New Year’s Eve 2009 in New York City  COLD 17 degrees

New Years Eve Fireworks Displays in New York City

What better place to be on New Years Eve than New York City to celebrate the New Year with the rest of the world. If you have ever been in the city on New Years Eve you know how exciting it is to be in one of the largest cities in the world to witness the awesome events of the New Year. Being in Times Square when the ball drops or watching any of the fireworks displays in the area is by far one of the best free events the city has to offer and everyone should attend at least once in their lifetime. We have gone to NYC to celebrate New Years Eve for many years and I can tell you first hand if you are looking for excitement this is the place. Yes the city is crazy and crowded but that’s what New Years celebrations are all about.

Fireworks in and around the city are displayed at Prospect Park Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, Central Park and South Street Seaport.

Most people from Brooklyn go to the Army Plaza to celebrate New Years Eve and the fireworks here are spectacular with plenty of room for everyone who attends. Great places to view are anywhere on the Plaza or inside the Park or between Grand Army and 9^th Street. The events and celebrations start here around 11pm. Near Prospect Park are a few very good Italian restaurants for dining.

The fireworks display at South Street Seaport is on the East River near the Brooklyn Bridge and also has a great display of fireworks. The fireworks can also be seen from the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway.

In the city uptown at Central Park the fireworks start at 12:00am to bring in the New Year and also to start the New York Road Runners- Midnight Run around the park. To celebrate New Years there is dancing, costume parade and fireworks along with the four mile run. The DJ starts playing music for dance at 10pm. The masquerade costume parade begins at 11pm in front of the band shell south of 72 Street. Get dressed and wear a costume to enter the contest and there will be awards for the top three costume designs or group of designs. Then at midnight the star of the walk begins with the fireworks display. The display can be seen from all around the south park area.

Times Square- Although there are no fireworks here on New Years Eve, it has one of the biggest celebrations in the world. If you plan to attend any event on New Years Eve dress warm as it can be very windy and cold. If you are going to Times Square and are going to get in line to see the ball drop, keep in mind you need to get there 4 to 5 hours before midnight and once in line there is no place to go to a restroom. If you choose to do so you will loose your spot and will have to re enter at the end of the line.

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New Years Eve in New York City –Events, Things To Do, Tours

New York City is the place to be on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the New Year. Tourists from around the world visit this time of year to be a part of the excitement in one of the World’s largest cities. The biggest event that takes place in the city is at Times Square watching the countdown to New Year ball drop but there are many events including fireworks displays in Central Park and in Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza. All of these events are free to anyone who wants to visit. The Times Square is where there are the most crowds and if you are planning to attend this plan on being in the city early afternoon. The lines usually start about 2:00pm to enter the street area in front of Time Square. The Brooklyn Bridge has a great view from the pedestrian walkway fireworks in Brooklyn. All of these events are free to all who attend.

If you are a tourist and visiting New York City for the first time on New Year’s Eve and are planning to attend any of these outdoor events here is some advice. Dress warm! Realize you will most likely be outdoors for several hours so gear up for it. I have spent many New Years eve’s in the city and I can tell you from my experience that you can have a great time if you are comfortable and you are not freezing! So wear warm clothes, with a million plus people in the streets there’s no need to make a fashion statement with short skirts and high heels- bundle up. Wear layers of clothes, sweater, hooded coat, scarf, gloves and insulated shoes if you have them. Another great thing to bring along are some of those hand warmer pouches, they work great – put them in your gloves, scarf or pockets to keep you warm.

This year, for the first time, we went to the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway to see the fireworks displays. Of course it was a little windy up there, but the overall view is breathtaking as you can overlook the city and harbors. This is another great FREE event that only requires you to walk. Tourists be aware that there are tour operators that advertise a Brooklyn Bridge walking tour and charge for the narrated tour about $35-$60 and include a cup of hot chocolate. I would suggest you save the money buy a pair of gloves or scarf and your own beverage and pocket the rest. The view can also be seen from the Manhattan Bridge. If you are a tourist and want to attend all you have to do is simply take the walkway from the street up the bridge, there is no charge or fee for this on either bridge. On the Brooklyn Bridge there are areas to stop and rest with benches along the way. The crowds here are minimal and if you like, continue walking to the other side of the bridge into Brooklyn to find other places to party. From experience, walking in the city on New Year’s Eve is the best way to get around town or use the subway’s or buses.

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