When my kids were growing up, a favorite holiday tradition on Thanksgiving Eve was a nighttime stroll along Central Park West around the American Museum of Natural History to watch the Thanksgiving Day parade balloons come to life.Laid out flat along the closed streets on either side of the museum in the afternoon, the deflated balloons would slowly grow as crews worked into the night, pumping them with helium and covering them with sandbagged nets to keep them from floating away. A view of the

Who says you have to go to an amusement park to have a heart-pounding experience (in a safely controlled environment)? For the thrill seekers and young at heart, that urge to ride a roller coaster, splash down a log flume, or take a spin on a thrill ride never leaves, no matter what the season. If youre visiting a brand new city and taking in all of the sites each has to offer, there are plenty of opportunities to go full-throttle with amusement park-like attractions without ever having to set f

FarallonSan Francisco is known for its colorful neighborhood culture and melting pot atmosphere. Sometimes known as the City by the Bay, San Francisco is also a beacon for those who savor seafood – whether they live within one of the various neighborhoods that comprise its 231 square mile city borders, or are tourists just passing through. While San Francisco offers a wealth of top museums and opportunities to see fine art, as well as a touch of the unusual scattered throughout the city, i

Theres a reason why Ben Franklin coined beer as the proof that God loves us and wants to be happy. As one of the worlds oldest prepared beverages, dating all the way back to 3500 B.C., this wonderfully flavorful concoction was instrumental in the formation of civilizations, serving as the backbone for many religious gatherings and festivities.The art of brewing has taken many different shapes since the beverage was popularized and spread through Europe by Germanic and Celtic tribes in early 3000

If you visit Philadelphia, you know the first things your friends will ask: Did you see the Liberty Bell? Its easy to find, just across the street from Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. But there are so many more things to do in Philadelphia than just a cracked dinger. The next time youre in Philly, here are 10 memorable, fun activities to help you fall head over heels for the City of Brotherly Love.1) Pay homage to a founding father: One of the top Philadelphi

What is it about looking out on the city from a sky-high vantage point that we love? It lets us be a spectator of the space we live in. We can see the streets, and the people streaming through them, like lines in a book. For once, were able to behold something immense and complex like a city, right in front of us.In this article, well be walking you through some of the best attractions CityPASS has to offer, and what you can expect to see when you get there. So take a deep breath, step in the el

Winter and Hope. Photo courtesy of Clearwater Marine Aquarium.With Septembers release of Dolphin Tale 2 on movie screens across the country, the spotlight is back on the animal preservation efforts of Tampa Bays Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), one of the Tampa Bay CityPASS attractions. The aquarium not only serves as the real-life home to the films bottlenose dolphin movie stars, Winter and Hope, it also works to rescue, rehabilitate and release a variety of sick or injured marine animals.In f

Houston, Texas, is an exciting mix of old and new where history meets innovation. The most heavily populated city in Texas and fourth-largest U.S. city in terms of residents, Houston started as a humble railroad hub in the 1860s. Today, its home to oil fields, NASA, a thriving finance industry, and a flourishing arts scene.As Halloween looms closer, it brings to light Houstons haunted side. This Southwest metropolis is home to a number of legitimately haunted houses and hotels. If youre Texas-bo

Rainbow Room at Rockefeller CenterThe Rainbow Room is shining brightly once again, high above New York City on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.Doors of the famed restaurant and dance hall reopened in early October for brunch, dinner and entertainment. After being closed several years for renovations, the legendary Rainbow Room is back with the same spirit, style and sophistication. The dazzling crystal chandelier and revolving dance floor are still the centerpieces of the room, just as th

Photo credit: Mark Smidt - The author strolling down the French Quarter during a haunted ghost tour. Why is that photos with haunted associations often seem to have some type of light abnormality thereby making them spookier?Every town and city holds their share of unsavory secrets and horror stories. Passed on from person to person like an unreliable game of Telephone, the good ghost stories only get better with time.And with Halloween only days away, its time to dive into the creepy end, or mo

