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New Year's Eve In New York City

The world celebrates New Year’s Eve with New York City as millions of people worldwide watch the countdown and famous ball drop in Times Square. But the Times Square festivities are just the beginning of what’s happening in the Big Apple this New Year’s Eve. From dramatic fireworks displays to special concerts, there is no place like New York to ring in the New Year.

Celebrate at the Cross Roads of the World
More than 750,000 people pack into the blocks surrounding Times Square on December 31 for the famed New Year’s Eve celebration. For over 100 years, this celebration has been an annual tradition and the epitome of New Year’s celebrations.

Revelers will be covered with 2,000 pounds of confetti as they watch the Waterford Crystal Ball descend atop One Times Square as the clock strikes midnight. Visitors wanting to be a part of the action should plan to arrive no later than 3 PM to stake out a spot.

The best places to view the Times Square ball drop: along Broadway from 43rd to 50th Streets and on 7th Avenue from 43rd to 59th Streets.

Hotel Happenings
Celebrate the new year in style with a party at one of New York City’s top hotels.

• The Mandarin Oriental, New York (80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street, 212-805-8800) will host a party at the 35th floor lobby lounge overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park. Guests can enjoy spectacular city views dance to live music as they celebrate 2006. The hotel’s restaurant Asiate will have a special New Year’s menu with seatings at 5:30 PM (3-course prix-fixe, $75) and 9 PM (7-course prix-fixe $255). Admission to the lobby lounge party will be free to guests of the hotel and Asiate; non-guests will pay a $125 cover charge.
  
  
• Enjoy the Times Square celebration from high above the crowd at the Marriott Marquis (1535 Broadway, 212-398-1900) Broadway Party featuring champagne reception, four-course dinner, open bar, live DJ and special entertainment. Located on Broadway, just north of Times Square, the Marriott Marquis offers a prime viewing location to watch the New Year’s festivities. Tickets for the Broadway party are $899 per couple, and $999 or $1400 per couple for premium seating.
  
  
• Eschew the traditional raucous New Year’s Eve partying and start the new year off with a relaxing spa getaway at the Westin New York Times Square (270 West 43rd Street, 212-201-2700). The hotel’s Spa Inspired Guestrooms feature electronic Shiatsu massage chairs, aromatherapy bath amenities, bottles of water, fruit and a mini bar with healthy snacks.
  
  
• Feinstein’s at the Regency (540 Park Avenue, 212-759-4100) usually hosts a special New Year’s celebration featuring an exclusive performance from legendary singer Michael Feinstein. Guests can enjoy a three-course dinner and open bar and a champagne toast at midnight.
  
  There’s no place like New York City for parties on New Year’s Eve.

Take to the water on December 31 with an electrifying 3-hour cruise with Circle Line Sightseeing (Pier 83 West 42nd Street, 212-563-3200). Enjoy dazzling skyline views, live DJ and dancing, an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, party favors, and a midnight champagne toast.

Or go upscale with a luxurious World Yacht (Pier 81 West 41st Street, 212-630-8100) cruise, including a five-course dinner, open bar and live band. Both vessels will offer the perfect vantage point of New York Harbor to view the midnight fireworks by the Grucci family.

For the ultimate guide to New Year’s Eve parties check out www.newyears.com (212-843-2400) where partygoers can search for a variety of parties hosted at restaurants, clubs, bars and lounges throughout the city and purchase advance tickets. The site provides details about the party including pricing, venue information and photographs. Another top party resource is www.joonbug.com (212-255-4223) offering information and tickets to the city’s hottest places to ring in the new year.

Fantastic Fireworks
What better way to celebrate the New Year than a spectacular display of fireworks above the city skyline?

Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza at Prospect Park (718-965-8999) will be alight with colorful fireworks at midnight to welcome 2006. The best locations for viewing the fireworks are at Grand Army Plaza, on the Prospect Park's West Drive, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure a prime viewing location. Fireworks from the famous Grucci family will light up the sky above the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island at the stroke of midnight. The best viewing locations include Battery Park and Wagner Park.

Central Park (212-794-6564) will also host a midnight fireworks display. Tavern on the Green and Sheep’s Meadow, as well as high rises surrounding the park are among the best spots to watch the fireworks. Other events in Central Park include a costume contest and dancing at the Central Park Bandshell plaza.

Start the new year off with a laugh at one of New York City’s comedy clubs:

• The Comic Strip Live (1568 Second Avenue, 212-861-9386) offers a 10:30 PM show including an all-star line up of comedians, a three hour open bar, munchies, party favors, champagne toast and live broadcast of the celebration in Times Square.
  
  
• Located on Broadway just north of Times Square, Caroline’s on Broadway (1626 Broadway, 212-956-0101) is a popular destination for New Year’s Eve revelers. The 10:30 PM show will feature acts from top stand-up comedians, a live broadcast of the ball drop in Times Square and DJ and dancing after midnight.
  

Family Friendly Celebrations
Raise your non-alcoholic sparking cider and toast these family friendly New Year’s Eve options. The Big Apple Circus (212-268-2500) will offer a New Year’s Eve performance starting at 9:30 PM and ending just in time for a midnight countdown. Celebrate with dancing, live music, and special goody bags with hats streamers and noisemakers.

The Bronx Zoo (2300 Southern Blvd., 718-367-1010) will be shining bright this holiday season with the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, presented by Hess. December 31 is the last night to enjoy this festive celebration of more than half a million mini-lights and more than 150 lighted sculptures.

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