A Tour of New York's Best Street Food

Great local meal... Theo's in Cape Town. We ate there twice with friends. We all loved the baked pumpkin with spices and the tender-aged beef. The fresh seafood portions were huge; my favorites were the kilo of prawns and the calamari. The cost of dinner for two, with wine and dessert, was about $50. Our favorite part... The game drives at Mabula Private Game Reserve. We saw tons of African wildlife going about their daily routines from our private house and on twice-daily game drives in Land Rovers. The guides were knowledgeable and informed us about the life cycles of the animals and plants we encountered. [PHOTO] Wish we'd known that... The second bedroom at The Peninsula Hotel in Cape Town was really a child's bedroom. It was very small with no storage space. It had one wall that ended two feet below the ceiling. This type of unit is often described as a two-bedroom in South Africa, but it's not suitable for two adult couples. What we should have packed... An empty duffel bag for all the crafts and souvenirs we purchased! Worth every penny... The De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre. It rescues and breeds cheetahs and prepares many for release into the wild. We got to pet an adult "ambassador" cheetah. [PHOTO] The center also houses a pack of African wild dogs, an African wildcat, and various rescued vultures unable to fly. I'll never forget watching the dogs eat and listening to their strange "barks." [PHOTO] Total rip-off... Mama Africa Restaurant and Bar, a tourist trap in Cape Town. The food was only OK, and there was a steel drum band that was so loud we couldn't even hear ourselves talk (and what does that have to do with Africa, anyway?). Fun surprise... The golf cart tour of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which abuts Table Mountain. We were able to see lots of the unique South African flora in an hour without wearing ourselves out. Our guide took us around to all the special plants and discussed the history of the garden and seasonal changes in the flora. [PHOTO] Moment when things got tense... When monkeys used their hands to pull open the sliding doors to our unit at Mabula Game Reserve while we were sitting inside a few feet from the doors. I yelled, "Get out of here!" and they promptly left. The maid solemnly shook her head and muttered, "Naughty monkeys!" [PHOTO] Overrated... Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town. It's a very nice upscale shopping center, but no different than one in any other major city. It is a good place to shop for groceries and wine. We're still laughing about... Talking with the vendors along the road to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. They used considerable charm and flattery, addressing us as "Milady" and "Captain," and earn their living selling handmade items such as beaded and wire sculptures. Our favorites were the ones of a baboon with the pink bottom eating a yellow banana and of Table Mountain with a movable cable car. Hotel we liked... The Hilton Durban. We had a large room with a panoramic view of the city and nearby convention center. Each day, we were offered complimentary unlimited bottled water, an excellent American breakfast, high tea in the afternoon, and wine and hot tapas in the evenings. We found the Zulu staff delightful and charming. They taught us some Zulu phrases and tried unsuccessfully to teach us the clicks made in pronouncing some words.

The 21-year-old, Kansas-based Garmin took 61 percent of the 3,784 votes cast in the best GPS category of our Readers' Choice poll—beating out second-place entry TomTom by 1,484 votes. We have to admit that we weren't too surprised by the result. After all, Garmin's products are innovative and easy enough for even a Luddite like me to use. But even if you're already sold on the idea of a Garmin, the company has dozens of GPS models on the market—from a budget-friendly $120 unit to a game-changing $450 one—and sorting through all the options can be tough. So we decided to determine which of Garmin's GPS car units is best for what—and for whom. I field-tested three different models on a road trip in the wilds of Minnesota's North Woods and then ranked them according to user-friendliness, features, and value. 1st-PLACE WINNERModel: nüvi 3750, $350 The basics: The 3750 has navigation capabilities and perks like a sleek, pocket-size design that resembles an iPhone, so you can use it when you're navigating a new place on foot, too. I loved the look, and I didn't feel like a dork at all when I pulled out the device to find an out-of-the-way bistro while walking around Minneapolis. How it works: Rather than just giving you basic audio instructions (e.g. "Turn left") like Garmin's cheapest model, this one also includes specific street names ("Turn left on Main Street"). This may seem like a small detail in print, but in practice—when I was driving in an unfamiliar area—I really appreciated hearing the street names aloud, as added confirmation that I was on the right track. Cool add-on features: The unit studies daytime traffic trends to improve your route and estimated arrival times. (This really came in handy when I was driving in Minneapolis during rush hour!) It also monitors the routes you take most frequently, so if you use a shortcut—across a parking lot, say—on your daily commute to work, this model will soon pick up on that and start including your shortcut in its directions. Finally, the 3750 comes preloaded with maps for Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and Canada, along with the lower 48 states. Verdict: It was my favorite of the bunch. This one has enough cool add-ons to make using it that much more fun—and they weren't complicated to figure out. It's worth the splurge. 