Day 17: Pumpkin Prosciutto Pizza

Soho’s favorite new resident may very well be Numero 28 Pizzaria Romana on Spring Street. But in the war over best pizza in New York, Numero 28 need not even fight. It’s like no other– as the name says, it pizza Roma style. Cooked in oversized rectangular pans, you don’t get a standard ‘pie slice’ here, and the crust, rather than the typical is more like focaccia bread. And then the toppings– there’s your basic Buffala– tomato, basil and dollops of Buffalo Mozzarella, a potato and gorgonzola, a nutella (for dessert of course) and for a seasonal slice a pumpkin and prosciutto. The staff sing in adorable Italian accents as if they’re right in from Rome. Stop in for a bite, you will for sure, as they say, enjoy-a your pizza!

Day 16: World Series Game 6

Yankees at the World Series—does it get any better than this? Of course watching live from the new stadium would have been something, but with bars on every corner there was just as much fun to be had staying local, swigging down beers with the neighbors, fingers crossed that the Yanks would clinch it. There wasn’t so much in the way of nail-biting suspense, with New York 7 Philly 1 at the bottom of the fifth, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t cheering. In the end, it was a win, the 27^th title in franchise history. The Yankees… just another reason to love New York.  

www.newyork.yankees.mlb.com

Day 15: Apple Picking at Fishkill Farms

Who doesn’t love apples? How ‘bout some a mug of piping hot apple cider with a slice of homemade apple pie? Very Martha Stewart right? Even more so when you can boast having picked the apples yourself. So the orchard isn’t in your backyard. We can’t all be so privileged! Lucky for us New York City folk, there are at least a half dozen orchards within two hours of Manhattan just a car- or train ride away. There’s nothing quite like an afternoon among the apple trees, under the blue sky, with the chill of autumn on your face. Go for a hayride while you’re there, and of course, make sure to indulge in one of those amazing doughnuts…or of course go for a whole dozen.

www.offmanhattan.com

www.fishkillfarms.com

Day 14: ING New York City Marathon

So you’re not up for sweatin’ it out for 26.2 miles—completely understood. That doesn’t mean you can’t be part of the action. As every New Yorker knows that the fans are almost as big a part as the runners in the annual ING New York City Marathon. Lining streets in each of the five boroughs, fans stand cheering, chanting, clapping, waving posters and flags, all in the spirit of this great race. It doesn’t matter where along the route you are that morning, no doubt you’ll feel inspired…maybe even to the point you’ll decide to sign up for the next one. Okay, maybe that’s pushing it.

www.ingnycmarathon.org

Day 13: Halloween in NYC

If you’ve never done Halloween in NYC make sure you do at some point in your life. From morning on October 31 (and even days before) the city is abuzz with the energy—in the costumes, the shops windows and along Sixth Avenue for the famous Greenwich Village Halloween Parade where floats by commissioned artists and costumes from some of the greatest imaginations talk a walk for the world to see. Without a doubt Halloween is one of the city’s largest unofficial parties even if you’re not up for a party. Even a ride on the subway—or waiting on the platform for a while—can be pretty entertaining. Let’s just say it’s pretty *#$% spook-tastic.

Day 12: Greenwood Cemetery

There’s definitely something eerie about cemeteries, but going to one on Halloween is even eerier. Brooklyn’s Greenwood Cemetery has been around since 1838 and today is recognized as a National Historic Landmark with one of the largest collections of 19^th and 20^th century statuary and mausoleums. Among the famous deceased who rest within Greenwood’s 478 acres are Leonard Bernstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Louis-Comfort Tiffany. Visitors who come for a guided tour get the benefit of hearing spooky tales of spirits and the like, but a walk through alone can be just as fun. Of course wandering the hilly, twisting paths in the chilly air of fall ALONE (and without a map) can be a little freaky. But it’s Halloween. And besides, in a graveyard, you’re never REALLY alone.

 www.green-wood.com

Day 11: Mad.Sq.Mark’t

While the sky is still blue and the temperatures are still warm enough to sit outside, head to Madison Square Park’s Mad.Sq.Mark’t. Lining Broadway from 23^rd Street to 25^th are rows of stalls selling everything from jewelry and candles, to green products and gifts for the kids (and for Fido)– a little holiday shopping preview. If last minute shopping is more your style, at least head to the food square for a some casual dining al fresco. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the towering hut of pumpkins at the entrance and tables under blue umbrellas and booths by Fatty Crab, Hill Country Barbeque Market and Breezy Hill Orchard to name a few. It’s just another example that in NYC, there is never a shortage of good food and good fun. 11am – 8pm daily, through November 1.

www.madsqmarkt.com

Day 10: Pumpkin Carving Contest at Kettle of Fish

It’s agreed that Halloween wouldn’t be the same without jack-o-lanterns, right? Sure there’s the mess—the guts, the seeds, the slimy hands that come with carving, but it really is fun and it only comes around once a year. Village tavern Kettle of Fish has been hosting an annual pumpkin carving contest now in its 23^rd year. They provide the pumpkins and the tools, the rest is up to contestants. Aside from the fact that hanging out at Kettle feels like hanging out in a friend’s living room, it’s the best of both worlds, arms elbow-deep in a pumpkin with a Freaktoberfest pint on the side. Brings back the memories of childhood with a grown-up sort of spin. After three hours of carving judges pick their faves in categories that happen to fit with the final works of craftsmanship. This year a Most Seductive pumpkin, a Biggest Suck-up, Best Use of Props and always the All-Around Best in Show. 

Day 9: 2009 Nike+ Human Race

For a few hours on Saturday morning, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park saw a wave of red as thousands of participants arrayed in Nike Plus shirts ran in the second annual Nike+ Human Race 10K. For days before, forecasters were predicting a downpour, but thanks to a thoughtful gesture by Mother Nature, the sky held off until most participants had crossed the finish line. The two-loop course made for a picturesque run with leaves in autumn colors swaying overhead and on the ground paving the way for many thousands of feet. At 6.2 miles the race was a fraction of next week’s ING New York City Marathon, but as Nike titles it, “the day the world runs”, it was nevertheless, a good preview.

www.nikerunning.nike.com

Day 8: CMJ Music Marathon

In NYC there are always bands to be heard and films to be seen, but for six days in October it’s a marathon—the CMJ Music Marathon (and Film Festival) that is. Six days of music, beer, stamped hands and wristbands, and more music, and more beer, if you can take it. With a list of artists so long it’ll have your eyes crossing, there’s enough to keep you moving for hours on end, from daylight until the wee hours of night…or morning really. And with more fresh faces than familiar faves on the bill it’s a good chance to get a peak at some of the best new music around. There are for sure a good deal worth getting to know.

www.cmj.com/marathon2009