10 Ideas for Making Your New Year’s Eve in New York City the Time of Your Life
Posted: November 20th, 2011
While the Times Square Ball Drop dominates NYC, planning ahead can give you access to a multitude of other events keep you away from the crowds, out of the cold, and celebrating the New Year in the style you like best.
The best laid plans can often go awry when it comes to the inexperienced visitor in NYC on New Year’s Eve, simply due to the volume of people all trying to get to the exciting New Year’s Eve events and attractions. If you’re among those who don’t want to be part of the masses at the Times Square’s Ball Drop, there are still plenty of other New York Events and NY Activities for a fabulous transition from one year to the next. Without a plan, though, things are bound to be a little unpredictable or you’ll get left behind with NY Events booking up quickly, so do yourself a favor and check out these sure bets for making this NYC New Year’s Eve a wonderful experience.
1. Take a NYC New Year’s Eve Cruise
What a luxurious way to celebrate the New Year in NYC. In the warmth of a harbor boat or yacht, you can enjoy a full bar, dinner, music, a champagne toast at midnight, and spectacular views of the fireworks as they light up the Manhattan skyline and reflect over the water. Several companies offer cruises for the New Year and prices range from $120.00 to $350.00 per person.
2. Run, Don’t Walk, Into 2012
Kick off the New Year with a resolution others just dream about. The annual Emerald Nuts Midnight Run held by the New York Road Runners is a 4-mile race at midnight in Central Park at the Bandshell near the 5th Ave. and 72nd Street entrance. The City’s fit and fabulous will enjoy DJ music and dancing, a spectacular fireworks and laser light show, and a costume parade and contest.
3. Keep the Peace
Conceived by Leonard Bernstein in 1983, the annual New York New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace is held at The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. Celebrating music, dance, prayer and words, a candle will be held by each attendee resulting in thousands of candles to light up the night and the New Year as the UBUNTU-SHRUTI orchestra performs.
4. Drink, Dance, and Be Delighted
The 8th annual New Year’s Eve bash at Sutra Lounge in the Lower East Side, themed The Garden of Delights, includes a 5-hour, premium open bar, hors d’oeuvres, midnight champagne toast, party favors, and live DJ music from Hot 97 for a warm, fun and sexy night. A diverse crowd will fill two floors where there are two open bars and two DJ booths to keep you satisfied. General admission for 21 and over is $95.00 and VIP tables and private rooms are available.
There are many choices for a Times Square Hotel including the historic, newly remodeled Milford Plaza Hotel, a Times Square New York City Hotel. Located in Times Square, Milford Plaza Hotel is surrounded by Manhattan’s famous landmarks and attractions including NYC’s Theater District, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, Central Park, and countless other NYC attractions.
5. Laugh Out Loud
The World Comedy Club at 318 West 53rd Street presents an amazing comedy show with comedians as seen on Letterman, The Tonight Show, Last Comic Standing, Conan, and Comedy Central. For the 18 and over crowd, $199.00 will get you 2 beverages of your choice, NY New Year’s Eve party favors, a champagne toast and 2 VIP “return trip” tickets to come back and see the show next year.
6. Dine in Style
Formerly an impressive NYC bank with Corinthian columns and a coved ceiling with an art glass skylight, Capitale only opens for dinner on special occasions, and a New York New Year’s Eve certainly qualifies. For $175 per person, diners at the 10th Annual New Year’s Eve Gala will enjoy 6 hours of a top-shelf open bar, gourmet buffet with dessert, and a champagne toast at midnight.
7. Keep the Kids Up Late
Families and anyone who loves to play will want to be at Dave & Buster’s in Times Square on 42nd Street this New Year’s Eve. While thousands of others are outside in the cold, this Times Square entertainment complex will keep you warm and having fun with a 5-hour premium open bar, buffet dinner, desserts, and an array of games and dancing. General admission over 21 is $75.00 and under 21 is $55.00. VIP seating available.
8. Watch Years Gone By
This year, classic film enthusiasts can attend the 1st Annual New Year’s Eve Silver Screen Festival at the AMC on 34th Street from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. with a 5-hour premium open bar from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m., a mini buffet from 9 – 11 p.m. and access to any silver screen classic movie showing. Watch your favorite timeless movie stars with your favorite person for a truly romantic start to the New Year in classic New York City style.
9. Chase Rainbows
The Rainbow Room on the 65th floor of the Rockefeller Center allows for an elegant dining and drinking experience throughout the year and especially on New Year’s Eve. Dress to the nines and dance from one year into the next. For a slightly less formal affair, the Rainbow Grill is on the same floor and provides a fantastic view of the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball’s descent.
10. Make Reservations with Those Resolutions
This is such an important tip for having spending New Year’s Eve in New York City, that it warrants a place in the Top 10 Ideas for this holiday. New York City is one of the most festive, lively places to be to welcome the New Year and it fills up fast and early. Don’t get left out of a fabulous celebration because you didn’t make a reservation. Whether you choose a cruise, restaurant, nightclub, show, activity or anything else that might book up and sell out for one of the many NYC New Year’s Eve options throughout Manhattan, be sure to make a reservation. And have a fabulous 2012!
About Milford Plaza Hotel - A Times Square Hotel
Milford Plaza Hotel is located in the heart of New York City, surrounded by Times Square, the Broadway Theater district, Manhattan’s best restaurants and nightclubs, the Empire State Building, the subway, shopping and more – and is undergoing a $140 million renovation to remain among the best NYC Hotels in Manhattan with 1,300 Guest Rooms and Guest Suites.
The Milford Plaza Hotel is readying all new Guest Rooms, Lounge, Fitness Room, and accommodations that will impress guests worldwide. This historic Times Square Hotel is perfectly located near all NYC Activities and Attractions that bring visitors to Manhattan – for business or pleasure. Jacob Javits Convention Center, the financial district, Madison Square Garden, MOMA, Central Park, the Rockefeller Center, Greenwich Village, and much more is within minutes by walk or ride. Come see the best of NYC and stay at The Milford Plaza Hotel – the favored destination for a Times Square Hotel.