2nd-PLACE WINNERModel: nüvi 205, $120 The basics: This is Garmin's cheapest model, but you still get plenty of bang for your buck. "It has point A to point B navigation capabilities that are very similar to our more expensive models," Jessica Myers, Garmin media relations manager, told me. "With the higher-priced units, you're really paying extra for the bells and whistles like real-time traffic." How it works: It's your standard touch-screen setup: You type in the address of your destination, and the device guides you there with directions that pop up on the screen along with short, basic audio instructions ("Turn left," etc.). Cool add-on features: This model has access to maps for the lower 48 U.S. states and to the 6 million "points of interest" (gas stations, restaurants, etc.) Garmin provides. You can purchase additional maps for as little as $10 each, and then upload them to your unit. Verdict: This one offers great value for the price. (You can often find this model on wholesale sites like amazon.com for $90!) 3rd-PLACE WINNERModel: The nüvi 3790T, $450 The basics: This model has all the cool features of the 3750—and ups the ante with real-time traffic, voice-activated navigation, and Bluetooth capabilities. How it works: All you have to do is tell it where you want to go, and it will recognize your commands and talk back to you. You basically never have to touch it, though you do still have the option to manually type in your destinations, if you'd prefer. Cool add-on features: You can wirelessly link your Bluetooth-compatible cell phone to the 3790T, and whenever you receive a call, an icon appears on the GPS screen to alert you. If you choose to accept the call (you can either press the icon or say "Answer call"), the GPS acts as a speakerphone. During your call, the audio directions are silenced—so it won't interrupt you. The result: hands-free navigation and communication, a revelation for people who log a lot of time talking on the phone in the car. It also has 3-D maps; major landmarks, like the Empire State Building, are shown in especially lifelike detail. Verdict: I am a fast-talker, and I felt frustrated by how often this unit had trouble recognizing my spoken commands. More often than not, I found myself giving in and typing in my destinations, so I'd rather stick with a cheaper unit. However, if you like to talk on the phone a lot while you drive, then this one may be worth the extra money.

AIRLINES SOUTHWEST AIRLINES RAPID REWARDS What kind of rewards do you get? Points toward free flights (and that's it...the simplicity is one of this program's best points). Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards credit card holders have more options and can redeem points for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and gift cards from brands like Best Buy, iTunes, and Amazon.com—or  exchange them for cruises, spa packages, and other unique experiences. How long does it take to get rewards? The number of reward points you earn depends on the type of flight you book—Business Select flights earn twice as many points (12 points per dollar) as Southwest's Wanna Get Away flights (6 points per dollar), so the more you're willing to spend on a ticket, the more points you'll rack up per trip. What is the range of redemption options? Lower priced airline fares mean fewer points are used, so take advantage of Southwest's Wanna Get Away fares, which typically cost you 60 points per dollar, meaning you'll need to redeem 6,000 points for a $100 base fare Wanna Get Away ticket versus having to cash in 26,400 points (at 120 points per dollar) for a Business Select base ticket. How easy is it to use? Reward reservations are easy to make online and don't require planning months in advance. Booking an award over the phone does not cost extra. What are the fees? No membership fees are charged, but there's an up to $10 September 11 security fee for all rewards. There are no fees for canceling a trip and redepositing the award in your account, changing your award ticket itinerary, or booking at the last minute. Are there any blackout dates associated with travel? No. What partnerships does this reward program offer? You'll earn 600 points by staying at partner hotels and renting cars thru participating companies. Additional partnerships include freecreditscore.com, Teleflora.com, and SuperShuttle among others. Are there special promotions available only to members? Double- and triple-mile bonuses