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Vacation Fireworks

June 29, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

With the Fourth of July falling on a Monday this year, the resulting long weekend provides just the excuse to get away for a few days. What better vacation is there than a full-out Independence Day extravaganza with fireworks, parades and more? The only question is where to head...

Big Cities, Big Shows

All the major cities across the country put on Fourth of July celebrations, complete with fireworks displays, street fairs, parades and all sorts of other treats. For the ultimate in a patriotic settings, Washington, D.C.’s festivities, centered around the National Mall, are tops. You can take in the parade down Constitutional Avenue, plus there are concerts and special events at the White House, the Smithsonian, the Capitol and the National Archives. The fireworks display itself, launched over the Washington and Lincoln Monuments, is likely to bring a lump to your throat (as well as rousing “ooohs” and “aaahhs”).

Other traveler-favorite sites for big city celebrations and fireworks shows are in San Francisco at Pier 39 (beautiful display over the Bay), Boston (with the traditional Boston Pops Concert), Chicago (get there a few days early to take in the huge “Taste of Chicago” culinary festival June 24-July 3), Las Vegas (check out the public pool parties!) and, of course, New York City. Since staying in the heart of any big city over a holiday weekend can be very expensive, be sure to book at one of the many conveniently-located Extended Stay Hotels—so that you have more left in your wallet for the great food, concerts and other attractions.

Big Shows in Small Towns

If the thought of traffic and craziness of the big city isn’t what you want, but you’re still looking for the full show, many smaller cities and towns have great event schedules planned. New Castle, Pennsylvania, just an hour northwest of Pittsburg, calls itself the “fireworks capital of America,” in part because two large pyrotechnic manufacturers are based there. Not only is the fireworks display fantastic, but the town puts together over one week of activities for kids and adults, such as music (including the “Rocket to the Stars” competition—a sort of regional American Idol contest) and games. While you’re in the area, you can also spend an afternoon driving through the scenic hills, sharing the road with Amish buggies.

Other small towns offering big-town Fourth of July celebrations include California’s South Lake Tahoe (rated one of the top five displays in the country by the American Pyrotechnics Association) and another lake community, Palmer Lake, Colorado. Palmer calls its Fourth of July revelry “the best small town celebration in America,” and it certainly has the activities to back it up—from the tractor pull to barn dance, along with concerts, parades and, of course, a spectacular fireworks display.

Or Maybe… Canada?

If it’s spectacular fireworks displays you’re after, you can’t do better than the world’s largest display and competition, the Montreal International Fireworks Competition (L'International des Feux Loto-Québec)takes place Saturdays and some Wednesdays, June 25- July 30. Countries from around the world compete during the month-long event, setting off thirty-minute “pyromusical” displays over Dolphin Lake. This year the U.S. is scheduled for Wednesday, July 20, and for rock-and-roll fans, July 30th’s schedule includes a Beatles tribute. The shows are actually sited in La Ronde amusement park, although you can get a great view of just the fireworks themselves from the nearby Jacques-Cartier Bridge.

Seeing the sky lit up with brilliant fireworks displays is a great part of any vacation, and whether you prefer big city excitement or small town charm, you have plenty of options.

20% Off - Weekend Stays at Extended Stay Hotels

June 28, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 07/01 through 07/03) and next weekend (stays 07/08 through 07/10) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago and many others.

For Arrival Dates 07/01/2011 and 07/02/2011

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $42.39/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $35.19/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $47.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $35.99/night
* See all locations >

For Arrival Dates 07/08/2011 and 07/09/2011

* Jacksonville, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* St. Louis, MO - Rates from $31.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $43.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $30.39/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $39.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >

Time to Get a Tablet?

June 24, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

If you’re not a techie or gadget-compulsive, you may have been able thus far to keep your wallet in your pocket and not jump onto the tablet bandwagon. However, with the rapid development of models (you’re not just “stuck” with an iPad), sizes and capabilities, this just may be your time.

Smartphone or Tablet?

Do you hate carrying around multiple electronic gadgets? Do you want to travel super light—like only carrying things that fit in your pocket? Do you have excellent eyesight (or corrective lenses you love wearing)? Do you rarely do heavy reading on an electronic device? If you answered yes to many (or all) of these questions, one of the better smartphones may be all you need. Blackberries, Androids and iPhones all now have excellent resolution, larger displays and apps to let you read the New York Times, play games, get weather forecasts, check baseball scores, watch movies, take (brief) notes and do just about anything else you want.

