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As many of you may know, this upcoming Monday, April, 8th, there will be a complete solar eclipse across parts of Mexico and North America. NASA predicts that roughly 31.6 million people live in the path of the eclipse and millions more are within a two-hour drive of the eclipse’s path. During the solar eclipse in 2017, an estimated 5 million people traveled to view the astronomical phenomenon. This caused severe traffic jams that lasted several hours on certain roadways. NASA has released an Eclipse Explorer Map showing the predicted path of the total solar eclipse so that you know where you’ll get the best view– or where you should try to avoid traveling to. Whether you’re planning to make the journey to see the eclipse, or are worried about how traffic could affect your commute, Destination Nissan is here with some tips to keep you safe on the roads! Be Prepared For Traffic If you’re traveling to a major city within the Eclipse’s Path be prepared for traffic jams. An eclipse of this magnitude is not predicted to happen again for another 20 years, so many people of all ages, and driving ability, will be out and about. Make sure to fill up your tank the day before, pack some water and snacks, and be prepared for bumper to bumper traffic for extended periods of time. Watch Out For Watchers Everyone is looking for the best possible view. Sometimes, that can lead people to plant themselves in some precarious positions alongside the road or even right in the middle of it. Children may be caught up in watching the spectacle and forget to watch where they’re going. Other drivers may be distracted by the phenomena. Make sure YOU stay alert! Focus On The Road If you find yourself on the road during the solar eclipse and can’t find a good place to pull over to view it, DO NOT try to split you attention between operating your vehicle and looking up at the sky. If worse comes to worse and you miss the eclipse, it’s not the end of the world. NASA with be publishing beautiful high-resolution pictures you can look at from the comfort of your couch! Protect Your Peepers If you haven’t already, remember to get proper eye protection for viewing the eclipse! You will not need this unless you are planning to look up at the sun directly, so there is no need to wear eclipse specific protectivewear while driving. Your regular sunnies will do! The Eclipse is estimated to pass over New York in stages from 2:00 pm to around 4:30 pm! The Destination Nissan team hopes some of these tips have helped you prepare for Monday! Stay safe out on the roads and enjoy this exciting phenomenon with family and friends!

There’s nothing like packing it all in and hitting the road to finally get some peace and relaxation from your crazy life. But if you’re planning on traveling with a little one or maybe even two, it might not be as peaceful as you’re expecting. Little ones can get bored very quickly and when that happens we can find ourselves stuck on the road with screaming and crying children...how about no. So in order to avoid this situation from happening, you’re going to have to do some planning ahead. Don’t stress, we’ve done the hard work for you this week! This week we are telling you about road trip travel games to keep everyone entertained and happy until you reach your destination! Now, we know that everyone’s road trip might not be the same amount of time, so depending on how long you’ll be on the road, it might be a good idea to plan out exactly when you’ll be playing each. This way you won’t run through all of you games right away and be left trying to buy time. We also suggest bringing filler activities to break up the games. Bring books, coloring, learning games, electronics, movies, etc. We also suggest bringing so sort of prize for the winner of each game, this way you can keep them focused on the game, instead of becoming distracted. So take a look at our fun games below! Feel free to add your own favorites and let us know if the kids loved them! Safe travels! I Spy: This is a car ride classic! It will keep the kids guessing and entertain for a good amount of time, plus it so much for them to feel like they have fooled you so don’t guess correct too quickly! Road Trip Bingo: This fun game combines bingo with a scavenger hunt. Give each child a flat surface, like a clipboard or a notebook, and have them place it in their lap. each player gets a free printable bingo card and a ziplock bag with 16 pennies. When a player spies an item on his card, he covers the picture with a penny. Just like in regular bingo, the first player to cover all the squares in a straight line wins. License Plate Game: Make sure everyone has a piece of paper or come prepared and print out maps. Then write down or cross out each state you see, once someone has crossed out all 50 (or whoever has the most) they win! 20 Questions. This easy-peasy game is great for young kids, thanks to its straightforward rules. Player One thinks of a person, place or thing. Everyone else takes turns asking questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no. After each answer, the questioner gets one guess. Play continues until a player guesses correctly. I’m Going on a Picnic. This alphabet-based memory game is great for kids 5 and up. You don’t need a game board or any materials. The game can be played with as few as two players, but it’s more fun when the whole family joins in. The first player says “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing...” followed by something that begins with A, such as apples. The second player repeats what the first person said, but adds something that begins with B. And so on. If someone forgets an item, she is out. To be fair, feel free to be lenient and give hints to younger players. The last player to be able to recite all the items on the list wins.