are sometimes offered for flying to and from specific markets. A current promotion gives you 25,000 bonus points—enough for a free round-trip flight-when you sign up for the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Card. What are some other perks? It's all about status. Earn 35,000 points and become an A-List member, while 70,000 points makes you an A-List Preferred member, and 110,000 miles earns you a free companion pass. At any level of A-List membership, you'll get priority boarding and check-in, as well as a private hotline for customer service. A-List Preferred members also get free onboard WiFi (when available). DELTA SKYMILESWhat kind of rewards do you get? Miles, which can be used toward upgrades, hotel stays, magazine subscriptions and merchandise (like digital cameras) from Delta's SkyMiles Marketplace. You can also donate your miles to one of Delta's Skywish Charities, or redeem them for free tickets to Broadway shows. How long does it take to get rewards? As long as it takes you to fly 25,000 miles (or rack up an equivalent number of miles through partnership purchases). What is the range of redemption options? Thanks to numerous airline partners, miles can be redeemed on 16,000 daily flights going to 65 different countries. A three-tiered system is used for determining seat availability: 25,000-mile awards are limited, more seats are available for 40,000 miles, and 60,000 miles will get you any available seat in coach. More miles are needed to book international and premium tickets. How easy is it to use? Finding awards for just 25,000 miles is a challenge; there's a 331-day window prior to departure during which you can book award travel, and you'll need to start searching for flights as early as possible and fly during off-peak months. Checking award availability often is sometimes rewarded, as the airline can release seats at any time during that 331-day window. Click here to view more tips how to snag award travel. What are the fees? There are no membership fees, but you'll pay $150 to redeposit award miles, $50 to make any changes on the day of travel, and up to $10 for the September 11 security fee, plus any additional taxes and fees for international travel (which can be as high as  $600 for destinations abroad) and $20 for reserving an award over the phone instead of online. Are there any blackout dates associated with travel? No, although seats available for 25,000 miles are limited, especially on peak travel days. Check early and often. What partnerships does this reward program offer? More than 140 are offered; you get miles when you fly on other airlines like Air France and Korean Air, and for signing up for everything from financial services from Fidelity to earning 1,500 miles when you join Netflix. Are there special promotions available only to members? No. What are some other perks? Sign up for a Delta SkyMiles AmEx card and check your first bag free. Other perks don't kick in until you reach elite status or when you book a premium ticket. JETBLUE TRUEBLUEWhat kind of rewards do you get? Points, which can be redeemed only for flights. Thanks to a new partnership with Hawaiian Airlines, you can use points for flights to the islands, or redeem them for magazine subscriptions. How long does it take to get rewards? You can score a one-way flight starting at 5,000 points, while round-trip flights start at 10,000 points. Double your points by booking through jetblue.com (you'll earn six points per dollar spent instead of the usual three), and be on the lookout for promotions throughout the year that offer extra bonus miles. What is the range of redemption options? You can book awards to any of JetBlue's 71 destinations throughout the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America. The number of seats available for awards isn't restricted, but you'll need a lot more points for peak times or routes with high fares. How easy is it to use? The program is straightforward, but because the number of points needed for an award is determined on a flight-by-flight basis, it can be hard to predict how many you'll need for a specific trip. However, points can be used for any flight at any time. What are the fees? There are no membership fees and nothing is charged when you book an Award Flight—taxes are $2.50 for Award Flights and may vary depending on the destination. Are there any blackout dates associated with travel? No. As long as there is a seat available and you have the points, you're free to fly. What partnerships does this reward program offer? Members can earn points by flying with partner airlines—Hawaiian Airlines, Emirates, and select international routes via American Airlines—renting a car with Hertz, Budget, or Avis, or by staying at any participating Marriott or Hilton hotels. Points can also be earned by joining Netflix or by shopping online with companies like Gilt and Proper Cloth. Are there special promotions available only to members? Check JetBlue.com for promotions that maximize point earning potential on certain routes. What are some other perks? Members can transfer and share points with other each