We are focusing on one place in particular this positing that was found up in Seattle, WA. This would be a great stop for your and your loved on this Valentine’s Day…get out, explore and enjoy!

Pike Place Market in Seattle is a operating farmer’s market that has been around for more than a 100 years. Founded in 1907 on August 17^th, this has been a place for farmers, craftsmen and merchants to share their wares with willing customers who swarm over the fresh produce. There are also handmade crafts and other interesting artifacts that one gets to see as one walks along this market that overlooks the Elliott Bay waterfront. The location and the variety that the marketplace presents, makes it a unique shopping, dining and entertainment experience.

Main Attractions in Pike Place Market, Seattle

One of the most popular attractions of the Pike Place Market is the Pike Place Fish Market where you can literally see flying fish as the employees toss large salmons and other fish to each other for preparation as the order is placed.

You might also want to check out the first Starbucks Coffee Store that was founded in 1971. While it was located at 2000 Western Avenue initially, it was moved to 1912 Pike Place in 1977. But it has been operational in this location ever since.

While you are in the Pike Place market, make sure that you check out the unofficial mascot of the place – a 550 pound bronze piggy bank. The mascot is called Rachael and was designed by local artist Georgia Gerber. The mascot is also used for the theme for the Pigs on Parade that was first held in 2001.

As you take a closer look at the wares and the crafts, do not miss out on the street entertainers. Pike place Market is known for its buskers. Some of the performers here have even received acknowledgement and fame.

Do not forget to pick some delectable handmade cheese from the Beecher’s Handmade Cheese shop or take back some Balsamic Vinegar from the DeLaurenti Specialty Food & Wine place. The flower market and the fruits place provide a range that you would never have seen before in one place. Dilettante Chocolates in First Avenue is also a must visit for some awesome truffles and chocolate sauces.

Pike Place Market, Seattle: When to Go

The Pike Place Market is open every day of the week. It operates between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Saturday and between 11am to 5pm on Sundays. On some summer days when the farming season is in full swing, the markets open early at around 8am. How about this Valentine’s Day to take your sweetie! And don’t forget Fox – Seattle is the perfect place to pick up your ride to get there!

Fox Marketing Department and IT department has big news!  We are happy to share the launch of the FOX Mobile Website.  The mobile website will be available to the public and travelers everywhere. Here are a few things customers can now look forward to…

• Expedited and instant access to their Reservations, Rewards and Deals with their smart phones and devices
• Simpler reservation process via the Mobile Website
• A user friendly process for convenient bookings
• View and edit reservations in location
• A built in connection to the GPS maps function on your mobile devices
• Keeping the car longer? No problem, just extend the rental over the Mobile Website.

A large portion of www.foxrentacar.com website  visitors are coming from mobile and tablet devices; such as iPhones, iPads, tablets, androids, BlackBerrys, etc. Within expansion and growth our primary goals are to remain true to what FOX stands for. The new Mobile Website does just that. Supporting and advancing Fast, Outstanding and Xcellent service from Fox. If you would like to check out the new mobile website please visit www.foxrentacar.com from your mobile device and you will be automatically redirected to the new streamlined mobile interface.

January is the month to look out onto new horizons…set a new goal and plan a long put off vacation. Where are those places that could use a little vacation love? Offer a bit more than just a place to get away from home for the week? Here are 5 locations often over looked for great family vacations….

• Washington, DC – The nation’s capital. Full of rich history and structures that represent the foundation of the USA. It is often quoted as one of the most family friendly cities in the US. Museums throughout the city have specific attractions for all age groups of children. The National Children’s Museum has a wide variety of exhibits for kids ages 3 and up.

• Las Vegas, NV – Who says Vegas, is only for adults…This upcoming February the Lied Children’s Museum is reinventing itself under the new name Discovery Children’s Museum and moving to the Smith Center for Preforming Arts. With interactive stations and an entirely redesigned exhibit system is great for kids. The Nevada State Museum also reopened with new bike and hiking trails for those outdoorsy families. Check out FOX LAS (Las Vegas) for awesome deals.

