New Years in Times Square

[Erin]

Heya,

A friend of mine from Tennessee is coming to NYC for new years and asked me if I recommend going to Times Square to watch the ball drop. I've never done that, because I like to be comfortable. But I was wondering if anyone else has been in Times Square at New Years, and if you would recommend it to enthusiastic Southern newlyweds.

Thanks!
Erin

 

[TerryJ]

Heya,

A friend of mine from Tennessee is coming to NYC for new years and asked me if I recommend going to Times Square to watch the ball drop. I've never done that, because I like to be comfortable. But I was wondering if anyone else has been in Times Square at New Years, and if you would recommend it to enthusiastic Southern newlyweds.

Thanks!
Erin

I've done it (more than once.) If it's cold, which it usually is, it is very painful. It's cool enough to do it once in your life, but it's terribly difficult to stand around in the freezing cold for a long time (you have to get there somewhat early to get a good vantage point) and then it takes a long time to get somewhere else afterwards amongst the crowd (who all leave at the same time) and there are empty champagne bottles and detritus on the ground which make it somewhat difficult walking. (Also, finding an available bathroom can be a problem.)

However, if the weather is unseasonably warm, I suppose the rest could be bearable.

-Terry

 

[MichelleD]

It's an experience. You have to get there early because the streets are blocked off in a 10 block radius of the ball drop at least. And yeah, don't even think about peeing.

I went in 1989, and it was mayhem but fun (good crowd at 39th Street, until they started flipping cars). In 2005, i had to negotiate the streets to get to a club, and the checkpoints were a little more intense (harder to smuggle booze).

It's kind of fun to tour the area earlier, and buy cheezy 2009 hats and glasses, and then go home and watch it on TV.

 

[Eugenegue]

I think this is the most over-rated thing to do in NY. My memories of it are sitting in the cold, surrounded by a crowd for 3 hours or so. Everyone counts down, the ball drops, fire-works go off, and then, 5 minutes later, the cops start clearing everyone away. I always encourage people not to go to this.

 

[Dave Serchuk]

I went in 1995 or so. It was awesome. Me and my friend showed up late, bought some wine, drank it, and then partied and danced with everyone while singing "Brass Monkey" after the ball dropped. A great NYC time.

 

[timmybono]

i would stay as far away from times square as possible at ALL TIMES, but SPECIFICALLY then...besides this year NY is going to be blown up as the ball droops.....it has to be this time...

 

[TargemQ8]

I LIVED at 47th and 7th for three years, and stayed away from Times Square on New Year's eve. The whole idea of Times Square on New Years' is repulsive to me, so I'm not a great source for opinion, except to re-iterate that
*the checkpoints are serious (I had to go 10 blocks out of my way so I could get into my own apartment on NYE... at 5 in the afternoon. And thankfully the groceries I had didn't include any beer, because it would have been confiscated).
*It is crowded, and you can't go anywhere.
*The crowd gets run off the streets FAST. Times Square really will be completely empty half an hour after midnight. It is eerie.

There are so many cool places in NYC. Go down to Bleeker or MacDougal or Grove St or Ave A. They can be one couple among thousands in Times Square freezing, crushed, and sober, or they can find some weird bar with sombreros on the ceiling and meet some fun weirdos.

 

[HairballofDoom]

I'm going to jump on the band wagon of saying boo to Times Square on New Years. I've had memorable times down in the East Village and in Greenwich Village bar hopping and helping a friend get out of a weird situation with an ex con.

This year I have friends coming into the city, and if they are planning on going to Times Square I'm probably just going to stay in for the night.

 

[El Jefe]

I once was halfway across the Brooklyn Bridge for New Year's. It was cool. (Cold, more like.) Saw some fireworks, then continued across the bridge for late night brunch at Bubby's in SoHo. I think that was New Years 2000 and we thought that would be a good place to stand if the city suddenly shut down.

You couldn't pay me to go Times Square on New Years. My sister did it one year, and it sounded pretty awful, for the reasons stated above.

 

[meaculpa]

Watching the ball drop in Times Square is a leading cause of divorce. You might want to warn them of that.