other, and earn extra points by purchasing any JetBlue Getaways vacation package. AMERICAN AIRLINES AADVANTAGE What kind of rewards do you get? AAdvantage members can redeem miles for travel on American Airlines, American Eagle, the American Connection carrier and more than 20 Oneworld Alliance and other participating airlines. Miles can also be used for airline upgrades, American Airlines Vacation Packages, Admirals Club membership, car rentals, hotel stays, newspaper and magazine subscriptions, gift cards, and more. Miles can also be donated to the Miles for Kids in Need program. How long does it take to get rewards? As long as it takes to fly 25,000 miles round trip or 12,500 miles one way (or rack up an equivalent number of miles through partnership purchases). What is the range of redemption options? American Airlines and its Oneworld alliance partners fly almost everywhere. MileSAAver awards (which start at 25,000 round-trip miles) are subject to capacity controls and have different mileage requirements for peak and off-peak flights. You'll have better luck scoring the flight you want with AAnytime awards, which require more miles (starting at 50,000 round trip) but are unrestricted. Good deals can be had flying to Hawaii, Europe, and Japan when you fly off-peak using MileSAAver awards. American introduced Dynamic Air Awards in 2011, allowing elite status members to book any economy class seat for even less. How easy is it to use? The availability of awards is generally good, and they're easy to book online. You can also use your miles to book multicity and one-way fares, allowing you to combine first-class and economy travel in one tripor to fly one way without wasting points. What are the fees? There are no membership fees, but you'll have to pay a $20 fee for booking over the phone (when booking an award on some partner airlines, you'll have to pay the fee because calling customer service is the only option-you can, however, book awards online for partners like Alaska Airlines, British Airways, and Hawaiian Airlines among others). There's also a  $75 fee for booking less than 21 days in advance, and a $150 fee for any changes made to a MileSAAver award ticket (there's no charge for AAnytime awards). You'll also have to pay up to $10 for the September 11 security fee and up to an additional $180 in taxes and fees for international travel. Are there any blackout dates associated with travel? No, although seats are more limited during peak travel times. Some flights may not be available for certain award types; routes with less than daily service may also have limited award seats available. What partnerships does this reward program offer? You can earn additional miles through partnerships with more than 1,000 participating companies, including a wide range of hotel chains, airlines, car rental companies, financial companies, and more than 500 retailers like the North Face and Barnes & Noble through the AAdvantage eShopping Mall. The AAdvantage Dining program also allows members to earn AAdvantage miles at thousands of participating restaurants, bars and clubs. Are there special promotions available only to members? Occasionally, the airline will offer bonuses like double miles for flights; you have to register to qualify, so check online for offers before making reservations. Keep an eye out for more deals and contests posted on the AAdvantage Facebook and Twitter pages. What are some other perks? The perks kick in once you earn elite status. HOTELS MARRIOTT REWARDSWhat kind of rewards do you get? Points, which you can convert to airline miles or redeem for free hotel stays, rental cars or merchandise like Furla handbags and seats from the original Yankee Stadium. Through Marriott's Customize Your Rewards program (available to elite members-the lowest tier, Silver, requires at least 10 nights a year), you can also request almost anything: tickets to the U.S. Open or to Broadway shows, or jewelry from Tiffany & Co. If you have the points needed, the reward is yours. How long does it take to get rewards? Spend $750 (equivalent to 7,500 points) and you'll earn a free night at a category 1 hotel like a Fairfield Inn (you'll have to spend double that at a Residence Inn or Towne Place Suites, where you only get five points per $1 spent). A free night at a category 7 hotel requires 35,000 points, equivalent to $3,500. To stay in Rome, Times Square, or London, you'll need 40,000 points. What is the range of redemption options? You can use your points at any Marriott property, or make reservations at a Ritz-Carlton online. You can also redeem points for room upgrades (usually 5,000 per night), another nice feature that many other hotel loyalty programs don't offer. How easy is it to use? Thanks to a new Instant Redemption program, you can book a room on the spot if one is available, or use points to pay for spa treatments and food and beverages during a stay without having to plan in advance. Although transferring points is free, they can only be transferred to a spouse, and paperwork is required. What are the fees? There are no membership fees, and no fees for