Are you hitting the road this summer? Yeah, we thought so! If you’re like many of us, you probably leave packing to the last minute, which leads to rushing around and ultimately forgetting important items. If this sounds like you, don’t stress it, Destination Nissan is here to help! This week we are here to share our ultimate road trip packing checklist! Go ahead, take a sigh of relief and check out all you need below! Also, if you haven’t serviced your Nissan recently, be sure to schedule a service appointment with us and we will get your ride back in tip-top shape just in time for your trip! Medical/Sickness Kit: General first aid kit supplies: Gauze wrap, rubber gloves, medical tape, bandaids, disinfectant, elastic bandage (like an Ace wrap), antibiotic ointment, alcohol wipes, tweezers, Scissors, Acetaminophen and ibuprofen Motion-sickness medication, a trash bag, napkins, travel wipes, hydration drinks, and light snacks help with motion sickness Caddies for Organization: Save yourself from grocery bags full of snacks with collapsible caddies for storing your road trips snacks Stay Connected On The Road: A portable charger is essential. Your favorite camera + USB chargers Portable Wifi A good book or two Travel Games (Especially for the kids) The Comfort Kit: Don’t forget your sunglasses! Driver or Passenger, nobody likes to squint when they’re in the car. Blanket for cozying up during a daytime nap Reusable Water Bottle Personal Care: Toiletry Bag Sun Screen Body Wipes Lip balm Mini hairbrush Hair ties/Grips The Three Ts: Toiletries, Toothbrush & ToothPaste

This week is the official start of summer and that means you’re probably wondering where you are headed for the first road trip of the summer! If you’re not sure where to go, not to worry! This week’s blog is for you. We have listed out five special spots that are not too far from Albany that will be a fun-filled day with friends, family, or even if you just want to take your pet! So, take a look at that list, and be sure to stop in to see our team for a service appointment or test drive if your ride isn’t going to make it through the summer. Plus, check out our specials that will help you save a little bit of money. Alright, enough talk about service, let’s talk about your travels! Five Spots To Hit This Summer: Kaaterskill Falls - Cascade down two terrace-like tiers and take in the beautiful scenery that the falls have to offer. Standing at 200 feet tall, the Kaaterskill Falls is taller than Niagra Falls. The picturesque trail is easily accessible by road and other trails are available if you’re up to the challenge! Adirondack Park Region - Escape city life for a while and enjoy glacial lakes, waterfalls, mountains, and the beautiful wilderness that the ADKs have to offer. Just a little over two hours from Albany, the Adirondack Park offers hiking, canoeing, and more! The perfect camping place for a summer weekend road trip is waiting for you here! Pottersville Caves and Park - Most famous for their size, Pottersville features Stone Bridge, the largest marble cave in the entire country. Explore a billion-year-old formation on a guided tour or explore by yourself. Choose to rock climb or visit the area’s geological history museum. Ausable Chasm - From beautiful scenery on the hiking trail to white water rafting, the Ausable Chasm is known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks. With gorgeous waterfalls that run into Lake Champlain, the Chasm is a majestic sandstone gorge with beautiful views when the sun goes down and you’ll be able to see the natural formations by moonlight! Catskill Scenic Trail - Less than 2 hours from the Capital, the Catskills offer a 100 mile-wide mountain region. Ideal for overnight camping trips, this area offers beautiful scenery and plenty of activities for the family! Choose to take on the 26-mile route of this trail and enjoy a hike, bike ride, or even a horseback ride through the trail! Venture In A Brand New Nissan!

