New Years Eve in New York City

Hey everyone,

My friend and i are planning a trip to New York over New Years. Can anyone recommend budget hotels or hostel that are safe and clean? Also where is the best place in the city to spend New Years Eve? Times Square would be the obvious choice but heard you have to get there early if you have any chance of seeing the ball drop. Don't really fancy standing in the cold for hours before hand! Maybe there is some cool bars and clubs that someone can recommend?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

Well, there are great bars all over NY, but the closer you get to Times Square, the more packed they will be on New Years Eve. Also, you should realize that places all over town will presell tickets to their New Years events. Just wait until about early November, and go to a site run by a NY paper (like the NY Post or the NY times or similar), and you'll see tons of ads for New Years Eve and for broadway shows for tourists.

Either that--or pick a place you might like--maybe a jazz club on a place across town--and call them and ask if they will be open New Years and are selling packages. Then leave about 11:00. If you want to go cheap, find someplace not having a party and just hang out until late, then go.
If you can, try to get a cab across town or take the subway to somewhere close to Times Square (which is at 42nd and Broadway)--best viewing of the ball drop is around 44th and Broadway--but it will be fairly packed. If that's not possible (and it may not be, then you'll have to walk over from wherever you are--or just stay where you are and enjoy the New Years celebration there).

Best place to see the Times Square ball drop event is from the Manhattan Marriott--but they have fancy parties and sell out months in advance and they are not cheap. Otherwise, do like I said above.

Enjoy

Oh, and to entertain the people waiting around in Times Square for hours, recently they have started adding some acts that entertain the crowd for free (and that gets broadcasted on the national TV station). I think last year it was Christina Aquilera. I have no idea who it would be this year (if anyone).

Enjoy

hey,
i think times square is definitely overrated - really cold, crowded and no drinks allowed. i think the idea of going to a bar, club or restaurant is a much better idea. maybe check out this site i was looking at called noo which talks about events, tickets, ideas etc for new years in new york city. they also have this huge faq about times square and the ball dropping which might help you make up your mind about whether you want to go or not?
ive had one nye in the city and we had a huge dinner party, watched the fireworks in central park and then went to a bar for drinks. so its definitely possible to do a combination of things.
hope you have fun!

To avoid the mayhem and misery of standing in Times Square to watch the ball drop, I would highly recommend staying at a hotel in Times Square that have rooms with a view of the ball drop or partying at a restaurant with a view. Have a look at this Web site I just found for you.. it has a list of the hotels and restaurants in Times Square with a view of the ball drop. Sounds like it would be so much fun! Good luck!
www.nytix.com/Hotels/articles/newyearseve.html