Where is the best place to exchange money??

Nowhere. They will all rip you off.

Use your DEBIT card to withdraw cash from a local ATM.

ATMs are ubiquitous here. Every town large and small has them, as well as most large supermarkets and many drug stores, and most waive their fees for out-of-country withdrawals; otherwise, you should expect to pay between $1.50 and $3 for each withdrawal. At any rate, you'll get a much better exchange rate at any ATM than at any money-changer. You can also ask for "cash back" if you buy something at almost any large U.S. supermarket and most drug stores if you pay with a debit card; all you will need is your PIN.

U.S. stores are my surcharge free ATMs

Kristenmccaffery: welcome to Fodors. You have started two threads that don't give us enough to work with. We need to know more on both threads. On this one - what nationality you are and which country(s) you are visiting. Usually ATMs are the best way to get cash - but not everywhere for everyone.

On your other thread we need to know a lot more like your age, your nationality, where you are traveling and for how long.

See te Change Forum pull down menu? If you click that you can re-post on the boards for whichever continents/regions you are visiting.

Not at the airport. That's pretty much universal good advice.

We do really need to know where you are going to be, because there is no one answer that covers your question in all circumstances.

Generally speaking using a bank ATM machine to withdraw local currency is the best way to obtain cash when you travel.

I would never exchange money in Iran, too risky.