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Local Travel

Go local for your next vacation

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

With busy schedules and tighter budgets, more people are looking for ways to have fun without spending a fortune. Whether you have a long weekend to enjoy or just an afternoon, going local lets you get away without going very far. Go local for your next vacation!
Small towns and big cities have something in common: There are always new experiences to be had. Here are some fun and easy ways to go local, no matter where you live.

HOW TO FIND FUN THINGS TO DO

  • Check your local newspaper – in print or online. Look for stories about hot spots, family-friendly activities or unusual shops. There are usually event calendars that highlight activities sponsored by civic, cultural and faith groups.
  • Search locally on websites like www.yp.com. With access to a database of millions of local businesses, you can search in specific neighborhoods, watch business videos and use enhanced maps to get directions immediately. Find a restaurant and book a reservation, browse movie times and buy tickets, or get ticket prices to live local events – and even purchase them on the spot. Check out local users’ reviews and post recommendations of your own, too.
  • Pop into a library or coffee shop and check out the fliers, brochures, and other free information on local events.
  • Tap your online communities to discover and share recommendations for favorite local spots. Websites like www.buzz.com offer you a personalized version of local search, based on the recommendations of people you know and trust.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

  • Behind-the-Scenes Tours. Company museums, firehouses, factories and police stations often offer formal tours of their facilities. Some television and radios stations offer tours, as well.
  • Theatrical Productions. Community theatres, touring Broadway productions and local dance studios all offer wonderful experiences for people of all ages. Look for matinee pricing, or for special group rates if you want to go with other families.
  • Family Fun Centers. You can play mini golf, go bowling and even play laser tag at these all-in-one places for fun. Sometimes you can find coupons in local parenting publications or the newspaper.
  • Local Bed and Breakfasts. You don’t have to travel to wine country or the mountains to enjoy a good B&B. Search online and check local ads for a romantic getaway that doesn’t involve air travel.

GET THE WHOLE FAMILY INVOLVED
Make discovering local treasures a family affair.

  • Write down different categories on slips of paper such as restaurants, museums, activities, etc.
  • Have each family member draw a category out of a hat and give them each 24 hours to find five things in their category that cost $10 or less per person (or choose another price depending on your budget).
  • Present findings to each other, then start adding activities to the family calendar.
  • Consider making a game out of your local adventure by creating a scavenger hunt within a specific venue or across several local spots.

Take time to discover your town and you may be surprised at how just much there is to explore.

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Local TravelTravel

Hometown Tourism Basics

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

If you don’t have the time or the money to get away this summer, there’s no reason you can’t have a memorable vacation. Everything you need is right in your hometown. Be a Hometown Tourist
Sticking close to home means you not only save money, but you avoid the hassles of travel and help support the local economy. What’s not to like? Be a Hometown Tourist

THE BASICS Hometown Tourism Basics

The trick to having a great stay-at-home vacation is to create the environment of a traditional vacation. That means getting out of your normal routine and treating your time as true vacation time. Travel expert and creator of TravelingMamas.com, Shannon Hurst Lane, has some tips to help you plan:

  • Schedule it. Decide on a beginning and an ending date, then put them on the calendar. Clear those days of anything that smells of work or regularly scheduled events. You’re on vacation, remember?
  • Let local deals help you decide. These days, there are hundreds and even thousands of deals available close to home for dining, spas, attractions, museums and more. In fact, according to a survey from Bing.com, the decision engine from Microsoft, 6 out of 10 adults will search 2 to 10 different deal sources every week. For example, going to m.bing.com on your cell phone will save you time and money by showing you local deals – all in one place – from Groupon, LivingSocial, Tippr and many others.
  • Establish a “No Chore Zone.” This is not the time to clean out the closets, re-landscape the yard or tackle that home-improvement project. This is time for fun and family activities only.
  • Plan activities for every day. You wouldn’t go to Orlando and stay in the hotel room the whole time, so don’t just sit around the house. Find interesting places to go and fun things to do every day. Get the kids involved in planning, too – let them choose a place to go or a theme for the day.
  • Act like a tourist. Take photos and videos to document your local adventures. Pick up postcards and souvenirs from the museums or amusement parks you visit, just like you would if you had gone out of town. Be a Hometown Tourist

FUN STAYCATION IDEAS

Here are just a few ideas for some hometown adventures:

