50 Best Places to See Christmas Lights in America

No matter where you're spending your holidays this year, there's a beautiful light display near you. You may need to shell out a few dollars for the right to drive through a few miles of dancing reindeer and twinking snowmen, or you might be lucky enough to have an entire neighborhood of Griswolds in your area. Here are 50 of the best places in America to see Christmas lights in 2011.
1. Bellingrath Gardens Magic Christmas in Lights (Mobile, Alabama)
Stroll through over 3 million sparkling lights and over 950 displays throughout the 65 acre Garden estate.  Enjoy nightly choral performances on the South Terrace of the Bellingrath Home. (Bellingrath Gardens, 11/25 - 12/31, closed 12/25)
2. Christmas in Ice (North Pole, Alaska)
The city claims to have the Christmas spirit all year long, but only during the winter holidays can you enjoy Christmas-themed ice art in the park next door to Santa's house. (Ice Park, 12/3 - 1/8)
3. Arizona Celebration of Lights (Phoenix, Arizona)
More than 7  million lights will make up one mile of light displays you can drive through. You can also visit Santa's Village and enjoy hot chocolate and photos with Santa. (Phoenix Event Complex, 11/18 - 1/1)



4. Lights on the Landscape (Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas)
More than 1.8 million holiday lights transform the woodland landscape of Garvan Gardens into a winter wonderland.  The displays feature traditional holiday scenes as well as themes from nature, like the butterfly display. (Garvan Gardens, 11/19 - 12/31)
5. Riverside Festival of Lights (Riverside, California)
The historic Mission Inn is decorated with about 3.5 million lights  and over 400 animated figures decorate the surrounding area. Dickens' carolers sing from the balconies above and you can visit Santa in his workshop, or go ice skating at the Main Street rink. (Main Street Riverside, 11/25 - 12/24)
6. Blossoms of Light (Denver, Colorado)
A unique viewing experience, this light display highlights the beauty of a winter garden. Marvel at lights, ice sculptures, and an ice sleigh available for family photos. (Denver Botanical Gardens, 12/2 - 1/1)



7. Fantasy of Lights (New Haven, Connecticut)
This drive-through light display celebrates 17 years of holiday tradition this year. Proceeds benefit the local Easter Seals organization. (Lighthouse Point Park, 11/18 - 1/7)
8. Faucher Family Christmas House (New Castle, Delaware)
Local and national news repeatedly compares this family home to Clark Griswold, but the reality is Clark's display didn't come close to what the Fauchers do each year. Over 1 million lights illuminate this private home at a cost of about $82,000 per Christmas season. (1054 Red Lion Road, New Castle)
9. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (Orlando, Florida)
What started as an Arkansas family's home display has become one of the largest light display in the country - so big it had to go Disney! Hollywood Studios hosts this spectacle of dancing lights and has added free hot chocolate and magical snow fall. (Hollywood Studios, 11/10 - 1/7)



10. Magical Nights of Lights  (Buford, Georgia)
Walk or drive through a  seven-mile tour of holiday displays featuring millions of lights. The trail ends at the Holiday Village, where kids will can visit to Santa and go for a pony ride. (Lake Lanier Island Resorts, 11/18 - 1/1)
11. Kauai's Festival of Lights (Kauai, Hawaii)
This is a celebration of the holidays and folk art. For nearly 40 years, this tradition started by local artist Auntie Josie Chansky has allowed visitors to enjoy Christmas folk art decorations. (Kauai County Building, 12/2 12/24)
12. Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho)
Billed as the largest floating holiday light show, more than 1.5 million lights sparkle on the water of Lake Coeur d'Alene. Watch from the shore or take a holiday cruise to get a closer look. (The Coeur d'Alene Resort, 11/26 - 1/1)


13. ZooLights (Chicago, Illinois)
Lots of zoos put up holiday lights this time of year, but the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago takes it a step farther by handing out 3D glasses to enhance the experience. (Lincoln Park Zoo, 12/16 - 1/1, closed 12/24 and 12/25)
14. Christmas in The Country (Sharpsville, Indiana)
The lights blink and dance in time to holiday music. Every night you can enjoy a 45-minute show featuring 10 holiday songs played over your car radio. (Sharpsville Lights, 11/25 - 12/30)
15. Reflections in the Park (Dubuque, Iowa)
Twinkling lights, animated displays, and holiday music bring the small town park to life each year. (Murphy Park, 11/24 - 1/1)


