If you’ve ever forgotten why you walked into a room or lost track of your thoughts mid-sentence, you may be in search of an activity that can strengthen your noggin. Brain training games and apps are an increasingly popular pastime, but do they really help to improve mental fitness? The brain is a complicated organ, and so is that question.

Research is still being done to fully understand the effectiveness of brain training games. The team at the Brain Game Center at the University of California in Riverside, for instance, is working extensively to develop and test science-based games that aim to improve cognitive abilities, even inviting the public to participate in studies. However, experiments yield mixed results.

While there is still no definitive conclusion on exactly how or if games can help to strengthen brain skills, these apps are all rooted in science. Studies show that regularly challenging your mind keeps it sharp, and games can certainly be part of that.

Mobile Brain Games for a Cognitive Workout

Peak (free for iOS and Android)

Peak is one of the top players when it comes to brain training apps. Rated as one of the best apps by Google, Peak keeps things interesting by focusing on short, intense “mental workouts.” The app was developed using the neuroscience and cognitive research of Yale and Cambridge’s top minds. In addition to the usual brain training areas like agility and problem solving, Peak has unique training modules for creativity, language and even emotional intelligence. The app also includes a virtual coach, which comes in handy to boost motivation!

Lumosity (free for iOS and Android)

Lumosity, one of the first brain training apps, was launched more than a decade ago. This comprehensive brain training platform is still at the top of its game and boasts tens of millions of users today. Lumosity is known for its large library of fun, visually pleasing, well-designed games, which includes a variety of scenarios to boost your brainpower.

For instance, one game has you play as a penguin trying to navigate a quickly rotating maze, which engages your spatial orientation skills. Another popular game, “Playing Koi,” tasks you with feeding identical koi fish in a pond; you must keep track of which fish you’ve already fed as they swim around the tank, which tests your ability to maintain divided attention.

Lumosity is consistently updated, and new games are added to the library frequently. Like others on this list, Lumosity works with scientists to develop their top-notch games.

Brain Apps for an IQ Boost

Mensa Brain Training (free for iOS)

Mensa Brain Training is unique because it’s developed by a membership-only, high IQ society. That being said, anyone is free to download the Mensa app and start using their exercises. Like other apps, activities are designed to improve your memory, mental agility and other cognitive aspects, but each activity is also designed to enhance your IQ.

For those looking for a more definitive and well-respected marker of intelligence, Mensa’s app is a great choice. You’ll be able to check your Mensa Brain Index (MBI) to see how your cognitive abilities improve over time and compare your stats to the global percentile. While this might seem intimidating for some, it’s a must for anyone who wants more insight into how brain training is impacting their intelligence.

HighIQPro for iOS and Android ($29.99-39.99)

Unlike many other brain training apps, HighIQPro requires a fee to get started. While it might seem like a lot, it’s a one-time fee for lifetime access, so depending on what you’re looking for, it may be more economical than making in-app or ad-free purchases on another platform.

Like Mensa’s app, HighIQPro has one main goal: to grow your IQ and provide measurable, reliable data. The app even includes in-app, standardized IQ tests. However, don’t expect the fun activities and flashy effects of other mobile brain training apps; this platform is focused simply on barebones methods to improve your working intelligence as efficiently as possible.

Unique Brain Training Apps

Elevate (free for iOS and Android)

Chosen as Apple’s “App of the Year,” Elevate is one of the most popular brain training apps, and for good reason – the app incorporates sleek, user-friendly design with a unique approach and engaging gaming. While its two big competitors, Lumosity and Peak, focus mainly on cognitive development, Elevate stakes out its own place by providing gamers with more academic-oriented learning modules. With its generous game library, Elevate users can improve their reading, math and speaking skills.

While cognitive development is something many look for in a brain training app, some gamers desire something a little more concrete and actionable. Elevate emphasizes that their platform helps users grow their earning power and productivity, which are definite boosts in today’s competitive professional world. Within a short time, users can start to see real world improvements in their skills.

Memorado (free for iOS and Android)

With over a million users, Memorado is an up-and-coming app that builds on cognitive research to help users grow their brain power. As the name suggests, it’s an especially useful app when it comes to boosting your working memory. But this app doesn’t just tackle cognitive development with gameplay; you’ll also have access to more than a hundred meditation modules to keep your mind calm and adaptable, along with resources to help you get a better night’s sleep.

While the effects of meditation and relaxation on your brain might be subtler, Memorado’s emphasis on this other side of brain training sets it apart from its competitors.

Brain Wars (free for iOS and Android)

If you’re someone with a competitive spirit, Brain Wars will likely be your favorite brain training app. While many training apps focus on building your brainpower with solitary exercises and tracking your individual stats, Brain Wars emphasizes competing with others in a test of intelligence.

As it turns out, a little healthy competition can go a long way in increasing training motivation and consistency. While the games and graphics are on the simpler side, this makes it easier for everyone to pick up quickly. You can play with your loved ones, or with anyone else around the world using the app.

Which mobile brain games would you like to play? Tell us in the comments.

One of the great things about Long Island is that nothing is ever too far away. Long Island has beaches, farms, amusement parks, shopping malls and mini-golf. It shares real estate with the greatest city in the world. There are also a lot of good bagel shops. But does Long Island have night life? Honey, “The Great Gatsby” takes place in Great Neck. If you’re looking for things to do on Long Island at night, you won’t be disappointed.

Whether you’re a local looking for something to do, or an out-of-towner who wants to know what to visit on the Island, this list of things to do on Long Island, NY at night is sure to help.

Go cruising

One of the most fun things to do on Long Island at night is taking a dinner cruise. It is an island, after all. Whether you’re floating along the Long Island Sound or the Atlantic Ocean, there are beautiful sights to be seen all across the Island. On the Lauren Kristy Dinner Cruise, you and your friends can board a turn-of-the-century riverboat, with a paddle wheel and everything! Sail the Great South Bay while enjoying a magnificently catered dinner and watch the sun go down while sipping a Long Island iced tea.

On Lady Liberty Cruises, which leave from Port Washington, you can eat dinner while sailing through New York Harbor, surrounded by the glittering lights of the city. You’ll also get close-up views of the Gilded Age Gold Coast mansions that dot the North Shore.

Get a drink

Much of the culture of Long Island is tied up in the Gilded and Jazz ages of its past. The Jazz Age is remembered particularly in the proliferation of speakeasy-style bars all across the Island. Those seeking speakeasy-themed nights out would  do well to check out Tullulah’s, a Bayshore restaurant and speakeasy bar. Featuring small plates, fresh seafood and quirky-but-cool decorations, Tullulah’s is perfect for a night on the town. Don’t forget to try their repertoire of fantastically themed speakeasy cocktails, like the Pecan Jag or the Bananahattan.

Long Island is also rife with craft breweries, where you can tour brewing facilities and taste delicious hops. The Oyster Bay Brewing Company, nestled against the shoreline, is a particular treat. It has a distinct community atmosphere, with rough-hewn tables and bins of party games. The room shakes whenever someone topples the giant Jenga tower. To sample as many beers as you can, order a flight of five or six mini-glasses.

If boozy bars, breweries or vineyards aren’t your scene, stop by the Witches Brew, a coffee shop in West Hempstead. With witchy decor, mismatched furniture and a vegetarian menu, the Witches Brew is not your average coffee pot. The shop welcomes grown-ups and goth kids alike to lounge on their couches, chairs and poufs and peruse their seven-page menu amid glowing fairy lights. Their vast collection of unique coffees and teas are to die for.

See a show

Right in New York City’s backyard, Long Island is lucky to have a never-ending supply of talented performers. Community performance spaces such as the Paramount, Suffolk Theater and the Space at Westbury often play host to the best in the business (whatever that business may be). There’s always a community production of “West Side Story” to be found, or a Billy Joel cover band, or the actual Billy Joel.

If comedy is more your speed, swing on over to the Governor’s Comedy Cabaret, a stand-up comedy venue in Levittown that serves up jokes alongside cocktails and pub fare. As the top comedy club on Long Island, the Governor’s Comedy Cabaret plays host to famous comedians as well as local talent.

Perhaps the most unique performance venue is the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, which has been a Long Island landmark since the late ’80s. The Talkhouse is an intimate bar and music space featuring talented and famous musicians. Some artists who have passed through its doors include The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, The Police and more. Head on over there for some drinking, dancing and amazing live music. It is without a doubt one of the best things to do on Long Island at night.

What are your favorite things to do on Long Island at night? Let us know in the comments below!

This post was originally published in 2018 and has been updated. 

There’s no denying that shades are an integral part of summer fashion. But sunglasses aren’t just lenses that make you look incredibly cool during the warm-weather months. They can be eye savers in all seasons.

Why Wear Sunglasses?

Most people are aware that the sun’s ultraviolet rays can be harmful, though many don’t realize the negative impacts they can have on unprotected eyes. Just like your skin, UV rays can cause sunburn on the cornea of your eyes, which may lead to blurred vision, redness and irritation. If untreated, these symptoms can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the United States. A quality pair of sunglasses can help defend against these potentially harmful rays.

When purchasing sunglasses, there’s a bit more to consider than what looks cool. First, make sure they provide 99 to 100% protection from UV rays, either with  a UV coating or polycarbonate lenses with built-in UV coverage. Plus, the bigger the lenses, the better. Big lenses provide extra protection by blocking the rays coming in from the side.

Types of Lenses

If you’re looking to avoid intense glare from smooth water, snow or flat roads, polarized lenses are your best option. Not only can they reduce glare, but they can also make images appear sharper and clearer, increasing visual clarity and comfort. For those with light-sensitivity, having polarized lenses can help with adjusting to outdoor lighting. Photochromic lenses or light-adaptive lenses also help with reducing UV ray impact by changing from clear to dark when exposed to any amount of UV rays.

Lens Color

While the color of the lens tint doesn’t have a huge impact on how effective sunglasses are, some can optimize the way you see, which can be particularly helpful for activities like driving or playing sports.

Gray is a popular neutral tint; it allows the eyes to see colors in their purest form by reducing brightness and glare, and is best for driving and participating in outdoor sports.

Yellow/orange lens color increases contrast in hazy, foggy or low-light conditions, making it ideal for playing around in the snow or participating in indoor ball sports.

