green living, smart spending
Take the train and avoid long airport check-in lines, flight delays and cancellations and high gas prices for road trips. These are the best scenic train trips in the USA, ranging from a few hours to a few days, including on vintage steam trains.
Here are a dozen-plus spots in New York City and the rest of NY State where you can enjoy acres of these blooming beauties through mid-May. Many for FREE in public parks, so you can enjoy cherry blossoms on the cheap.
Some of the most beautiful gardens on the planet are the front yards or back yards of classic and historic US hotels. They include gardens featured in films such as Citizen Kane and some designed by Frederick Law Olmstead Jr., one of the designers of New York’s Central Park.
Presidents Day – or any day – is a good time to be reminded of NYC presidential history and consider visiting one of the official NYC places connected to US Presidents and First Ladies, including George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, FDR and Jackie Kennedy.
Inspired by Bad Bunny’s extravaganza performance at the Super Bowl half-time show? Enjoy a five-star getaway in his native Puerto Rico, with world-class beaches, nightlife, fishing and golf, hiking in a rainforest, plus history, eco-adventures and more. And you can visit without a US Passport, since Puerto Rico is part of the USA, with
Read more
Some of the best reasons to visit national parks are the chance to spot wildlife, including bison, elk, bear, moose, wolves, eagles, trumpeter swans and more. Plus, of course, hundreds of species of birds. With more than 400 national parks and preserves in the National Parks System, there’s plenty of opportunity.
Elvis Presley was born on Jan. 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Miss., where he grew up and were he is celebrated year-round with concerts, screenings of his Hollywood movies and more I loved my recent visit to the small Mississippi Delta hometown of The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – and you will, too. Tupelo is far
Read more
Holiday travel is stressful enough without adding in the fear of missing your plane because of traffic on the road, at the TSA security line or travel time to a different terminal than where you checked in. Some airports need earlier arrival times than others, especially during the peak Christmas and New Year’s travel crush.
Read more
You’ve procrastinated long enough. The Ikon Pass for the 2025/26 skiing and riding season has been on sale since spring, with periodic price increases every few months. Thursday, December 11, 2025, is the last day to purchase any Ikon Pass, including passes for specific resorts and multi-day discounts for prices as low as $349.
You’ve procrastinated long enough. The Epic Pass for the 2025/26 skiing and riding season has been on sale since spring, with periodic price increases every few months. Don’t wait any longer. Pass sales end on December 4th, including for the most affordable 1-7 day passes. You’ll also lose out on new this year Epic Friend
Read more