But let’s say you get eyestrain squinting at the tiny pictures on your phone, find scrolling through a three-page article on a very small screen aggravating and sometimes want to watch a movie with a friend (or your child) while you’re flying. Tablets might just be the solution for you.

Good Things Come in Small Packages

Some reviewers are saying that Samsung’s Galaxy Android tablet, the latest generation of the Galaxy, may give the tablet-leading iPad a run for its money. The smallest of the dominant tablets, the Galaxy Tab’s 7” size and .8 pounds (less than half the weight of the iPad) make it small enough to tuck into a slightly over-sized shirt or jacket pocket or into a small messenger bag or clutch. However, the screen is still about twice the size of a Blackberry’s or iPhone’s, with fantastic resolution and sharp colors. The front and back cameras make video chat easy, and its Android platform (called Froyo) means you have access to Google goodies. Initially, it was only available through Sprint, but now all major carriers offer it. Models start around $200 (depending on features and carriers). Larger sizes are also due out soon.

Zoom in on the Motorola Xoom

Motorola Xoom is also often called the iPad’s hottest competition. Larger than the Galaxy Tab (about the same size as the iPad with a very slightly larger screen) and at a starting price of around $600 (a bit pricier than both the iPad and the Galaxy Tab), this Android is Google’s entry in the tablet market. Its grabbing power is in its, well, actual power, with multimegapixel cameras, dual-core processors and expansion capabilities.

And Then There’s the iPad...

Undoubtedly, you have seen ads and probably even played with an iPad already. Except for the most confirmed anti-Apple, pro-Android folk, most users and reviewers still give the biggest props to this initial leader of the tablet revolution. With the second generation now out, if you’re not desperate for the latest and greatest, you may be able to snag the iPad 1 at bargain basement prices. (Verizon was selling the 16 GB for $299 this spring.) Many reviewers, in fact, note that the iPad 2’s improvements, while important (second camera, bit lighter weight, etc.), don’t make the first generation passé at all.

Even with new contenders out almost weekly (like the Nook Color upgrade, the Blackberry Playbook and the T-Mobile G-Slate), the three prominent tablets at present remain the Samsung Galaxy, the Motorola Zoom and the Apple iPad.

Bottom line? First, decide whether a slick smartphone will fulfill your needs. Second, follow the links we’ve provided to read some of the techie reviews of each tablet. Third (now the fun part), just go and play with the tablets out there. Since the big three are now being sold by multiple service carriers, as well as by many other retailers like Best Buy, it’s never been a better time to buy a tablet.

Weekend Nights from $30.99 - Extended Stay Hotels

June 22, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 06/24 through 06/26) and next weekend (stays 07/01 through 07/03) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Los Angeles, Orlando, Atlanta, Boston, Houston and many others.

For Arrival Dates 06/24/2011 and 06/25/2011

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $51.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $42.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $35.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $59.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $35.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >

For Arrival Dates 07/01/2011 and 07/02/2011

* Sacramento, CA - Rates from $35.99/night
* Denver, CO - Rates from $31.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $47.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $30.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $39.99/night
* See all locations >

You’re in the Money: Free ATM-Locator Apps

June 21, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Most of us are looking to make our money go farther, and when we find ways that mean no compromise on comfort (like staying in an Extended Stay Hotel) or added time and hassle (like banking online), we grab ‘em. One such strategy is avoiding ATM surcharges, though that’s not always easy when you’re traveling. Once again, however, apps come to the rescue. While the Google Map app and various GPS systems can handle this task, there are dedicated apps that are fast, easy and, above all, free to download for all kinds of smartphones, iPads and other tablets.

Bank-Specific Apps

You can almost always get free apps developed by your own bank, and if your institution is one of the biggies (e.g., Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citigroup or Sun Trust), its apps probably include an ATM locator feature. Since using your own bank’s ATM saves you surcharges, what’s not to love? Well, there are a few downsides, such as:

• Not all the apps are very user-friendly

• Platforms may be limited

• The apps generally have fewer bells and whistles than other ATM locator apps.