Summer is finally here and that means there is no better time than now to hit the road with the family and soak up the sun wherever your adventure takes you. Family road trips can be really fun; checking out famous landmarks, site seeing, and just enjoying good times with the family. But if you have little ones, you know that a fun road trip can easily be turned upside down when they ask every ten minutes “are we there yet?” So to avoid you pulling your hair out, this week we are bringing you some fun activities for your little bundle of joy to help combat their boredom. Take a few minutes to check out our list below and feel free to add any fun ideas your family might do! We also suggest you planning ahead and scheduling out when to do each activity so that you don’t run out too quickly. If your vehicle is in need of service before hitting the road, the professionals at Destination Nissan would be happy to help get your ride road trip ready! On the other hand, if you think it’s time to say goodbye to your old ride and hello to a brand new Nissan, browse our available inventory or stop into Destination Nissan today! Combat boredom by making your own “travel binder.” Fill it with coloring pages, word searches, bingo games, etc, that way the kids will be entertained with a handful of different activities. Another way to fight boredom is technology, whether it be a learning toy, an iPad to watch movies or play games, an iPod to listen to music, or even an audible book! Bring lots of snacks! Kids get hungry when they get bored which can easily turn into them becoming hangry/cranky. That’s the last thing you want to deal with on a long trip, so pack a good mix of healthy snacks and a couple of their favorite treats for when they get really antsy! Another fun activity is having a countdown. Kids love countdowns of any kind, so turn it into a game! Give them a time limit and an activity, remind them of how much time they have left, and watched them focus on finishing in time! This is perfect because it keeps them entertained, it lets them know how much longer till we are there, and it keeps your drive easy! For when all else fails to prepare a “Are we there yet bag? When you’re coming up on a near breakdown pull out the bag and tell them if they behave they get to pick a prize out of it! This will easily buy you another half hour and keep your children excited and entertained with what they might get next Find The Perfect Chevy For Your Family Here!

The season of road trips is upon us and if you have one or two planned for the near future it is a good idea to get your vehicle into tip-top shape if you have not done so. When people hear that it’s time to get your vehicle road-trip ready they tend to think about servicing their vehicle, which is very important and something you should do before packing it all in hitting the road. However, there are a lot of things you should be doing that aren’t service-related. In fact, giving some TLC to your Nissan interior is just as important. On a road trip, you’ll be spending a lot of time in the car, making sure that you are prepared and have everything you need is important to both your safety and sanity. Below we have listed out some important things to remember to do and bring along to make your trip go as smoothly as possible, as well as have you prepared even if you hit a bump or two along the way. Before Hitting The Road Be Sure To Check... Top off fluid levels Change air filters Detail and clean out vehicle Place small garbage bags throughout your vehicle to keep control of the mess Change spark plugs Check the tire pressure for both the spare tire and the ones on the vehicle Make sure you have a tire iron and jack in case of a popped tire Bring towels for cleaning dirty windows, spills, etc. Bring a spare key in case you lock your keys in the car Make sure your owner’s manual is in the vehicle Emergency kit/first aid kit However, if you haven’t tuned up your Nissan for spring, we suggest scheduling a service appointment without a team before you hit the road. Our team of professionals can get your ride in, out, and on the road in no time. Head over to our website now to schedule your Nissan service appointment, and check out our service specials to save big! Don’t Forget To Service Your Ride Before Hitting The Road

If you’re like us then you’re probably wondering when will spring ever come? Well, as we dream of our warm weather adventures we want to help you plan your next road trip! If you don’t want to travel too far or put too many miles on your ride, you should check out our list of fun places to visit right here in upstate New York! We have a feeling that the concrete jungle of NYC will take a backseat to some of these awesome destinations! So talk a minute to look it over and get your next getaway planned in hopes that spring will be here soon! Upstate N.Y day trips: Caves & mines Herkimer Diamond Mines Howe Caverns Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Rolling Hills Asylum Johnstown Boldt Castle Fort Ticonderoga Old Fort Niagara Historic Fort Ontario Upstate N.Y. day trips: Museums Corning Museum of Glass Museum of Science and Technology International Boxing Hall of Fame National Baseball Hall of Fame Upstate N.Y. day trips: Parks & outdoor sports Niagara Falls Midway State Park Ausable Chasm Thousand Islands Lake George Sylvan Beach Woodlawn Beach State Park Thunder Island Roseland Waterpark Find The Perfect Ride For Your Road Trip Here!

Are you sick of being stuck inside due to the winter weather? Well, what’s the best thing to do when you're bored? Get in your vehicle and drive to a new adventure! We know traveling in winter weather can be hard but we suggest monitoring the weather for a couple of days in advance. If there is no major storm we don’t see why your next adventure has to be put on the back burner! In fact, the winter id full of fun activities like skiing, snowboarding, tubing, hiking, ice skating, and so much more, so why wouldn’t you get out there and enjoy yourself? Before you hit the road we want to help make sure that you pack everything you may need/want. It’s easy to forget a thing or two when packing, we’ve all done it before. And if you’re like me, you probably leave packing to the last minute, right? Well, that’s why this week we’ve created a list to help make sure you have everything you’ll need to make there and back on your adventure! Be sure to check out our list below and edit/add for your own personal needs. Make sure that your vehicle is in tip-top shape before hitting the road. If you think you might need to service it, schedule an appointment with on our website! In The Car Blankets and pillows Music Snacks Reading material Camera Cash for toll roads GPS Binoculars Wet wipes Puzzle books and quiet toys for kids Pen, pencil, notepad Tissues, paper towels, toilet paper Small bags for garbage Vehicle Emergency Kit Flashlight, roadside signal flares or reflective cones/warning signs First aid kit Booster cables, wrenches, screwdrivers (basic tool kit) A gallon jug of water Extra washer fluid, oil, transmission oil, brake fluid Rags, workshop towels, old blanket Gloves Spare belts (alternator, fan and air conditioner belts) Candle, warm clothes, heavy blanket (for winter travel) Duct tape and WD40 Service Your Vehicle Before The Big Ride!

