Ringing in the new year is a great way to get a fresh start every year. Out with the old – in with the new! Here’s a list of some of the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the United States.
Key West, Florida
Know as the Southernmost Point in the US and for its parties, Key West is a great place to celebrate a new year. Visit Mallory Square and enjoy their final sunset celebration of the year.
Afterwards grab dinner at one of the many restaurants in Old Town. Then head over to one of the multiple ball drops in the city. Yes, multiple. In a city that’s only 8 square miles, there are three drops for New Year’s Eve. The lowering of the Pirate’s Wench at Schooner Wharf, the dropping of the Conch Shell at Sloppy Joe’s and a high heel drop that has Sushi the drag queen in it at New Orleans House.
Las Vegas, Nevada
In a place know as Sin City, you know that the New Year’s Eve celebration has to be great. The entire Las Vegas Strip (where all the big casinos are located) is shut down to vehicle traffic so that you can wander through the streets without any risk of cars. When midnight hits, all the casinos set off fireworks in a coordinated display. And what’s Las Vegas without entertainment? The city’s nightclubs and entertainment venues offer a variety of shows throughout the night.
Not up for a night on the the Strip? Head to the Fremont Street Experience located in downtown Vegas, which is the city of Las Vegas’ official New Year’s celebration. Home to some of the smaller older casinos such as the Golden Nugget, Fremont is a covered LED lit entertainment center and usually not as crowded, although sometimes it is as rowdy as the Strip. Entrance to the Fremont Street New Year’s Eve party requires the purchase of a ticket and includes bands, access to bars and restaurants and street entertainment.
Walt Disney World (Florida)
The Disney resort, located near Orlando, FL, has a large variety of options available for couples and families to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
All four resorts have activities planned. The Magic Kingdom has fireworks and DJs in select areas of the park. At EPCOT you can ring in the New Year multiple times because as the clock hits midnight in each country, the representative pavilion will celebrate. At Animal Kingdom they’ll have specially themed food and drinks and the Tree of Life will have it’s own special countdown. And at Hollywood Studios there’s a midnight countdown along with fireworks.
Not in the mood to hit the parks but want to celebrate at Disney World? Try one of the rooftop celebrations at Mezzanotte at Topolino’s or a celebration at the Boardwalk Resort to ring in the new year.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Headed to New Orleans to wind down the year? There are plenty of places to enjoy the new year at whatever speed you desire.
In the French District, you can watch the fleur-de-lis drop at Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve while the show is live broadcast across the country. Or go to Jackson Square where you can hear live music and watch fireworks that are displayed over the Mississippi River at midnight. And of course there’s always people watching at the bars in the French Quarter.
Looking for something quieter or an event you can enjoy with your younger family members? The Audubon Zoo has a kids event if you want to celebrate during the day. Ot head to the Allstate Sugar Bowl Parade which goes through the French Quarter during the afternoon of New Year’s Eve.
What’s your favorite place to ring in the New Year?
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