Have clients headed to New York this New Year's Eve? NYC & Company has rounded up the top ways for them to celebrate in all five of the city's boroughs.
Manhattan
New Year’s Eve Wishing Wall: Every year at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, thousands of wishes from people from around the world cover Times Square. Anyone can come to the Times Square Museum & Visitor Center (located at Seventh Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets, open seven days a week, 8am–8pm) to record their wishes, dreams and goals for 2014 on pieces of paper and add it to the Wishing Wall. Individuals may also submit a wish from wherever they are by going online to timessquarenyc.org (page available in English, Spanish and French). All the wishes from the wall and online will be collected and added to the confetti that will rain down onto the streets of Times Square at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
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Good Riddance Day: A little before New Year's Eve, Good Riddance Day takes place on December 28 when travelers can say farewell to the worst memories of 2013 in Times Square. The Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment have teamed up with Cintas to invite everyone to say goodbye to their awful, depressing and embarrassing memories. Whether you want to scrap an old love letter, a parking ticket or a pile of medical bills, your bad memories can be shredded and destroyed by a mobile shredding truck that will be present in Times Square. Bad memories can also be entered in a contest to win a trip to Times Square for New Year’s Eve by submitting them at cintas.com/goodriddanceday by November 22.
New Year’s Eve at the New York Marriott Marquis and Renaissance New York Times Square: On December 31, the New York Marriott Marquis (at 1535 Broadway, between 45th and 46th Streets) will be hosting a party. Travelers can enjoy the view of Times Square from eight stories up at the Broadway Lounge while taking in live music, entertainment, cuisine and an open bar. Various seating arrangements are available, ranging from communal seating to direct ball drop views.
The View Restaurant and Lounge: This restaurant is hosting a gala with dinner and dancing 48 stories above Times Square. The night consists of a five-course meal, a DJ, dancing, a live streaming of the Times Square ball drop and panoramic views of New York City. For information on tickets and pricing, visit nymarriottmarquis.com/newyearseve and nymarriottmarquis.com/newyearseve/theview.
The Renaissance Times Square’s R Lounge: Also in Times Square, this venue offers floor-to-cieling windows, dinner and a full open bar in the evening’s celebrations. New Year’s Eve packages for the hotel and viewing start at $2,500. Visit rloungetimessquare.com/newyearseve.
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises: This New Year’s Eve party cruise takes visitors right to the Statue of Liberty for a phenomenal viewing of the New Year’s fireworks. The cruise includes hors d’oeuvres, a full open bar, party favors, a DJ and a champagne toast at midnight. The cruise boards at 9 pm and sails from 10pm to 1am. Tickets can be purchased at an all-inclusive price of $149. (Must be 18 years old to board and 21 years old to drink alcohol.) For more information or to purchase tickets, go to circleline42.com.
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New York Philharmonic: New Year’s Eve Concert with Musical Humorists Igudesman & Joo. Alan Gilbert will conduct the Philharmonic’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31. In their Philharmonic debuts, this year’s special guests will be Igudesman & Joo, the musical humor duo whose comedic, insightful and virtuosic interpretations of classical repertoire (à la Victor Borge and Danny Kaye) have made them viral Internet stars. Longtime friends who met at England’s Yehudi Menuhin School when they were both 12 years old, Russian violinist Aleksey Igudesman and British-Korean pianist Hyung-ki Joo devise unique performances that make classical music accessible to a wide audience. Combining comedy, music and pop culture, Igudesman & Joo perform in stadiums and concert halls around the world, and their skits have garnered more than 28 million hits on YouTube.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square: Ripley’s family-friendly Times Square New Year’s Eve festivities begin at 8pm on December 31. Be amazed by Ripley’s Odditorium, with over 18,000 square feet of themed galleries featuring 500 unique and exciting artifacts, and enjoy fire-breathing acts, a DJ dance party and a champagne toast at midnight. Parents can relax with an open bar and hors d’oeuvres while the kids take part in face-painting and magic shows and chow down on popcorn and cotton candy. For ticket prices and more information, visit ripleysnewyork.com.
Emerald Nuts Midnight Run: At midnight on New Year’s Eve, the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run takes off in Central Park, hosted by the New York Road Runners. The night kicks off with dancing and music at 10pm, followed by a costume contest at 11pm at the Central Park Bandshell. The 4-mile race around the park will begin at 11:59 pm, and runners will be racing under the fireworks as the New Year begins. There will be several prizes throughout the night, including cash prizes for the top three runners to finish for both men and women. For more information or to register, visit nyrr.org.
World Yacht Cruises: Cruise around Manhattan with views of the City skyline while enjoying a five-course dinner, open bar and live entertainment all night long. Tickets for the New Year’s Eve Classic Cruise also include front row views of the fireworks, party favors and a midnight champagne toast. Boarding is at 9pm, and the cruise sails from 10pm until 1am. The fun continues with a dockside party until 1:30am. Tickets are $350, including all taxes and fees. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit worldyacht.com.
Brooklyn
Grand Army Plaza: Spend New Year’s Eve in Prospect Park under Brooklyn’s fireworks display at midnight hosted by Borough President Marty Markowitz and Prospect Park Alliance with Eric Adams, BP elect. This is a free event that includes hot refreshments and entertainment that is welcoming of all ages. The best viewing locations for the fireworks are in Grand Army Plaza, along West Drive in Prospect Park, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street.
Along with the fireworks, enjoy the taste of some of New York’s best food trucks, including MudTruck, Rickshaw Dumplings and Wafels & Dinges. The trucks will be at the Grand Army Plaza Arch on the Union Street side from 10pm until 12:45am. For more information, visit prospectpark.org.
Coney Island Polar Bear Club Annual New Year’s Day Swim: On January 1, the Coney Island Polar Bear Club will be hosting their annual New Year’s Day plunge into the Atlantic Ocean. The swim is open to the public and starts at 1pm on the boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue. Donations to Camp Sunshine, a charity for children with life-threatening illnesses, are welcome. For more event, pledging and registration details, visit polarbearclub.org.
Brooklyn’s New Year’s Eve 5K Run: Join in the only nighttime race held all year in Prospect Park to kick off New Year’s Eve, brought to you by the Brooklyn Road Runners and Sketchers. The race starts at 11:15pm at Prospect Park West and 9th street. There is rolling registration, and the cost depends on time of registration, starting at $25 if registered by December 23. Participants may register the day of the race. For registration information, go to prospectpark.org.
Bronx
The New York Botanical Garden: As a part of the 2013–2014 annual Holiday Train Show, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends will be taking children and their families on a memorable sing-along adventure through the station. On January 1, there will be showings of Thomas and Friends at 11am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm and 5:30pm. The festivities of the Holiday Train Show will be occurring on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day from 10am to 7pm. For information on tickets and deals, go to nybg.org/priceless.
Queens
Resorts World Casino: The Resorts World Casino in Queens on New Year’s Eve will host an all-out party with favors, a DJ and a 3,000 balloon drop at midnight, or watch the Times Square ball drop on the largest TV screen in Queens. Specials will be available at the RW Prime steakhouse or Genting Palace Asian restaurant. To make reservations or for more details, visit rwnewyork.com.
Staten Island
Angelina’s Ristorante: Spend your New Year's Eve in Staten Island at Angelina's Ristorante enjoying a delicious blend of traditional and innovative Italian cuisine. Celebrate at your own pace with one of three meal and party options: a five-course dinner, an à la carte menu or an all-night buffet. Some options include a live band or DJ and open bar. For more details, call 718-227-2900, or check angelinasristorante.com closer to the time.
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