Credit Card-Connected ATM-Locator Apps

One of the most popular is produced by MasterCard: ATM Hunter. Available in platforms for iPhones, Androids and Blackberries, you can access both lists of nearby ATMs and maps, basing your search on your current location or on an address you enter. The narrowing filters are useful, letting you select by particular bank or by such things as drive-thrus, being open 24-hours and no-surcharge facilities. You can also find out where the ATM is housed (e.g., in a store, mall or bank) which can be a nice personal safety feature.

VISA also produces an ATM locator app for its iPhone and Blackberry cardholders. One of the benefits that this locator includes is merchant discounts and special offers, redeemable onsite, online or by phone.

The Independents

MoneyPass ATM Locator (available through the iPhone App Store and online for Androids) is not produced by a credit card company or a particular bank. Rather, it is the product of an independent company that more than a thousand banks and credit unions (mostly the slightly smaller institutions) join. Customers of member companies can take advantage of there being no surcharge assessed for using other member ATMs.

Another independent, Allpoint Mobile ATM Locator App, supports all major phone platforms. Easy to download and launch, the app uses a geo-locator so that you can get an instant list of nearby ATMs from the 43,000 Allpoint networks nationwide—many of which are located in convenient spots, such as Targets, Walgreens and CVS Pharmacies.

Go Cutting-Edge with Augmented Reality

If you’re into the latest technology, you’ll want to check out Addison Avenue Federal Credit Union’s newly released augmented reality ATM finder app for iPhones and Androids. The GPS-driven visual locator uses a point-and-shoot approach. Point your phone in any direction, and you get a live-time picture of nearby ATMs—each posted with a symbol indicating whether they’re free or not. Too cool!

Those small ATM charges may not seem like a big deal. However, given that they’ve been steadily rising—now up to $5 for non-customers at some ATMs—even occasional use during a trip can add up. Wouldn’t you rather spend that money on another Philly cheese steak sandwich or an “I © New York” t-shirt?

Road Trip Stor-Es

June 16, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

If you’ve joined the travel-light crowd, you’re probably working on building your library of e-reading material. Maybe you’ve already downloaded some favorite authors onto your Kindle or Nook, added an app for The Wall Street Journal to your smartphone or even subscribed to Cosmopolitan or Sports Illustrated on your tablet. Have you, however, built up your road warrior bookshelf? If not, here are some great ones that are available electronically—most through Amazon’s Kindle store and/or Barnes and Noble’s Nook store, as well as a few other sources.

Classic Road Stories

Many of the most famous road trip stories are now available in electronic form, so there is no longer any excuse not to enrich your travel time with old standbys like the following:

  • Blue Highways: A Journey into America by William Least Heat-Moon
  • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thomspon
  • On the Road by Jack Kerouac
  • Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins
  • Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig
  • Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck
  • Lord of the Rings trilogy (and The Hobbit prequel) by J. R. R. Tolkien

Newer—but destined to be classics—travel books available for your e-reader include the following:

  • All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy (1992 National Book Award winner)
  • American Gods by Neil Gaiman (a fantasy road trip)
  • The Kindness of Strangers: Penniless Across America by Mike McIntyre
  • Roads by Pulitzer winner, Larry McMurty

Getting Historical

In the early 1900s—at the dawn of the road trip era—adventurous young people were quite the craze, and book series promoting such jaunts as The Motor Boys, The Motor Girls and The Motor Maids were wildly popular. You can download some of these free through Project Gutenberg at http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page. Another fascinating historical road trip book—this one nonfiction—is Barbara Fox’s 1957 Bedpans and Bobby Socks: Five British Nurses on the American Road Trip of a Lifetime.

Laughs and Tears Along the Way

If you enjoyed the movie version, Sideways and its sequel Vertical, both authored by Rex Pickett, are entertaining reads. For out-and-out hilarity (even the titles are a crack-up), check out the following two semi-fiction, semi-memoirs:

  • Queen of the Road: The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 Miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, a Husband, and a Bus with a Will of Its Own by Doreen Orion
  • Cross Country: Fifteen Years and 90,000 Miles on the Roads and Interstates of America with Lewis and Clark, a Lot of Bad Motels, a Moving Van, Emily Post, Jack Kerouac, My Wife, My Mother-in-Law, Two Kids, and Enough Coffee to Kill an Elephant by Robert Sullivan

If you want something to read aloud for whole-family laughs, consider Barfing in the Backseat #12: How I Survived My Family Road Trip by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver.