Green lenses filter some blue light, reduce glare and offer high contrast and visual sharpness. Shades of green can also reduce bright light-induced eyestrain, which is good for precision sports like tennis, baseball and golf.

Amber/brown reduces glare and blocks blue light, which brightens vision on cloudy days. It increases contrast and depth perception, particularly against green and blue backgrounds. Perfect for sports that require distance judgment, such as baseball.

Blue/purple reduces glare, improves color perception and can help to see contours.

Rose/red increases contrast by blocking blue light. It also tends to be more soothing comfortable than other tint colors for longer wear-times.

Why Should Kids Wear Sunglasses?

It’s even more crucial for kids to wear sunglasses. They spend more time outdoors than many adults, so they’re more exposed to UV rays. According to the World Health Organization, up to 80 percent of a person’s lifetime exposure to UV is received before the age of 18. Additionally, the lens inside a child’s eye is able to block less UV rays than an adult’s, which means more harmful radiation can find its way in. Children under the age of 10 are at the highest risk for skin and eye damage, since the skin on their eyelids and around their eyes is more delicate than an adult’s.

Recommended Frame Types

Those fun and cheap sunglasses you might get as prizes for playing games during a festival, for example? They generally don’t come close to protecting the eyes from UV rays.

The frames for kids’ sunglasses should also not have sharp edges or be easily breakable. High-quality spectacle lenses are a must.

Most importantly, involve your kids when picking out their sunglasses. Not only will they be able to tell you whether the sunglasses are too tight or uncomfortable, but they will be happier with the designs they pick and want to wear them more. As a precaution, though, you may want to consult your optician for the best frames.

Recommended Lens Type

For kids’ sunglasses, high-quality polycarbonate lenses are recommended. They automatically block 100% UV rays without needing special lens coatings, tints or treatments. In addition, all poly-type lenses are lighter than regular plastic lenses, so they are scratch-resistant. They can provide up to ten times more impact resistance for greater comfort and eye safety, especially while the wearer plays sports or any other sort of active play.

Look for features such as flexible spring hinges that allow the sunglasses to fit snugly on the head and decrease the chances of them falling off or breaking from impact.

Do you have a favorite type of sunglasses? Let us know in the comments! 

AAA members can save 30% on non-prescription sunglasses with LensCrafters.*

*Save 30% off non-prescription sunglasses with your AAA membership. Valid on multiple pairs. Valid AAA Membership required. AAA Vision Discounts are administered by EyeMed Vision Care (EyeMed). These are not insurance programs and may be discontinued at any time. Cannot be combined with other discounts or vision care, previous purchases, or readers. Some brands excluded including Cartier frames. Discounts are off tag prices. No cash value. Void where prohibited by law. Additional restrictions may apply. See store associate for details. Offer expires 12/31/2019.

See AAA.com/LensCrafters for all offers and full terms and conditions.

Splurging at the right moments when you’re on vacation can create memories that will last a lifetime. However, having the money for those moments means being smart and saving cash – leading up to your trip and during it.

When You’re Preparing for Travel

Most of your largest travel savings will likely happen well ahead of you climbing into the car or boarding a plane. This is because most of your big purchases, i.e. transportation and lodging, are going to be made ahead of time.

Logging Savings with Lodging Choices

Most people will start looking at ways to save with big-ticket items, such as on plane tickets and hotel rooms.

This isn’t a bad strategy. Search and compare the lowest rates on hotels well in advance (being a AAA member will help you in this department.)

To save even more in the grand-scheme, look for lodging with an in-room kitchen. If you’re planning on staying in the same area for more than two nights, preparing your own meals will keep some money in your wallet and save you from having to choose a different place to eat out every night.

Logical Location

Before you book any rooms through any sites, make sure to do some due diligence with regards to the location. There are plenty of places to stay that are attractive in price but are nowhere close to all the restaurants and activities you will want to be close to.

Try to book a hotel that is close to the heart of where you want to be, preferably within walking distance. The extra money that you might end up spending on the room will save you from overpaying on transportation costs in the long run.

Fill Your Pockets with Flying Savings

There are so many ways to save a little extra money when it comes to booking your flight. The biggest saver is choosing your destination based on what flight deals are available. If you have frequent flyer miles with any airline, scan their weekly deals.

Of course, if you have a predetermined destination, there are a few other things you can do to save money. Try to book at least 47 days in advance and be flexible on your departure dates (try to travel on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday).

Discover How to Put Cash Away

If you’re preparing for a big trip, it can make sense to do more than just put money in a separate bank account. In fact, the savviest of travelers take advantages of CDs, which can last from three months to 10 years. With a set term length when money can’t be touched, they’re an excellent way to ensure that you don’t dip into your travel funds (while also earning interest).

When You’re There

If you’ve spent months pinching pennies and cutting corners to make sure you have enough money for your vacation, it’s tempting to cut loose as soon as you arrive. However, there ways you can continue to save money without hampering any of your vacation fun.

By the Grace of the Grocery Store

Meals and alcohol costs are the third biggest piece of the pie when it comes to the costs of a vacation, right behind transportation and lodging. A big part of this is because when you’re on vacation, you end up eating out every single meal. The tabs, the tips – they add up fast.

One of the easiest ways to save serious money on your dream holiday is to hit up a local grocery store. When you’re there, grab what you need for at least one meal a day and plenty of snacks.

The easiest meal to prepare on the run is lunch – think sandwiches and salads – but if you’re into lighter fare for breakfast, consider shopping for two meals a day and splurge on dinner.

Give Up Lugging Laundry

Nowadays, you should expect baggage fees, especially if you’re flying on a budget airline. Checking an extra bag can end up costing you the same as a couple of very memorable meals or a high-end show.

Consider packing light and plan on doing laundry. If you’re lucky, your lodging will have a washer and dryer, but even if it doesn’t, an hour spent reading a good book in the laundromat is worth the money you’ll save.

Be Smart About Souvenirs

When you arrive in town, you may feel the urge to grab the first couple of knickknacks and kitsch souvenirs you spot. There is a temptation to think that this is your only chance to do so. But that’s just not true! Instead of immediately buying the painted shells or having your name carved into a piece of wood, start taking mental notes regarding how much the souvenir items you’re interested in cost.

Eventually, you’ll identify the cheapest location for a few souvenirs for yourself and friends back home. At this point, you’ll also have a good gauge for the quality of the items. It hurts to buy something hastily only to realize that you paid too much, and it isn’t as nice as similar items you encounter down the road.

The key to fulfilling your travel dreams on a budget is to focus on savings when you are purchasing big-ticket items and avoid spending money on meals and items that are more perfunctory than deeply satisfying.

Don’t wait to start saving for your next dream vacation!

Throughout 2019, Disney Parks will be celebrating 90 years of Mickey and Minnie, and California’s Disneyland Parks are no exception. After all, it is here at Disneyland, the original Disney theme park, where Walt Disney set out to have a permanent home for his iconic characters.

Today, Disneyland Resort comprises Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, three hotels, and the Downtown Disney shopping and dining district.

Oldies but goldies and what’s new at Disneyland Park in 2019

The 77-foot-tall Sleeping Beauty Castle and Disneyland Park were completed in Walt Disney’s lifetime. Unlike its counterpart at the Magic Kingdom in Florida, guests may get a glimpse inside this castle without buying a meal. So, make sure you take the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through.

Among the rides and attractions only available at Disneyland Park are the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Indiana Jones Adventure, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Snow White’s Scary Adventure, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and The Disneyland Story Presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, only to name a few.

While there is a Haunted Mansion and an It’s a Small World on both coasts, the Disneyland overlay of these attractions during the Christmas Season is only available at Disneyland Park and totally worth your visit. And make sure to ride Pirates of the Caribbean, which only resembles its counterpart in Orlando by name. End your day with Disneyland’s nighttime spectacular Fantasmic!

In January, as part of the Get Your Ears On – A Mickey and Minnie Celebration, Mickey Mouse-themed fireworks, dubbed Mickey’s Mix Magic, will debut at the park with all-new music and laser projections. Guests will be invited to join the nightly fun by dancing along while viewing the show at Main Street U.S.A., the Rivers of America and in front of the It’s a Small World attraction.

Also returning to the park is Mickey’s Soundsational Parade. Don’t miss the floats representing Disney classics such as The Princess and the Frog, Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. Mickey will lead the parade and will have a brand-new float for the occasion.

Nothing, however, can outdo the excitement over the opening, Summer 2019, of the 14-acre Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The land is being built to the north of Frontierland, and the Black Spire Outpost will include Oga’s Cantina and two rides. In the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, guests will get a chance to pilot the starship on a secret cargo mission; in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, riders are caught in a fight between the First Order and the Resistance and taken prisoner on a Star Destroyer.

Over at Disney California Adventure: Pixar Pier, Frozen and Marvel super heroes

Paradise Pier got a new face-lift, and the entire area is currently being transformed into the new Pixar Pier. The California Screamin’ roller coaster got a new theme and now soars with new music as The Incredicoaster. The Ferris wheel, re-branded, continues to offer an incredible view of the park from high up, under the name of Pixar Pal-A-Round. The super headliner Toy Story Mania! is, of course, not to be missed.

Next up, in 2019, is Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, a spinning ride, and Jessie’s Critter Carousel, catering to the under-8-year-old crowd.

Right next door, Cars Land provides even more Pixar fun with several quick-service eateries, plenty of shopping and two major rides. Make sure to enjoy Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.

Last year, Disney closed Bug’s Land; work has begun on the Super Hero Marvel Universe, with attractions starring the Avengers and Spider Man to open in 2020.

Open for business now is the revamped Tower of Terror Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout!, the fortress of famed Collector Tanaleer Tivan. The Sci-fi-themed indoor ride is sure to thrill. While awaiting their very own land, Spider Man and other Marvel characters meet guests in Hollywood Land.

Sadly, there isn’t any parade or nighttime show currently running at Disney California Adventure. There is however, a not to be missed show: Frozen – Live at the Hyperion. The musical stage show is based on Disney’s animated hit Frozen and is filled with awe-inspiring special effects.

Where to stay

The 973-room Disneyland Hotel opened in 1955 and is a AAA Four Diamond property. The resort is a 5-minute walk from both parks and right next door to the Downtown Disney entrance. Guests can also use the monorail connection to the parks upon entering Downtown Disney. Ask the driver if you can ride with him in the front car. It is a great way to start your Disneyland adventure.