• Sonoma County, CA – Another spot often associated with grownups is changing things up. Family owned and operated farms are making great strives to include the kids as part of the family vacations. Certain farms have tours that include milking cows, petting goats and even making handmade ice-cream. Other attractions include day pools and a safari park in Sonoma, not to mention just a short drive from San Francisco. Check out FOX SFO (San Francisco) for affordable rates.

• Cape Cod, MA – More of a long term option for the families seeking a different beach experience. The beach offers all the usual fun, sand castles to body surfing, but the real treat lies with in the Atlantic waters. This city plays host to some of the best whale watching trips to see humpbacks. Rental homes are available for affordable and varying date ranges.

•   Myrtle Beach, SC – A wide variety of adventure awaits this beach city in South Carolina. With over 50 mini-golf courses to historic battleships to visit this is a vacation destination to pre-plan. The Family Kingdom Amusement Park and Ocean Front Water Park are great summer attractions for the whole family. For those without a fear of heights don’t forget to check out the 200 ft. sky wheel. The possibilities are endless.  Check out one of FOX’s Affiliates out of Myrtle Beach for a car on your next visit, Fox – Myrtle Beach Affiliate.

2013 is about change and new exploration. Take a trip of the normal path of family vacations and try a new destination…you might just find somewhere to visit year after year. For all of our Fox locations and lowest rates please visit Fox Rent A Car Website www.foxrentacar.com.

As the holiday season fast approaches holiday travel is drawing ever closer. Over the next few weeks look for things to keep you and your family occupied whether it be in a road trip…flight…or what ever other means of travel we may come across! If you have suggestions please send them in! Customer feed back and stories are something we value and love to share. When December kicks off Fox will play host to a photo and holiday photo contest! Details to come soon…keep in mind…activities, decorations, family and travel are the themes. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are ready to start the count down to 2013…a new year full of new possibility, travel and exciting news from Fox.

Just in case you get stuck in one of those situations while in your rental car, here is a bit of information from Fox…

Roadside Assistance FOX is pleased to offer roadside assistance in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming only. Simply call the toll-free emergency roadside service number located on your FOX Rental agreement holder. Toll Free number 1(877) 936-9349

Child Safety Seats In California - State laws require children eight years of age or younger less than 80 pounds in weight to be in a child restraint device. In Arizona, children five years of age or younger must be in a child restraint device. Driver with children must refer to the current state and city law regarding child passenger safety laws. There is an USD/8.99 per day fee for child seats. If the seat is not returned in the same condition, less normal wear and tear as received, a cleaning fee will be assessed. If the seat is damaged a repair or replacement charge will be applied.

Hand control vehicles –  FOX Rent a Car locations provide rental services to accommodate all customers and comply with the stipulations of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Please call our toll free number 800-225-4369 and speak to a Customer Service Representative for any special equipment or requests. Reasonable advance notice is required, our usual need is 72 hours but this period may vary.

XM Radio -  Some models such as Ford Taurus, Ford Focus, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Tahoe and Hyundai Elantra may be available with free XM Satellite Radio. Please ask for details at the rental counter.

Tomorrow check out the Fox blog to learn about our rules when renting from any of our corporate locations nationwide! Any questions please email customerservice@foxrentacar.com.

In today’s economy planning a vacation may seems like a luxury that is out of reach. With the rush and headache of so much to do in so little time a vacation can be beneficial both mentally and physically. Planning and budgeting can get you on a much needed break and not worrying about the bank. Here are a few simple ways to get started.

1. Save, Save, Save
Before you even begin to plan where you may want to escape to start saving. Budgets are a great way to evaluate where excess money is being spent and where you can cut back and stash away a few extra dollars. A minor amount like that $50 a week you might spend at Starbucks (yes it does add up) comes to $600 dollars for the year you can hide away in a vacation fund. Even opening a separate account just for a vacation fund will keep you from spending that money for your next getaway.

2. Location is key…
Picking a spot can make or break a vacation budget. Being flexible and choosing somewhere more off the beaten path can prove to benefit your next stay away from home in more ways than one. Spots with less tourism tend to offer cheaper events, things to do and lodging.

3. Travel Seasons
Save up to 50 percent or more on peak season prices by traveling when tourist traffic is at its lowest. Depending again on location summer vs. winter may be the time to travel due to peak season prices. Hotels, restaurants and stores are more eager for your business during those times when fewer people are traveling.