Information, Hints and Guides

Of course, you can get maps, restaurant guides and sightseeing suggestions through apps. Sometimes, however, it’s fun to actually read live-experience advice or reflections of regions and sights. Three such favorites are:

  • Route 66 Backroads: Your Guide to Scenic Side Trips & Adventures from the Mother Road by Jim Hinckley
  • The Ultimate Baseball Road-Trip: A Fan's Guide to Major League Stadiums by Joshua Pahigian and Kevin O’Connell
  • 101 Amazing things to do in the USA by Harry Warraich (great lists of quirky and fascinating stops)

And, since no road trip is complete without several greasy-spoon stops, be sure to download Diners, Drive-ins and Dives: An All-American Road Trip, based on Guy Fieri’s hit show.

One last note: Remember that many best sellers are also freely available in e-book form from public libraries and library organizations. While Kindle does not have the capability to read these (but will later this year!!), Nooks and most other e-readers do.

20% Off - Weekend Stays at Extended Stay Hotels

June 14, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 06/17 through 06/19) and next weekend (stays 06/24 through 06/26) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Los Angeles, San Diego, Tampa, Chicago, Boston and many others.

For Arrival Dates 06/17/2011 and 06/18/2011

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* San Diego, CA - Rates from $67.99/night
* Tampa, FL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $43.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $59.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $35.99/night
* See all locations >

For Arrival Dates 06/24/2011 and 06/25/2011

* Sacramento, CA - Rates from $35.99/night
* Denver, CO - Rates from $33.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Baltimore, MD - Rates from $59.99/night
* Philadelphia, PA - Rates from $59.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >

Increase Your Comfort en Route

June 10, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

It’s not likely that airlines are going to make wider seats or increase legroom any time soon, and even the nicest car can leave you stiff and achy after hours on the road. While there are no magic tricks to make the getting-there part of a trip totally comfortable, there are a number of strategies and products that can help.

Keep Track of Stuff

The first step in comfort simply may be keeping track of all your stuff so that you can avoid having to squirm around to rescue the earbuds that slid down between your seat and the cabin wall or digging under the seat for the Kindle that slid out of your carryon. A number of companies make convenient caddies that loop over a tray table and have all sorts of pockets and pouches to keep everything corralled and within easy reach. Organizers from Magellan’s (about $35) have flap and zipper closure pockets to keep items in place when the organizer is stashed in your suitcase. Organizers designed for use in the car are available in similar over-the-headrest hanging models, often with specially designed pockets to mount an iPad for backseat travelers’ entertainment. If you are often on the road alone, you’ll find the box-style organizers, which you secure to the passenger seat, handy to keep food, phone, water bottle, maps and everything else tidily within arm’s reach.

Stay Cozy

Many of us suffer from cold feet during travel—and we’re not talking about the metaphoric kind. Sitting still, especially in an over-air-conditioned or under-heated plane or car slows circulation and results in feeling chilled, which then also leads to stiffness and overall aches. Taking breaks to get up and walk and stretch, plus doing in-seat exercises (like toe stretches and ankle rotations), help. You can also make sure to carry along lightweight warmth. There are a variety of travel blankets on the market, in warm fleece or super-light silk or Coolmax, and many are constructed with a foot pouch into which you can tuck those chilled tootsies. If space permits, consider adding to your carryon a pair of down booties. True, they may not make a style statement, but who’s really going to see?

Get a Little Support

Those half-donut neck pillows are pretty popular with air travelers, and for good reason. Without such support, either your neck has to work hard to keep your head upright for all those hours, or if you rest your head against the chair back, your neck curves backward in a crink-creating arch. However, your neck isn’t the only part of your spine to take a beating during long travel, as you’ve probably noticed. Skwoosh makes lightweight travel seat cushions that help eliminate leg numbness by reducing pressure on the spine. Lumbar support pillows can also make a huge difference in travel comfort, in both planes and cars. Ranging from $15 to $65, these cushions are available in inflatable as well as latex foam models. And although you might not think of them, footrests can also dramatically increase your comfort in a plane—especially if you’re not among the tallest of folks—as they raise your legs and take pressure off your knees and lower back. Travelsmith.com carries an inflatable footrest (also by Swoosh and under $20) that’s perfect for tucking into your carryon.