  • Use great deals to eat out affordably. Use Bing mobile deals to find great local deals at that restaurant that you’ve always wanted to try. This approach will let you eat out with the whole family, or even on a date night, and still not break your vacation budget.
  • Science and nature. Visit an arboretum or nature center. Bike the trails in a local or state park. Go horseback riding. Have fun in a local science center, or spend the day at the zoo or aquarium. Some zoos have overnight camping adventures available, too. Live near a lake or river? Try boating, water skiing or tubing for a day.
  • Amusement parks. You may not live near one of the big theme parks, but there are more options around town than you might realize. Check out regional theme parks, water parks, and even local community centers. Family fun centers that have mini golf, laser tag, go karts and bowling are a fun option, too.
  • Family food fun. Explore the local farmers markets and pick up fresh produce and local goods. Visit a U-Pick farm and gather things like fresh blueberries right off the bushes. Treat the family to a night out at a fancy restaurant, and have everyone dress in their best outfits. Or, order in from your favorite local eatery and have an indoor picnic.
  • Local highlights. You know all those places that out-of-town guests want to go to when they visit but you’ve never gotten around to seeing? Well, now’s your chance. Look for walking tours of historic districts; tag along on guided tours of famous landmarks; or take that scenic drive everyone talks about.
  • Take some time. Any vacation can be exhausting so make sure to take some “me time” at a local spa to get those toes done before stepping out.

“Your hometown is a treasure-trove of fun and interesting things to do,” according to Lane. “And you can make it even more fun by finding money-saving deals when you search on Bing or m.bing.com.”

GET LOCAL DEALS NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE

Nearly 80 percent of respondents in a Bing survey said they were likely to pick their summer vacation destination based on whether or not they could find a deal or redeem a coupon to save money. Be a Hometown Tourist

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Friendly Scammers Preying on Seniors

Surprises for Seniors Who Rent Vacation Apartments

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Apartment Sharing or Red Herring?

“Lots of space, great savings over hotels, and I don’t feel like a tourist.” That’s why A.J. decided to rent a vacation apartment in France. A.J. doesn’t want his full name published but he does want to caution other senior travelers to do their homework before booking. Surprises for Seniors Who Rent Vacation Apartments
Noisy sleepless nights, vandalism, no hot water, waiting in the rain in a nearby bodega after dark for the owner to arrive with the key… like A.J. older travelers have been subjected to everything from rattled nerves to broken hearts. Surprises for Seniors Who Rent Vacation Apartments
He and his wife looked at dozens of photos before settling on a beautiful French apartment. But after weeks of planning and anticipation, they arrived to a noisy flat. A.J. says “the traffic and fumes were very intrusive.” And that was the least of it. A.J. is in good physical shape, but stairs are stairs. The owner had assured him that getting up to the second floor apartment would be no problem. The so-called second floor was up 53 uneven steps. That’s a long way to walk and a very long way to haul heavy suitcases.
Travelers can find a lot of holiday apartment options on websites like Airbnb (www.airbnb.com) and Homeaway (www.homeaway.com) But the problem with those sites says Jules Kragen, President of a new Senior oriented vacation apartment rental company called Scertified Stays (www.scertified.com) is that “there is nothing to protect you from omitted facts, aggressive selling and even outright fraud such as posting fake positive reviews.” He says there are hundreds of on-line agencies competing for business and it isn’t in their interest to tell older travelers why their choice might not be the best one.
Satisfaction with where we stay can make or break an entire holiday. And for many, renting a holiday apartment can be roll of the dice. A deep sleeper may enjoy the bustle and location of an apartment on a busy boulevard. This would be a disaster for a light sleeper. Nor do any of the big sites look at things like local crime statistics, interior noise levels, graffiti or empty shops in the neighborhood, basic accessibility, or the pros, cons and idiosyncrasies of each apartment they offer.
Unfortunately, no one is regulating the vacation apartment rental industry. And with growing competition, more apartments being available does not mean better apartments are available. Airbnb and a dozen other top apartment rental agencies offer over a million vacation apartments. I looked at ads for 300 one and two bedroom apartments in popular destinations like Miami, London, and Paris. Not one of the ads I looked at said something like, “this apartment may not be suitable for mature guests.” In fact none of them suggested that even in some circumstances the fit might not be right.
I saw one big difference with Scertified Stays. Next to every listing they talk about what might not be suitable for older guests. Noise on a busy boulevard, poor lighting and security, difficulty finding public transportation, bad conditions in the neighborhood – all of these things add up to the success of a vacation. According to their website, they inspect up to sixty senior-centric features in and around every apartment they offer. They use both technology and old-fashioned checklists to assess noise levels in bedrooms, graffiti in the neighborhood, local crime rates, building security, property management and dozens of other features. They even back the accuracy and relevance of their assessments with a money-back guarantee. Surprises for Seniors Who Rent Vacation Apartments
Vacation apartments can add real value and flexibility to your holiday plans. But when you select your holiday lodging, if you aren’t given all the information you need to guarantee a successful stay, then it may be best to move on. Surprises for Seniors Who Rent Vacation Apartments
by Ron Bolton, Guest Blogger Surprises for Seniors Who Rent Vacation Apartments
Ron Bolton has been writing about travel and entertainment for over two decades. His work takes a fresh look at matters of special interest to independent and intrepid travelers.
Surprises for Seniors Who Rent Vacation Apartments