Are we there yet? If you’re traveling with kids this summer you might hear that a lot! Let's be honest some kids can sit back, enjoy the scenery and music in the background, and then there are most kids. Kids can be antsy, loud, needy, etc but we still love them so that means we’ve got to take them with us on the adventure. So you’re sitting there thinking how am are my kids gonna sit in a car for three hours to grandma’s, right? Well, I’ve got some tips that might help both you and your children get through the drive without wanting to pull your hair out. Combat boredom by making your own “travel binder.” Fill it with coloring pages, word searches, bingo games, etc, that way the kids will be entertained with a handful of different activities. Another way to fight boredom is technology, whether it be a learning toy, an iPad to watch movies or play games, an iPod to listen to music or even an audible book! Bring lots of snacks! Kids get hungry when they get bored which can easily turn into them becoming hangry/cranky. That’s the last thing you want to deal with on a long trip, so pack a good mix of healthy snacks and a couple of their favorite treats for when they get really antsy! Another fun activity is having a countdown. Kids love countdowns of any kind, so turn it into a game! Give them a time limit and an activity, remind them of how much time they have left and watch them focus on finishing in time! This is perfect because it keeps them entertained, it lets them know how much longer till we are there, and it keeps your drive easy! For when all else fails, prepare a “Are we there yet bag? When you’re coming up on a near breakdown pull out the bag and tell them if they behave they get pick a prize out if it! This will easily buy you another half hour and keep your children excited and entertained with what they might get next Now that you have a couple tips and tricks on how to keep your children entertained for a long trip, have a fun and safe vacation! Service your car before you hit the road!

Planning on a road trip this spring? The past few days have made it seem more like summer, and I know that a lot of us have the travel bug from it! Of course, when you’re on the road, there are always bound to be little emergencies or bouts of boredom. When you’re traveling with a couple of passengers, you need to keep them occupied and comfortable. If you’re going solo, you’re still going to need some provisions to stay comfortable! We’ve compiled a list of important things to keep in your vehicle whenever you’re road tripping that’ll take care of passengers numbering from just one to a whole car-full! Check it out! In The Car Blankets and pillows Music Folding chairs Reading material Camera Cash for toll roads GPS Binoculars Wet wipes Puzzle books and quiet toys for kids Pen, pencil, notepad Tissues, paper towels, toilet paper Small bags for garbage Vehicle Emergency Kit Flashlight, roadside signal flares or reflective cones/warning signs First aid kit Booster cables, wrenches, screwdrivers (basic tool kit) Gallon jug of water Extra washer fluid, oil, transmission oil, brake fluid Rags, workshop towels, old blanket Gloves Spare belts (alternator, fan and air conditioner belts) Candle, warm clothes, heavy blanket (for winter travel) Duct tape and WD40 Tackle Adventure In A New Rogue Sport!

