If you want to be in Times Square, we wish you the best of luck
For athletes, to start fulfilling New Year's resolutions, for romantics, for party people, for modern, for classics... New York offers as many possibilities as you can imagine. The party starts early and ends very late . It's the only night this city really doesn't sleep. The offer of parties and events is immense but we have selected the most New Yorkers.
Afternoon in Dyker Heights: The most Christmassy neighborhood in New York, if the Christmas spirit were measured in light bulbs and Santa Clauses. With which the electricity companies make a killing, of course. The neighbors compete to see who is more festive with lights and more lights, giant-size nativity scenes, Christmas carols in their gardens... It is a real show and December 31 is the last chance to see it . You can go on your own (D or M lines, 18th Avenue stop), but you have a good walk from the subway. The best is to do it with the Christmas Lights and Cannoli Tour, they pick you up in Union Square and at the end of the tour they give you hot chocolate with cannoli (not poisoned, don't worry). When you finish you still have time to get to the fireworks in Manhattan or Brooklyn.
Dyker Heights: The Holiday Spirit Is Measured In Lights
Countdown in Times Square: The craziest tradition, almost tacky and not recommended for people with a phobia of crowds. New Yorkers and visitors have been gathering in this great square of lights since 1907 to celebrate the end of the year. The change of year is marked by the fall of a giant ball covered in colored crystals, the famous Ball Drop, which starts to slide a minute before 12 . When I get to the bottom it will be 2013 and the fireworks and confetti will begin.
You can see the Ball Drop from the street, accompanied by millions of people . In this case, we recommend that you arrive in the vicinity of 42nd Street around 2 in the afternoon. yes, 2 o'clock in the afternoon . Or even before. Shortly after the whole square begins to be impracticable. But don't worry because they keep you entertained all the time: with countdown rehearsals from 6 in the afternoon (this is how you'll celebrate the new year in Spain) and concerts. You can ring in 2013 gangman style with Psy. Performances by Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen and Neon Trees are also confirmed.
The famous Ball Drop
The quietest (and most expensive) option is to rent a reserved room or a room in one of the hotels that overlook Times Square. The deluxe version is offered by the renaissance from 2,500 dollars for two people, and something cheaper is the Novotel , from $234, or a VIP ticket to the AMC 42nd Street Party, five hours of open bar (9-2) and watch the big ball drop from their sixth-floor terrace.
Countdown in Brooklyn: It is an option more familiar and less crowded than the one in Times Square. The party spreads throughout Prospect Park, performances and live music start at 11am and 2013 is welcomed at 12pm with fireworks going off from Grand Army Square.
Prospect Park: the most familiar and less crowded option
In a hurry: Was your resolution for 2013 to start exercising? You can fulfill it at 12:01 at night or even receive the year already running. In New York you have both options. In Central Park the party starts at 10, with a costume contest and live music, and as soon as the fireworks start, the 4-mile run (about 6.5 km) throughout the park with strategic stops to drink ... cider! In Prospect Park (Brooklyn) you can do it just the other way around: the race starts at 11.15 and at 12 you have to be crossing the finish line to toast with hot chocolate or cider.
Boat: The most romantic plan of all: New Year's Eve dinner on the Hudson River, live jazz and a toast at 12 o'clock while you watch all the fireworks in New York: Central Park, Times Square, Liberty Island, Brooklyn... From $425.
From the Brooklyn Bridge: Almost the same views as from the boat, but quite cheaper and busier . There are guided tours, but you can do it on your own: enter the bridge over Manhattan at 11 at night and wait until 12 to see the fireworks, the lights of the Empire State Building and the entire illuminated skyline of Manhattan. When you get to Brooklyn you can continue to Prospect Park and continue the party there.
By bike or skates: The Time's Up association has been organizing this race for several years, which starts in Washington Square at 10 a.m. and runs through Manhattan to end in a big party at Belvedere Castle in Central Park, with more fireworks and more cider. In addition to riding a bike or rollerblades, the only requirement is to bring all kinds of utensils that make noise. And better if you go in disguise.
Another observatory of the end of the year.
cool plans: Here there are options to boredom. Every hotel, club and bar in Manhattan throws a party. Prices can range from $45 to $1,000 (or more), depending on location, open bar hours, or clientele. In some places you can find famous people like in capital , where they brag that you might be able to spend New Year's Eve with Eva Mendes, Sarah Jessica Parker or Hugh Jackman . A very New York end of the year is to experience it from a rooftop like the one in the new Dream Downtown, between Meatpacking and Chelsea. And the most varied option is to buy a pass to go from party to party all night: Meatpacking clubs and around Times Square offer you that possibility from 55 dollars.
And for New Years? Find a good brunch place or go to swim in the open sea to Coney Island.