New Years Eve in Times Square | Manhattan Hotels New Years Eve
Posted: November 21st, 2010
Enjoying New Years Eve in New York City’s Times Square – the best place to experience the party of a lifetime with over a million of your closest friends.
Where is the New Years Eve Ball (‘NYE Ball’) located and lowered?
The Times Square New Year's Eve Ball descends from a flagpole at the top of One Times Square. The Times Square New Year's Eve Ball is best viewed along Broadway between 43rd Street to 50th Street, and along 7th Avenue and as far north as 59th Street.
Are Broadway Theaters, Times Square Stores and Times Square Restaurants open during the NYE festivities?
Some Broadway Theaters are open on New Year's Eve. The famous TKTS Booth in the heart of Times Square will open at 10 a.m. on New Year's Eve. Many Times Square Storesand Times Square Restaurants will be open and others may choose to close, so please call them ahead of time.
Where is the best location to view the NYE Ball?
The earlier you arrive in Times Square, the better your view of the NYE Ball will be – plus you’ll be in the middle of the action and close to all the entertainment. The main concert area and main sound system is set up in the Bowtie area (where Broadway and Seventh Avenue cross), and the many Times Square Video Screens on One Times Square Building (where the NYE Ball is lowered) are easily visible. There are additional screens set up at Broadway and 50th Street, Broadway and 52nd Street, Broadway and 54th Street and Broadway and 58th Street.
There really is not a ‘bad seat in the house.’
What is the best way to come to Times Square?
The best way to come to Times Square is via public transportation. To get to Times Square, the # 1, 2, 3, 7, A, B, C, D, E, F, N, Q, R, W, V and S shuttle trains all service the Times Square area. It’s expected that the MTA will keep all subway stations open on New Year's Eve. Some entrances and exits may be closed as crowd conditions require. After 7 p.m. on December 31st, the N and R train station at 49th Street and Seventh Avenue may be closed until after midnight. Trains may also bypass some stations, depending on how the crowds build.
Other useful sources of information:
Port Authority Bus Terminal: 212-564-8484
New York City Transit Authority (Local Bus Service): 718-330-1234
Amtrak: 800-523-8720
Metro North: 212-532-4900
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR): 718-217- LIRR
For questions on New Year's Eve about access to the festivities, contact the NYPD sub-station at: 212-239-9803 or the Times Square Alliance Dispatch Office at: 212-452-5218.
When should I get there?
Revelers begin to gather in the late afternoon on New Year's Eve, December 31st. The best advice we can give is to get there as early as possible. We cannot predict how quickly the viewing areas will fill up. Prime viewing areas may fill up early in the afternoon.
At approximately 6:00 p.m. EST the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball will be raised to the top of the 77-foot flagpole at One Times Square (Broadway at 43rd Street) and lit. At exactly 11:59 p.m. EST, the Ballwill make its 60-second descent down the flagpole to signal the start of the New Year.
TIP: Revelers who arrive very early in the day, before the police have established viewing areas, may be moved by the NYPD when barricades are put in place.
Here is the timeline for last year's street closures and viewing areas. This information may be helpful for planning your trip to this year's event:
- 3:45 p.m. - 7th Avenue & Broadway closed to vehicular traffic from 43rd Street to 49th Street (cross streets were closed at 3:30 p.m.).
- 5:00 p.m. - All cross streets closed to vehicular traffic except 57th Street, 58th Street & 59th Street. 42nd Street closed to vehicular traffic.
- 5:30 p.m.- Viewing areas filled north to 48th Street, south to 40th - 41st Street.
- 6:00 p.m.- Viewing areas filled to 52nd Street.
- 10:00 p.m.- Viewing areas filled to 58th Street, south to 38th Street.
- 10:30 p.m. - Viewing areas filled to 59th Street.
What streets will be closed for the NYE celebrations?
The New York Police Department will begin closing down access to Times Square starting at 43rd Street and Broadway and moving north as Revelers arrive. The exact times that these blocks close to pedestrian and vehicular traffic will depend on when the Revelers begin arriving. It’s likely that there will be no vehicular traffic on either Broadway or Seventh Avenue as of approximately 3:00 p.m. Vehicles will most likely have difficulty traveling across town after 6:00 p.m. above 42nd Street as far north as 59th Street.