The resort and its luxurious rooms pay tribute to Disneyland’s history with vintage pictures of Walt Disney himself in the park. Three pools, one including two monorail-themed waterslides, provide fun for the entire family.

Rooms are contemporary and feature a flat-screen TV, a coffee maker and a mini-fridge. Standard rooms come with a king-size or two queen-size beds; a pullout couch accommodates an additional guest.  Kids will love the headboard with a carving of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Flick a switch, and the fiber optics in the headboard create fireworks over the castle, accompanied by a rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

Several-bedroom suites, five themed suites (Adventureland, Ambassador, Big Thunder, Fairytale, Mickey Mouse Penthouse, Pirates of the Caribbean) and club level rooms are also available. Prices for a standard room start at $418 plus tax and provide early admission to one of the theme parks.

BOOK A ROOM AT THE DISNEYLAND HOTEL WITH AAA

What is your favorite Disneyland Resort attraction? Tell us in the comments.

Learn more about Walt Disney vacations and Disney Parks discounts with AAA.

Close to home but still far enough to feel like an escape, Cape Cod is a quintessential Northeastern summer road trip. And with the warm weather upon us, there’s no better time to experience the quiet villages, fresh seafood shacks, scenic ocean outlooks and beaches of the hook-shaped Massachusetts peninsula.

Just four-and-a-half hours from NYC, it’s time to do as the Pilgrims did and discover “the Cape.” Nowadays it’s a lot more fun! See the monument where the Mayflower first landed in Provincetown, go whale watching, explore the town of Hyannis near JFK’s “summer White House” or venture off to the nearby resort islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. No matter what you choose to do, you’ll leave with plenty of memories to fill your photo albums.

So pack up the car, we’re going on a road trip. We’re highlighting destinations that are found on the Cape Cod AAA Travel Guide to help you scope out your trip before making it a reality. Here you can read about AAA-recommended restaurants and attractions and find hotel booking links, all in one place.

AAA-Recommended Cape Cod Attractions

After taking in the scenic views over Cape Cod Canal on the Bourne Bridge (and also, inevitably, some traffic) your Cape Cod adventure officially begins. From there, there’s something you’re sure to like in every direction, wherever your itinerary takes you.

John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
Barnstable, Mass.

Hyannis is Cape Cod’s commercial hub and is known for its proximity to the Kennedy family compound. Located in the Town Hall Building, the museum is dedicated to JFK’s connection with Cape Cod and the times spent there with his family and friends. From Hyannis, you can also take a ferry Nantucket Island or Martha’s Vineyard. AAA members save 10% on round-trip tickets on Hy-Line Cruises and kids under 4 ride free.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Ocean Science Exhibit Center
Falmouth, Mass.

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is among the world’s leaders in ocean research and exploration. At the Exhibit Center, visitors are invited to walk-through a full-size model of the interior of the research submersible Alvin and learn about the discovery and exploration of the Titanic. Guided tours are available in the summer.

Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch
Provincetown, Mass.

Three- to four-hour whale-watching trips are guided by an experienced naturalist for a fully-immersive and educational experience. The boat ventures out to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in the Massachusetts Bay, where humpback whales and other marine animals are spotted.

Sandwich Glass Museum
Sandwich, Mass. 

The Sandwich Glass Museum collects, preserves and exhibits more than 5,000 pieces of glass manufactured in Sandwich, the oldest town in Cape Cod.

Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum
Provincetown, Mass.

This 252-foot tower was completed in 1910 to honor the first landing of the Mayflower Pilgrims, who spent five weeks exploring the tip of Cape Cod before sailing on to Plymouth. Visitors can climb the monument and visit the museum, which highlights the pilgrims’ arrival, the building of the monument and the history of Provincetown.

Heritage Museums & Gardens
Sandwich, Mass.

Three gallery buildings featuring rotating and permanent exhibitions, an automobile gallery, a vintage carousel and over 100 acres of landscaped grounds make this a must-see attraction. Among the gardens and nature trails, there is a labyrinth made of native vines and an impressive rhododendron trail on which thousands of of rhododendrons and 140 varieties are displayed, including the world-renowned Dexter variety, hybridized by the estate’s one-time owner, Charles O. Dexter; typical bloom time is from Memorial Day to mid-June.

Hotels in & Near Cape Cod

Crowne Pointe Historic Inn & Spa 
Provincetown, Mass.

At the tip of the Cape Cod “hook,” the adults-only Crowne Pointe Inn is located on a bluff in the heart of Provincetown, just minutes away from lighthouses, shopping, art galleries, whale watching and beach relaxation. Set in the restored buildings of a 19th century sea caption’s mansion, the historic property offers luxurious guest rooms and suites, a landscaped garden courtyard, pool, in-house spa and fine dining.

Ashley Manor Inn 
Barnstable, Mass.

This mid 1700’s bed and breakfast offers both charm and history, but with modern accommodations and amenities. Rooms are decorated with antiques and all suites include a hot tub bath and fireplace. Request the Queen Charlotte’s Suite, which features a hidden escape route, once used by British soldiers and was likely part of the Underground Railroad. In the summer, breakfast is served on the outdoor patio overlooking the backyard garden, and towels, chairs and umbrellas are provided for the beach. Conveniently within walking or driving distance of top Cape Cod beaches and attractions.

Mansion House Inn Health Club & Spa 
Vineyard Haven, Mass.

Take a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard to stay at this relaxing beach retreat. Not only does every room have a balcony, there is also a wraparound cupola on the top of the inn where guests can enjoy overlooks of the harbor. Perfect for those with an active lifestyle, the Mansion House Inn has free fitness classes, indoor swimming pool and a bicycle shed for those who bring their own bikes. Allow the stresses of your drive to melt away at the full-service spa or on the beach.

FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN CAPE COD

Dining in Cape Cod

Quarterdeck Restaurant 
Falmouth, Mass.

Serving stuffed Quahog, Cape Cod steamers, homemade clam chowder and lobster, traditional New England fare is what you’ll find at this hangout. Fun fact: the restaurant’s interior planking and paneling was salvaged from a local boatyard, some of which dates back to the 1600s. And the centerpiece stained-glass window comes from a church in Maine.

The Black Cat  
Hyannis, Mass.

Conveniently located across the street from the Hy-Line ferries, The Black Cat is a popular stop for those on their way to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard. The tavern serves a casual menu of burgers, lobster rolls and fried and baked seafood with a cozy, nautical vibe. Seasonally, visitors can relax with a drink or homemade ice cream on the front patio overlooking the Hyannis Harbor or enjoy the raw bar and live entertainment at the Shack Out Back.

Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar 
Eastham, Mass.

If you see a long line, don’t keep driving. This seasonal seafood shack is a must-try. The fried clams, onions rings, raw bar and hot and cold lobster rolls made with freshly locally-caught lobsters are worth the wait. And you can’t leave without trying the homemade ice cream. Next door, Arnold’s 18-hole mini golf course makes it a destination that’s fun for the whole family.

Sesuit Harbor Café 
Dennis, Mass.

A classic Cape Cod clam shack with outdoor-only dining overlooking the Northside Marina and Cape Cod Bay; open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from May 1 to Columbus Day. Just before sunset is prime time when those hankering for a taste of their famous lobster rolls, fried scallops and raw bar platters start to line up. The café also has a full bakery with a variety of scones, turnovers and other made-fresh-daily desserts to choose from.

What are your favorite things to do on Cape Cod? Let us know in the comments.

Plan your next road trip with a AAA TripTik. Find guides, maps and itineraries online or the AAA mobile app.

This post was originally published in 2017 and has been updated.

Has your credit card number been stolen? According to a 2018 WalletHub survey, New Jersey and New York lead the Northeast region in identity theft and fraud cases, including theft of credit card numbers.

We’ve compiled steps that you can take to deal with your credit card number stolen situation and to get your credit back on track.

Signs of a stolen credit card number

But, first, how do you know your credit card number has been stolen? Here are some of the signs:

• Unusual card history.
• Repeated small purchases.
• An unfamiliar account on your credit report.
• Your bank calls about unusual purchases you’re unaware of.

What to do immediately

Contact your card issuer

If you notice your credit card number stolen or compromised, you should call your card issuer immediately. Your card issuer will place a block on the number, so all transactions with that number will be denied. Then, you will be sent a new credit card.

If you contact your card issuer in a timely manner, you won’t be held responsible for any fraudulent charges.

When you receive your replacement card, be sure to update your account number on all accounts where you have your credit card number saved.

File a fraud alert and get credit reports

To file a free fraud alert on your credit report and make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name, contact one of the three credit bureaus:

Experian
1-888-397-3742

TransUnion
1-800-680-7289

Equifax
1-888-766-0008

The company you contact should inform the other two about your credit card number stolen situation. To confirm that a fraud alert has been placed, you’ll receive a letter from all three credit bureaus.

Also, be sure to review your reports and make note of any unrecognizable transactions or accounts. AAA members who enroll in ProtectMyID identity theft protection receive a free Experian credit report.

Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Call 1-877-438-4338 or visit the FTC website to report your credit card number stolen case. Be sure to include as many details of your case as possible so that your report and recovery plan will be accurate and relevant.

It’s also a good idea to print and save your Identity Theft Report (if you don’t create an account on the website) as this report guarantees you certain rights pertaining to fraudulent charges.

You can also file with the police department, if desired. Bring the following with you:

• A copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report.
• A government-issued ID with a photo.
• Proof of address, such as a utilities bill.
• Proof of theft.

What to Do Next

Track your credit reports and bank accounts

Working with the FTC, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your credit reports and bank accounts so that you can deal with any fraudulent charges as they appear. If the damage is particularly bad, you also have the option to place an extended fraud alert or a credit freeze on your accounts.

Extended fraud alert vs. credit freeze 

So, what is the difference between an extended fraud alert and a credit freeze? An extended fraud alert requires the removal of your name from pre-screened lists for up to seven years. Each of the major credit-reporting companies will send you two free credit reports in the first twelve months after you get an extended fraud alert.

You can also file an extended fraud alert with any of the three credit-reporting companies, but you need to have a completed FTC Identity Theft Report first.