16. Isle of Lights (Winfield, Kansas)
This drive-through community light display is set to holiday music. This year the display is going green with new LED lights. (Island Park, 11/24 - 12/30)
17. Winter Wonderland of Lights (Ashland, Kentucky)
Park the car and stroll through 52 acres of holiday displays. Children can hop aboard a train and visit with Santa. (Central Park, 11/14 - 1/5)
18. Celebration in the Oaks (New Orleans, Louisiana)
New Orleans' City Park is one of the country's most beautiful public parks, and the holidays add even more beauty. Walk through lights, play in the amusement park, or go ice skating. (City Park, 12/2 - 1/1, Closed 12/24 and 12/31)

Photo: MSVG/Creative Commons
19. Wilton Lights (Wilton, Maine)
This animated light display is put on by a local family every year and includes holiday music transmitted to your car radio by a low-wattage transmitter. (Wilton, 12/11 - 1/6)
20. Miracle on 34^th Street (Baltimore, Maryland)
For more than six decades, homeowners on Baltimore's 34^th street have been going all out every year to wow visitors with light displays. One house has trains on the roof and another displays Christmas trees made from hub caps. There's even a ball drop on New Year's Eve. (Christmas Street, 11/26 - 1/2)
21. Bright Nights ( Springfield, Massachusetts)
Giant displays feature more than 600,000 lights along a three-mile route through historic Forest Park. (Forest Park, 11/23 - 1/1)


22.  The Big, Bright Light Show (Rochester, Michigan)
Local business owners get together to light up the night. Buildings are covered with holiday lights and a massive tree is turned into the Dazzling Tree of Lights. (Downtown, 11/28 - 1/1)
23. Bentleyville Tour of Lights (Duluth, Minnesota)
More than 3  million lights make the shores of Lake Superior sparkle in one of the Midwest's largest holiday lights displays. (Bayfront Festival Park, 11/19 - 12/26)
24. Southern Lights (Southaven, Mississippi)
The city of Southaven sets out over half a million lights for visitors in an effort to raise money for local charities each year. (Central Park, 11/24 - 12/31, closed 12/25)


25. Santa's Magical Kingdom (St. Louis, Missouri)
Wind your way through over 35 acres of holiday lights and displays. Highlights include Santa's flying reindeer, Candy Cane Village, and the Waterfall of Lights. (Jellystone Park, 11/18 - 1/8)
26. Zoo Lights (Billings, Montana)
Zoo Lights is a 2.5 mile drive through holiday lights. Proceeds benefit the Easter Seals organization. (Zoo Montana, 12/15 - 12/24)
27. Shining Light Celebration (Gothenburg, Nebraska)
The local KOA campground lights up for the holidays and welcomes visitors - with our without a tent - to celebrate. (KOA, 12/18 - 12/31)

28. Glitter Lights (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Drive through more than two miles of lights and be dazzled by more than 400 animated displays. (Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 11/18 - 1/1)
29. Gift of Lights (Loudon, New Hampshire)
Another speedway spectacle, this one features more than 1 million LED lights. (New Hampshire Motor Speedway, 11/18 - 1/1)
30. Holiday Festival of Lights (Camden, New Jersey)
Friday and Saturday nights come alive at the local Children's Garden during the holiday season. Enjoy over 100,000 lights decorating 4.5 acres of gardens. (Camden Children's Garden, 11/28 - 1/2)


31. River of Lights (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Enjoy the New Mexico's largest walk-through light show at the Botanic Garden. (Botanic Garden, 11/26 - 12/30, closed 12/24 and 12/25)
32. Dyker Lights (Brooklyn, New York)
One of the most famous lighting displays in one of the most famous cities in the world is in a residential neighborhood in Brooklyn. Hop on the subway and head out to see neighbors out doing neighbors in the spirit of holiday tradition. (Dyker Heights, no official date, mid-December recommended)
33. Christmas at Biltmore (Asheville, North Carolina)
America's largest house, Biltmore House, features dozens of Christmas trees and miles of ribbon, garland and lights. Live holiday music is performed inside the house during the season. (Biltmore Estate, 11/11 - 12/31)


