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Every year on 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.

Click the image to find out how the party in Times Square got started and also the changes that have happened over the years.

I live in the backcountry of Alaska, about 200 miles from the nearest road. This time of year, we are well into winter, and the entire landscape is blanketed in deep snow and solitude. Life is wonderful in the wilds. Shopping for the holidays is severely limited. So, this past weekend my daughter Mandy and I decided to take a local trip -- meaning we only had to fly 3 hours and 1,500 miles -- to explore the holiday festivities of Seattle's colorful Pike Place Market.

Historic waterfronts in many cities transitioned from gritty transportation hubs to dynamic tourist attractions in the latter part of the 20th century. These destinations display their obvious appeal in the summer — gulls squawking overhead, tantalizing food smells, cooling breezes — as the perfect antidote to a sweltering day in the city. But many urban waterfronts deserve a wintertime visit. Though an invigorating bite to the breeze can turn summer’s leisurely stroll into a brisk walk, the crowds thin to congenial proportions and the crisp air makes everything seem more sharply focused.

The best way to save money in Midtown is to spend more time downtown — advice many a New Yorker has foisted upon visiting friends. But I spend enough time in other people’s cities to know that certain zones get tagged as tourist traps for a reason: they have attractions worth seeing. Such is the case in the heart of Manhattan.

The Pacific Science Center's Eames IMAX Theater is scheduled to re-open later this month after undergoing an extensive, months-long renovation to preserve its architectural heritage while introducing state-of-the-art technology to the theater. This article, originally published on the website of the Pacific Science Center, was written by Philip Cosand, a senior projectionist at the theater who clearly enjoys his job. Here, he shares some history of the Eames IMAX Theater, as well as some interesting Theater Trivia, and looks forward to the changes that the almost-complete renovation will bring.

Few people actually appreciate fruitcake. Yet each Christmas, thousands of them crisscross the country, allegedly sent as “gifts.” Encased in a festive tin, many end up stuffed into the closet along with the holiday decorations, saved for regifting next year. There’s no need to let this dubious tradition infiltrate your holiday gift list. The advent of modern shipping methods — overnight delivery, cooled packaging — means you can send gourmet foods your recipients will want to devour the moment your present arrives.

In the spirit of the holidays and, of course, holiday desserts, I couldn't resist re-posting this review of Disneyland's famous Yule Log cake. It's only available only for a limited time around the holidays at the Plaza Inn, so if you're planning a visit to Disneyland in the next few weeks and have anything resembling a sweet tooth, give it a try and let us know how it is!

A must-see for discovering New York City’s hidden treasures and planning a stay is the sleek, high-tech New York City Information Center, conveniently located Midtown in the Theater District.

Whether you’re shopping for the guy or gal in your life this holiday season, we’ve got an online gift guide to help you survive the gift-buying craziness this year.

One of the most wonderful places in the world to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year is New York City. From sea to sky, New York City has it all when it comes to celebrating the spirit of the season in style—including oceans of people out on the town to take in the holidays. Yes, Virginia, Christmas-time crowds in the Big Apple are as much a part of the season as the food carts roasting chestnuts in Times Square. It's all just part of the holiday spirit in NYC, so don't let the crowds get you down. And keep in mind that there is one way you may be able to skip some of those long lines at your favorite NYC attractions: CityPASS!