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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 (www.timessquarenyc.org, 212-768-1560) 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 celebration are 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.
  
  
• Ring in the new year with a bang at the Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery (2 West Street, 212-344-0800) offering exclusive viewing of spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks over the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor. The Bubbles & Sparks package ($1095 per couple) include luxury accommodations in a City View room, entry into the private party at the 14th floor Rise Bar, premium open bar, hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast and midnight fireworks from the Grucci family. Lovebirds can spend New Year’s Eve together with the Fireworks Romance package ($1250 per couple), which includes a Harbor View room offering private views of the midnight fireworks, dinner and dancing at 2 West restaurant, a champagne toast, party favors and an in-room bottle of champagne and strawberries.
  
  
• 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 Spa Inspired New Year’s Package ($619 per person, December 29 – January 2) allows guests to relax and renew for the new year with a two night minimum stay in a Spa Inspired Guest Room, a bottle of champagne, a 50-minute Swedish spa treatment, full American breakfast, spa amenities and free access to the health club. The hotel’s new 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) will host 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 have the opportunity to meet Mr. Feinstein after the show ($650/per couple). At midnight there will be a champagne toast, and partygoers will receive a half bottle of champagne to take home.

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. Boarding begins at 9 PM and the boat sails from 10 PM – 1 AM, the price is $120 per person.

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.

Greenwich Village’s Mannahatta (316 Bowery, 212-253-8644) offers a sleek multi-level space for guests to enjoy. The New Year’s Eve Package ($150 per person) includes premium open bar from 9 PM – 2 AM, gourmet hors d’oeuvres from 9 PM – midnight, a midnight champagne toast, party favors and live entertainment featuring DJs and go-go dancers. The fun only begins at midnight as the bar is open all night until 10 AM when breakfast will be served.

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. Athletes who want to ring in the New Year by breaking a sweat can take part in a four-mile run through Central Park hosted by New York Road Runners (212-860-4455) or join the cyclists and in-line skaters of Time’s Up and ride from Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village to Central Park’s Belvedere Castle.

Performing Arts
Culture vultures can celebrate the New Year with a special music or dance performance.

Mambo in the New Year at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola (33 West 60th Street, 212-258-9800) with legendary Cuban musician Paquito D’Rivera and his Panamerican Ensemble. Located in the Jazz at Lincoln Center complex in the Time Warner Building, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola will serve guests a three-course dinner to enjoy during the set ($155 per person for the 10 PM set).

Dance aficionados will enjoy a special New Year’s Eve performance from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (405 West 55th Street, 212-405-9000) at New York City Center. The special performance will feature the world premiere of Ife by Ronald K. Brown, the Ailey classic Revelations and the highly anticipated new ballet, Reminiscin’.

Live from Lincoln Center presents the New York Philharmonic (10 Lincoln Center Plaza, 212-875-5000) in its annual New Year’s Eve Gala. This festive evening of music will ring in the New Year with a program of Italian opera featuring world renowned soprano Angela Gheorghiu. Tickets for the live performance are available for $80 - $235.

Enjoy a free concert at St. Bartholomew’s Church (109 East 50th Street, 212-378-0200) starting at 11 PM. Fanfares, Fugues and Finales: A Concert to Usher in the New Year will feature organist William K Trafka performing works from Bach, Tchaikovsky, Widor and Langlais. Earlier in the evening the church will present Bachworks: The Brandenburg Concerti, a performance of six of the most exuberant classical musical pieces ever written. Tickets are $20 to $100 and the concert starts at 8 PM.

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 ($90 per person).
• The National Comedy Theater (347 West 36th Street, 212-629-5202) will present its New Year’s Eve Spectacular starting at 9:30 PM ($75 per person). The comedy troupe will present an improvised show based on audience suggestions, followed by a New Year’s countdown.
• 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 ($90 per person plus two drink minimum).
• Chicago City Limits (318 W. 53rd Street, 212-888-5233) will ring in the new year with a special New Year's Eve show that takes aim at the places, faces and events of the past year, with songs and improvisations. Shows at 8 PM & 10:15 PM and tickets are $35 & $45 plus a 2 drink minimum.

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 led by ringmaster Paul Binder. Celebrate with dancing, live music, and special goody bags with hats streamers and noisemakers. Tickets are $45 to $125 for the circus performance and New Year’s celebration.

Little ones who can’t make it to midnight can celebrate with the New Year’s Dance Party and countdown at 2:30 PM on December 31 with the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (145 Brooklyn Avenue, 718-735-4400). Impack II, an eclectic band that plays hip-hop, reggae and soca-inspired tunes, will provide music to dance to at this Caribbean-themed celebration. Noisemakers and party favors will be provided for kids to enjoy. Admission to the museum is $4.

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. Families can enjoy the lights from 5 - 9 PM and tickets are $10 for adults, $7 children and seniors and free for children under two years old.

Restaurants
A number of New York City restaurants are celebrating New Year’s Eve with prix-fixe menus and special entertainment. Some of the highlights are Garage Restaurant’s (99 Seventh Avenue South, 212-645-0600) three-course menu including champagne toast and dancing ($95 per person), Sal Anthony SPQR’s (133 Mulberry Street, 212-925-3120) gala cocktail hour and four-course dinner menu including open bar, champagne toast and party favors ($125 per person) and Remi’s black-tie New Year’s Eve gala (145 West 53rd Street,212-581-4242).

For those who want to enjoy the ambiance of the Times Square celebration without the crowds, there are a number of restaurants in the vicinity offering special New Year’s menus. La Prima Donna (163 West 47th Street, 212-398-3400) offers a three-course dinner including a bottle of champagne and live entertainment ($125 per person) and Joseph’s by Citarella (1240 Avenue of the Americas, 212-332-1515) has a four or five-course dinner including champagne toast ($125 per person).

Head downtown to Tribeca Grill (375 Greenwich Street, 212-941-3900) for the annual New Year’s Eve Gala. This year’s festivities include a five-course feast of holiday favorites and live entertainment from Ron Sunshine and his band ($150 per person). Or have dinner before heading out on the town with Tribeca Grill’s a la carte menu offered from 5:30 to 8:45 PM.

Barbetta Restaurant (321 West 46th Street, 212-246-9171) will host its most spectacular New Year’s Eve in a century as the restaurant kicks off its 100th anniversary. Dinner, dancing and midnight toast are included for $250 person. Planet Hollywood (1540 Broadway at 45th Street, 212-333-STAR) parties with buffet, hors d’oeuvres and open bar ($225 per person, $275 VIP) and T.G.I. Friday’s (761 Seventh Avenue, 212-767-8349) offers entertainment, champagne toast, buffet, dessert and open bar for $225 per person.

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