34. Christmas in the Park (Bismarck, North Dakota)
For just $5 per car, families can drive through the local park and enjoy a holiday lighting display sponsored by local businesses. (Sertoma Park, 12/1 - 12/31)
35. The Legendary Lights at Clifton Mill (Clifton, Ohio)
More than 3.5 million lights cover the countryside for a display that's been featured in national magazines and other media. Drive through a lighted covered bridge and visit a Santa museum. (Clifton Mill, 11/26 - 1/1)
36. Garden of Lights (Muskogee, Oklahoma)
City volunteers come together to create spectacular lighting displays through the city park each year. The animated displays featuring animals and children playing in the gardens are always a big hit. (Honor Heights Park, 11/25 - 1/1)


37. The Lights of Peacock Lane (Portland, Oregon)
Since the 1920s, each house in this Portland neighborhood has been decorating for the holidays. Today, displays include bright lights, nativity scenes, and Christmas trees. (Peacock Lane, 12/15 - 12/31).
38. Hershey Sweet Lights (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
You have to believe that a candy company knows how to make kids smile during the holidays. This drive-through display boasts over 600 lighted scenes. (Hershey Park, 11/18 - 12/31)
39. Christmas at the Newport Mansions (Newport, Rhode Island)
You can't move in, but you can marvel at the beautiful decorations at The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House. (Newport Mansions, 11/19 - 1/2)


40. Lights of Hope (Anderson, South Carolina)
Enjoy the glow of 2.5 million lights and the warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing your money is going to help children in need. (Darwin Wright Park, 11/24 - 12/25)
41. Festival of Lights (Aberdeen, South Dakota)
If driving through your neighborhood doesn't give you enough holiday cheer, head to Wylie Park and pay $5 per car to see twinkling lights and dancing Santas. (Wylie Park, 11/26 - 12/26)
42. Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland (Nashville, Tennessee)
There are four Shadrack locations around the country, including this bright light bonanza that comes to life once a year. What started as a local holiday display behind a boat store  in West Knoxville has turned into one of the world's largest drive through light displays. (Jellystone Park, 11/1 - 1/8)


43. Austin's 37^th Street (Austin, Texas)
There might have been a miracle over on 34^th, but in Texas you'll find all the action on 37^th. This residential street brings the "everything's bigger in Texas" philosophy to holiday decorating. (37^th Street, no official dates)
44. Christmas Utah (Murray, Utah)
Every year one man puts out a display so spectacular, he stops traffic for miles around. Marty, the magician behind the lights, has said that 2011 will be the last year for his notorious display. (Whispering Pine Circle, 11/25 - 1/1)
45. Billings Farm (Woodstock, Vermont)
While not especially known for their lights, Woodstock has been voted one of the most "Christmassy" towns in America. Hop in a sleigh and tour Billings Farm & Museum to see how the holidays were celebrated in the 19^th century. (Billings Farm, 12/3 - 1/1)

Photo: Phil Roeder/Creative Commons
46. 100  Miles of Lights (Richmond to Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Seeing this display will take a while, and you might need to book a hotel. Actually, this is a collection of lights and decorations spread over 7 Virginia towns. (Virginia, no official dates)
47. Candy Cane Light (Seattle, Washington)
Another neighborhood celebration, this one has been lighting up ark Road and Ravenna Boulevard in Seattle since the 1940s. (Ravenna Boulevard, 12/10 - 12/31)
48. Oglebay's Winter Festival of Lights (Wheeling, West Virginia)
Take a six-mile drive through one of the largest and light displays in the country. Pass through a tunnel filled with twinkling snowflakes and wave as you pass by Snoopy and the gang. (Ogelbay Resort, 11/11 - 1/8)

Photo: CP Storm/Creative Commons
49. WPS Garden of Lights (Green Bay, Wisconsin)
There may be other light displays in other parts of the state, but this is the town they bring the Super Bowl trophies to, so we're featuring this one. Visitors can walk through a 60-foot lighted caterpillar and take a wagon ride through an icicle forest. (Green Bay Botanical Garden, 11/25 - 12/18, 12/26 - 12/29)
50. Cheyenne Holiday Trolley tours (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
You don't even have to know who has the best displays in town. Just hop on the Holiday Trolley and let the driver take you by Cheyenne's most illuminated neighborhoods. (Street Railway Trolley, 12/15 - 12/24)

Lost Bags? No problem!

