Say goodbye to the old year and hello to the new year in New York, one of the funnest places in the whole world to celebrate the new year. Whether you want to ring in the new year with your loved one, with your group of friends, or with your entire family, you'll enjoy these seven things to do.
Say Hello To The New Year With These Fun New York City New Years Activities
1. End the year with a big bang
Count down to the new year with fireworks and a free cup of hot cocoa or cider at Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park. The public plaza, located in the northern corner of the Brooklyn park, will have live music starting from 11 p.m. People will be able to watch the fireworks from vantage points across the plaza, through the park on West Drive, or along Prospect Park West between the Plaza and 9th Street. For more information on this event, visit prospectpark.org.
2. Let the kids in on the fun
Celebrate New Year's Eve with the 12-and-under crowd at one of the kid-centric events in town. For the little ones who can't stay up to watch the ball drop in Times Square at midnight, the Children's Museum of Manhattan is "dropping the ball" at noon. After a morning of crafts and goodie-making sessions, children are invited to the museum's Noon Ball Drop Dance Party and Parade. Kids can join in on the New Year's Wishing Tree event from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. as well. The Children's Museum of the Arts also hosts a New Year's Eve bash, where kids can make their own party hats, glasses and decorations. At the Staten Island Children's Museum, children can celebrate the end of the year with music, snacks and kid-friendly entertainment. Play spaces such as Kidville also host holiday events throughout the year. Last year, the Upper West Side Kidville had a Rockin' New Year's Eve Party for tots, featuring music, pizza and a noon ball drop. Check out play spaces and museums near your for events details.
3. Let soothing music be the soundtrack to your New Year’s Eve
The annual New Year's Eve Concert for Peace can be a calming start—or early ending—to the evening. Held at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine from 7 to 9 p.m., the event is a popular attraction for families throughout the city.
4. Race into the new year
This Central Park race is an annual event that kicks off the year with a four-mile run. The race begins at the stroke of midnight, but the music and festivities start two hours beforehand. For non-runners, there are fireworks and dancing to enjoy. If a healthy start to the new year isn't enough incentive to get out and run, it may be worth noting that cash prizes are awarded to the top three men and women who complete the race. Run fast!
5. Or slow down and take a walk
Party on the Brooklyn Bridge after a walking tour with New York City tour guides. They'll take you around the City Hall area, and then to Brooklyn Bridge, sharing little-known facts about the architectural marvel. You might be able to see fireworks from Central Park, Brooklyn, Staten Island and even New Jersey. If you're lucky, you might catch the Empire State Building light show as well. Walks are scheduled from 10:15 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. Tours start at 160 Broadway, between Liberty and Corlandt Streets.
6. Cruise into the New Year
Take the whole family on a family cruise from the New York Harbor. Or gather your friends for a ladies' night out. Enjoy a night of elegance with a fancy three-course meal, or dance the night away aboard the ZEPHYR. For a family cruise with something special for everyone, the Family Cruise from Pier 19 is your best bet. For a sightseeing cruise with an open bar, check out Circle Line's event packages. You can also hop aboard a classic 1920s-style yacht for an elegant champagne-tasting event. Take the chance to make the evening to remember.
7. Believe it--Ripley's got the whole evening planned
From 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., Ripley's Believe It or Not, located half a block from the Times Square ball drop, is hosting a night to remember for the whole family. Adults will have access to a premium open bar, with a champagne toast at midnight. For kids, access to artifacts in the Odditorium, face painting and Ripley's Impossible Laser Race. With over 500 artifacts, 20-plus galleries, interactive displays and live entertainment, New Year's Eve at Ripley's may have you believing the night was a fantastical dream.
This article was written by Hanna Choi.
Photo: gigi_nyc/Flickr.