Voss' Bar-B-Q – Utica, New York

If you travel through Utica and you don't eat at Voss' Bar-B-Q, you're missing out on a treat. We stayed in Utica in the summer of 2014 and of course, one of our stops was this outstanding food stand that offers exceptional hot dogs, bar-b-q, ice cream and more.

Red Roof Inn #180 – Utica, New York

Hotel/motel prices tend to be ridiculously high, especially in the summer tourist season. If you want to stay in a decent hotel, you're generally going to pay $100 or more and you still take your chances. How many times have you booked a room at what you considered a higher than normal price and ended up being disappointed with the accommodations?

Not so at the Red Roof Inn in Utica, New York.

Schlotzsky's – Killeen, Texas

You have to appreciate the humor behind the slogan on the door of their stores: "No shirtzsky, no shoezsky, no Schlotzsky." Schlotzsky's makes one of the most unique sandwiches anywhere - The Original® (yes, it's a registered trademark). What began in a small store on South Congress Street in Austin, Texas in 1971, grew to more than 350 stores, primarily in the southern and southeastern US.

Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Merrimack/Nashua, New Hampshire

One of the most pleasant surprises of a recent New England vacation was a stay at the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Merrimack/Nashua, New Hampshire. This beautiful hotel sits among tall pine trees and with its rustic look, is very different than other hotels at which we stayed on our trip during the summer of 2014.

"This place is fantastic," said my wife as we turned from Daniel Webster Highway into the hotel driveway. "I can't wait to see the inside."