The Best Tips For Celebrating NYE In Times Square

The dawn of a new year is an opportunity to move on from the past and start afresh with resolutions galore. Of course, before 2024 can begin, we have to say goodbye to 2023 in style. The best way to do that is to go to Times Square on New Year's Eve and ring in the new year with the famous ball drop.

If you've never celebrated NYE in NYC before, you might feel a little overwhelmed by it all. Don't worry, though, because the best tips for celebrating NYE in Times Square should mean you are more than prepared for whatever comes your way on the big night.

Arriving early to the Times Square celebrations definitely isn't a bad idea

Many people like to celebrate New Year's Eve in Times Square. So, with the ball drop being so popular, there's no such thing as showing up too early. In fact, the sooner you get there, the better. People will already be queuing up in the early hours of NYE morning, so you really can't wait around to get a good spot. Of course, once you've got a great place, you can't even think about leaving it to grab food or use the restroom. Otherwise, you will never get back there again.

It's worth being there in time to see the ball raised around 6 pm

The earlier you are to the big event, the likelier it is you'll get to see the New Year's Eve ball raised hours before it drops. This typically happens at roughly 6 pm and can be enjoyed from places like Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 59th Street. While this part of the festivities might not be as momentous as what happens at midnight, it's still part of the fun and worth seeing if you have the chance. Just note that many people will probably think the same. So, if you arrive in time for this part of the event, Times Square will likely already be packed with visitors.

Bring food with you or book a restaurant table well in advance

Given you can't really go anywhere once you've found your ideal spot, you'll need to think about food in advance. One good idea is to pack some snacks in a small bag - larger ones aren't permitted - so you have stuff to enjoy while you're waiting. Even if you aren't that bothered about staying in one spot all evening, there isn't any space for food carts because of the sheer number of people. The only way you'll likely get food is by eating at one of the restaurants in Times Square. However, you'd need to check their hours in advance and book a table to have any hope of eating there.

Make sure you use the bathroom before you go to Times Square

One of the biggest issues that people have with arriving early to Times Square on New Year's Eve is resisting the need to use the bathroom. Unfortunately, even if you can't hold it in for hours, there aren't any portable restrooms in Times Square that you can use to relieve yourself. This is why it's a smart idea to make sure you go before you enter the event. With how far you'll need to go to use the bathroom if you decide you can't hold it, there's no way you'll find as good of a spot once you return.

Dress for the cold and check the weather before you travel

If you're traveling to Times Square for NYE from somewhere like Florida or Hawaii, you might not realize how cold parts of the US can be in December. New York City is somewhere that definitely tends to feel the chill of winter, which means dressing in plenty of warm layers is necessary. Of course, checking the forecast beforehand is always a good idea so you know what to expect. However, even if it doesn't seem like it's going to be that cold, you probably won't feel that warm if you're just standing around for hours. Plus, at least if you wear several layers, you can remove them if you do get warm.

Don't bother using anything but the subway to reach Times Square

Getting around New York City in a car is tough at the best of times. On New Year's Eve, though, it's practically impossible. Throw in the cost of a cab fare at this time of the year, and you're just asking for something to put a downer on your trip. To avoid breaking the bank and spending too long wading through traffic, we recommend you utilize the subway to get to Times Square on NYE. There are plenty of services that will get you to where you need to go, wherever it is you're staying. A quick check on Google Maps beforehand will help with directions.

The NYE ball drop in Times Square only comes around once a year, so you want to make the most of the occasion when it happens. With any luck, our tips will help you do exactly that.