boating events.

The region is home to several regattas that bring expert sailors from around the world to the shores of storied Northeast cities and towns like Newport, RI and Provincetown, MA.

For boating enthusiasts, there’s nothing like watching a parade of watercraft plying the water. Even if you’re not a fan, it still makes a pretty cool backdrop as you kick back on the beach with a cold drink and great food. Plus, cities come alive with events whenever a regatta’s in town.

So, if you’re planning a trip near the Atlantic Ocean this summer, consider booking your stay during one of the incredible regatta events our region has to offer.

Newport Regatta

July 6-7

This weekend marks the 35th Newport Regatta, which has adopted the motto “More racing, less waiting, cold beer.” Come July, the city known as the sailing capital of the world will be a hotbed of racing competition, with several East Coast and New England championships up for grabs.

The regatta is just the beginning of what you might experience in Newport. The city is home to the incredible Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile walkway along the rocky Atlantic shoreline. Other attractions include the historic mansions – late 19th- and early 20th-century summer homes of America’s elite turned museums that celebrate their outstanding architecture. Many mansions were modeled after well-known European palaces. Check out our list of favorite things to do in Newport. 

The city is also home to the weeklong New York Yacht Club Regatta at Harbour Court July 15-20 and the Halloween Howl Regatta for youth sailors Oct. 26-27 (weather permitting).

FIND & BOOK A HOTEL WITH AAA IN NEWPORT, RI 

Around Long Island Race

July 25-28

First held in 1977, the Around Long Island Regatta is exactly what it sounds like, an incredible four-day race that covers 205 nautical miles of ocean, harbor and sound. Open to sailboats 24 feet and longer, the race has as many as 10 divisions, including a junior division.

And with a new start location in New York Harbor, you can watch from lower Manhattan as countless vessels set sail toward the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge with the Statue of Liberty as a stunning backdrop. Plus, if you’re in town the weekend of the regatta, you can swing by Madison Square Garden for a concert or take the subway to see the Mets or Yankees play.

The regatta runs along the south shore of Long Island past Long Beach, Jones Beach and Fire Island before rounding the Montauk Light and heading into the Long Island Sound. If you decide to book a trip to relax on the beaches of Long Island during the regatta, you can take advantage of the dozens of breweries, incredible waterfront restaurants and live music at Jones Beach Amphitheater.

Nantucket Race Week

Aug. 10-18

The tiny island of Nantucket, off the coast of Cape Cod, transforms into the center of the racing world for a week every August. Over the course of Nantucket Race Week, there are regattas, awards ceremonies and parties all over the island. Plus, its beneficiary, the nonprofit Nantucket Community Sailing organization, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, so there will be an extra-special feel to the races this year.

Events include the Women’s Regatta, Team Racing Regatta in Nantucket Harbor and the IOD Celebrity Invitational in Nantucket Sound. Those in town for the regattas can also enjoy the annual Boston Pops on Nantucket at Jetties Beach on Saturday, Aug. 10, as well as several other concerts, comedy shows and dance parties in town that weekend.

FIND & BOOK A HOTEL WITH AAA IN NANTUCKET, MA

Provincetown Regatta

Sept. 2-5

Set on the very tip of Cape Cod, the Labor Day-weekend Provincetown Schooner Regatta celebrates the proud maritime history of Provincetown. Now in its 17th year, the regatta’s purpose is teaching the public about the important role schooners, yachts and other fishing vessels played in shaping the town’s economic and cultural identity.

Visitors can get in on the action with schooner tours and sailings during the week. Tickets are also available to watch the regatta from the deck of a Captain John whale watching boat, which will also be available to photographers and painters who want to capture the action, thanks to a partnership with the Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill.

Watching a regatta is a thrilling experience unlike any other. Don’t just read about it, start planning your trip to one of these awe-inspiring events right here in the Northeast today.

FIND & BOOK A HOTEL WITH AAA IN PROVINCETOWN, MA 

Whats your favorite summer boating event? Share it with us in the comments.