redepositing unused points back into the account or for transferring points. Are there any blackout dates associated with travel? Out of Marriott's 3,600 properties, only four high-end locations (including two in Hawaii and one in Rome) have blackout dates, although they do offer plenty of open days for members. What partnerships does this reward program offer? Earn points with Hertz, CruisesOnly, Orient Express, and more than 30 airline partners (most of the big ones, although American is not among them). Are there special promotions available only to members? The Marriott Rewards website offers numerous members-only promotions, including reduced rates at specific hotels, opportunities to earn bonus points, and discounts with partners. What are some other perks? Redeem points for four nights at one property, and you'll get a fifth night free; otherwise, a few extra perks are available, but most start at elite status. IHG's PRIORITY CLUB REWARDS What kind of rewards do you get? Points, which you can convert to airline miles or redeem for free hotel stays; Any Hotel, Anywhere AmEx cards, which can be used like cash at any hotel; Hertz car rentals; gift cards for stores like Banana Republic; iTunes gift cards; and golf equipment. You can also convert your points into a donation to one of several charities, including the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. And you can trade points for merchandise like iPods, Victorinox watches, and magazine subscriptions. Don't see what you want? Use the Priority Club Concierge: You tell them what you want, and they tell you how many points you need. How long does it take to get rewards? Digital Rewards (music, games, and computer software downloads) start at 1,200 points, so even beginners can cash in. You'll rack up 10 Priority Club Points for every $1 at select Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, and InterContinental Hotels around the world, and 5 Priority Club Points for ever $1 spent at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites, or earn points when shopping with their partners. What is the range of redemption options? None of IHG's luxury properties are off-limits-book  a room in almost any destination using your points through IHG's new Hotels Anywhere program. Or you can redeem points for Any Hotel, Anywhere AmEx cards, which can be used like cash at any hotel. Members can also earn points through the Priority Club Shopping website or by visiting certain restaurants through their Dining program. How easy is it to use? Booking reward nights online is easy, and there's also a dedicated Priority Club Rewards 800-number, so you can redeem your points over the phone at no charge. They also have apps for the iPhone as well as on Android platforms, Google TV, and Kindle Fire so you can have access on the go. What are the fees? No membership fees are charged. For Hotels Anywhere reservations, there's a minimum $35 fee for any changes or cancellations to a booking, plus any resort fees are extra. A $5 fee is charged for every 1,000 points transferred to another member's account. And when you redeposit points, a processing fee may apply. Are there any blackout dates associated with travel? No. What partnerships does this reward program offer? Tons. Earn points with most major airlines (you can opt to earn airline miles instead of hotel points), Hertz, USA Today, FTD, Fedex, and more. An exclusive Priority Club Select Visa card lets you earn points for purchases on the card. Are there special promotions available only to members? Members have access to PointBreaks rewards, allowing them to book rooms at specific hotels for just 5,000 points. Another program, Last Minute Reward Nights, lets members redeem points at a 50% discounted rate than the usual point redemption rate one weekend per month. Earn 1,000 bonus points this summer when you stay in any IHG hotel thru Sept. 3, 2012-and an extra 250 points per stay for booking through priorityclub.com or through their Priority Club Rewards Mobile App. What are some other perks? All members get a free newspaper on weekdays and late checkout until 2 p.m. if available. HILTON HHONORSWhat kind of rewards do you get? Points, which, in addition to free stays at more than 3,800 hotels worldwide, you can redeem for park passes to Disneyland (options from 90,000 points), car rentals, cruise certificates, gift cards to Starbucks, jewelry from Tiffany & Co., electronics, Broadway show tickets, and more. How long does it take to get rewards? Thanks to what Hilton calls Double Dipping, you can earn hotel points and airline miles for the same stay. Or you can opt to earn bonus points instead of miles and receive 10 points per eligible $1 spent. You also get the same number of points per dollar spent regardless of whether you stay at a Hampton Inn or a Waldorf Astoria. Once you spend a minimum of $500, you qualify for a free night at a Hampton Inn (7,500 points), or spend $3,334 (50,000-80,000 points, depending on your selected earnings style) for a free night at a Waldorf. What is the range of redemption options? All properties can be booked if a room is