Tips for Visiting New York City on New Year’s Eve

There are a few times a year when TV viewers watch live events in New York City: The Thanksgiving Day Parade comes to mind, as does the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. But the biggest live, televised event in NYC every year has got to be New Years Eve. Millions of people watch the ball drop in New York City — be it on TV, streaming video on the internet, or (best of all) in person. If you’re one of the lucky people visiting NYC for New Year’s Eve, you’re really going to be at the epicenter of the most famous ball drop in the world! Here are some facts and tips for your experience.

Facts and Tips for Watching the Ball Drop Live on New Year’s Eve in NYC:

• The ball drops at One Times Square, the streets of which will be blanketed with national media and a crushing mass of people (both tourists and native to NYC). Rockefeller Center is a classy spot from which to watch the celebrations.
• Ringing in the New Year with the Times Square ball drop started in 1907, but it’s gotten much, much bigger in the past hundred years. One Times Square was only completed two years earlier (1905), so the building and event are historically linked.
• The New Year’s Eve Ball is 12 feet in diameter – the brand new (circa 2008) ball is double the size of previous NYC New Year’s balls, and covered in 2,668 Waterford crystals. Sparkly!
• From now on, this new 2009 Times Square Waterford crystal New Year’s Eve ball will be on display year-round in (you guessed it) Times Square. It will “roost” on top of One Times Square.
• If you want to watch the ball drop with the hundreds of thousands of people on the streets of NYC, be prepared to see a lot of cops trying to keep a lid on things. They’ll be herding the crowds into partitioned areas and watching for illicit activity.
• No backpacks. The NYPD knows what revelers try to smuggle in those things (for the uninitiated: Alcohol).
• As with any free, massively popular event, you don’t get to “save your spot” if you leave. Here’s a tip: If you like where you are, don’t leave. That means, you may want to ration how much you drink. Peeing on the street is gross, and the cops won’t like it. Neither will your fellow revelers.
• And you already know that an open bottle of alcohol is a no-no, right?
• NYC is not a tropical vacation spot. Even on relatively balmy years (and I said relatively), it’s cold in New York in December and January. Be smart and bundle up – no backpacks to stuff scarves in, so travel with whatever you think you may need to stay comfortable in NYC for New Year’s Eve.
• Unless you’re staying at a Times Square hotel, the fastest way to get to One Times Square is the subway. 42nd Street is the major NYC mass transit hub, so you can get there from nearly anywhere else in the city easily. The 1,2,3, and 9 subways makes stops here, the 4,5, and 6 make subway stops here too. Times Square is the terminus for the 7 subway line. The ACE, BDFV, the G, the JMZ and the L, and the NQRW all make regular stops at Times Square. There will be plenty of transit cops around to help with travel for tourists and other out-of-towners.
• The Rainbow Room, on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center, is a highly popular, elegant dining and drinking spot in the area. Tip: Call early to reserve seating. It fills up fast, and its pricey. It’s worth it, though; dress up and be prepared to dance the night away.
• The Rainbow Grill is a less formal setting right next to the Rainbow Room. You still need to unpack some fancy clothes, and the view of the ball descending on Times Square is terrific. It’s a sought-after locale – you’ll need to make reservations here, too.
• If the crowds in Times Square alarm you (but they shouldn’t; most everyone’s in a festive mood) and the Rainbow Room is already booked, there are also New Year’s Eve cruises. This requires a little advance planning too, as parties right on the Hudson River are very, very popular. They’re always fun – hello, open bar! – and make for memorable ways to ring in the New Year.
• Tip to consider: Most of the luxury cruise ships and party boats dock at around 2AM, so you lose some control about when you get back to your hotel or home.

Spending New Year’s Eve in New York City is among the most fun, festive ways to celebrate the New Year! Arm yourself with these facts and tips for watching the ball drop, and a great time is practically guaranteed. Happy New Year!