What is Luggage Locator?

Visiting the baggage carousel can be the most stressful part of a long flight. Locating a piece ofluggage, or multiple pieces, from among the hundreds of other bags can get confusing. Aluggage locator can help track down luggage with a remote control that activates a flashing alarm. Variations are available for locating several bags, and some even initiate spoken responses to cut through the confusion.

Luggage Locator provides a location and monitoring service of your luggage.

A Luggage Locator is a tracking device that comes in two distinct pieces. One is a small button that fits on a key chain and looks like the locking and unlocking fob that comes with some automobiles. The second piece is larger, about the size of a small paperback book, also made of hard plastic with one or up to a series of lights embedded. Some brands differ in design, but both pieces typically also feature a strap made from nylon or plastic coated steel wire for attaching to bags.

The Luggage Locator device.

This wireless device operates much like a garage door opener because of its reliance on close-range radio signals. The small part of the luggage locator is called the transmitter and, like a garage door remote in a car, emits a signal when its button is pressed. The larger piece of theluggage locator is called the receiver, and it functions like the garage door opener itself, except that instead of opening a door when a button is pressed, its lights turn on and a sound is emitted. Most transmitters and receivers have a range of 60 feet (18.2 m), and their lights and sounds function for approximately four seconds.

Each luggage locator operates on the same radio wavelength, but a remote control will activate only its mate. The locators are each given an individual code. This assures that another bag with a luggage locator will not accidentally flash and beep when the button is pressed.

With the product rising in popularity, some brands have branched out and made additions that can help travelers even more. Many travelers don't fly with only one bag, and members of a family often have several bags each. Some luggage locators offer multiple receivers for a single transmitter so that multiple bags will notify the owner with only one push of a button. Another innovation is personalization that allows users to record their own voice saying whatever they want, so that when the button is pressed, they see lights and hear their own message.

If you want to know more, just LugLoc: https://www.facebook.com/LugLoc

Air India introduces stopover packages in Delhi

Air India introduces stopover packages in Delhi

Air India has established Delhi as its Hub and schedules have been progressively built to facilitate transfer connections at Terminal-3 (T3), particularly from Domestic to International flights and vice versa. About 3,000 Air India passengers already transit daily through T3.

To further enhance the hub experience, Air India has introduced a unique stopover product, branded Air India Stopover Packages. The Stopover package will enable passengers transfer-connecting on AI flights over Delhi to experience the city, with a range of accommodation on offer to fit all budgets.

The Stopover Packages offers the facility of web-based hotel booking, airport/hotel transfers, and sightseeing options in and around Delhi. A range of hotels, from budget to 5-star category, located in and around the Airport zone are available, including the hotel located inside Terminal 3 itself.

A unique feature of the product is ‘Day Rates’, which allows ‘wash-and-change’ facilities to the passenger at select hotels. Other options that can be added include:

– Overnight stay rates inclusive of Airport pick-up, breakfast & taxes with option to upgrade room. 

– Extended stay. 

– Day Use Rates for ‘wash-and-change’ facility (4 or 6 hours as per hotel rules). 

– Departure transfers. 

– Add half or full day sightseeing. 

– Car hire. 

– Day Trip to Taj Mahal, Agra. 

Ryanair criticised over new card charge

Ryanair has clashed with fair trading officials over plans to introduce a new charge on all bookings made using a credit card.

Ryanair's newest fee is a two per cent credit card charge.

In a statement issued yesterday Ryanair said that the two per cent fee – which will be effective from tomorrow – will allow it comply with a recent ruling by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

But today the Government body rejected its claim.

"We have not required any airline to introduce new payment charges, increase their credit card charges or scrap any discounts they wish to offer,” said an OFT spokesman. "We took action to make sure that debit card charges are included in the headline price and credit card charges are transparent and not sprung on shoppers towards the end of the booking process."

The no-frills airline was quick to issue its own assessment of the OFT's response. “Ryanair is disappointed, but not surprised, by the OFT’s attempt to distance themselves from their anti-consumer rulings," said a spokesman. "Before the OFT imposed these baseless changes, airlines could partner with card providers to allow their cardholders the exclusive advantage of avoiding such fees.

"As the OFT has removed our ability to help passengers avoid fees through exclusive partnerships perhaps they may wish to pay these fees on the consumers’ behalf."

