How to Celebrate New Year's Eve in NYC

New Year's Eve in New York City. If you think watching the ball drop in Times Square is all there is to do on the big night then you'd be pleasantly surprised. Here is a guide on how to ring in the new year in New York City in some very different ways.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Celebrate at some of NYC's most luxurious hotels. The Mandarin Oriental at 80 Columbus Circle and 60th Street, will host a party at the 35th floor lobby lounge overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park. Guests can enjoy spectacular city views and dance to live music as they celebrate 2008. The hotel’s restaurant, Asiate, will have a special New Year’s menu with seatings at 5:30 p.m. (3-course prix-fixe, $75) and 9:00 p.m. (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 on 45th Street). Their Broadway Party features a champagne reception, four-course dinner, open bar, live DJ and special entertainment plus a prime viewing location to watch the ball drop in Times Square. 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 Park (2 West Street) which offers 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) includes 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.
   
   Feinstein’s at the Regency (540 Park Avenue) 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.
2. Take to the water. Circle Line Sightseeing (Pier 83 at West 42nd Street) will offer a live DJ and dancing, an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, party favors, a midnight champagne toast plus dazzling skyline views. Boarding begins at 9pm and the boat sails from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The price is $120 per person.
   
   You can also go upscale with a luxurious World Yacht (Pier 81 West 41st Street) 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.
3. 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 will be alight with colorful fireworks at midnight to welcome 2008. 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. Central Park 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.
4. Culture vultures can celebrate the New Year with a special music or dance performance. Dance aficionados will enjoy a special New Year’s Eve performance from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (405 West 55th Street) at New York City Center.
   
   Live from Lincoln Center presents the New York Philharmonic (10 Lincoln Center Plaza) in its annual New Year’s Eve Gala. Tickets for the live performance are available for $80 to $235.
   
   Enjoy a free concert at St. Bartholomew’s Church (109 East 50th Street) starting at 11 PM. For information call 212-378-0200
5. Raise your non-alcoholic sparkling cider and toast these family friendly New Year’s Eve options. The Big Apple Circus will offer a New Year’s Eve performance starting at 9:30 p.m. 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 p.m. on December 31 with the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (145 Brooklyn Avenue). Noisemakers and party favors will be provided for kids to enjoy. Admission to the museum is $4. The Bronx Zoo (2300 Southern Blvd.) will be shining bright this holiday season with the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights. 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 to 9pm and tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for children and seniors and is free for children under 2 years old.

Tips & Warnings

• For the events that require reservations, try to make them as soon as possible as these events tend to sell out pretty quickly.