available; nothing is off-limits. Use your points to upgrade to a premium room, combine your points with money when booking to score a less expensive stay, or donate them to your favorite charity thru the Hilton HHonors Giving Back Program. How easy is it to use? There's no fee to change your itinerary, and booking can be done online, right up until the last minute. There's also a reservation line for making reservations over the phone. A new iPhone application allows you to redeem points while on the go. What are the fees? There are no membership fees. There's a $25 fee for every 10,000 points when transferring points to another member (up to 200,000 points; after that, there's no fee). Are there any blackout dates associated with travel? No. Points do not expire, but members must keep their account active by purchasing or donating points, or staying at a Hilton property once every 12 months. What partnerships does this reward program offer? You can earn and redeem points with more than 50 airlines, six car-rental companies, and multiple dining partners among others through the Global Online Shopping Mall.. Are there special promotions available only to members? Members have access to Point Stretcher Rewards, which require 40 percent fewer points and can be booked online. Check their Facebook page for timely promotions like Triple Your Trip, giving members the opportunity to earn triple points on stays Friday thru Sunday and double points on stays Monday thru Thursday for travel thru September 30, 2012—another promotion gives members the chance to win one of seven once-in-a-lifetime vacations thru August 31, 2012. What are some other perks? Members (regardless of status) get a special reservation line, speedier check-in and check-out, and even late check-out upon request (if available). Additional perks are available as you move up the membership status ladder-Silver, Gold, and Diamond level members are rewarded with frequent room upgrades, free wireless internet, and health club privileges depending on the hotel. STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST What kind of rewards do you get? Starpoints, which you can redeem for a free night at 1,090 participating Starwood properties or for flights on more than 350 airlines with no blackout dates. Or redeem points for Amtrak train tickets, airline miles or ticket purchases, and gift cards to Starbucks, iTunes, and Amazon.com. Members also have access to Starwood's Moments, where you can use points to bid on experiences like seeing Lady Gaga perform in Vienna or attending a Madonna concert in Edinburgh. How long does it take to get rewards? You get two Starpoints for every eligible $1 spent. Free nights at Category 1 hotels (Four Points by Sheraton and some Sheratons in international destinations) can be had for 2,000 points, so spend $1,000 and you'll get a free night. Category 7 hotels (the W Retreat & Spa Maldives, some St. Regis locations) require a minimum of 30,000 points—the equivalent of $15,000—for a free night. What is the range of redemption options? You can earn and redeem points at more than 1,000 properties around the world starting at 2,000 Starpoints. But the best properties have a point premium, starting at 60,000 Starpoints per night depending on the hotel, its category, its room types, the time of year, and/or its mandatory requirements. You can also redeem points for room and suite upgrades as well as award flights without blackout dates on hundreds of airlines worldwide. How easy is it to use? Properties that require a point premium (categories 5-7) can only be booked over the phone through a customer service center, not online. You can, however, ibook awards at standard properties online, over the phone, or at the hotel. What are the fees? There are no membership fees, and no fees for transferring points to another member within the same household. There's no fee for changing an award, but if a property has a late cancellation fee and you fail to show up, you'll be responsible for it. Are there any blackout dates associated with travel? No, not when you're redeeming points, but blackout dates may apply for bookings made using a combination of cash and points or when points are used for upgrades. What partnerships does this reward program offer? Earn and redeem points with Amtrak, charity partners UNICEF and The American Red Cross, more than 350 airlines, two rental-car agencies, magazines, and several retail partners including Gap and Williams-Sonoma. Are there special promotions available only to members? The website spg.com offers numerous members-only promotions, which may include room discounts and opportunities to earn triple Starpoints. Several other programs like On Tour with SPG and Starwood's Moments offer exclusive experiences only bookable with Starpoints. What are some other perks? Additional perks kick in only after you reach elite status, but any member can redeem points for four nights at a higher-end property (Category 3 and higher) and get a fifth night free. There's also a separate toll-free customer service number for each of the three Preferred Guest levels.