Ryanair already charges an “admin fee” of £6 per flight per person on all bookings. This charge has always been avoidable for those customers who pay with a Ryanair Cash Passport – leading many to assume the admin fee is simply a card charge by another name. However, passengers who pay for their flight with a credit card will have to pay both charges from tomorrow.

The airline also announced yesterday that passengers who pay with a Ryanair Cash Passport will no longer be exempt from paying the admin fee.

Ryanair’s other charges include a 25p per person, per flight “ETS Levy”, introduced in response to the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme; a £2 per person, per flight “EU 261 Levy”, which it says covers the cost of compensating passengers for delays; and a £6 per person, per flight “Web Check in” fee.

How Ryanair's fares escalate

Return flight from London Stansted to Marrakesh

Out: Feb 3

Return: Feb 7

1 x adult = £46.48

EU 261 Levy = £4

Web check-in = £12

ETS Levy = 50p

Headline fare = £62.98

One checked bag (15kg limit) = £30

Reserved seating = £20

Admin fee = £12

Running total = £124.98

Credit card fee: 2% of £124.98 = £2.50

Total fare = £127.48

Why CEOs Oppose HIV Travel Bans: They're Bad for Business

More than 30 million people could be denied entry, detained or deported from 45 countries worldwide. They are neither terrorists, criminals nor drug dealers. The reason? They live with HIV.

Restrictions based only on positive HIV status deny the entry, stay, residence or work visas for people living with HIV, even though the HIV virus can't be transmitted through casual contact. These laws and policies not only violate human rights and don't protect the public health, they also harm a business's bottom line. In today's globalized economy and competitive landscape, work-related travel and relocation are essential for corporations to succeed. Companies have to be able to send our employees and executives overseas, regardless of their HIV status.

Inmigration Equality HIV BAN

Yet HIV travel restrictions keep us from moving our best talent and valuable skills where they're needed. Travel restrictions can prevent HIV-positive employees from attending work meetings, conferences and site visits in nations where HIV restrictions exist, and from accepting a promotion or relocation if it involves frequent travel or moving overseas. These situations also may pressure employees to disclose to their companies why they can't obtain a visa or participate in work activities. Their HIV status then becomes an issue that their manager needs to address, not due to performance or health, but to policies that deny equal access to travel, movement and opportunity. Thus, HIV travel restrictions not only hamper a company's ability to freely conduct business around the world, they limit career growth and negate years of progress the business world has made in incorporating HIV confidentiality and non-discrimination policies into the workplace.

Similarly, such measures hamper suppliers of goods, resources and services that are critical to the growth of the private sector. Some of the leading countries in the apparel, manufacturing, energy and mining industries still impose some sort of restriction. Among the 45 countries are Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

Many countries enacted travel restrictions "to protect the public health" back in the 1980s when ignorance, fear and prejudice surrounded HIV. Since then we've learned about effective HIV prevention and now have antiretroviral treatment that has revolutionized the lives of people living with HIV so that they are fully productive workers living long and healthy lives. HIV treatment also reduces the amount of HIV in one's body to an undetectable level, lowering the possibility of transmitting HIV to someone else by some 96%. There's no evidence that HIV travel restrictions protect public health. To the contrary, some professionals leave their HIV medicines at home during business trips for fear that their pills will be discovered by airport agents. Skipping one's HIV medication can lead to drug resistance, a troubling and expensive public health concern. 

All of these reasons are why CEOs are taking a stand this World AIDS Day on December 1st. The CEOs of more than 40 companies, including our own -- Levi Strauss & Co. and Kenneth Cole Productions -- have signed an unprecedented pledge calling on the 45 remaining governments to lift their travel restrictions. These CEOs lead some of the world's largest companies from Johnson & Johnson to The Coca-Cola Company from the National Basketball Association to Heineken, Pfizer and Aetna. And they represent a wide range of industries -- from travel to technology from banking to mining -- and almost 2 million employees around the world. The CEO pledge is an initiative of UNAIDS, Levi Strauss & Co. and GBCHealth, a coalition of more than 200 private sector companies engaged in HIV and other global health issues.

The good news is that many countries have lifted their travel restrictions, and we applaud them. Since 2010 alone, eight countries, including the United States and China, have repealed their bans. 

