About the Author

Marisa Perjatel

Marisa is the content manager for AAA Northeast. She’s been writing and editing for more than a decade, including eight years at AAA. You can say she’s Your AAA Network’s biggest fan. Here, she’s covered everything from insurance to the region’s top restaurants. A native Long Islander, she’s always in search of fun new day trips and drives in and around New York, often guided by the next best place to eat.

Articles by Marisa Perjatel

pantry meals

Easy Pantry Meals From Around the Globe

Travel the world from your kitchen with these internationally inspired dishes made from items you have on hand.

NYC Sightseeing Bus

9 NYC Tours: Sightseeing, Pizza and More!

New Yorker or not, there’s always something new to learn on one of the city’s many tours.

russian tea room

Diamond Dish: The Russian Tea Room

Settle into one of the famous red booths at the Russian Tea Room and enjoy Russian traditions.

coloring car pages for kids

Coloring Car Pages for Kids

Keep little ones entertained with these coloring pages for kids from AAA.

culinary vacation

Cook Up an Adventure on a Northeast Culinary Vacation

Love cooking or just love to eat? These nearby culinary vacations will leave you full – heart, mind and stomach.

haunted hotels in new orleans

Five of the Most Haunted Hotels in New Orleans

These AAA Diamond Rated establishments are also considered some of the most haunted hotels in New Orleans.

weird things to do in nyc

Weird Things to Do in NYC & Nearby

Weird can be good! From odd museums to novel roadside stops, these attractions are unusual in the best way.

cape cod

Planning the Ultimate Road Trip to Cape Cod

A road trip to Cape Cod is always a great idea. Here’s what to do during a visit to the beachy arm of Massachusetts.

guacamole recipe

Holy Guacamole!

Impress with this recipe from Besito, an upscale Mexican restaurant known for its guacamole cart.

five diamond awards

Shine Bright Like a Diamond

AAA Northeast honors top hotels and restaurants at Four and Five Diamond Award luncheons.

oddfellows ice cream

Diamond Dish: OddFellows Ice Cream Co.

Come with us to NYC’s OddFellows Ice Cream Co. and you’ll be in a world of pure ice cream flavor imagination.

travel photography tips - man taking a photo overlooking mountains

Travel Photography Tips for the Average Shutterbug

Follow these travel photography tips and learn how you can grab some frame-worthy shots on your next trip.

healthiest fast food options

The Healthiest Fast Food Options Based on Calories

Whether you’re having fast food because of what’s in your wallet, how much time you have, your kids or (admit it) a craving, it doesn’t always mean having to commit to the subsequent heavy, greasy guilt trip that inevitably comes with it.

best hotel pools in orlando, The pool at the JW Marriott Orlando.

The Best Hotel Pools in Orlando at AAA Recommended Hotels

No matter what time of year your vacation is, Central Florida can get hot! Cool off at the best hotel pools in Orlando.

diamond rating

Dinner With a AAA Diamond Inspector: Behind the Scenes of a Restaurant Review

We tagged along with a AAA inspector to learn exactly what determines a AAA Diamond Rating.

wizarding world of harry potter

Take a Trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Experience J.K. Rowling’s remarkable world in real life.

how to cook the perfect steak

How to Cook the Perfect Steak

Grill up an amazing meal with steak cooking tips from NYC steakhouses Uncle Jack’s and Gallaghers.

a slice of brooklyn pizza tour

Sampling Brooklyn Pizza With a Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour

A Slice of Brooklyn pizza tour is a fun way to experience Brooklyn and taste some of the best pizza that the borough has to offer.

amusement park rides

Top Amusement Park Rides in the Northeast: Classic Carousels

When it comes to amusement park rides, a spin around the merry-go-round never goes out of style. Here are the top classic carousels in the Northeast.

Haunted history

Frights, Bites and Scary Nights on the N.Y. Haunted History Trail

If you can’t resist a good ghost story, the Haunted History Trail of New York State is full of them. With 82 allegedly haunted hotels, restaurants, museums and other eccentric spots to explore, there’s no better time than the spooky season to try and hit as many stops as you can. They’re scattered throughout theRead More