Requesting a credit freeze is a more drastic step, and you might have to pay a fee to place, lift and remove it. The credit freeze blocks anyone from looking at your credit report without your approval and makes it difficult to open accounts, even legitimate ones.

You have to request one credit freeze from each credit-reporting company who will then give you a password or PIN to cancel the freeze at any time. This protection lasts until you lift or remove it.

Sign up for a fraud monitoring service 

You’ll want to take extra care of your credit information in the wake of your credit card number stolen situation. If you sign up for a credit monitoring service, you’ll be able to track credit reports and be immediately informed of any suspicious activity.

One identity and credit monitoring service AAA members can take advantage of is Experian’s ProtectMyID Essential Coverage. The Essential Coverage is free of charge with no trial period, and members also have the option to upgrade to Deluxe or Platinum.

Contact the business where the fraud occurred 

Call the fraud department of each business to explain your credit card number stolen situation. Ask them to close or freeze the accounts so no new charges can be added. Also request a letter which confirms that the fraudulent account doesn’t belong to you, you’re not liable for it and it is no longer on your credit report.

Also, be sure to change all logins, passwords and PINs for each account and set them up so that you have to insert your credit card information manually. Keep this information in a safe place.

Having your credit card number stolen can be a huge headache if not scary. With these tips, you can be assured that you’ll be taking the right steps to recover.

What are some tips you have for people who have recently experienced credit card theft? Let us know in the comments!

Learn more about how Experian’s ProtectMyID Essential can give you the peace of mind you’re looking for.

I spend a lot of time in my head. I like making plans for myself, going places without anyone’s permission, toughing it out alone, but that much alone time can really get to a person. You start to feel like you’re in your own world – a personal bubble. When I’m by myself, it’s hard for me to connect with the world. That’s fine when you’re just going to the mall, but when you’re traveling, you want to fully experience the world around you. I thought solo travel would be kind of a bummer for me, but I was wrong. You don’t have to be alone to travel “solo” – you can travel with a tour group!

Friends you haven’t met

Guided travel is a great way to see the world – whether you’re going with your own travel companions or flying solo. Guided travel is social by nature. You’ll not only meet the locals, you’ll meet fellow travelers, local guides, tour managers and drivers. Many travelers on group tours form lasting friendships beyond their vacation. I still keep up with people I’ve met through guided travel, including people from the countries that I’ve visited.

Travel has a way of accelerating relationships – after a few days, you’ll be talking about things that you’ve never even discussed with most people in your life. Going through an adventure is a great way to bond with friends and strangers alike. Your fellow travelers or tour guide will be happy to take pictures of you in all of the most photogenic destinations you visit. Goodbye, selfies! Your whole body is making it into this next shot!

Making plans (or not)

Some people like researching and planning a trip months before they take off. It’s just part of the fun for them. Others just want to get up and go, but that’s not so smart when you’re going somewhere on your own. You could get lost (or worse, you could miss the best attraction in town).

When you travel with a guided tour like the ones offered by AAA Member Choice Vacations, you don’t have to worry about a thing. Your tour manager, with a rich travel background, knows about languages, currency and all things local. They can set you up with unique experiences, with special insight to the local culture. You could learn to make pizza dough in Italy, explore the Great Barrier Reef up close or spend the night in a medieval Irish castle. When I went on a guided tour of the Balkans, I did things I never would have even thought of – I went to the tops of mountains, crawled through historic tunnels and plunged into the Adriatic Sea at sunset. Even if I’d wanted to make plans, I never would have made those. With bespoke itineraries and unique adventures, guided travel will help you see the best of your chosen destination.

You don’t have to worry about how you’ll get from one place to another, or where to change your money, or even where you’re going to stay at night. All you have to do is enjoy your vacation.

Security and peace of mind

As long as you make the right plans and exercise the right precautions, solo travel can be pretty safe. You just have to stay alert. But vacations aren’t always that fun when you constantly have your guard up.

When you travel with a group, you should still be cautious. But you also have a group of people to fall back and rely on. Your guide or tour manager can help you with any obstacles or difficulties you run into, and they can also tell you what precautions to take in the certain places you’re traveling. Tour guides can tell you everything from whether you can drink the water to the tricks that the local pickpockets are using.

If you do lose any important items or documents, your tour manager can help you through the process of reporting them and getting replacements. It’s much less stressful when you have someone experienced holding your hand through the whole process.

AAA Member Choice Vacations also offers a travel protection plan, which basically means that if you need to cancel your trip, you’ll get a full refund. You can cancel for any reason right up to the day before you depart. And when you’re on the trip, you’re still covered. If you have to stop your trip, go home early, need medical assistance or evacuation, lose your bags or are delayed for more than 12 hours, AAA Member Choice Vacations has your back. No matter what happens, you’ll have the peace of mind necessary for a carefree vacation.

Coming back for seconds

When you find a guided travel provider that you like, you’ll want to go back for second, third and fourth trips. AAA Member Choice Vacations, for example, provides tour options around the globe. You could go on a tour of Ireland’s Aran Islands, explore the rainforests of Costa Rica, connect with local culture in Kenya, witness the majesty of Imperial Russia, see the Northern Lights from glass igloos and more. Finding a guided travel company that you trust is like getting a ticket to the whole world.

If you plan on going on more than one trip with AAA Member Choice Vacations, you should look into their Passport Club, which celebrates valued guests with travel benefits, gifts and special recognition. New guests will be automatically enrolled in the program, and a full $150 credit is applied to your next AAA Member Choice Vacations tour within 12 months of the original trip.

The next time you decide to go on a trip of your own, consider guided travel. It has almost all of the benefits of solo travel, with none of the drawbacks.

Explore the world on a guided travel tour with AAA Member Choice Vacations.

Have you ever traveled solo, or joined a guided tour? Let us know in the comments below!

As the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands, there are so many awesome things to do in Maui. For our short overview, we focused on some the most popular Maui destinations – the west side, including Lahaina and Ka’anapali; and the south side, including Kihei and Wailea. But we encourage you to venture out and experience as much of the Valley Isle’s beauty and magic as you can, because, as it is said in Hawaiian, “Maui no ka’ oi” or “Maui is the best.”

Budget

Stay: For an inexpensive Maui hotel, with the convenience of a nearby beach, Kihei Akahi offers cozy condos and a central location. At Tracy’s Tropical Treasures, also in Kihei, tropical turquoise beach bungalows come equipped with everything needed for a no-worries vacation. From robes to beach chairs and snorkel gear, Tracy covers all the bases. The family-friendly Kalepolepo Beach Park is right across the street. It’s just a quick zip in either direction on Kihei Road to beaches, dining and shopping.

Do: Beach, beach, beach. No matter where you are on the island, a Maui travel guide would not be complete without mentioning that all of the beaches are stunningly gorgeous. In the winter months, you can even see whales breaching off the shore. Ka’anapali Beach is among the most well-known and is lined with resorts and restaurants. In Kihei, hit the super-popular Kamaole Beach I, II or III. After soaking up some sun, hop in your rental car and go for a drive around the island, or stop at Iao Valley State Monument for some light hiking. On Friday evenings, many art galleries on Front Street in Lahaina participate in a Friday night art walk, with some offering wine, live entertainment and art demonstrations.

Dine: For inexpensive eats, Da Kitchen, with locations in Kihei and Kahului, can’t be beat for a plate lunch or musubi. For local grinds (a Hawaiian slang term for food) on the west side, try Aloha Mixed Plate for a Kalua pig sandwich or coconut prawns. There are also plenty of eateries in Paia, on the north shore, including the iconic Paia Fish Market.

Mid-Range

Stay: The AAA Two Diamond Rated Best Western Pioneer Inn Lahaina is right off trendy Front Street, overlooking Lahaina Harbor. Originally built in 1901, the Pioneer was Lahaina’s first hotel and is part of the Lahaina Historic District. It retains a bed-and-breakfast feel, with modern amenities and is right near the famed banyan tree. Grab a bite in the laid-back garden vibe of the Pioneer Inn Grill & Bar.

Do: When in Hawaii…learn to surf! Maui Wave Riders offers surf lessons in both Lahaina and in Kihei. Or if scuba is your thing, check out Shaka Divers; owner “Shaka Doug” has over 5,000 dives under his belt, knows all the best dive spots and is a steward for the wildlife and a conscious voice in cleaning up our oceans. Afterward, shop for souvenirs at the open-air market Kihei Kalama Village, where you’ll find gifts such as locally-made tikis by Beach Bumz Maui and fine art photography by Alex Arthur.

Dine: You’ll find moderate prices with impeccable service at the AAA Two Diamond Rated Kimo’s in Lahaina. Famous for its fresh fish, try the coconut-crusted ono or opakapaka (depending on availability), in an open-air setting with spectacular sunsets. If it’s Italian you crave, try AAA Three Diamond Rated Longhi’s, with locations in Lahaina and Wailea. You’ll find classics like Bolognese and linguini with clams, plus fresh local seafood. If you’re in Wailea, be sure to ask the bartender to serve you up a surprise tropical cocktail.

Luxury

Stay: The AAA Five Diamond Rated Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea sits on the shores of Wailea Beach, and offers the best in luxury suites, including the Presidential Suite and the Prime Ocean View Suite. Have a massage in a cabana on the beach or try the cabanas by the adults-only pool, which come equipped with 50-inch TVs, ceiling fans and chaise lounges for the ultimate in luxury. It’s also home to Wolfgang Puck’s Spago.

Do: Take a helicopter tour for a bird’s-eye view of Maui, or play a world-class round of golf at Kapalua, Ka’anapali, or Wailea. If you head to Hana, enjoy a relaxing spa visit at Travaasa Hana. Feel like you’ve done it all? You can charter a private yacht out of Ma’alaea Harbor.

Dine: Not only is The Mill House located on the beautiful lush grounds of a plantation, but it’s situated right by the amazingly scenic West Maui Mountains and features farm-to-table cuisine; reserve a spot here for Maui Chef’s Table, an interactive dining experience which takes place on Saturdays. Or try the Restaurant at Hotel Wailea, a AAA Four Diamond Rated island-to-table dining experience. Chef Sato is a Maui native and in addition to serving local seafood flavors he also serves up a delicious duck breast or Macadamia nut-crusted lamb chop.