Surprises for Seniors Who Rent Vacation Apartments Surprises for Seniors Who Rent Vacation Apartments Surprises for Seniors Who Rent Vacation Apartments

Surprises for Seniors Who Rent Vacation Apartments

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Summer Safety Tips For Seniors
Travel Tips & Deals

Affordable Summer Trips

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

For people looking to trim their budgets, a summer getaway may feel out of reach. But it doesn’t take a lot of money to have a great vacation experience – and it will pay off in lasting ways.shutterstock_218141176
“New research shows that experiences mean more to people than material items,” said Dr. Jeff Ashby, Professor of Counseling Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta. “Experiences, like summer family vacations, can be shared and bring a greater sense of joy and happiness for a longer period of time.”
There are plenty of trip ideas that are easy on the wallet and can all be found in Georgia.
OUTDOOR DELIGHTS

  • Hike nature trails and waterfalls in awe-inspiring Amicalola Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, or Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest mountain.
  • Raft, paddle and tube in Georgia’s Chattooga River, a premier whitewater destination. Explore the magnificent ecosystem of the Altamaha River on your own or with local outfitters and guides who can help arrange a paddling or fishing trip.
  • Fish in one of Georgia’s 12,000 miles of warm water streams or deep-sea fish in coastal waters.
  • Camp in one of the state’s 45 state parks stretching from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Colonial Coast.
  • Explore pristine environments such as the swamp at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, one of the oldest freshwater areas in the country.
  • Get in the swing with golf specials at Georgia’s many courses including Bull Creek Golf Course in Columbus and the Stone Mountain Golf Club, close to downtown Atlanta.

ISLAND HOPPING
Georgia’s beaches and coastal islands are a favorite summertime destination.

  • Jekyll Island is known for its golf, bike trails, bird watching and refined history, boasting the Jekyll Island Club as one of America’s top coastal summer destinations.
  • St. Simons Island offers golf, fishing, trails, lighthouses, historic Fort Frederica and other adventures.
  • Cumberland Island, anchoring the state’s coastline in the south, is covered with pristine maritime forests, wild horses, undeveloped beaches and splendid estate ruins.

ART EXPERIENCES
Atlanta’s High Museum of Art, has a partnership with the world-renowned Musée du Louvre in Paris, and offers visitors a rare experience until September 6. “The Louvre and the Masterpiece” exhibition features 91 works of art from all eight of the Louvre’s collection areas, spanning 4,000 years. Everything from paintings to sculpture, decorative arts to drawings are on display.
TIME TRAVEL
History buffs and curious travelers can explore Georgia’s historical attractions, including 27 Civil War battlefields. Walk in the footsteps of three presidents – Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter. Their homes and stories are found in sites from Augusta to Warm Springs, Plains and Atlanta. And learn about the Civil Rights movement at The King Center in Atlanta and the Albany Civil Rights Movement Museum.
FABULOUS FOOD
Celebrity chefs, top-notch restaurants, fun festivals and fresh produce all make Georgia a foodie’s paradise. Take a cooking class at The Mansion on Forsyth Park in Savannah or Château Élan in Braselton. Find fresh delights at the Tom Watson Watermelon Festival in Thomson or at Georgia’s Blueberry Festival in Alma.