VERMONT ROUTE 100 Stamford, Vt., to Newport, Vt., 216 miles Snaking through the center of Vermont all the way from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian one, Route 100 feels less like a state highway than one long, rambling backcountry path. A strict billboard ban preserves every vista as the road winds between the peaks of Green Mountain National Forest and passes through quaint valley towns like Hyde Park and Weston (population 631). With only farm stands, country stores, and covered bridges breaking up the landscape, you'll consistently feel 200 miles from the 21st century. Don't miss: The seven-mile stretch through Granville Gulf State Reservation, a favorite for leaf peepers, is also home to the multitiered, 35-foot-tall Moss Glen Falls, which can be seen from the road. Trip tip: The Vermont Curiosities guidebook ($16) goes beyond foliage, introducing travelers to little-known gems around the state, from roadside barbecue joints to hole-in-the-wall museums. Where to stay: The Old Red Mill Inn, in the heart of Wilmington, retains rustic charm from its previous life as a sawmill (18 N. Main St., Wilmington, oldredmill.com, from $70). Homemade cookies and intricate quilts create a homey vibe at the Brass Lantern Inn, but be sure to leave the property from time to time to explore Stowe's award-winning restaurants (717 Maple St., Stowe, brasslanterninn.com, from $99). GREAT LAKES SEAWAY TRAIL Massena, N.Y., to West Springfield, Pa., 518 miles Consider this scenic waterfront byway an inland version of California's Route 1—minus the traffic. Among the highlights of the 500-plus-mile drive: the St. Lawrence Seaway's imposing Eisenhower Lock, the 28 historic lighthouses skirting the shores of the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers and Lakes Ontario and Erie, and the country's ultimate aquatic spectacle, Niagara Falls. Forty state parks along the way supply ample spots for camping, as well as opportunities for everything from bird-watching to shipwreck diving. Don't miss: Presque Isle State Park, a sandy, 3,200-acre peninsula near Erie, Pa., has miles of untouched beaches to explore. Trip tip: Ditch the tired car games in favor of the Seaway Trail's new geocaching trail: a high-tech treasure hunt where you use a GPS unit to locate natural and historic landmarks. Supplies are available at the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Store. Where to stay: The Georgian-style Hillcrest Inn (1 Hillcrest St., Niagara Falls, N.Y., hillcrestniagara.com, from $119) sits on a quiet block just out of earshot of the boom of Niagara Falls; guests can eat breakfast on a private balcony with views of the upper rapids. The Boothby Inn is a restored 1888 Victorian home in the heart of downtown Erie, mere minutes from the bay (311 W. 6th St., Erie, Pa., theboothbyinn.com, from $130). In the aptly named Shakespeare room, the decorative tiles lining the fireplace depict scenes from some of the Bard's famous plays. BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY Waynesboro, Va., to Cherokee, N.C., 469 miles One of the New Deal's most ambitious endeavors, this curvaceous "park-to-park highway" links Virginia's Shenandoah National Park with North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains National Park via dozens of hairpin turns and 26 tunnels cut through Appalachian granite. Spot a 19th-century farm or postage-stamp-size town at the bottom of a verdant mountainside and you'll realize how seemingly unchanged the road remains since its inception in 1935. Don't Miss: Concerts of traditional Appalachian banjo and fiddle music start at 10 a.m. Sunday through Thursday at the Blue Ridge Music Center, located in Galax, Va. Trip Tip: Banjo music is the ideal soundtrack for this drive. Get in the mood with Drive Time: Blue Ridge Parkway ($8), a CD compilation of Appalachian music with songs by Aaron Copland and John Williams. Where to stay: Step back in time with a visit to the Mast Farm Inn, where you can admire the meticulously kept grounds and gardens from a porch rocking chair