4. Deals, Discounts and Coupons
Travel discount and deal sites such as Groupon Getaways, Living Social Escapes and TravelZoo are the new wave of the future! But don’t let the bargains blind you: always read the fine print regarding extra fees, blackout dates, expirations and other terms. These are a great way to cut costs nearly in half!

5. Dine different.
If you’re traveling by car or renting one from Fox, and you have access to a cooler, you can stock up on grab-and-go foods for breakfast and lunch. Preparing food yourself can save money all the way around. Also try exchanging meals, for instance dinner for lunch and lunch for dinner. Often time dinner costs the most while traveling…by going out to lunch and making dinner you will have extra cash for other festivities on your getaway.

6. Travel club bonuses.
The rewards outweigh the fees for travel clubs like AAA. Money saved thanks to discounted pricing at hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies and more. The membership may also work in places around your home town, not during your vacation.

7. Staycation…the new trend.
Book a room in your home town or city and just slip away from home for a day or two. Look into events like a zoo or amusement park a short drive away. There is no harm in letting someone else make your bed in the morning at a hotel not far from home. It can often be just the little amount of R&R needed to get you back on your feet and won’t hurt your wallet quite as much as a Destination Getaway.

Letting money get the best of you on a vacation isn’t the goal…getting the best of your money is. Research, plan and execute these tips and coast into your next get away. Fox’s affordable prices on car rentals along with our blog tips are a great place to begin this research. Share your suggestions with us in the comment box below!

Gas prices are like those pesky beach balls you see all at all the California Beach’s…bouncing higher and lower on a daily basis. How do we get the most out of each tank? What are tips to keep fuel effiency up and my wallet a bit fuller as well? Follow these 10 tips to safe gas will help you get a better gas mileage while saving money in the process…

Maintenance is key…
A car just like every well-oiled machine needs a tune up every now and then. In other words it needs to be taken care of. Simple things like an oil change are quick and easy. Try and remember every 3,000 miles change the oil…this helps not only keep the engine at top efficiency but you from having to worry down the road. Just like in a house, the air filter of a car is important! The more grime and build up the harder the car has to work to push the air through the filter…meaning more gas! The filter can be cheap and easy to change. These and numerous other quick maintenance tips can keep you at peak performance.

It’s summer sunny and time to roll down those windows!
Roll down your windows when the heat is bearable. Rely on A/C only on those extremely hot days. But be aware, AC will actually be more fuel efficient while driving over 55pmh. This can be due to air drag when windows are rolled down and the car is traveling at higher speeds…working against you. In the city, near the beach or cruising to the store keep your windows down and the strain on your engine to a minimum. Better gas mileage and more money to spend on your vacation.

Think Green…both for your health and the environment:
Driving to things with in walking, biking or running distance can be one of the easiest ways to waste gas. While you not use gas to get there then you have to look for parking. Even if you must drive don’t circle the parking lot looking for the closest parking…park a little ways away and walk!

The Vortex we call a trunk…
More weight equal more of a strain…keep this in mind when you are putting things in your trunk. An easy way to keep those extra’s out of the trunk is to remind yourself transportation…not storage. A trick of mine is carrying everything in my trunk into my house and back…if it’s too heavy or to much work…think about what your car is having to do with you as additional cargo. Keep those dollars from floating away and lighten your load.

Sun…friend? More like foe!
The sun heats up your car and causes the evaporation of  liquids – and what is gas? A liquid! Find a spot in the shade, walking that little extra distance will keep your car cool and gas in the tank. Not to mention this will keep your car cooler…no one enjoys that burn of the seats after getting in a hot car.  And remember back to the earlier point about A/C…maybe it won’t be needed after a long park in the shade.

Saving gas is impacted by every decision we make while driving; being aware of these choices mean savings for you. Fox Rent A Car supports Green Driving and savings. If you have more advice on how to save gas, let us know and we will add it to our list!

Regardless of whether you have a rental, a lease or you own your own car keeping it safe and protected is normally a top concern. As criminals become more and more advanced in working their way around anti-theft devices there are a few tried and true techniques still available for your use. Ranging from cheaper and simple to high tech and complicated these antitheft systems should detour any thief from driving away in your car.