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Senior Travel
Destinations

Popular Vacation Destinations For Seniors

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Popular Vacation Destinations For Seniors

Senior TravelAll around the world, there are millions of vacation destinations. With a large selection of destinations, attractions, and activities, you may be wondering how you could ever narrow your choice down to just one place. The first step in deciding on a destination is by determining which activities you would like to participate in while on vacation. Popular Vacation Destinations For Seniors
Older people enjoy a wide variety of different activities. If you enjoy golfing, a golf resort may be an ideal location for your next vacation. If relaxing by the beach is more your style, you have a large number of beaches to choose from. In addition to on land vacations, you may enjoy taking a summer vacation cruise. Deciding what you would like to do while on vacation is the best way to find the perfect summer vacation destination.
While the activities that you’d like to participate in on your vacation are important, so are the activities that you’d like to avoid. Unfortunately, a large number of popular summer vacation destinations are targeted towards the younger crowd. If excess loud music, late night partying, and excess drinking is not on your “to do list,” then you may want to consider avoiding destinations that promote these activities.
Due to their price, domestic vacations are often the most sought after for seniors. If you are able to afford the cost of overseas travel, you may want to consider an overseas vacation. These vacations are ideal for seniors who want to see the world, but have never had the opportunity to before. The preparation and travel required to have an overseas vacation is often long and large. You may want to examine your health and ability to withstand a long journey before booking an overseas vacation.
If an overseas vacation is possible and sounds ideal, you have an unlimited number of destinations to choose from. Popular destinations include France, Italy, and Spain. Many of these destinations are famous for their rich history. While vacationing overseas, you can visit a number of well-known tourist attractions. You can explore many of these attractions by yourself or with a tour guide.
If domestic vacations are more your style, you can often find fun, but relaxing vacations at, the above mentioned, beach and golf resorts. Myrtle Beach, located in South Carolina, is a well-known beach that caters to visitors of all ages. In addition to sunbathing and swimming, you may find a number of activities designed for individuals of your age.
Most of the golf resorts found in the United States cater to mature crowds. While children may be allowed to stay, there are a limited number of golf resorts that have onsite activities for children. The lack of onsite activities for children often provides a fun, safe, and relaxing environment for seniors. In addition to golfing, golf resorts are often equipment with private cottage rentals, fine dining restaurants, and onsite spas.
Once you have found the vacation destination of your choice, you may want to book your reservations right away. Before making a reservation, you are encouraged to search for travel discounts. If you are a member of Triple A or AARP, you may be able to receive valuable discounts on your next summer vacation.
With a large number of vacation destinations designed with seniors in mind, you are sure to find the perfect location for your next vacation. Whether you choose to spend your vacation at the beach, travel overseas, or stay at a well-known golf resort, you are sure to make an unlimited number of memories.

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Travel Tips & Deals

Smart Traveling for Senior Citizens

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Smart Traveling for Senior Citizens
One of the real joys of retirement and enjoying your senior years may come in the form of travel. Travel is broadening and many senior citizens save for a lifetime to enjoy a lifestyle of travel once they have retired. The image of becoming a world traveler in their senior years is one of those dreams that has kept them going when life was tough in their working years. Smart Traveling for Senior Citizens

If traveling is the kind of retirement fun that you have in mind, it pays to plan ahead so you can travel smart. Being prepared for a long trip is a great idea for everyone. This way your dream vacation won’t turn into a travel nightmare.
A big part of smart traveling is to know in advance what you are going to need for the trip. It may be even more important to know what you are NOT going to need. By packing light, you make the chore of pulling large pieces of luggage through the airport less difficult. If you are going to be staying in several places on the trip, packing light means less repacking as well.
It will take experience to know what will work for you in a travel situation when it comes to packing for a trip. You may wish to build a special travel wardrobe of garments that wear well under stress, don’t wrinkle and can be rinsed out and used again on the road thus extending their usefulness and cutting down on excess clothing. Another way you can cut down on the bulk is to not take very much with you that can be bought when you get there. By not taking a lot of toiletries, you cut down on the problems with airport security and the chance of toiletries leaking in your bags.
Smart traveling for senior citizens also means having your prescriptions all up to date and well documented. You should get good copies of all prescription drugs, eyeglass prescriptions and other documents that you may need to get refills on the road should you lose or run through your prescriptions. Alert your local pharmacy about your trip so if they need to consult with another pharmacy while you are away it won’t cause a problem for you to get an emergency refill. Also file copies of all of your travel documents with a loved one so even if you lose everything, you can still get your documents sent to you or by email or fax. These kinds of precautions eliminate panic in the event of a problem while traveling.
Make sure your itinerary and copies of your passport and credit card numbers are kept in secure places and on file with a loved one. Go through your wallet and think about the cards and important documents you have and how you would handle having those cards cancelled and replaced should you lose your wallet or purse. By keeping those important numbers where you can get to them quickly, you can move fast to cancel credit cards and get replacements immediately from your hotel should you get robbed or lose your valuables while traveling.
By thinking ahead about every possible situation and planning how to respond, you can eliminate the chance that your dream vacation could be cancelled or put on hold. This way when things go wrong, you can easily shift to plan A-B-C or D to stay on track with your travel plans.