Plan and book your next vacation with AAA. 

At its restaurants in New York and Massachusetts, Besito Mexican is known for its stellar tableside guacamole recipe.

Besito delivers an elevated, authentic-style of Mexican cuisine in a refined, relaxed setting free of cliches. From the traditional stone mortar and pestle (aka molcajete) to the complimentary worry dolls handed out at the end of every meal, the thoughtful incorporation of Mexican culture helps to make each visit a memorable one.

For upscale Mexican dining, Besito certainly is a popular choice. During any visit, it’s not hard to spot the guacamole cart busily making its rounds through the restaurant, stopping at nearly every table.

The servers work swiftly to make the green dip, pitting and dicing the avocados, then quickly mixing and mashing them in the molcajete with diced tomato, onion, cilantro and jalapeno. Watching it all come together adds a sense of freshness and authenticity to the dish, making it a highlight of the Besito experience. When you add salsa and chips, it doesn’t get much better.

Lucky for us, the restaurant let us in on a few secrets. Follow these tips at home with your favorite guacamole recipe.

• Use only the freshest ingredients. Besito recommends using Mexican Hass avocados, which should be soft but not too soft. All other ingredients – cilantro, white onion, tomatoes, jalapenos and salt – should be freshly sourced and chopped.

• Prepare your guacamole immediately before serving.

• Always use a wooden spoon in an authentic molcajete (or any bowl you have at home) to mash & grind your ingredients. Never use a blender or food processor. For the  most authentic taste, guacamole should be chunky.

• For larger parties, make a medium-spiced guacamole and put out some extra finely chopped jalapenos and habanero salsa on the side for those who like a spicier version.

• Serve specialty ingredients (such as fresh pulled crabmeat or lobster chunks) on the side for guests to make themselves an extra special treat.

• Make it with a smile and pair it with a margarita!

Pass the tortilla chips, please!

Do you have a guacamole recipe that gets rave reviews from friends and family? Share you tips in the comments. 

This post was originally published in 2016 and has been updated. 

A record 42 million adults ages 65 and older are driving in America today. This number is only expected to increase over the next decade, making them the largest driving population in the country. A significant portion of senior drivers are taking medications that can potentially impair their driving, likely without even knowing the risks.

New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that nearly half of older drivers report using seven or more medications. Almost 20 percent are taking medications that the American Geriatrics Society recommends avoiding because of limited therapeutic benefits, excess risks, or both. Drugs like these, such as benzodiazepines and first-generation antihistamines, can cause blurred vision, confusion, fatigue or incoordination, and can increase a driver’s crash risk by up to 300 percent.

“There is a growing population of older drivers who use multiple medications and likely do not realize the impact these prescriptions may have on their driving,” said David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “This new research shows that the more medications an older driver takes, the more likely they are to use an inappropriate medication that can potentially cause driving impairment.”

Previous research from the AAA Foundation found that less than 18 percent of senior drivers learn from their health care providers how their prescriptions may impact their safety on the road. “Taking multiple medications affects all of us, but older drivers can be particularly vulnerable,” said Jake Nelson, AAA director of traffic safety advocacy and research. “Ask your doctor and pharmacist as many questions as necessary to ensure you understand why you need the medications prescribed to you, and how they can affect your driving. Don’t be afraid to question health care providers. It’s their job to help you. And the answers may just save your life.”

AAA urges older drivers and their families to be vigilant in understanding their medications and any impairing side effects before getting behind the wheel. To help in this, AAA offers Roadwise RX, a free tool that lists common side effects of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements. It also notifies users of interactions between these medications that can impact safety behind the wheel. Drivers who are looking to drive less often due to their medications can find resources for alternative transportation at SeniorDriving.AAA.com.

Read more about traffic safety concerns with The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Check out the latest AAA-related news and studies. 

Set on an 800-acre campus that includes the grounds where the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair took place, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts aims to inspire reflection on the festival’s legacy and rekindle its spirit.

To commemorate the iconic event’s golden anniversary this summer, the center is presenting a Season of Song and Celebration, featuring a packed schedule of special programs, events and a star-studded concert series with over 40 bands and some original Woodstock performers.

In addition to a 15,000-seat pavilion amphitheater, the property – located 90 miles northwest of New York City in the Sullivan Catskills – is home to a 440-seat event gallery, museum and conservatory for arts education programming.

Summer Concert Series

A celebration of the legendary peace and music festival would not be complete without an impressive musical lineup.  With concerts kicking off in June, the center will welcome Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews Band, Heart, Zac Brown Band, Chris Stapleton, Woodstock alumnus John Sebastian and others to perform. Get the full list of concert dates.

From June 13 to 16, the center will host one of the Northeast’s largest rock festivals, Mountain Jam, which has been running continuously for 15 years.  Performances will take place across three stages and feature Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Gov’t Mule, Phil Lesh & Friends, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Mandolin Orange, Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real, Twiddle, Mandolin Orange, Sister Sparrow, and many more.

Documentary Screening

For an immersive experience, Bethel Woods visitors can attend the first public premiere of PBS and American Experience’s new documentary from filmmaker Barak Goodman: Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation. It is the third event of the eight-part 2019 Vibrations series, designed to explore the legacy of the ’60s and the movements of today.

Anniversary Week Performers

While the entire Bethel Woods season will honor the legacy of Woodstock, a special Anniversary Week is planned for August 15 to 18. Original Woodstock performers are among the acts who will take the pavilion stage. On August 16, Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band will be joined by folk legend Arlo Guthrie and Edgar Winter, who is returning for the first time since he played the festival with his brother Johnny Winter.

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Santana will perform on August 17, exactly 50 years after the Saturday afternoon performance considered by many to be one of Woodstock’s top moments. Santana will be joined in concert by The Doobie Brothers, whose catalog draws fans across generations and includes such hits as “Long Train Runnin’” and “China Grove.”

New Exhibits

Throughout the golden anniversary season to December 31, the Museum at Bethel Woods is hosting two new exhibits focused on key 1960s events and movements that the center hopes will inspire today’s youth to consider their own vision for the world.

“We Are Stardust” examines the 1969 lunar landing, which took place just weeks before Woodstock, through the lens of American culture. Featuring objects and interpretations of the events leading up to the landing – a key moment in the Cold War space race – the exhibit explores the “moon mania” of the times and its impact on the generation that attended the festival.

“We Are Golden: Reflections on the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock Festival and Aspirations for an Aquarian Future,” encourages new generations to become involved in peaceful civil dialogue and advancing their vision for the future.  Movements including those surrounding environmental protection, women’s rights, LGBTQ issues and social justice all have roots in the 1960s. By examining the Woodstock generation’s role in the societal impacts that followed, the exhibit aims to provide inspiration for future positive changes.

Bindy Bazaar Trails

On their way between two of the main festival grounds, over 400,000 Woodstock concert-goers passed through a marketplace featuring 20 colorful booths of exotic goods, crafts and clothing.  Known as the Bindy Bazaar, the trails featured signs marking the Groovy Way, Gentle Path and High Way as well as a 30-foot tall map. Starting on May 4, visitors will be able to experience the trails and signs while enjoying a peaceful retreat in the woods.

Walk the grounds, enjoy an immersive film screening or exhibit, and take in a performance by a musical legend.  Those who are inspired to reflect on Woodstock and its legacy even more deeply will enjoy roundtables and workshops intended to keep the conversation going well past the golden anniversary year.

New York state is home to what is widely considered the birthplace of the American vacation – and for good reason.

The Empire State has some of the best parks in the country, sandy beaches, family-friendly theme parks and even its own wine country.

When you’re ready to satisfy your urge to connect with nature, here are six destinations that make for unforgettable outdoor adventures.

Visit Lake George

For more than a hundred years, Americans have flocked to Lake George in the foothills of the Adirondacks for a taste of the lake life. Today, the region is known as one of the premier destinations for families and outdoor activities like hiking, camping, boating, parasailing and more.

Its lakefront resorts offer that rustic, relaxed feel many travelers crave come summer – but theme parks like Six Flags Great Escape and Dino Roar Valley (set to open Memorial Day weekend) offer a sense of excitement, too.

In addition to the walkable – and shoppable – Lake George village, where you can watch fireworks over the lake in the summer – the area is home to cute little hamlets like Bolton Landing – where you can dine on the lake or hit the Adirondack Extreme treetop adventure park, with high-altitude ropes courses, zip lines and more.

Plan a trip to the area around one of the many renowned events, including the Americade motorcycle rally in early June, the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival in late June and the Adirondack Balloon Festival in September.

Learn more about the Lake George area.

Sullivan Catskills

Ninety minutes north of New York City, the Sullivan Catskills region is known for having some of the best fly-fishing in the Northeast – and for hosting one of the most beloved music festivals ever.

Its resorts include a family-friendly hotel and golf center, numerous bed-and-breakfasts and cottages, a family-friendly indoor waterpark resort, as well as an 18-story casino entertainment complex with 100,000 square feet of Las Vegas-style gaming and year-round live entertainment.

Local farms provide fresh ingredients to restaurants and craft beverage makers along the Catskills Beverage Trail, and the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum offers a truly unique experience when you’re not out enjoying the spectacular scenery.

Plus, Sullivan County is where the original 1969 Woodstock Music Festival was held – and its proud tradition continues this year with Carlos Santana, Ringo Starr, the Doobie Brothers and more headlining shows at its Bethel Woods Center for the Arts this summer, in honor of the festival’s 50^th anniversary.

Learn more about the Sullivan Catskills. 

Orleans County

On the southern banks of Lake Ontario, between Niagara Falls and Rochester in western New York, Orleans County is a snapshot of 19^th-century American life, proudly peacocking its cobblestone architecture and rich rural culture.

The county seat, Albion, has 65 structures listed in the state and national registers of historic places, including an 1858 Greek Revival-style domed courthouse that is a must-see.

The area has dozens of historic B&Bs, boutique hotels and waterfront cottages that all make for a relaxing stay. It has incredible fishing, and the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge has more than 10,000 acres of marshlands that provide a stopping point to 80,000 geese and 26,000 species of birds during their spring and fall migrations.

For an added treat, time your visit around the Albion Strawberry Festival in June or the Orleans County Heritage Festival in September.