If you are planning to come to Times Square and join in the festivities, you are advised to enter from Sixth or Eighth Avenue. Your chance of getting a great viewing point near the NYE Ball (at Broadway & 43rd Street) increases the earlier you arrive. The blocks will be closed off as they fill up northward, street-by-street, as the police deem necessary.
Will there be areas in Times Square designated for the disabled?
Yes. The police will set aside a viewing area for the disabled, located on the northwest corner of 43rd Street. However, this area will fill up quickly, and it is advised that disabled visitors arrive early in the day.
Can we buy Beer, Alcohol or Champaign?
No. Public drinking is illegal in New York City. Police will confiscate alcohol.
Is there food and drink vendors in Times Square?
No. There will be no licensed food and beverage vendors in Times Square. However, there are hundreds of NYC Restaurants in and around Times Square.
Will there be Times Square Restaurants open in the area? Can Revelers return to the same viewing areas after dining?
Many NYC Restaurants located in the Times Square area will be open on New Year's Eve and be sure to make your reservations well in advance. Visit our New York City Restaurant Guide for ideas. Remember, if you choose to dine at a local Manhattan Restaurant, you won’t be able to come out to watch the NYE Ball come down at midnight.
Thousands of NYE Revelers arrive in Times Square very early in the day, and while you are dining, designated viewing areas will fill up on a "first come, first served" basis. No one is allowed to stand in the designated emergency lanes or on the sidewalks. Also remember that if you leave your viewing area to eat in a Manhattan Restaurant or Times Square Restaurant you won’t able to return to your spot in the designated viewing area.
Which Times Square Restaurants and New York City Hotels have the best view of the NYE Ball?
- Renaissance New York Hotel
- DoubleTree Guest SuitesHotel
- Marriott Marquis Hotel
- TGI Fridays
- Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
- Sbarro Pizza
- Olive Garden
- 2 Times Square
Find an ideal New York City Hotel located in the heart of Manhattan here: Milford Plaza Hotel
What type of security will there be?
The New York Police Department will control all access points to Times Square. No bags or backpacks are permitted. Emergency Service squads, drug and bomb sniffing canine units and counter-terrorism personnel will be present in Times Square on New Year's Eve.
What should I wear and what should I bring?
Dress warmly. Remember that you could be spending an extended period outdoors in potentially below-freezing conditions. You should be well-prepared and well-insulated. Many layers, synthetics (such as Goretex and polypropylene), wind-resistant and water-repellant outerwear and a good hat are the keys to staying warm.
Finally, remember to drink lots of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Not only is public drinking illegal in New York City, but both caffeine and alcohol will dehydrate you. Dehydration is very common and can sneak up on you in cold weather.
Do we have to buy tickets to the event?
No. This event is open to everyone. However, to get the best view, arrive early in the afternoon.
How difficult is it to reserve Hotel Rooms in our near Times Square?
There are many Times Square Hotels with more than 16,000 Hotel Rooms in the Times Square neighborhood - ranging from large Hotel chains to small Boutique Hotels to choose from. There are also several youth Hostels situated in and around the Times Square area. Book your stay as early in advance as possible to secure a place to stay.
A New York City Hotel recommendation is Manhattan’s Milford Plaza Hotel– a very popular, Manhattan Boutique-Style Hotel closely located to Times Square.
You can contact the Hotels directly about rates and availability, or contact your travel agent for more information and reservations.
Where can I find information on Times Square New Year's Eve parties?
There's no more electrifying place on the planet than Time Square on New Year's Eve.
About Milford Plaza Hotel – A New York City Hotel:
The Milford Plaza Hotel – New York is in the heart of NYC’s Theater District, 1 block from NYC’s Times Square and just blocks from NYC’s Neighborhoods’ SOHO, Greenwich Village, Lower East Side, NOLITA, Tribeca, and the East Village, Chinatown and Little Italy.
Our Manhattan Hotel is also close to all the most popular NYC Attractions and Things to Do in Manhattan; Times Square, the Empire State Building, Garment District, Diamond District, Central Park, Jacob Javit’s Convention Center and many other New York City Attractions that make New York City – ‘The Most Exciting City in the World!’
This Manhattan Hotel provides Guests with a perfect mix of comfortable Guest Rooms, ideal New York City location and gracious Guest Services all at a very affordable rate that will surprise you.
