Tips for Visiting New York City on New Year’s Eve

Other posts by MudslideMama

There are a few times a year when TV viewers watch live events in New York City: The Thanksgiving Day Parade comes to mind, as does the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. But the biggest live, televised event in NYC every year has got to be New Years Eve. Millions of people watch the ball drop in New York City — be it on TV, streaming video on the internet, or (best of all) in person. If you’re one of the lucky people visiting NYC for New Year’s Eve, you’re really going to be at the epicenter of the most famous ball drop in the world! Here are some facts and tips for your experience.

Facts and Tips for Watching the Ball Drop Live on New Year’s Eve in NYC:

  • The ball drops at One Times Square, the streets of which will be blanketed with national media and a crushing mass of people (both tourists and native to NYC). Rockefeller Center is a classy spot from which to watch the celebrations.
  • Ringing in the New Year with the Times Square ball drop started in 1907, but it’s gotten much, much bigger in the past hundred years. One Times Square was only completed two years earlier (1905), so the building and event are historically linked.
  • The New Year’s Eve Ball is 12 feet in diameter – the brand new (circa 2008) ball is double the size of previous NYC New Year’s balls, and covered in 2,668 Waterford crystals. Sparkly!
  • From now on, this new 2009 Times Square Waterford crystal New Year’s Eve ball will be on display year-round in (you guessed it) Times Square. It will “roost” on top of One Times Square.
  • If you want to watch the ball drop with the hundreds of thousands of people on the streets of NYC, be prepared to see a lot of cops trying to keep a lid on things. They’ll be herding the crowds into partitioned areas and watching for illicit activity.
  • No backpacks. The NYPD knows what revelers try to smuggle in those things (for the uninitiated: Alcohol).
  • As with any free, massively popular event, you don’t get to “save your spot” if you leave. Here’s a tip: If you like where you are, don’t leave. That means, you may want to ration how much you drink. Peeing on the street is gross, and the cops won’t like it. Neither will your fellow revelers.
  • And you already know that an open bottle of alcohol is a no-no, right?
  • NYC is not a tropical vacation spot. Even on relatively balmy years (and I said relatively), it’s cold in New York in December and January. Be smart and bundle up – no backpacks to stuff scarves in, so travel with whatever you think you may need to stay comfortable in NYC for New Year’s Eve.
  • Unless you’re staying at a Times Square hotel, the fastest way to get to One Times Square is the subway. 42nd Street is the major NYC mass transit hub, so you can get there from nearly anywhere else in the city easily. The 1,2,3, and 9 subways makes stops here, the 4,5, and 6 make subway stops here too. Times Square is the terminus for the 7 subway line. The ACE, BDFV, the G, the JMZ and the L, and the NQRW all make regular stops at Times Square. There will be plenty of transit cops around to help with travel for tourists and other out-of-towners.
  • The Rainbow Room, on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center, is a highly popular, elegant dining and drinking spot in the area. Tip: Call early to reserve seating. It fills up fast, and its pricey. It’s worth it, though; dress up and be prepared to dance the night away.
  • The Rainbow Grill is a less formal setting right next to the Rainbow Room. You still need to unpack some fancy clothes, and the view of the ball descending on Times Square is terrific. It’s a sought-after locale – you’ll need to make reservations here, too.
  • If the crowds in Times Square alarm you (but they shouldn’t; most everyone’s in a festive mood) and the Rainbow Room is already booked, there are also New Year’s Eve cruises. This requires a little advance planning too, as parties right on the Hudson River are very, very popular. They’re always fun – hello, open bar! – and make for memorable ways to ring in the New Year.
  • Tip to consider: Most of the luxury cruise ships and party boats dock at around 2AM, so you lose some control about when you get back to your hotel or home.

Spending New Year’s Eve in New York City is among the most fun, festive ways to celebrate the New Year! Arm yourself with these facts and tips for watching the ball drop, and a great time is practically guaranteed. Happy New Year!

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December 11, 2008 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Budget Travel, Destinations, Family Travel, Travel News 

Comments

13 Responses to “Tips for Visiting New York City on New Year’s Eve”

  1. Harry says:
    December 11, 2008 at

    It a nice site collecting all info about Cruise.
    I need this information.
    Thanks for your time to post this article.

  2. Cheap Hotels In New York City says:
    December 12, 2008 at

    Thank for providing tips to visit New York City. From the continuous busy days we have to go for New Year celebration with our family. The facts you cleared is really very useful for us. Information you present in this article, make my New Year eve memorable.

  3. NewWrldYankee says:
    December 12, 2008 at

    I wish I could do this! Unfortunately, it’s exam time, and I’ll still be in Europe, most likely. NYC, my future home and where my heart lives.

  4. Tina Marshall says:
    December 12, 2008 at

    New York City is an extraordinary place to spend New Year’s Eve. I thought I’d drop in and share a post I found on the new Peterman’s Eye Travel where you can post photos and talk to other travellers about their trips.

    http://www.petermanseye.com/travel

  5. Janet F says:
    December 15, 2008 at

    I have always wanted to go to Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

  6. sito says:
    December 16, 2008 at

    I watch the festivities on TV and think how exciting it would be to be there, and then I remember that it’s cold, crowded, and loud, and I’m happy to be indoors and warm. Still crowded and loud sometimes, but at least I’m not freezing!

  7. MudslideMama says:
    December 16, 2008 at

    I know what you mean, Sito — it is pretty cold in NYC for New Year’s Eve. No doubt about it! But the festive mood sorta serves as a distraction.

  8. Heather S says:
    December 16, 2008 at

    I think it would be fun to go to Times Square. I am not sure I would like the crowds but maybe if everyone was festive it wouldn’t be so bad.

  9. nancy says:
    December 17, 2008 at

    Its an informative post and useful also because today everybody likes to travel in cruise at ease with help of online.
    Thanks for such an helpful post.

  10. Linda says:
    December 17, 2008 at

    I always wanted to go to NYC on New Years Eve, thanks for all the great info in case I ever make it out there, it sure will come in handy

  11. Ruby Foo's Pan-Asian Restaurants New York City says:
    December 18, 2008 at

    [...] of Broadway, after all, and tourists sure love their big musical productions. Ruby Foo’s in Times Square of New York City helps carry on the big, festive mood of a Broadway show, with red and gold decor, loud crowds [...]

  12. Megan says:
    January 1, 2009 at

    I watched the festivities from my *warm* living room last night; it was frigid out there! Although I would love to experience New Years at Times Square I don’t know how people can stay out in the cold for hours like that. The dilemma of needing a toilet and not being able to leave your chosen spot, especially if you are by yourself, is another issue. Seriously though, what do people do if they have to urinate (or even defecate) while out in the crowd and can’t wait? Are there public restrooms somewhere?

  13. Happy New Year « KMP (Keep Me Posted) says:
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    [...] *For more tips visit: About.com, Traveling Mamas [...]

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