Kids love science like peanut butter loves jelly. So if youre visiting Boston with kids, be sure to stop by the Museum of Science: kid-friendly doesnt begin to describe it. The MoSs exhibits – including over 700 interactive ones – are so hands-on, so beautifully geared toward the enjoyment and excitement of science, its a perfect fit for the curious kid in your life. Here are six of the must-see exhibits for you and the kiddos to enjoy.Archimedean Excogitation (entrance hall, lower

By boat, bus, bicycle, foot, or even Segway, there is no shortage of ways to experience the countrys most celebrated architectural metro: Chicago, Illinois. Admired for creativity rather than longevity—the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 destroyed a majority of notable buildings—each tour, no matter the means, showcases the character, ingenuity, and groundbreaking methods that make up Chicagos towering skyline. Photo credit: David ThompsonThe number of companies offering these sought-afte

Since July 4, 1777 -- the first birthday of the United States of America -- fireworks have been a part of our nations celebratory fabric. The Congressionally-sponsored fireworks were commissioned to celebrate the first anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and delivered a rousing light show to the colonists in a patriotic pyrotechnic display. At the conclusion of the very first 4th of July celebration, 13 rocket fireworks were launched into the air -- one for each of the

How does a nation come to grips with one of the most horrific events in its history? Since the 9/11 Memorial and Museum opened millions of people have visited the expansive underground site to witness the stories and artifacts from the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Attendance has exceeded expectations of museum officials, and it has quickly become one of hte most popular places to see in New York.Because of the crowds, buying tickets online ahead of time is the best choice. Tickets ca

Its a bird. Its a plane. Its a...TILT?Ninety-four floors up in the blue (and very windy) Chicago sky is a glass and steel contraption that takes steady nerves and a bit of daring to take on.Much like the famed Ledge at SkyDeck Chicago or the nerve-wracking Edgewalk at CN Tower in Toronto, the brand-new TILT at 360 CHICAGO is for those undaunted and unshakeable thrill-seekers looking for an aerial adventure. Photo courtesy of 360 CHICAGOLocated on the 94th floor of 360 CHICAGO (formerly known as

Once again this August, the Lollapalooza music festival rolls into Chicagos Grant Park for three days of live music August 1 through August 3. This years acts include a diverse range of musicians that span the gamut from fresh-on-the-scene to straight-up legendary, including Lorde, Outkast, Kings of Leon, and Iggy Azalea.A Brief History of LollapaloozaImage Credit: - EMR -Although Lollapalooza has found a permanent stateside home in Chicago (the annual festival travels to various cities in South

CityPASS recently searched out a variety of great restaurants dishing up some of Americas most amazing & outrageous foods. Do you think you could take down the Double Coronary Bypass Burger, stacked high with three servings of bacon and ground beef with two grilled cheese sandwiches for buns? Take a break from exploring some of Atlantas attractions and visit the Vortex Bar & Grill in Atlanta, GA to find out!If youre in Washington, DC and looking for the ultimate foodie challenge, stop over to th

Confirming what many art aficionados and museum-goers already knew, TripAdvisor just gave the Art Institute of Chicago the number one spot in its Travelers Choice Awards, ranking it not just the top museum in Chicago, but the top museum in the world for 2016.TripAdvisor is well known for being one of the top travel resources available today, and these awards are based on the millions of reviews submitted to the site. According to TripAdvisor, an algorithm takes into account the quantity and qual

Mardi Gras - or Fat Tuesday to those who dont speak French – is a festive opportunity to enjoy delicious food and celebratory merriment before the somber season of Lent begins. Traditionally, Mardi Gras falls one day prior to Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season leading up to Easter. While the festivity is known primarily as Mardi Gras in the U.S., international celebrations around the globe refer to it as Carnival (sometimes spelled Carnivale or Carnaval, depending up

St. Patricks Day ChicagoWhether youre of Irish decent or not, there is no shortage of fun to be had on Saint Patricks Day. This mid-March holiday commemorates Saint Patrick and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish. Grab your green, fill your cup with suds and put on your dancing shoes, because the Irish sure know how to party.Many cities throughout the United States have formal Saint Patricks Day celebrations, but none more bizarre and exciting than Chicago. Complete with marching ba