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Travel Tips & Deals

Bargains for Travelers over 50

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

12730_B13_rgb-300x191Bargains for Travelers over 50
Empty nesters, retirees and busy baby boomers can all take advantage of travel deals to plan a great getaway. If you’re over age 50, there’s a bargain for you. Bargains for Travelers over 50
National Parks. The America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Senior Pass. For $10, U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over can get a lifetime pass to any federal recreation site, which admits the pass holder and all car passengers in for free. It also provides a 50 percent discount on some fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming and boating. The pass can only be obtained in person at the park. Visit www.nps.gov for more details.
Educational Tours
Don’t let the name fool you – Elderhostel offers nearly 8000 educational tours in all 50 states and in 90 countries around the world. Their Web site, www.elderhostel.org, showcases many tours under $600 including:

  • A three-night Napa Valley winery trip
  • A five-night service trip in Maryland to help build a Heifer Global Village
  • A one-night Dine Like a Critic experience in Cambridge, MA
  • A three-day digital photography class in Raquette Lake, New York

Cruises
There are cruise deals aplenty these days. Talking with a travel agent and searching online can turn up some significant savings. If you are interested in a specialty cruise for seniors only, visitwww.cruisecompete.com, a cost comparison site. Searching under the seniors category will list offerings from various cruise lines and lets you compare features and pricing. Cruises for the end of 2009 and well into 2010 are listed.
Active Vacations
If sitting around the pool is too tame for you, look into the many active vacations available. The travel site www.away.com lists the Top 10 Active Baby Boomer Vacations. Affordable options include biking in Vermont, birding in Alaska,
trekking the Appalachian Trail in Maine, horseback riding in Wyoming, hiking in Colorado.
There is also Passport in Time, a volunteer archaeology and historic preservation program of the USDA Forest Service. Work with professional archaeologists and historians on archaeological survey and excavation, rock art restoration, archival research, historic structure restoration, oral history gathering, and analysis and curation of artifacts. You must submit an application, be chosen, and be ready to pitch a tent or pay for accommodations nearby. Find out more at www.passportintime.com.
GENERAL MONEY-SAVING TIPS

  • Joining AARP nets discounts on hotels, rental cars, vacation packages and more. At www.aarp.org, they also have a Trend Tracker that lets you evaluate the least expensive hotel and flight prices for the time of year you want to travel.
  • Combining air fare, hotel and rental car costs under a package deal can often save quite a bit of money. Do some homework, however, and compare the package price with the total cost of booking each element separately to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
  • Sign up for promotional emails from several hotel, airline and travel sites, such aswww.expedia.com, www.orbitz.com and www.travelocity.com. You’ll receive alerts on special promotions and fare reductions. Sites such as www.transitionsabroad.com have helpful travel tips and resources that can save you time and money.
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Timeshare

Fall Day Trip Ideas

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

lake-432016_640Fall is a great time to travel – the weather is cooler and there’s still a lot going on. If you don’t have the time or budget for a long vacation, you can still hop in the car and take a day trip. There are plenty of places to go and things to see within driving distance – you just have to look for them.
You can check your local newspaper and find local guide books for information. And there’s plenty of online help, too.
LEAF-PEEPING:
New England may be the most famous area for its autumn leaves but there are places in the Midwest, Southeast, mid-Atlantic and even Utah and California that put on a good show as well. Prime leaf peeping season ranges from early September in the North, to as late as November in areas of the South. To find the best time to go, check:

  • The U.S. Forest Service website atwww.fs.fed.us/news/fallcolors, or call the Fall Color Hotline at (800) 354-4595.
  • The Foliage Network collects data from foliage spotters twice a week from September through November. See reports at www.foliagenetwork.com

