WATCH: A Sweet Ride in New York City’s Candy Cab

Mansoor Khalid’s Candy Cab may look like a regular New York taxi on the outside, but step inside and you’ll find a candy lover’s paradise. The cab is filled with all-you-can-eat free sweets: hard candies in the summer, chocolate in the winter. But no matter when you take a ride, you’re welcome to take as much as you want.

image

Candy Cab driver Mansoor Khalid. (Photo: Melanie Dunea)

Khalid started filling his cab with candies after his life took a sad turn. In 2010, his son was born with a congenital heart defect. Whenever he visited the hospital, Khalid would bring coffee to the doctors and nurses, becoming known as “coffee man.” He says he liked being able to lift people’s spirits with small offerings, so when his son passed away, Khalid decided he wanted to continue to make people happy. That’s how the candy cab idea was born.

Today, you can hail the cab if you’re lucky enough to find it on the street, or reserve a ride online. Once you are strapped in your seat, get ready to pick out some great driving tunes, since the cab is outfitted with disco lights, a killer sound system, and even a microphone for karaoke.

image

Sweets in the back of the Candy Cab. (Photo: Melanie Dunea)

What: The Candy Cab

Why Go: For a truly sweet ride, including free all-you-can-eat candy, karaoke, a killer soundsystem, colored lights — and the nicest cab driver around.

When To Go: Whenever.

Where: You may be lucky enough to find him on the street, but you can also reserve online at his website, candycabnyc.com.

image

Whimsical stickers on the Candy Cab. (Photo: Melanie Dunea)

Fun Fact: There’s only one rule in the Candy Cab: “No Eating Or Drinking (Except Candies)”

Looking for more sweet treats in New York? Check out my visit to Cronut inventor Dominique Ansel’s bakery for frozen s’mores, chocolate chip cookie milk shots, and amazing pastries.

“Photo Tripping” is a video series from Yahoo Travel, hosted by renowned celebrity photographer Melanie Dunea (author of My Last Supper. Melanie will take us on a photographic journey with her as she visits America’s top cities, exploring off-the-beaten path spots to experience the best tastes, sounds, and sights the city has to offer. Going on recommendations of her friends — chefs, celebrities and tastemakers, a couple of whom even come along for the ride — we uncover some truly special places, seen through the lens of a photographer.

Want more like this? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter so that we can inspire you every day.