We signed the pledge because we know that CEOs can influence governments around the world. HIV travel restrictions belong squarely in the camp of anti-business regulation that hurts free and fair trade. As global business leaders with significant investments in countries around the world, we call on the 45 remaining countries to repeal their HIV travel restrictions immediately. Doing so will put an end to these archaic and discriminatory practices and will allow businesses to operate at their fullest potential on a global scale. 

Chip Bergh is President and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co. Kenneth Cole is CEO of Kenneth Cole Productions and is Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR).

Mount Doom's Neighbor Erupts in New Zealand

Mount Tongariro may come back to life again, scientists warn.

A massive plume of ash billows into the sky as Mount Tongariro erupts on November 21.

A New Zealand volcano that neighbors a mountain best known as Mount Doom of the Lord of the Rings films has rumbled back to life.

Mount Tongariro, situated in a remote part of the country's North Island, erupted for five minutes on November 21, spewing clouds of ash 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) high. In August, the 6,490 foot (1,978-meter) Tongariro had erupted for the first time since 1897. (Video: Volcano 101.)

Though the recent activity seems to have ebbed, scientists have predicted another eruption of similar size will occur in the next few weeks, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Several flights were canceled on New Zealand's North Island. Previous eruptions—notably of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010—have crippled air travel on a global scale.

(Related: "Volcanic Ash Stops Europe Flights—Why Ash Is Dangerous [2010].")

"Very often volcanic ash contains microscopic fragments of volcanic glass ... and the turbine engines of commercial aircraft produce a level of heat sufficient to melt glass," Steven Miller, of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University, told NASA's Earth Observatory in August.

"The ash can melt onto [airplane] turbine blades and other parts of the engine, causing damage and even engine stalls. It also presents hazards to pilot visibility, causing pits and frosting on the windshields in the same way that a sandstorm damages an automobile windshield."

Travelocity's Top 10 Thanksgiving Travel Tips

It's the busiest time of the year, and we're all trying our very best to get home for turkey dinner without too much stress and strain. But as we know, sometimes things don't go according to plan.

Whether you're trying to smuggle a frozen turkey in your purse or find a cheap last minute deal, Travelocity's Turkey Task Force is here to guide you with our Top 10 Thanksgiving Travel Tips:

Don't check your luggage. Let's face it, all you're really going to wear on Thanksgiving is a pair of elastic sweatpants so there's no need to lug a giant suitcase along. By carrying on all of your luggage you'll avoid those dreaded 'checked bag fees' so popular with airlines these days, and you won't have to waste time at the luggage carousel.

Divide and conquer your carry-ons. Remember: Everyone that you're traveling with, from an adult to the tiniest toddler, is allowed two pieces of carry-on luggage. Divvy up your belongings among everyone and keep any fragile items under the seat in front of you. In the busy rush of take-off, items in the overhead bin aren't always handled with care.

Get on Twitter. If you weren't a fan of Twitter before, you should be now. The holiday travel season is full of unexpected changes due to weather and heavy crowds and Twitter is the best way for airlines to communicate updates to the masses. Follow @Travelocity's Turkey Task Force use hashtag #ttf to keep track of delays and cancellations at the ten busiest airports in the country.

Leave the cranberry sauce at home. Whether you're a cranberry perserve or canned cranberry lover, the TSA doesn't really care. Neither are allowed onboard. However, your turkey is! If you've got an item that you're thinking of bringing, use the MY TSA app feature "Can I bring?" to find out what's allowed.

Dont wrap gifts. Your handy work may be torn to bits by a TSA Security Officer who is required to thoroughly inspect all packages.

Fly on the holiday. If you can travel on Thanksgiving morning you'll get home just in time for dinner and avoid all of the chaos and long lines that travelers tend to experience the days leading up.

Compare surrounding airports. Even if you live closer to one airport, a deeply discounted flight may be lurking at a nearby airport. Always tick "Compare Surrounding Airports" when you're shopping online.

Load up your phone with travel apps. Whether you're hunting for gas, looking to book a nearby hotel, or tracking a Superstorm, mobile apps can be a traveler's best friends.

Book a vacation package. If you aren't crashing at grandma's, book a hotel and flight vacation package to maximize savings. You could save up to $525!

Check-in online. You'll save time, money and even be able to download your boarding pass to your smartphone all by checking in online.