or sharpen your culinary skills at the Mast Farm Inn School of Cooking (2543 Broadstone Rd., Banner Elk, N.C., mastfarminn.com, from $99). The Bearskin Lodge on the River is situated along a trout stream on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (840 River Rd., Gatlinburg, Tenn., thebearskinlodge.com, from $45). Log and stone accents give the property an appropriately rustic look. HISTORIC ROUTE 66 Chicago to Los Angeles, 2,448 miles Immortalized by John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath, this original mega highway has long personified the American dream of escaping hard times and making it big out West. Although you won't find the 84-year-old road on maps anymore (it's been replaced by segments of the Interstate Highway System), you can still follow the classic drive from the small towns of the Midwest and Great Plains through the deserts of the Southwest and on to Los Angeles. Don't miss: The 400-mile-long Oklahoma portion best embodies the retro spirit most 66 travelers are looking for, with ghost towns like Texola and sightings of Americana such as the 66-foot-tall soda bottle marking Pops restaurant in Arcadia. Trip tip: Find (and stay on) the historic route with Here It Is! The Route 66 The Map Series ($12), eight foldout maps with full driving directions and recommendations for the most worthwhile stops. Where to stay: Wicker Park Inn's brick rowhouse has been a fixture of Chicago's leafy Wicker Park neighborhood since the 1890s (1329 N. Wicker Park Ave., Chicago, wickerparkinn.com, from $139). The eight themed guest rooms—from Cape Cod to Provence to Tuscan—are appealingly understated, not kitschy. On the Oklahoma leg of Route 66, the two buildings that compose the present-day Pollard Inn (124 W. Harrison Ave., Guthrie, Okla., pollardinn.biz, from $150) were christened as the Guthrie Savings Bank and the W.N. Wallace Pharmacy in the early 20th century. The bank's original vault stands among multitudes of other historic relics that decorate the halls and guest rooms. DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN Milwaukee to Peninsula State Park, 170 miles The upper Midwest does not leap to mind as a hotbed of culinary genius, but you might want to think again. Across western Wisconsin, there's a minor revolution afoot, a movement to bring back the traditional pies, small-batch gins, Cornish pasties, and Danish kringles the area was once known for. On any given Saturday, particularly on the Door Peninsula sandwiched between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, you're almost guaranteed to happen upon roadside fish boils and farm stands loaded with fresh apples, juniper berries, Montmorency cherries, and, of course, artisanal cheeses (it is Wisconsin, after all). Don't miss: Fruit wines—including raspberry, cherry, and peach—are gaining popularity among oenophiles, and the county's top-rated quaffs are at Door Peninsula Winery (5806 Hwy. 42, dcwine.com). Just north of the town of Sturgeon Bay, the 36-year-old winery recruited California vintner Paul Santoriello, who has made wines for the likes of David Bruce Winery, a pioneer of cutting-edge production techniques. Trip tip: Indulge in local specialties, like maplewood-smoked whitefish from Charlie's Smokehouse, where the Voight family has been smoking fish since 1932 (12731 Hwy. 42, charliessmokehouse.com, whitefish $5.50 a pound). Where to stay: The Feathered Star Bed & Breakfast boasts an address in Egg Harbor, one of our newly crowned "Coolest Small Towns in America" (6202 Hwy. 42, Egg Harbor, featheredstar.com, from $120). Named after the historic "feathering" quilting design, the inn has six guest rooms that play into the theme by highlighting unique quilting motifs. At the Lodgings at Pioneer Lane, seven elegant and spacious rooms are each appointed to send guests on a vacation within their vacation: The Sea Chest Room channels Nantucket, the Cabin Room alludes to the Adirondacks, and the Leaf Room is reminiscent of Scandinavia (9998 Pioneer Ln., Ephraim, lodgingsatpioneerlane.com, from $80).