For other ways to see great foliage, look into local options for family-friendly rock climbing tours, bike paths, gondola rides, hot air balloons, or foliage trains.
FALL FESTIVALS:
From small town harvest festivals to big city music fests, there’s something to celebrate all season. Find one near you at www.festivalnet.com or www.festivals.com. You’ll find gems such as:

  • Hispanic Heritage Festival, Miami, Fla. (Oct 1 – 31)
  • Earshot Jazz Festival, Seattle, Wash. Oct 16 – Nov 8
  • Great Mississippi River Balloon Race, Natchez, Miss. Oct. 16 – 18
  • Pirate Days of The Colony, The Colony, TX Oct. 17 and 18.
  • Maine Brewer’s Festival, Portland, ME., Nov. 6 and 7
  • Bluegrass Festival and Fiddle Championship Wickenburg, Ariz., Nov. 13 – Nov. 15.

FAMILY FUN:
At www.ADaysOuting.com, you can search for family-friendly attractions in your area. For example, a family looking for an October daytrip within 90 miles of Cleveland, Ohio could find recommendations for:

  • Taking a ferry ride to Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island
  • Visiting the Akron Zoo
  • Renting a canoe to paddle the Mohican River at Mohican State Park

WINERY TOURS:
Locate all wineries in your state at www.AllAmericanWineries.com. At www.WinesandTimes.com, there’s an interactive map that lets you see just where the wineries are and helps you plan a tour. (Did you know there are 39 vineyards and wineries in New Mexico and 67 in Illinois?)
BE SPONTANEOUS:
Not sure where you want to go or just feel like taking a spur of the moment road trip? Use the Tank of Gas feature at www.TripAdvisor.com. Enter your city name and how much gas you want to use – quarter tank, half tank, full tank – and a list of day trip ideas will pop up.

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Travel Tips & Deals

Off-Season Travel Saves Money

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

shutterstock_98165654Travel during the off-season to save money! Summer is often the easiest time to take a vacation, but it’s not always the most affordable time. If you want to extend your vacation spend, consider some of the benefits of off-season travel.

  • Lower cost. With the majority of people vacationing during summer, the demand and the prices are higher during those peak months. If you wait a bit longer, demand is down, and often, so are prices.
  • Less crowded. Fewer fellow tourists mean shorter lines and the ability to explore attractions at your own pace.
  • Better weather. Favorite summer hot spots are cooler and winter destinations aren’t yet freezing cold, so you enjoy the visit without extreme temperatures.

So where can you go to enjoy an off-season trip and get more for your money? Here are just a few ideas from the travel experts at Country Inns & Suites.

Chicago

The Brookfield Zoo is home to more than 300 animals from all over the world. Not only can you enjoy the exhibits, but the zoo has seasonal celebrations, too. In September, there’s a weekend celebration of National Hispanic Month; October brings Boo at the Zoo with costumes and activities; and in December the Zoo lights up with nearly a million twinkling lights, ice carving demonstrations, Santa, and a chance to sing to the animals.

New Orleans.

In addition to having great food and music, New Orleans is home to the National World War II Museum. With moving personal stories, historic artifacts and powerful interactive displays, it’s an important experience for the whole family. Around Halloween, enjoy the music, food and crafts of the Voodoo Music Experience. And in early November, check out the Cajun Swamp Fest at the Audubon Zoo.

Minneapolis/St. Paul.

The Twin Cities are widely recognized as an exceptional place to live and vacation. In addition to a thriving arts community that features concerts, plays, exhibits and festivals, there’s the famous Mall of America. The mall covers 4.2 million square feet of space, houses more than 500 stores, 50 eateries, 14 movie screens, a theme park, a 1.2 million gallon aquarium, and more.

Boston.

This historic city is also rich in culture. In September it hosts the Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival with intimate club performances and free outdoor concerts by jazz greats. And in October, don’t miss the Harvard Square Oktoberfest, which features entertainment for the whole family, food tastings and kid activities. There are museums as well as an observatory and an aquarium open year round.

Before planning your trip, be sure to visit the local tourist bureau online. You can find out about more events and sometimes find discount coupons or entertainment books that will help save even more money.
More affordable trips with smaller crowds and better weather – off-season vacations are a great value and a great way to get away.

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