Click here for more reasons to visit Orleans County.

Wyoming County

Sixty minutes east of Buffalo, Wyoming County is home to more cows than people – and folks aren’t afraid to tell you that. It’s the No. 1 dairy-producing county in the state, with agritourism as much a part of the culture as the region’s art, railroads and Seneca Nation history.

But its main draw is Letchworth State Park, consistently ranked among the best state parks in the country. The Grand Canyon of the East features nearly 600-foot cliff walls and three major waterfalls along the Genesee River. For a truly unforgettable experience, tour the park in a hot air balloon or a single-engine plane.

The area has some of western New York’s most challenging golf courses, and the Arcade & Attica Railroad is the last operating steam train excursion in New York state.

While you’re there, take part in the Wyoming County Geocaching Trail, an outdoor treasure-hunting game that will bring you to more than a dozen historic landmarks and incredible sights.

Start planning your Wyoming County trip. 

Cayuga County

Central New York’s Finger Lakes Region is a renowned wine destination, and Cayuga County is a big reason why. It’s home to two wine trails: the year-round Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, with 16 wineries, a cidery, distilleries and a meadery, and the Lake Ontario Wine Trail that stretches along the southern shore of the great lake for which it’s named. (October is a great time to visit if you want to spend time outdoors at the vineyards.)

If cheese is more your speed, the area is also home to the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail, which will take you to 12 different artisan cheese makers offering a variety of farm-fresh flavors and textures.

You’ll find country fare and culinary gems in the villages of Aurora, Weedsport and Moravia, and everything from vintage diners to fine dining in the county seat of Auburn. Downtown Auburn is also home to New Hope Mills, where you can buy New York’s favorite pancake flour and mixes, and the Auburn Doubledays minor league baseball team.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Moravia Fillmore Glen State Park, which features deep limestone and shale glen, five waterfalls, a campground and a picnic area. There’s also no shortage of inns and hotels when you’re ready to cozy up next to a fire before you turn in.

Special events in Cayuga County include the Wine & Herb Festival along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail in the spring and the summertime Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival.

Get started on your Cayuga County getaway.

Cattaraugus County

Bordering Pennsylvania in southwest New York, the region known as the Enchanted Mountains is home to New York’s largest state park, Allegany State Park. It has 24 miles of loop trails, and premier single-track and double-track mountain biking.

Cattaraugus also has a thriving arts community, headlined by the Regina A. Quick Center at St. Bonaventure University, which houses 3,000 pieces of art and historical artifacts under its roof.

The AAA Four Diamond Rated Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca has 1,800 slot machines and 33 table games, as well as fine dining options like Patria Fine Italian Dining and the Western Door Steakhouse.

The Salamanca Rail Museum pays homage to a simpler time, painting a portrait of New York’s fascinating railroad history.

Cattaraugus County is also home to the New York Amish Trail, the oldest Old Order Amish community in the U.S. Visit Valley View Cheese Company in Conewango Valley as you journey along the trail (look out for horse-drawn buggies and respect the Amish by not photographing them).

When you’re ready to relax, head to Ellicottville Brewing Company or a charming B&B like the Cherry Creek Inn. If you’re looking for more outdoor thrills, you can find those, too: You can go whitewater rafting along the Allegany River or hit the Sky High Adventure Park, where you can swing from 13 ropes courses or take a ride on a roller coaster that zigzags down 3,000 feet of mountain, complete with 15 curves and a corkscrew spiral.

Ready to enjoy a Cattaraugus County getaway? Start booking your trip.

With each passing year, our mobile devices become more and more intertwined with our lives. This is evident by the fact that the average time spent using mobile devices continues to rise. In 2018, Americans consumed an average of 3.5 hours per day on mobile media. And we’re certainly not always at home connected to a wireless network during this time, which means we’re eating up our data. This begs the question: How much data do I need?

How Much Data Am I Using?

The first step in figuring out how much data you need is learning how much data you generally use. Fortunately, your phone gives you this information. Most phones track your overall data usage per billing cycle. The information can be found under “Settings” on iPhones and Android devices. While this information will also appear on your phone bill, your smartphone goes one step further by dissecting data usage by app so you can see which apps are draining your data. This can be very useful when trying to cut back on data consumption.

How Much Data Do Apps Use?

If you look at your data usage by app, you will notice that some apps use far more data than others. Any apps that stream video or music, such as YouTube, Netflix, Pandora and Spotify, are going to use up significantly higher amounts of data.

For example, you could send and receive 6,000 emails, visit 1,500 webpages and make 1,500 social media posts in one month while using 2.25 GB of data. You’ll use roughly the same amount of data by watching just six hours of videos per month.

How Can I Conserve Data ?

The easiest way to limit your data usage is to simply turn your cellular data off. This means your apps will only work when connected to Wi-Fi. Once you connect to Wi-Fi, your phone stops using up data. Wi-Fi is quickly becoming ubiquitous in public locations. You may not even realize that it’s an option if you’re in a new place. Make sure to always go to your phone’s Wi-Fi settings to see if there’s a network available.

If you know you’re going to be without Wi-Fi access, do the heavy lifting at home before you go. For example, if you really want to listen to your favorite artist’s new album on your commute, make sure to download the album (which requires high data rates) when connected to Wi-Fi. Once it’s on your phone, you won’t use any data listening to it.

If you find that your favorite streaming apps are draining your data (and you’d like to keep using them just as frequently) all hope is not lost. Most streaming apps have several streaming-quality settings. If you lower your apps streaming quality (moving from high-definition video to standard-definition, for instance) you will lower your data totals.

You can also make adjustments to apps that have very little effect on how you use them. A prime example is with one of the most popular apps: Facebook. If you scroll through your news feed on the Facebook app, it will automatically begin playing any videos that you come across. Videos, as we know, use up more data. But you can turn off this feature. Simply go to the settings page within the Facebook app. Under “Video Settings,” you’ll find the “Autoplay” option.  From there, you can choose to “Never Autoplay Videos” or “On Wi-Fi Connections Only.”

Is an Unlimited Plan Worth It?

The answer to this depends on how much you’re using your phone. If you only use your phone for basic functions (i.e. call, text, email, etc.) then an unlimited plan is almost certainly not worth the price.

If, however, you use your phone for business and are constantly running up data charges, it might be the way to go. But even if you’re consistently going over your data allotments each month, you should still do the math before committing to an unlimited plan.

Most carriers will charge you a certain amount each month for the data plan you choose, then another charge for each increment you exceed your monthly allotment. If the carrier offers a higher data limit plan, that may be a better route than a higher unlimited plan for you. Of course, if the unlimited plan is still less than what you’re paying in overage fees, it is the better choice.

Adding another caveat into this is that carriers often have several unlimited plan offers at different price points. But how could anything be more unlimited than unlimited? While they all offer unlimited data, the higher-end plans usually offer better quality service, such as HD versus standard video streaming.

Each season has its way of letting you know when it’s arrived. Flower blossoms signal the beginning of spring, increasing beach traffic is a giveaway for the start of summer, an abundance of flannel and changing leaves are trademarks of the fall, and of course, there’s the first deep freeze of winter. For 50 million Americans, however, itchy, watery eyes and a running nose are the tell-tale signs of a seasonal shift.

It can be hard to thoroughly enjoy the beauty of the seasons when pollen, dust and other allergens decide to camp out in your eyes and blur your view. If you suffer from eye allergies, we’ve provided practical solutions you can implement to help reduce symptoms.

Eye Allergy Symptoms

Symptoms can vary for each individual, so be sure to consult an allergist for specifics. These are the most common for eye allergies.

• Itching.

• Redness.

• Burning.

• Clear, watery discharge from the eyes.

• Swollen/puffy eyes.

• Changes in vision.

• Light sensitivity.

• Dark circles under the eyes.

What Causes Eye Allergies?

Allergens including grass, tree and ragweed pollen, dust, pet dander, household pollen and mold are what cause allergies to occur. When they come in contact with your eyes, the cells within the eyes release various substances to fight off the allergen(s). There are also allergens that don’t come in direct contact with the eyes that are still capable of causing irritation, such as specific foods or insect bites or stings. Irritants like smoke, perfume and diesel exhaust can also bring on symptoms.

Solutions

Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid eye allergies completely, but you can reduce the severity of the symptoms. One of the first things you can do is see your eye doctor before the time you anticipate your allergies to be the worst and get tips on how to reduce your sensitivity.

Here are a few more tips the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recommends for dealing with eye allergies, whether you are indoors or out.

Indoor Exposure

• Keep the windows closed during high pollen periods – usually mid-morning and early evening.

•  Use air conditioning in your car and in your home. Make sure both of these are functional and clean on a regular basis.

• Try to keep the humidity in your home low (between 30 and 50 percent) to avoid mold build-up.

• Use a dehumidifier in damp, humid places like the basement, and empty and clean it often.

• Be sure there are no water leaks and standing water, particularly in the basement.

• Have bedding covers and sheets that limit dust mite exposure.

• Wash bedding frequently using hot water at at least 130 degrees, at least weekly.

• Clean mold with detergent and a 5% bleach solution.

• Keep carpeting, linens and stuffed animals to a minimum, as dust mites can collect with these items.

• Clean floors with a damp – not wet – rag or mop rather than dry-dusting or sweeping.

• If you have non-hypoallergenic pets, be sure to keep them out of the bedroom at all times and bathe them at least once weekly.

Outdoor Exposure

• Avoid being outside for an extended amount of time during high pollen periods.

• Wear glasses or wrap-around sunglasses to keep pollen and other eye allergy triggers from getting into your eyes.

• After petting that adorable dog you see while walking outdoors or playing with your cats (or any non-hypoallergenic animal for that matter), be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

• Don’t rub your eyes. Rubbing your eyes releases more histamine – your immune system’s defense against  irritants – which can aggravate the symptoms enough to cause an eye infection.

• Take a shower at night and gently clean your eyelids to remove pollen that might have accumulated during the day and could cause eye irritation as you sleep.

Contacts and Glasses

Contact lenses can attract and gather allergens. Wear disposable contacts to avoid the buildup of irritants.

Wearing glasses is also a good alternative, especially during peak allergy seasons like spring. The lenses will block a good portion of allergens. Plus, AAA members get 50% off lenses with the purchase of a frame from LensCrafters*.