1. The most well know and proven would be the Steering wheel lock or club. Designed to be locked around the steering wheel in an attempt to prevent the car from being able to turn. Unless the thief plans on driving straight the whole get away this car will be going nowhere.

2. Locks, Locks and more Locks. Often times putting locks on things like the hood, tire, gearshift, ignition and crook locks all can be strategically placed throughout the vehicle. While some of these can be more of a hindrance on a daily basis (tire locks), others are simply and easy to use. For instance a hood lock prevents your car from being pieced off and prevents the thief from gaining access to the battery.

3. Alarms come preinstalled on most of today’s vehicles and often are displayed somewhere near or around to top of the console. These are often effective in drawing attention to a car being broken into and or stolen. While there are ways around an alarm the steps a thief must take to get there are often not worth the risk.

4. The last, most intricate and effective out of all the antitheft devices is a vehicle recovery and tracking system. LoJack is recognized as the leader in this new technology. Working with law enforcement LoJack activates a hidden transmitter. This transmitter is hidden even from you. It has a 90% return rate. LoJack is affordable and even offers contest and promotions like the one below. Check it out for a chance to enter and win.

LoJack Contest Giveaway

For the peace of mind and the prevention of a headache look into employing one or more of these anti-theft systems, that can be inexpensive and cost effective. Even on the costlier options like, LoJack there are numerous ways to get a discount or even win a free system as discussed above. Protect what is your and prevent what can be prevented.

Huh? It’s illegal to do what? Following on the theme of weird laws, the state of Utah plays host to a number of weird and wacky ones. In the scenic state of Utah, laws and ordinances tend be broken down into city status. While not all of these laws are still in effect, or even upheld by the law they were written into law in Utah. Each town or city holding its own guidelines on what is permitted and what is not can get more than confusing…

1. Kaysville, UT:
Starting out with something not so outrageous but a need to know fact…in this town, you must have identification to enter a convenience store after dark. Remember, if you get that late night craving for your Slurpee make sure you have some kind of ID on you.
2. Logan, UT:
For you ladies, watch what you say around law enforcement in Logan, UT. In this part of the state women may not swear.
3. Utah – Statewide:
For you husbands…keep a watchful eye on your wife. A husband is responsible for every criminal act committed by his wife while she is in his presence, within state lines.
4. Salt Lake City, UT:

When flying into Fox’s rental city of Salt Lake, violins and paper bags don’t go together…No one may walk down the street carrying a paper bag containing a violin.
While some of these laws may be unrealistic and downright random, the state of Utah offers a wide array of things to do especially for the outdoors type. Check out Fox’s Salt Lake City location.

One of the most unique experiences in this state is that you can drive to five National Parks in one day!

There are five – count ‘em – 5 Utah National Parks – Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Zion National Park. Although you could pack all of these wonders into a day, we would like to suggest that you enjoy these natural sights more leisurely.

When traveling between National Monuments, remember to plan ahead for the road trip by having a full tank of gas, taking a break at a designated rest stop (here is considerable distance between restrooms) and taking snacks for the journey. Each of the National Parks offers unique scenery and the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of this great nation.

The Golden State of California is perfect for that west coast cruise for your next vacation road trip. Hidden laws and unknown penalties are things to always keep an eye out for when visiting California. When pulling out of any of the Fox locations located across California from San Francisco all the way down to San Diego keep these random but important facts in mind…

1. If you are visiting Half Moon Bay…Wearing a sweatshirt inside-out is deemed a “threatening misdemeanor”
2. Sunshine isn’t so bad…San Francisco made it law…this city is said to be the only city in the nation to have ordinances guaranteeing sunshine to the masses
3. Why would anyone want to hurt a horse? California made it law…In California; it is illegal to trip horses for entertainment.
4. On your way out of San Francisco, take warning of Palo Alto’s skate boarding laws…It is illegal to skateboard on walls “or other vertical surfaces”
5. On your next herding through LA…keep this in mind. “It is illegal to drive more than two thousand sheep down Hollywood Blvd. at one time”

This is just the beginning to a long laundry list of crazy and overly specific laws in California. Its been rumored even some law enforcement officers don’t know them all! In any case during your next drive out of a Fox location while visiting California, make sure and take heed of these crazy city codes and laws. Keep an eye out for more to come for Fox’s different state locations!