CityPASS New York articles

Whether you’re traveling near or far for your holiday dinner, there is certainly something to be said for spending a day amidst the madness at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—or watching it from your couch at home as your turkey dinner is roasting in the oven. You may watch the parade every year with friends and loved ones, but do you know the immense history behind one of the most exciting traditions in our country?

In a part of the world best known for tall buildings and bright lights, New Jersey’s Liberty State Park provides a lush oasis for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. But that doesn’t mean this park, located next to the Jersey City shoreline, isn’t a bright, shiny star all on its very own.

Williamsburg, a popular eastern Brooklyn neighborhood of about 125,000 inhabitants, used to be a place visitors would avoid. Now it’s an icon of hipster culture, with lots of fun shops, bars, music venues and terrific people watching. It’s almost along the lines of when tour buses would drive through San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury to gape at the hippies when I was a kid. Instead, here you sit at a sidewalk cafe, sip an espresso and enjoy the show. Definitely bring your camera.

While I’ve made many trips to New York City, and relish it each and every time, I admit that my comfort level still soars when I have a friend show me about. Not only do they steer me to the most interesting restaurants, taverns and galleries in ethnic neighborhoods, they know the subway system. It makes for a much richer and less-stressful experience.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit Long Island, New York? Take it from someone who knows, it’s a pretty great place. Radio host, author, blogger and television host Jennifer Koppelman Hutt is a Long Island native and longtime resident. She LOVES Long Island, New York. And why not?

Nothing can really take your breath away. But New York City comes pretty darn close. At the tippy-tippy top of Manhattan’s tallest buildings, you’ll find spectacular views of this brightly lit city and beyond. Here are some well-known vantage points to take in all the Big Apple has to offer, as well as some nice boite spots that not only offer a spectacular view but also a comfy seat as well.