How to Celebrate New Year's Eve in New York City

Obviously the best way to celebrate New Year’s Eve in New York City is to head to Times Square and watch the ball drop! Be a part of the action you grew up watching on television. Here's how to do it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Warm clothing
• Water or some form of hydration

1. Getting there. The best way to arrive at Times Square is by public transportation. There are over 15 subway lines that make stops at Times Square, including the 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F, N, Q, R, W, V, and the S shuttle. Get there in the early afternoon, as the Bow Tie of Times Square (42nd to 47th Sts. between Broadway and 7th Ave.) fills up fast. At 6 p.m., the famous New Year’s Eve Ball is raised to the top of the 77-foot flagpole (at Broadway and 43rd St.), so you should arrive before this to get a spot.

2. Get your confetti on. The Times Square Business Improvement District employs hundreds of sanitation workers to hand out various forms of confetti. Make sure to grab a bunch from one of these red jumpsuit-wearing workers so you can join in the confetti bonanza at midnight!

3. Smile for the camera! At 10 p.m., the cameras turn to the revelers within the Bowtie. A live video-feed is broadcast worldwide, catching the New Year’s partiers on television. Make sure to be on your best behavior as mom could be watching!

4. 10! 9! 8! The New Year’s Eve Ball begins its highly-anticipated descend at exactly 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31. It travels 77 feet in 60 seconds until it finally drops, displaying illuminated, dazzling lights presenting the numerals of the fresh new year. Say it with me now, “HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

Tips & Warnings

• While there will not be food or drink vendors present within Times Square, there are plenty of restaurants nearby. Just remember, no one is guaranteed a spot within the viewing area. So if you leave, you may not be able to return to your original spot.
• Sorry folks, no alcoholic beverages are allowed within the blocked off viewing section of Times Square. Alcohol will be confiscated by police.
• There are no public restrooms.

[2ndMomma]

on 12/17/2007 Hey Bridget...
This is a GREAT ARTICLE!!! I would love to be able to do this someday...and night:)) Watching it on TV is the closest I can come, and I loved it every year. Great memories when my Dad was still alive and watching it with him:)) Thanks for writing it.
Warmest Regards and Merry Christmas and of course...HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIEND:))
2nd Momma...Vickie :))

[OConnor]

on 12/5/2007 This is an amazing how-to article. Just by reading this article I feel as though and can actually picture being right there in the thick of the celebration, all with actually experiencing it before!