New York is a city that never stops, but there are moments when the pace goes up a notch, and New Year’s Eve is one of them. After the holiday’s weeks of Christmas, decorated shop windows and ice skating, the city begins to prepare for the big night. The streets begin to fill, the hotels begin organising their special programmes, restaurants fine-tune the menus, and out of towners try to cram in as many plans as possible, in just a few hours.
The media epicentre of the night is obviously Times Square. Since 1907, this is where the famous ball drop marks the passing of another year, with millions of people in front of the TV screen waiting for the final seconds. The illuminated sphere comes down slowly, and what you see is a crowd of people counting in unison, followed by confetti, music and end of the year kisses, a romantic tradition that still endures. It’s a unique experience, but one that is also demanding: you need to arrive early, put up with the cold and queues, although, for many, this is something to be experienced at least once in a lifetime.
For those who want to soak up that atmosphere without being swamped, location is key. The Pestana CR7 Times Square is well positioned in the heart of Manhattan, just a few minutes from Times Square, which means you can choose to go out to experience the ball drop live at any moment or stay in the hotel and follow everything on TV, knowing that the city centre is just around the corner.
That said, New Year’s eve in New York isn’t just about Times Square. Some might prefer a more intimate approach: a leisurely dinner, a rooftop with a view of skyscrapers, a bar with live music or an evening stroll through Manhattan. Pestana Park Avenue is right in the heart of Midtown, close to the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal and 5th Avenue. From there, it’s easy to get to a range of rooftop bars, restaurants and concert venues, whilst still being able to walk back to the hotel when the night is over.
The city has something new for every type of night out: from Broadway shows to loft parties, not to mention New Year’s Eve cruises on the Hudson or East River, with views of the illuminated skyline. There are set dinners, bars that are booked months ahead, and others that are the epitome of spontaneity, even on one of the most popular nights of the year.
For families travelling together, there are programmes adapted for all ages. In winter in New YorkN there is ice skating in iconic places, like the Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park; there are still Christmas decorations in the shop windows of the major brands; there are museums with special activities for children; and, of course, the fascination of seeing Times Square lit up.
One way of enjoying New Year’s Eve without being “in the frontline” is to pick high points of the city from which to watch fireworks in the distance. Some restaurants and rooftops organise evenings with dinner and a view, allowing you to see the city’s lights without the crowds. Another option is Central Park, where there are special New Year’s Eve events and races, all in an atmosphere that’s slightly different from Times Square, but still very New York. Always book in advance to avoid disappointment. After all, there’s only one night and demand is high.
Location is key. To celebrate the New Year’ Eve in Manhattan, the first step is to choose the starting point, in order to avoid long journeys. On the evening in question, public transport is more frequent but also under more pressure, so the most sensible decision is to choose more central hotels in New York.
For those staying for a few more days, the start of a new year is also the chance to discover a calmer New York. After the celebrations of the night before, it might be the perfect time to stroll around in Central Park covered by the cold of winter, visit the city’s great museums or simply visit different neighbourhoods like SoHo, Greenwich Village and Tribeca, discovering shops, cafés and restaurants, far from the beaten track, with the curiosity of a tourist and the ease of a New Yorker.
For those who wake up on New Year’s Day full of the energy to explore the Big Apple, there’s certainly a special atmosphere in the streets. Manhattan is slightly subdued but still full of life, with visitors making the most of the unusual quietness, taking photos of main tourist attractions and discovering new places. It’s undoubtedly a different way of experiencing New York, caught between the unusual silence of the early hours and an energy that gradually returns. A different and memorable start to the year, just like the wonderful night out experienced the previous day.