Medications

If you’ve done the above already, but the symptoms just aren’t going away, consider using medications designed specifically for eye allergies. There are multiple types of medications available, but be sure to consult your eye doctor about which works best for you and side effects.

• Antihistamines reduce your body’s “attacks” against allergens – sneezing, runny nose, etc.

• Decongestants help to shrink swollen nasal passages for easier breathing. They also reduce the size of of blood vessels on the white of the eye to relieve redness. Some medications contain both an antihistamine and a decongestant.

•  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, or NSAID for short, is a type of eye drop that might be prescribed to reduce swelling, inflammation and other symptoms associated with seasonal allergies.

What’s your plan for seasonal eye allergies? Have advice for others? Let us know in the comments!

*Present your AAA membership to receive 50% off lenses when you purchase a complete pair (frames and lenses) of prescription glasses or sunglasses). Valid AAA Membership required. Valid on multiple pairs. AAA Vision Discounts are administered by EyeMed Vision Care (EyeMed). These are not insurance programs and may be discontinued at any time. These discounts cannot be combined with any other store offers, vision care plans, previous purchases, readers, or non-prescription sunglasses. Valid prescription required. Some brands excluded including Varilux lenses and Cartier frames. Discounts are off tag price. No cash value. Valid at participating locations only. Void where prohibited by law. Additional restrictions may apply. See store associate for details. Offer expires 12/31/2019.

Chris Beatty is talking at light speed. Wearing a hard hat, a reflective vest and jeans, the Walt Disney Imagineer is leading a tour of the 14-acre construction site at Galaxy’s Edge, the hotly anticipated “Star Wars”-themed land set to open at Disneyland, in Anaheim, Calif., May 31. All around him – but hidden from parkgoers on nearby Big Thunder Mountain – workers are laying concrete, installing props and generally hustling to complete the largest single-themed land that the park has ever created. Beatty dodges a patch of mud and sprints up a flight of stairs to a spot that overlooks one of the land’s star attractions: a life-size Millennium Falcon.

The ship that Han Solo and Chewbacca piloted away from stormtroopers on Tatooine in the original “Star Wars” more than 40 years ago, and that Rey and Finn commandeered to escape the First Order on Jakku more recently, has been brought to life in all its three-dimensional, battle-worn, hunk-of-junk glory. In fact, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is one of two new Star Wars attractions designed to induce both awe and adrenaline. Beatty flashes a wide grin as he surveys the iconic ship and the weathered spaceport behind it. “This,” he says, “is one of the hero shots of the land.”

As one of about a dozen writers invited for this sneak peek, I’ve reminded myself to remain a dispassionate journalistic observer. But who am I kidding? The moment I spot the Millennium Falcon, I’m the 6-year-old at Josh Blaustein’s “Star Wars”-themed birthday party in 1977, eyes glued to the big screen, popcorn in hand, mouth agape. I’m the same kid playing with my toy Millennium Falcon and Star Wars action figures – don’t call them “dolls” – and imagining myself making the jump into hyperspace. So, yeah, seeing the ship before my eyes is very cool.

This Proustian response is exactly what Beatty and the other Imagineers intended when they started development on the land in 2014. Back then – two years after Disney shelled out a reported $4 billion to acquire Lucasfilm (including the “Star Wars” franchise) – Beatty and other Imagineers visited the film company’s headquarters in San Francisco’s Presidio. There, in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge, past the gurgling fountain topped by a wizened Yoda, a small team of Imagineers and “Star Wars” story developers considered a daunting question: How do you transform one of history’s most beloved movie franchises into a beloved amusement park land? (Make that two lands: A nearly identical version will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Florida Aug. 29.)

The magnitude of the task wasn’t lost on Beatty, the executive creative director who began as an apprentice at Walt Disney Imagineering in 1997 and has since worked on projects from Florida’s Epcot to Disneyland Paris. An avowed “Star Wars” fan, the 47-year-old recalls unwrapping action figures as a kid on a Christmas morning in Ohio and bounding into his family’s snow-covered yard to build his own Hoth play set. “Think about the pressure,” he says, “to deliver on 40 years of people’s passion and their longing to step into these worlds and be a part of the Star Wars universe.”

A Long Time Ago

Of course, the Imagineers first had to determine which part of that sprawling universe to recreate. They considered familiar film settings such as Hoth, Endor and Tatooine, but Beatty and the others saw risks in trying to reproduce, say, Luke Skywalker’s home planet. As Beatty explains: “You’ve seen it before, you’ve lived it before. It would never be as good as standing in line for the first time in 1977 to see the original film.”

As they mulled options, the Imagineers also met with J.J. Abrams, the phenom director-writer-producer behind “Lost” and “Westworld.” At the time, he was shooting “Episode VII: The Force Awakens,” and he’d soon be tapped to direct Episode IX. By the time the Imagineers returned to their Glendale campus, they’d come to a critical realization: Rather than recreate a world from earlier films, Beatty says, “maybe it’s better to lean forward into the future of the franchise, but leave a door open to the past.” (As someone who’s not ashamed to admit that images of R2-D2, C-3PO, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia adorned his bedding for the better part of a decade, I’m happy that door won’t be sealed entirely.)

The Imagineers decided to create Black Spire Outpost on planet Batuu. Named for the petrified trees that dot the land, the location has appeared in “Star Wars” novels but not films – at least not yet: Some fan websites predict that the outpost will make its big-screen debut in Episode IX, which is due to hit theaters in December.

Black Spire Outpost wouldn’t seem an obvious choice. Once a thriving refueling stop at the galaxy’s outer reaches, it has fallen in prominence – “kind of an old Route 66 story,” says Scott Trowbridge, lead Imagineer on the project. The village is now a haven for smugglers, bounty hunters and other ne’er-do-wells. It’s dangerous and mysterious, yet it also presented Imagineers with a kind of narrative blank slate: Because fans don’t associate Batuu with Luke or other marquee characters, Trowbridge says, the location gives visitors a better chance to “live their Star Wars story.”

With that key decision behind them, the team began considering how to bring the new land to life – what Imagineers call physical storytelling or narrative place-making. What should Batuu look like, feel like and sound like? Designers would draw on “Star Wars” films’ distinctive visual vocabulary – the familiar color palette of the First Order, for example, and the triangle shapes of Star Destroyers. But they also wanted to ground the land in actual places on Earth, which Lucasfilm execs say has been critical to achieving the series’ timeless feel.

Batuu has been around for millennia, according to the saga, so Beatty and other Imagineers traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, Marrakech and Morocco, to find visual cues that could help imbue the land with a sense of ragged history. By their own admission, the traveling band of Imagineers drove local tour guides crazy. The guides wanted to show off mosques and ancient temples, but as Beatty recalls, “They’ll turn around and we’re taking pictures of doorknobs and rusty wires up on a building that looks like a rat’s nest.” He points to a photo the team took of an electrical box plastered onto a leaching, weather-stained wall – an image that has helped guide the look of the buildings. The black spires, meanwhile, were inspired by rock formations in Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park.

Back at the Glendale campus, as initial plans were coming together, the team donned virtual reality goggles to experience the feeling of walking through the new land. By using such virtual reality technology, the Imagineers could make adjustments to maximize the impact of key viewpoints – what Beatty calls “reveals.”

An example is the tunnel that will usher parkgoers from Frontierland into Galaxy’s Edge – one of the land’s three entrances (only two will lead into Florida’s version). “As you come through, there’s a moment where we reveal a little bit of the architecture,” Beatty says. Visitors will see spires in the distance, but trees will obscure part of the view. That, he says, is by design – to provoke visitors’ curiosity and sense of adventure. If you then turn left as you come out of the tunnel, he adds, “You see spaceships and domes and canopies billowing in the wind. Just like in a film, we’ve framed that establishing shot.”

The goal at every turn, Imagineers say, has been to create Disney’s most ambitious, immersive and interactive land ever. Cast members – some Batuu citizens, some Resistance sympathizers hiding out here – will wear distinctive ensembles. New music written by John Williams, the Academy Award-winning composer behind the original “Star Wars” theme, will play at key moments. The Disney Play Parks mobile app will allow for interactive experiences. And visitors will find food, drinks and merchandise designed exclusively for the new land.

The Kessel Run

All of this preparation has fans’ anticipation running high – and security at the construction site Death Star – tight. Before I can tour the land, I have to promise not to take photos or even carry a smartphone into the area. I pull on a hard hat, boots and a reflective vest and am soon strolling past weathered domes and petrified trees. I’m led inside Oga’s Cantina, where construction crews are hard at work, and then through part of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a trackless ride that puts parkgoers into battle with the First Order. That, too, is still being finished, and Disney says it won’t open until later this year.

To my delight, I also come face to face with the Millennium Falcon. Imagineer Asa Kalama leads our group through the attraction’s queue, where an animatronic Hondo Ohnaka seeks volunteer parkgoers to deliver cargo. Then comes the moment I’ve been waiting for: We walk onto the ship itself, first into a gloriously recreated Chess Room, and finally, into the cockpit. It looks just as it does in the films, with control panels lining the walls. I can practically hear Han Solo yelling, “Traveling through hyperspace ain’t like dusting crops, boy!”

I settle into one of the six seats, soak in the oddly familiar scene, and recall something that Imagineer Margaret Kerrison said earlier: “When we open Galaxy’s Edge, I think grown men are going to cry. … There’s just so much anticipation and excitement for this.”

Indeed, the attraction isn’t even finished yet and I’m already getting a little misty. The galaxy that was once far, far away feels – amazingly – much, much closer to home.

You Must Reserve Ahead to Visit Galaxy’s Edge

Batuu might be a backwater planet on the galaxy’s Outer Rim, but when the land opens May 31, it’s bound to draw crowds. To access Galaxy’s Edge between opening day and June 23, parkgoers will need to make a no-cost reservation, subject to availability, starting May 2. Visitors staying overnight in one of the three Disneyland hotels during that period will be given reservations to visit the land during their stay (theme park admission required). After June 23, reservations will no longer be required. To continue to manage demand and provide a great guest experience, Disneyland will offer a virtual queueing system, as needed, to visit the land. Check Disneyland.com for updates.

Plan your Disney vacation with AAA and save. 