Fall is coming, friends. Do you know how I know? Two simple things 1: the air’s crispness level is currently at fresh apple. BREATHE IT IN! It’s magnificent. Thing 2: 2018 Nissan LEAF is “falling”, or more accurately, premiering on TODAY!!! I AM SO EXCITED! Fall was already my favorite season, warm sweaters for cool days with a cup of hot tea, but with the arrival of the new LEAF, I am even more excited than before! With the glorious crispness of fall, perhaps you are looking for an excellent fall activity? Taking inspiration from the 2018 Nissan LEAF, and something that can be done while driving the new LEAF is one of my favorite fall pastimes! Leaf peeping! Particularly around New York's Adirondack and the Catskill Mountains. If you haven’t been, you really should! We do, however, need to have a serious sit-down chat about leaf peeping etiquette. For those of you who are unsure what leaf peeping is, leaf peeping is the act of going out into nature by way of a car or long walk to experience the glorious change of the leaves at the beginning of the fall season. Often leaf peepers will be seen wandering back roads with cameras to photograph nature’s beauty. Now, my issue is not with leaf peeping. As I said, I myself, enjoy peeping some leaves. My issue is the way in which the other peepers of leaves, peep the leaves. For this reason, I feel that there are some ground rules we need to establish. The changing of the seasons is truly a beautiful thing to behold, but we can enjoy the sites without causing safety hazards and general agitation for other drivers. Below you will find a list of leaf peeping dos and don’ts. These tips are here to help you enjoy nature’s beauty to the fullest without making your fellow drivers nuts! Tip 1: DO NOT drive 10 miles an hour in a 30 or 40 mph zone. Honestly. I get it, sometimes you want to slow it down and experience leaves in a leisurely pace. However, by driving that much slower than the speed limit, you are more than likely to create an agitating situation for your fellow drivers. Instead, DO pull off to the side of the road. Often in wooded areas with trails, you will find designated spots to pull off and park so that you can walk around and enjoy the leaves at your own speed. Tip 2: Time it right. Typically, peak foliage season in Lake George begins during the first week of October. However, prime leaf peeping times change year-to-year, you can expect to see brightly colored leaves through the second week of October or even the third week of October! Tip 3: DO NOT pull over on main roads, especially where there is little or no shoulder area to park on. This is hazardous for not only you but other cars who may not be able to see your car before it’s too late. Be cautious where you park and try to stay within designated parking areas. Tip 4: DO NOT park or stop on someone’s lawn or property to look at leaves. I’m a bit surprised that I actually have to say this, but it happens at my house with a surprising frequency. Be respectful. Tip 5: Have fun! This is a beautiful time of year so enjoy it, particularly while riding around in the new 2018 Nissan LEAF! If you’re looking to vastly improve your fall experience, try experiencing it through the 2018 Nissan LEAF! Remember it’ll be making its first appearance TODAY! So be sure to check it out! You will definitely FALL in love! FALL in Love with the LEAF!

Some of my favorite memories with my family were spent on the road for a family adventure. Fortunately for me, those trips happened pretty often. The most memorable trip being with my great-grandmother, grandmother, and great aunt on a drive from Albany, NY to Colorado. It took us 7 days to get there because we only drove 4 hours each day and we needed to stop at every single rest stop on the way! It was QUITE an adventure, but fortunately, we had plenty of car games to play while on the road. Below are a few games that we played! #1: Buzzword At the beginning of your trip, hand everyone 10-20 paper clips (or anything else small, cheap and not delicious) and choose a buzzword.  After that point, that word is banned. If anyone in the car says that word, whoever catches them shouts “BUZZ!” and gets to STEAL one of their paper clips or other precious items. Whoever has the most of the selected item wins. #2: Twenty Questions This game is a classic! It’s pretty straightforward and is easy enough for children, even the little ones to play. Players take turns choosing a person, place, or thing. Everyone else has twenty “yes” or “no” questions to try and guess the word and whoever gets it right chooses the next word. Try to come up with a word no one can guess. But it has to be a REAL word. Grandma, I’m lookin’ at you. #3: Would You Rather? Would you rather eat nothing but broccoli for 1 year or have to walk ONLY backwards for 1 year? Jump into shark infested water or walk through a hallway of spider webs? Take turns making up absurd scenarios and having your fellow passengers answer them. Get weird with it! You will learn a lot about your friends. #4: Counting Cows When I was very small I lived in rural Connecticut. I can’t stress enough how very rural this area was so counting cows was a very popular thing to see on our car rides. If, however, you live in a less cow infested area you can pick something you plan to see a lot of during your drive such as cats, mailboxes, gardens or McDonald’s restaurants. Compete to see whether your chosen object appears more on the left or right side of your car. #5: Expert This is one of my favorite games. For 10 minutes, each person gets to be the expert on a topic of the other passenger’s choosing. None of the info you say has to be true, but you need to say it with confidence. Get funny. Be silly. That’s the best part! #6: The License Plate Game First, coming up with the list of 50 US states is a challenging game in an of itself. Once you get that ready you’re ready to play! Every time you see a car from a new state, cross it off your list. The game might start out easy, but try spotting an Arizona plate in New Hampshire! Hint: trucks often have tags from far-off states. #7: The Alphabet Game Here’s your sign. No really. Start by finding a sign containing a word beginning with the letter A. Then comes B, then C, and so on. Who will spot the word Xylophone? Or Quit? Or Zoo? Who’s to say! Now All You Need Is The Perfect Car