Monthly Archives: December 2022

Editorial

7 Best Locations for a Holiday Road Trip

There’s no place like home for the holidays, but going on a road trip with family and friends is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. 

All over America, towns are celebrating the winter holidays, with various traditions creating myriad unique experiences for you and your family to enjoy. 

Avoid the airfare and lost luggage worries by hopping in your BMW and enjoying a scenic ride to your destination. You can take a short trip down the coast or go north or south to watch the seasons change before your eyes. The journey will be just as fun as the destination, especially if you watch epic road trip movies and bring plenty of snacks to enjoy. Once there, you’re sure to make new holiday memories. 

Here are the seven best locations around the United States for a holiday road trip. 

1. Vail, Colorado

The Christmas season is also the start of the ski season in Vail, making it the perfect time to visit. December brings fresh snow, the village’s Christmas tree lighting and New Year’s Eve activities. 

After enjoying the slopes and lights, explore the town’s famous coffee shops and cocktail bars. The Lodge at Vail has a heated outdoor pool and fire pits, allowing you to enjoy the winter scenery in style. 

Fine dining restaurant Flame hosts a New Year’s Eve celebration, and you can sample unique drinks at The Sebastian. 

2. Santa Fe, New Mexico 

Santa Fe’s holiday traditions are worth the trip at least once in your life. 

The Canyon Road Farolito Walk puts a spin on Christmas lights by setting up lanterns around town, making the whole area adopt a peaceful glow. You can enjoy the desert or still have a white Christmas by going up the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to Ski Santa Fe.

3. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis is an excellent place to take a road trip during the holiday season, thanks to the various indoor and outdoor-themed activities. 

You can visit one of the many art galleries before stopping by the arboretum to view an abundance of Christmas lights. 

Train lovers can visit the Twin City Model Railroad Museum to view Christmas scenes. You’ll want to experience the Festival of Trees at the Mall of America if you love Christmas trees — the decorations will get you in the holiday spirit. 

4. Annapolis, Maryland

There is much celebration in the military town of Annapolis around the holidays. There are plenty of Christmas lights around the area, with many hung on boats, lighting up the water. 

You’ll be close enough to Washington, D.C., to see the National Christmas Tree and historical sights. 

Annapolis is also a prime location for Christmas shopping, with Midnight Madness keeping stores open until midnight on Thursdays in December. 

5. Orlando, Florida 

Spend the holidays in the sun of Central Florida by taking a road trip to Orlando. 

If you can swing the theme park prices, there are many holiday activities at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. However, there are many different activities throughout the city to celebrate the season.

A giant display of nutcrackers and Christmas trees graces downtown, with the nearby Harry P. Leu Park turned into a 50-acre light show to enjoy. 

6. Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Step back in time to spend the holiday season in Portsmouth, with its settlements dating back to the 1600s. 

You can explore the Strawbery Banke Museum, where you can skate at Puddle Dock Pond or walk along a candlelight path to see the old residences come to life with Christmas decorations.

You can take advantage of tax-free shopping for classic toys and books if you’re looking for unique gifts for little ones. 

7. Laguna Beach, California

Enjoy the sand and sunshine at Laguna Beach if the snow and cold aren’t for you. 

You can enjoy the holiday treats at Montage Laguna Beach or the Sawdust Winter Fantasy Festival, a unique arts and crafts show meant to get you into the holiday spirit. 

Visit the ocean to spy migrating whales or find unique gifts at the abundance of small businesses. Enjoy the surfboard menorah on the beach before enjoying a holiday show at the Laguna Playhouse. 

Enjoying a Holiday Road Trip 

A holiday road trip is an excellent way to make memories with your friends and family this season. 

There are many places around the United States where you can enjoy old and new holiday traditions. You can view Christmas lights, find unique gifts and go on special excursions you won’t find at other times of the year. No matter where you go on your road trip, you’re sure to have a wonderful time with the people you care about.

Car Care

Protecting Your BMW During the Winter: 5 Tips

Your BMW was built to perform in all kinds of weather, but that doesn’t mean you can overlook maintenance. If you want your Bimmer to last as long as possible, you’ll have to take care of it. As the weather gets colder, that entails specific steps to keep it safe.

Winter preparation should start before the weather reaches its worst. However, even if you’re starting late, these five tips will help keep your BMW in top condition, no matter what it looks like outside.

Change Your Tires

Slippery roads from snow and ice are some of the biggest hazards you’ll face in winter. Your best bet against slipping in cold weather is switching to winter tires. These deeper-grooved, grippier alternatives can stop from 60 miles per hour in less than half the distance of summer tires on snowy ground.

If you already have winter tires in storage, it’s best to test them before putting them on your BMW. You can do this by placing a penny in the tire’s groove with the picture of President Lincoln facing you. Turn it until it’s upside down. If the tread covers the top of Lincoln’s head, the tires are good to go, and if not, you may need new ones.

Check Your Battery

Another important part of protecting your Bimmer in the winter is ensuring the battery has enough juice. Your battery’s ability to hold a charge will decrease over time, requiring a replacement every three to five years. It’s also less efficient in cold weather, so changing the battery is a good idea if you’re getting close to the end of that timeframe by winter.

Batteries can be expensive, so check yours before buying a new one. Your go-to garage will have the tools necessary to gauge how much life your battery has left in it. You don’t have to worry about a replacement if it still has a year or more left. However, if it has less than that, it’s best to err on the side of caution and replace it.

Insulate Your Garage

How you store your BMW in the winter matters just as much as how you drive it. You probably already know to keep your Bimmer in a garage away from the elements, but you can go further than that. Any garage will help keep your car warm, but these rooms don’t carry the same insulation standards as the rest of your house, so they can still get cold.

You don’t necessarily have to heat your garage, but you should insulate it to keep colder temperatures out. Sealing any cracks around windows with caulk is also a good idea. These steps will keep your BMW’s fluids warm, extend its battery life and prevent ice damage.

Change Your Fluids

You may let your BMW run for a bit before getting in when it’s cold out. The idea is that car parts function better when warm, especially because fluids can thicken in the cold. If you have a newer Bimmer, driving with a cold engine won’t actually do any damage, but you should still pay attention to your fluids.

You may not have to warm your oil up, but you should check its levels and viscosity. If it’s been a while since you’ve had an oil change, it may thicken more than usual in the cold, so it’s best to change it. Similarly, you should ensure you have enough antifreeze and windshield fluid. You may have to change them more regularly in the winter than in warm weather.

Keep Your Car Clean

Another easily overlooked way to protect your BMW in the winter is to keep it clean. Transportation authorities often salt the roads in colder weather to prevent ice buildup, but this can collect on your car’s undercarriage and exterior. If you don’t wash it off, it could corrode the paint and metal, damaging the vehicle.

Go through the car wash or wash your Bimmer yourself at least weekly. If you drive through salted areas regularly, you may want to wash it a few times a week. Be sure to clean the undercarriage, too, as this is easy to miss but one of the areas most susceptible to salt damage. You can also wax your car every few weeks to provide a protective layer between the salt and paint.

Preparation Keeps Your BMW Safe

Winter is full of hazards, but you don’t have to worry about them if you prepare accordingly. Follow these five steps to ensure your Bimmer works as it should in all seasons.

The best way forward is to prepare for winter before the weather turns icy. However, late is better than never when it comes to protecting your BMW.