And to maximize your travel comfort, be sure to book a reliably cozy and economical room at an Extended Stay Hotels location. Knowing the comfort awaiting you will help you relax during those long hours spent traveling.

Weekend Nights from $31.99 - Extended Stay Hotels

June 8, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 06/10 through 06/12) and next weekend (stays 06/17 through 06/19) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Los Angeles, Denver, Orlando, Baltimore, Boston and many others.

For Arrival Dates 06/10/2011 and 06/11/2011

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* Denver, CO - Rates from $31.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $42.99/night
* Baltimore, MD - Rates from $59.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $59.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >

For Arrival Dates 06/17/2011 and 06/18/2011

* San Diego, CA - Rates from $55.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $34.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $43.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $35.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >

Walking the Planks: Boardwalks Across America

June 7, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

The scent of tangy, salty air and spun sugar and the sounds of seagulls and excited kids... Yep, we’re talking classic beach boardwalks. Whether you seek the thrills and chills of roller coasters and tilt-a-whirls, the delectable tastes of saltwater taffy and boardwalk fries or simply experiencing American history, boardwalks are the summertime place to go.

Commencing at Coney

Of course, Coney Island and Atlantic City Boardwalk are classics. Coney Island’s amusement park section, Luna Park, underwent renovation just a year ago, and visitors can now get their thrills on over a dozen new rides, including the Tickler, a spinning roller coaster, as well as on the NYC Historic Landmark Wonder Wheel. And, if you’re not too queasy afterwards, Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs are the must-have cuisine, just as they have been since 1916. The four-mile-long Atlantic City Boardwalk in New Jersey was constructed in 1870. Besides its dozens of rides, arcade games, shops and snack bars, sightseers can visit the Absecon Lighthouse, just three blocks away. Built in 1857, it’s the third tallest lighthouse in the country, and from the top (228 steps up!), you get a fantastic skyline view.

Strolling South

A bit farther south are three more top choices, with all the usual fun and games, plus their own unique extras. At Maryland’s Ocean City Boardwalk, you can take a whirl on one of the painstakingly carved and painted horses, zebras or other creatures of Trimper’s renowned 109-year-old carousel. Virginia Beach’s boardwalk boasts evening street performers, and day or evening, you and your friends can rent a four-person surrey bike to pedal along its three-mile expanse in style. Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is a popular vacation spot for any number of reasons, not the least of which is its boardwalk, which combines all the expected boardwalk amusements with jetty extensions for visitors to meander down when they want a bit of a breather from the hustle and bustle of this happening location.

Texas may not be a state you’d associate with beach boardwalks, but Houston’s Kemah Boardwalk was named one of the top ten American Boardwalks by Forbes Traveler in 2009. Located on Galveston Bay, the boardwalk was built in 2001 with history in mind, and so it includes all the standards: a 65-foot Ferris wheel and wooden roller coaster, midway and arcade games, souvenir shops and restaurants. It also features less common attractions like a stingray petting tank, a rainforest exhibit and the Boardwalk Beast speedboat ride out into the Bay.

Winding West

The West Coast also has some top destination boardwalks. Sometimes called the “Coney Island of the West,” Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk boasts two national Historic Monument rides: the Giant Dipper roller coaster, built in 1924, and the Looff Carousel (1911), one of the few carousels that still includes the grab-the-ring feature. On Fridays in the summer, finish off a day of rides, games and playing in the sand with a free evening concert at the beach bandstand.

At the other end of California is San Diego’s Ocean Front Boardwalk (actually in Mission Beach). If you’re a classic rides fan, the Big Dipper roller coaster at Belmont Amusement Park is a must.And, for a real So-Cal experience, visit the Wave House Bar and Grill to grab a plate of nachos and watch surfers ride the simulated waves on the FlowRider and Bruticus Maximus.

If all this has whetted your appetite, consider picking up one of the many great books on America’s boardwalks, like America's Boardwalks: From Coney Island to California, The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: A Century by the Sea or Boardwalk Memories: Tales of the Jersey Shore.