Times Square Ball Drop | The Ultimate Guide to Celebrating New Year’s Eve in New York!

New York, New York, it really is one helluva town! This year, choose to spend your New Year’s Eve at Times Square and watch the renowned crystal ball drop 140ft from the top of Times Square. What started as a tradition in 1904 has now transformed into an international phenomenon with New Year’s Eve performances from consummate artists like Frank Sinatra, Queen and more recently, Lady Gaga and Charlie Puth, to an electric fireworks display that lights up the Manhattan skyline. The New Year’s Eve Times at Square Ball Drop creates memories for a lifetime.

The adrenaline-charged excitement of the Ball Drop garners attention from thousands across the world. It marked the inauguration of the New York Times’ new headquarters back in the day which continued to snowball into an unparalleled celebration of days old and new. The New Year’s Eve celebrations have rallied through the two world wars and intense security checks following multiple bomb scares. But, as the clock strikes 12, the ball whooshes down to ring in the new year in a flourish that is forever imprinted in your mind like an old photograph.

Why is Times Square worth the hype?

If it is in New York, it is worth your attention. Times Square is the perfect place to spend your New Year’s Eve as it is the melting pot of the world where people from all walks of life gather uninhibited and unencumbered. Many dance and sing along to the familiar tunes and the atmosphere is simply electric. The fireworks light up the sky at midnight as the music blasts from the speakers. Spend time getting to know the people in your vicinity, with whom you will be spending hours waiting for the ball to drop.

It is recommended to head to the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebrations early in the day and pick the best viewing spots. The top of the Empire State Building is a highly-recommended spot for a bird’s eye-view. The ‘Bowtie’ is another highly-coveted viewing point at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue to watch the ball drop at midnight. A great way to circumvent the crowds and find a comfortable vantage point is to get the NYC Explorer Pass or the New York Unlimited Attraction Pass to gain express entry into places such as the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center for skyline views and front-row seats to the ball drop with a cocktail in hand.

Parties and Events around Town

How to Get to Times Square

The public viewing places to watch the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Times Square, such as 44th Street & Broadway, fill up as early as 3:00 PM in the afternoon and it is recommended that visitors find a suitable spot early in the day. There are multiple ways to get to Times Square and the best is via public transportation.

Shuttle Trains and buses are the most convenient methods but make note that certain exits such as the 42nd Street Subway Station are overcrowded so it is better to disembark at an earlier stop to avoid diversion.

Entry points for the viewing include access from south of 41st street and north of 43rd street, among others. Check the official Times Square website for a detailed map of where and how to enter Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

There are multiple events taking place in New York on New Year’s Eve and you can avail taxi services from sources such as Taxi Leader, NYC Limousine and the iconic yellow cabs to get around town. This is the time to use an NYC Explorer Pass to skip the long lines and enjoy the benefit of swift entry to many of New York’s major attractions.

Get yourself a New York Subway Pass to navigate the metro system or sign-up for a Hop On Hop Off sightseeing tour for an NYC tour. There are many guided tours offered to travelers including walking, cycling and bus tours by Free Tours by Foot for an immersive introduction to the city.

Where to Stay in New York during New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest times in New York City and travelers can find suitable accommodation that is centrally-located and may even offer a view of the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, if you wish to avoid the crowds. Here are a few hotels and accommodations we recommend staying at in New York during New Year’s Eve:

Know Before You Go

• If the NYPD starts cordoning off the Bowtie area from 3:00 PM in the afternoon, you know it is serious business. The Ball Drop takes place on the roof of One Times Square. Plan to get there early in the afternoon to reserve the best seats in the house to view the flagpole which hosts the hypnotizing crystal ball.
• The closest viewing points are at Broadway and 43rd Street that fill up quickly as revelers flood the space. At 6:00 PM, the ball begins ascending to the top of the flagpole and 60 seconds prior to midnight, it starts its descent to mark the end of the current year and welcome in the new year.
• Entry to the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop at Times Square is free for all and spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Note that it takes at least nine hours from the moment you arrive to the ball drop that you are circumscribed in your position so bring kids at your discretion.
• There are no public bathrooms once you get here so go beforehand and limit any liquid intake, for good measure.
• Large bags are a strict no-no since the security check will turn you away at the entrance checkpoints. Be sure to carry a cross-body or fanny-pack with your essentials only and prepare to be here for a good chunk of the day and enjoy the music that plays on the sound system.
• New York weather is unpredictable, so carry your mackintosh and rain boots but be sure to leave your umbrellas at home since they are shunned in the gathering!

Insider Tips for your Trip

• Be aware of the security checks and avoid things that are prohibited such as large backpacks, umbrellas and alcohol. Instead, carry a cross-body bag to protect yourself from pickpocketing and have your essentials handy.
• You are more or less stuck in one place for the rest of the day so it will do well to carry some light snacks along with activities to keep you entertained.
• It is advised to reach the viewing points early in the afternoon to avoid any inconvenience later on as the crowd streams in hordes until the area is closed-off to traffic by the NYPD.
• The weather is unpredictable and since you cannot carry an umbrella, make sure to at least pack a raincoat and extra socks for a quick change to get warmer.
• Don’t drink too much liquid, just enough to keep you hydrated, because there are absolutely no portable restrooms in the public standing areas and you will not be able to step out of the crowd to access a bathroom.
• You can always opt to avoid the crowd and head to a hotel bar or restaurant like Renaissance New York, Olive Garden or The Knickerbocker to watch the ball drop, but it may not be the same as watching it live.
• Celebrate with the rest of the world as the clock strikes every hour signaling the New Year in different parts of the world as you wait for it to be your turn in New York City’s Times Square.

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