– Jim Benning looks forward to nursing a Fuzzy Tauntaun in Oga’s Cantina.

From Champagne toasts to shining plaques, spring 2019 has been a season of sparkling celebration as AAA Northeast hosted the best-of-the-best in hospitality at AAA Four and Five Diamond Award luncheons throughout the region.

Established to help members find quality places to sleep and eat while on the road, hotel and restaurant inspections have been a AAA tradition since 1937. AAA Four and Five Diamonds Awards denote properties of the highest caliber, based on the standards set by AAA’s rigorous and always-evolving inspection process.

“This is a very important program to us nationwide and one we are very committed to and will stay committed to for the long term,” said President and CEO of AAA Northeast, John Galvin at the New York City event.

Learn more about AAA Diamond Ratings.

At this year’s award ceremonies in Providence, Boston, New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut and Lenox, Mass., the hosts became the hosted. Gathered with their peers, local hotel and restaurant managers, chefs and other industry professionals were given the time to share a meal, talk shop and recognize their accomplishments.

For several establishments, it was their first time being named as Four or Five Diamond. All other recipients are perennial. Earning your spot among the top takes work, but maintaining it – especially on the Five Diamond level – is a true example of dedication and diligence.

New York City Five Diamond Awards

The Five Diamond is an elite and hard-earned designation. Five Diamond hotels make up only .4 percent of 27,000 hotels inspected yearly. Restaurants that hold the title represent just .2 percent of 32,000 inspections.

Notable but not surprising, New York City has the highest concentration of Five Diamond properties in the country.

This year’s luncheon was hosted by the Four Seasons New York in their stunning Fifty7 West ballroom. The city’s longest-standing Five Diamond hotel, they have been taking home the award since 1994.

If you have the opportunity to walk through the IM Pei-designed space surrounded by its signature limestone or are fortunate enough to stay in one of the hotel’s rooms (all suites), it’s not hard to see why. It’s simple, calming elegance and amenities, including an on-site spa, set the bar in luxury and exemplify the Five Diamond standard.

“We are very proud to carry the Five Diamond Award for 25 years. It’s always wonderful to meet and be able to congratulate other industry leaders as well as accept the award for the hotel,” said Michal Dedera, Four Seasons New York’s hotel manager.

Two hotel newcomers, Baccarat Hotel New York and The Dominick Hotel, both impressively accomplished Five Diamond status for their first year in operation.

In the restaurant category, Atera’s intimate setting, carefully-crafted, two-hour plus tasting menu and dazzling presentations earned it its first Five Diamond Award. As noted in the AAA inspector’s rating, the courses are “visually unlike anything else in town.”

Long-esteemed Daniel celebrated 20 years of Five Diamond excellence.

Diamond Awards in Providence, Boston and Beyond!

At the AAA Four Diamond Rated Hotel Providence – one of 12 Four Diamond hotels in Rhode Island – Diamond designees including Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina, Watch Hill Inn and Four Diamond favorite restaurant Gracie’s, raised their glasses to continued success.

Rhode Island’s only Five Diamond Rated hotel, Ocean House, continues to hold onto its rating since 2011, but its restaurant COAST earned its first Five Diamond Rating this year. Both picked up their awards at the Boston ceremony at the Five Diamond Rated Mandarin Oriental, Boston.

Other standouts in the region include Four Diamond Rated Italian seafood restaurant Due Mari in New Brunswick, N.J., and Winvian Farm and its adjoining restaurant continue to represent Five Diamond luxury in Morris, Conn. since 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Congratulations to all of this year’s Four and Five Diamond Award recipients!

See this year’s full list of Four and Five Diamond hotels and restaurants.

It’s not actually always sunny in Philadelphia, but it can feel that way when you take a culinary tour of the city. Cheesesteaks, Tastykakes and flavored sodas all got their start in the City of Brotherly Love. Here, yummy goodies like stromboli, water ice and roast pork sandwiches collide with Pennsylvania Dutch treats like soft pretzels, bologna and shoofly pies. There’s even a Philadelphia pepper pot (made with something called tripe) for adventurous eaters.

Wake up your taste buds for this journey to the best food destinations in Philly.

Cheesesteaks

The battle for cheesesteak supremacy dates back to this sandwich’s invention in the 1930s. Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks have beef – literally – and because they are located across the street from each other, they duke it out for the cheesesteak crown 24/7. Other favorites include John’s Roast Pork, Tony Luke’s and Ralph & Rickey’s, but whichever you choose, ask for “cheese whiz wit onions” for the true Philly cheesesteak experience.

Roast Pork Sandwiches

No trip to Philly is complete without a stop at the Reading Terminal Market. While you’re there, stop by DiNic’s Roast Pork for its flagship roast pork sandwich, voted Best Sandwich in America in 2012. This other staple in the sandwich paradise that is Philadelphia is stuffed with roast pork, broccoli rabe and provolone cheese. It’s an incredibly savory sandwich that truly gives the cheesesteak a run for its money.

Tomato Pie

If you like cold pizza, you’ll love tomato pie. This South Philly staple is made like a square Sicilian pizza without cheese and served cold or at room temperature. It’s often loaded with oregano and Parmesan cheese, which definitely gives it a strong flavor. This regional delight can be found at old-school Italian bakeries like Marchiano’s Bakery and specialty restaurants like Gaeta’s Tomato Pie and Tony’s Famous Tomato Pie.

Pepper Pot Soup

Stew on this: Philly pepper pot soup has a history. It originated in the 18th century and was used to feed hungry soldiers during the American Revolution. Philly chefs have perfected this stew of vegetables, pepper and tripe, which is the edible lining of sheep stomachs. If you haven’t already skipped to the next topic, you can try this American classic where the founding fathers did, at City Tavern Restaurant in the Old Town District of the city.

Stromboli

Stromboli was purportedly invented in the 1950s in Essington, Pa., just outside of Philly. It’s a rolled pizza dough stuffed with delicious Italian meats like pepperoni, capicola and salami, cheese and sometimes veggies. It is NOT a calzone, which is made by folding the dough (and thus totally different). Stogie Joe’s gets a ton of love for its stromboli, as does Cacia’s Bakery, which also has a world-class tomato pie. And on that note…

Hoagies

While many cities claim to be the inventor of the submarine sandwich, Philly has a proud origin story for its take, the hoagie. According to legend, Italian workers made the sandwich – an Italian roll topped with sliced meats, cheese and lettuce – while working on Hog Island, the nickname for a World War I-era shipyard in Philly. The Hog Island sandwich was branded the hoagie and was named the official sandwich of Philadelphia in 1992.

Water Ice

Italian influence on Philly foods is strong, and water ice is a Philly version of Italian ice, the sweetened frozen dessert made from fruit, sugar and water. One main difference is that it water ice is looser than Italian ice – that and it’s pronounced “wooder ice.” Cool down with traditional flavors at Tranzilli’s Real Italian Water Ice, which has been owned and operated by the same family since 1969 or visit Siddiq’s Real Fruit Water Ice for flavors like strawberry coconut and kiwi.

Soda

Popular soda brands like Hires Root Beer got their start in Philly, and there are several old-timey diners and ice cream parlors that keep the city’s soda tradition alive. Nifty Fifty’s claims to have the world’s largest soda fountain with more than 100 handcrafted flavors, including pineapple cheesecake and chocolate marshmallow. The Franklin Fountain is another sure bet, with its hot milkshakes, hot sodas and fresh baked goods.

Soft Pretzels

Warm, soft pretzels were the street hot dog of early 1900s Philly. Today, you can still grab one at a downtown food cart, but you’re better off heading to a specialty bakery. Center City Soft Pretzel Co.uses three ingredients to make its delicious twists, plus it opens at 4 a.m. for a perfect late-night snack. Of course, you really can’t go wrong with anything on this list of stops in this underrated food city.

For more delicious local eats, check out our Northeast food guide.

Plan your next trip (food themed or otherwise) with AAA.

Misleading product names can cause all sorts of confusion for consumers. When those issues transfer to the roadways, however, the repercussions are much more serious. Yet consumer misunderstanding of specific automotive technologies is a growing problem across the country.

According to a new AAA survey, 40 percent of Americans believe that partially-automated driving systems have the ability to drive the car by itself. This idea is confounded by the names of these systems, including Autopilot, ProPILOT and Pilot Assist.

“With today’s exciting advances in vehicle technology, there is a greater need for naming that clearly signals to a driver what the system does,” said John Paul, AAA Northeast Senior Manager of Traffic Safety. “Vague or confusing terminology may lead someone to overestimate a system’s capability, unintentionally placing the driver and others on the road at risk.”

Automated driving systems are not intended to take over the task of driving. In fact, AAA found that these systems can be significantly challenged by every day, real-world conditions such as poor lane markings, unusual traffic patterns and stationary vehicles.

In partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center, AAA tested four vehicles equipped with automated driving systems that combine technologies such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist to help maintain lane position, forward speed and following distance in relation to a lead vehicle. During typical driving situations, the technology generally functioned as expected. However, AAA found test vehicles faltered in scenarios that included moderate traffic, curved roadways and streets with busy intersections. Researchers noted instances where the test vehicle experienced issues like lane departures, hugging lane markers, “ping-ponging” within the lane, inadequate braking, unexpected speed changes and inappropriate following distances.

As this automated driving technology becomes more prevalent in cars, standardized naming across vehicles that clearly reflects how technology functions will be necessary. Greater consistency across the industry will help consumers understand the type of technology their vehicle has along with how, when and where to use these systems.

What’s your opinion on AV? Share in the comments!

Read more about AV and other traffic safety concerns with The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Check out the latest AAA-related news and studies. 

The New York International Auto Show rolls into town from April 19-28. The annual event attracts more than one million attendees each year who peruse the approximately 1,000 cars on display.

We were fortunate enough to get a preview of said cars and they did not disappoint.

Click through the slideshow below to discover some of the lust-worthy automobiles on display at the New York Auto Show 2019.

This year’s New York auto show is sure to impress. Do you plan on going? Have you ever been to the New York International Auto Show before? Tell us about your experience in the comments. 

If looking at these beautiful cars inspired you to get behind the wheel of a new ride yourself, we’re here to help. Learn more about how AAA can help can you in your dream car.