The 19 best free things to do in New York State

Porter Airlines recently announced a new flight between New York City’s Newark International Airport (EWR) and Montréal Trudeau Airport (YUL). The new route takes off on June 1, 2025, and will operate daily, before expanding to twice daily during peak season. The flight will be operated on a Dash 8-400 aircraft.  The flights will operate seasonally for the summer travel season through September 7, 2025.

This essay is a part of Companion Fare, a series of personal stories about nonromantic love and travel.

If Miami and Palm Beach had a love child, it would be Fort Lauderdale. Quickly shedding its image as just a spring break destination, the city is redefining itself as a place that lacks the formality of its neighbor to the north (Palm Beach), but has all the trappings of the vibrant metropolis to the south (Miami). And while Fort Lauderdale is quickly catching up on the five-star luxury-resort front, the real-estate (and therefore hotel) prices have not yet approached the levels of Palm Beach's on Worth Avenue. Fort Lauderdale lacks pomp and doesn’t take itself too seriously: It’s a place that still feels accessible thanks to an abundance of public beaches, a lack of gated communities, and a culinary scene that won’t break the bank.

Travelers looking for something a little off the beaten path have a new flight option to Italy's Puglia region, an area known for its proximity to the Adriatic Sea, delectable food and historic medieval architecture.

The best time to visit Alaska will hardly be a surprise—it’s when you can get good weather and a lot of sunlight to see and explore everything that the largest state in the United States has to offer. Alaska is one of the Best Places to Go in 2025, as many of the area's signature sites and events like the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and the 1000-mile-long Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race celebrate their 100th birthdays this year. But beyond these milestones, Alaska is still an exciting destination in any year. It’s the matter of what time of year to visit that can help turn your trip from a good one into a fabulous one.

A major Florida airport has an expansion on the horizon. Tampa International Airport recently announced that its new $1.5 billion Terminal D will be anchored by Delta Air Lines, which will have access to at least six gates, and also operate a new airline lounge in the space.  Delta currently operates a variety of flights from Tampa, including direct routes to its hubs in Atlanta, Boston, New York (JFK and LGA), and Minneapolis. It also operates an international route to Amsterdam, and will soon launch a direct flight to Austin, Texas.

Breeze Airways will ramp up its flying in a big way this spring and summer. The Utah-based low-cost carrier on Wednesday announced plans to launch service from three new airports by midyear.

Planet Hollywood is coming back to New York City.A major tourist attraction in the 1980s and early 1990s, the restaurant was owned by, among others, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.The start power was palpable. But, the allure quickly died off, like many chain restaurants.The doors on 42nd Street opened on Monday. There was a $20 million investment in the new property.According to the eatery, the restaurant redefines Hollywood glamor beneath a 360-degree canopy of state-of-the-art, high-definition screens. Encircling the entire perimeter is an impressive array of over 692 video tiles delivering cutting-edge dining and event experiences through dynamic and interactive displays."We're relaunching Planet Hollywood in Times Square not just as a restaurant but as an all-encompassing sensory experience that magnificently combines innovative technology with the unique flair of Hollywood," said Robert Earl, Founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood and Earl Enterprises. "This venue is poised to deliver exceptional entertainment and dining in the spirit of New York's celebrated theatrical grandeur."Instead of traditional memorabilia, an all-encompassing audio-visual experience brings Hollywood to life through synchronized video projections, soundscapes, and interactive elements that turn dining into a fully sensory affair. Every detail of the space has been thoughtfully curated to provide guests with a unique dining adventure that feels fresh. The venue is slated to be a hotspot for the late-night scene, with the mood on the second and third floors becoming very different when they transform following dinner service.Culinary creativity remains at the core of the Planet Hollywood experience featuring an elevated, yet approachable variety of appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, and entrees. Culinary highlights include Kobe Cheesesteak Empanadas, Prime Rib Sliders, Chicken Caesar Salad, All-American Double Smash Cheeseburger, Spicy Rigatoni Vodka, NY Strip Steak, and Lobster Pot Pie. Guests can also enjoy the nostalgic "1993 Icons" section with beloved classics that pay homage to Planet Hollywood’s original menu including the World-Famous Chicken Crunch, Planet Nachos Grande, L.A. Lasagna, and St. Louis BBQ Ribs.The new Planet Hollywood will be within walking distance of other nightclubs and Madison Square Garden.

Feb 4, 2025 • 8 min read

Feb 3, 2025 • 5 min read

Touchdown! The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will face off in the Super Bowl on Feb. 9, a bonanza for special flights to New Orleans.

Equinox is eyeing a country-wide expansion — not just with its gyms, but its hotels.