CityPASS New York articles

New York is famed for tall buildings and expansive skylines, but come autumn there’s one more reason to tilt your head up toward the heavens: the canopy of blush-bursting trees that dot the skies of this delightful city with an explosion of color. Here are just a few sweet (and free!) spots to take a stroll under these leafy skyscrapers and enjoy a cascading view of lush red, brown and golden hues.

City Island is a fun day trip for adventurous visitors willing to leave Manhattan and travel off the beaten path. Located up in the Bronx (one of New York City’s 5 boroughs), this tiny community is surrounded by the Long Island Sound on one side and Eastchester Bay on the other, and is one of New York City’s hidden treasures, with a rich maritime history.

While Manhattan may have its tiny Little Italy on downtown Mulberry Street, for a more authentic and less touristy experience, head uptown to Arthur Avenue in the Belmont section of the Bronx. You’ll discover a working class immigrant neighborhood where little old ladies in black still order in Italian from the butchers and fish mongers, and guys sit outside the social clubs sipping espresso and talking about the Yankees. But the main attraction is the food.

Robert Burke, as The Naked Cowboy, is literally one of New York City's hottest tourist attractions. He may not be the most historic of Manhattan sightseeing hotspots, like Lady Liberty or the Empire State Building, but this cowboy still has his share of curious fans who flock to see him strut his nearly naked stuff in the middle of Times Square nearly each and every day of the year.

Every December 31, one of the biggest parties of the year happens at Times Square in New York City. People all over the world fly in to attend the live event, and millions more tune in to watch on TV and count down as the famous ball drops. It's easily one of the top things to do during the New Year.

Queuing up outside the 9/11 Memorial in New York with other members of the press, I felt privileged to have the opportunity to preview the memorial hours before it opened to the public. The previous day, in a private gathering, the families of those lost on 9/11 were the first to experience the memorial, which took 10 years to discuss, plan, draw and build.