New York City is easily one of the most expensive cities in the world, but you don’t have to make your trip expensive. You can enjoy the locale like a local and have a blast in the Big Apple… for free. It may sound impossible but you can certainly enjoy it for free! This magical city is composed of fun activities and events that won’t require a single dime.

Museums

     Several museums in New York offer patrons free entry a few days a month. New York is known for its incredible museums, full of culture and classic works of art, but often they carry a hefty price tag. If you know where to look, you can find out that most of these museums offer free or heavily discounted rates. Keep your eye out for these free culture passes.

Art Galleries

     Most art galleries in New York are free to enter because they want people to browse in order to make a sale. It must feel great to faux art shop in Chelsea. Within a 10 block radius are some of the best art galleries in all of New York, so check out 18^th to 28^th streets between 10^th and 11^th avenues. 

Public Parks

     New York is known for maintaining spectacular public parks and we aren’t just talking about Central Park. Urban parks have incredible sculptures and statues, while others feature fountains and playgrounds. All are free. Take your kids to the Washington Square Park fountain or Jacqueline Onassis Reservoir in Central Park. These parks are here for your pleasure… enjoy them!

Free Ferries

     Get out there and see The Statue of Liberty for free by taking a free ferry. The ferry runs from lower Manhattan to Staten Island every 20 minutes and takes passengers pretty close to Ellis Island and old lady liberty herself. Best yet… you don’t have to stay in Staten Island, just get off and back on the ferry and head back to the city. You can get amazing pictures of The Statue of Liberty from the deck.

Iconic Sightseeing

     There aren’t better places in the world to just walk around and sightsee. The city’s oversized buildings surround some of the most iconic sights you will ever see, so check out the city. Only a few buildings charge to get to the top but many times you can find views for free. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge or checkout times square. The busier the attraction, the more there are to see.

     There are those that swear by it and some that don’t even know what it is – we’re talking travel insurance… and it actually may be much more beneficial than you may think! You never know what may happen when traveling so it’s always best to be prepared for anything and everything. The last thing you’d want is a ruined trip thanks to one unavoidable issue. This guide will help breakdown the extra expense and explain everything you need to know about travel insurance.

Needed?

     First and foremost, we’ll start by saying that it is definitely not necessary for any and all vacations. It all depends on what kind of trip you’re taking. Officially, you can ensure any trip that involves traveling at least 100 miles. so if you’re taking a short driving trip to visit family or friends within your state or a neighboring state, chances are you won’t need to bother. But, once your trip involves a longer flight, travel insurance can be a safe bet.

     However, there are many misconceptions about the insurance. It doesn’t cover any expenses that may come up during your trip. It will only ensure payments that took place before your departure. So, that suggests any shows or sporting event tickets, hotel expenses, pre-paid car rental, etc. can all be covered by travel insurance. But, if in the middle of your trip, you decided to catch a concert last minute, that expense cannot be covered by your travel insurance. Similarly, travel insurance cannot cover anything that is refundable, even if it was purchased before departing on your trip.

     Also, it is very important to compare and contrast plans before picking one. There are several different options out there. Take your time and consider everything about your trip and your budget. Consider the ages of all parties involved, the location of the trip, and the length of the trip. And make sure the one you choose is comprehensive and includes things like emergency medical coverage and baggage protection.

Again, travel insurance isn’t always necessary, but it can be extremely helpful and can help ensure you enjoy a safe and enjoyable travel experience. 

     So, you have a crazy sweet tooth but no one nearby has quite the ideal selection to satisfy your sugar-addicted palette. What are you to do? You might be able to find poor/cheap knock-offs on Amazon or another online candy conglomerate, but we both know your true feelings. You won’t be sweetly satisfied until the real-deal sweetness touches your tongue – sending your dopamines into a frenzy. When the cravings hit, there’s no turning back. 

We talked to our colleagues and compiled a list of our favorite cities that are chock full of sweets so you can satisfy your sweet tooth while on a lovely vacation. I mean really, why can’t you have both?

OCEAN CITY, NEW JERSEY

     Ocean City is known for its historic boardwalk. There are a variety of specialized shops that sell all the sweets you can imagine. From ice cream to fudge to taffy, you will find it all at the Ocean City boardwalk. Bakeries, candy shops, and ice cream parlors will leave you foaming at the mouth and you’ll be in a sugar coma in no time. But don’t worry, if you need to get your salt levels up then just hop in the ocean and take a few swallows. Now your salt and sugar levels are balanced out. Is that how it works? We have no idea, we’re not scientists. Whatever your plans are, Ocean City has you covered when it comes to your east coast needs. 

ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO, CANADA

     If you love donuts, then St. Catharines is the place you’ve got to check out. This place has a huge selection of donuts, so bring a big appetite and some waist-expanding pants. You can put down dozen after dozen of donuts and never eat the same one twice. One store alone offers up to 20 different donuts each day. So, expand your donut horizons while stuffing your face. Donuts are heavenly and so is St. Catharines.

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

     The home of Snoop Dogg is also home to the ice cream capital of the US. Residents in this city eat more ice cream than any other city in the country. Now that’s a lot of ice cream! You can find the regular flavors everywhere, or you can experiment with new ones like goat cheese, whiskey fig ice cream, or salted caramel fudge. No matter what kind of ice cream you want, you’ll find mounds of it in the LBC. Now that’s what I call sublime.

Remember, your hometown surely has a secret treat that you’re not really aware of but remember, a vacation can bring you much more than just some R&R. Let it bring with it the sweets of your dreams.