New Year's Eve New York City
Oct 10th, 2006, 11:19 AM
#1
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New Year's Eve New York City
Hi, we (couple mid 40's) will be in NY over New Year's eve staying at the Soho Grand. Any suggestions for fun things to do/places to eat in the neighbourhood? I've read past posts which sound nightmarish (and obscure to me...what is ball dropping?)and we're not really that much into fireworks or night clubs. We'd like a great place to eat with a friendly atmosphere and a street party maybe...Any suggestions really welcome. Thanks.
Oct 10th, 2006, 12:17 PM
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I gathered that much from the posts...(except it doesn't sound as if any of the locals do it)but what do they actually do? Why are they stuck in "pens" by the police , why can't they have any drinks or food? I can't believe people would want to spend an evening like this. Is it just for fireworks? Sorry if I sound ignorant but we don't all know the weird habits of people living in other continents!
Oct 10th, 2006, 12:45 PM
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I checked out your hotel, it looks quiet lovely. Did you get a good rate?
As for New Years Eve...
If you are not into a "street party" atmosphere, I'd stay away from Times Square! It is as bad as it sounds. You could watch the fireworks at Central Park and then head back to your hotel for drinks/dinner.
Someone else will have to advise you on other dining options for that evening. Most are fixed price (over-priced) and probably not your best dining experience.
Have a great trip and let us know about your hotel.
As for New Years Eve...
If you are not into a "street party" atmosphere, I'd stay away from Times Square! It is as bad as it sounds. You could watch the fireworks at Central Park and then head back to your hotel for drinks/dinner.
Someone else will have to advise you on other dining options for that evening. Most are fixed price (over-priced) and probably not your best dining experience.
Have a great trip and let us know about your hotel.
Oct 10th, 2006, 12:57 PM
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One thing is "The Times Square Party" which I might have seen or heard of in the context of the hundreds of parties all over the world which I don't usually watch on TV on New Year's Eve, another thing is the name ball dropping which I can't remember ever having heard. I just got a bit paranoid and rang 2 other people (italians like myself who have been to the states several times )and asked them if they knew what ball dropping in NY was and neither of them did. It made me feel better.
And I'd still like some advice on where to go/do in Soho or Meatpacking district. Please!
And I'd still like some advice on where to go/do in Soho or Meatpacking district. Please!
Oct 10th, 2006, 01:00 PM
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Thank-you loki and seetheworld. Hopefully we'll be dining out every night! We got quite a good rate with the 10% discount if you join the Grand guest plan free. We are also staying 2 nights at the Gansevoort.
Oct 10th, 2006, 01:11 PM
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You will have a great time at the Soho Grand, it is sufficiently well located away from the Times Square area. There will probably be a party in your hotel, I imagine, which could be fun.
Some restaurants in the area: Kittichai in the Thompson Hotel (very close to your hotel), Aquagrill, Blue Ribbon, Blue Ribbon Sushi, and so many more. There is also the restaurant in the Mercer Hotel.
In the Meatpacking District: Top of the Gansevoort Hotel (great view), Buddakan, Spice Market, 5 Ninth, Pastis, Highline Thai, Matsuri and La Bottega are both in the Maritime Hotel.
This is of course just a start, reservations are recommended at all. Make sure to call a month ahead, maybe even more if these restaurants are holding special events.
Some restaurants in the area: Kittichai in the Thompson Hotel (very close to your hotel), Aquagrill, Blue Ribbon, Blue Ribbon Sushi, and so many more. There is also the restaurant in the Mercer Hotel.
In the Meatpacking District: Top of the Gansevoort Hotel (great view), Buddakan, Spice Market, 5 Ninth, Pastis, Highline Thai, Matsuri and La Bottega are both in the Maritime Hotel.
This is of course just a start, reservations are recommended at all. Make sure to call a month ahead, maybe even more if these restaurants are holding special events.
Oct 10th, 2006, 01:46 PM
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Thanks kangamon, I will look into the party in our hotel - might be a great idea. Spice Market also looks good and Buddakan but it is huge! there's nothing on their websites about NYE yet though. Is meatpacking walking distance to Soho..at night?
Oct 10th, 2006, 04:06 PM
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The dropping of the ball at midnight in Times Square has been going on as long as I can remember - and is on TV everywhere. A huge illuminated ball is built on top of the tallest building and as the year ends the crowd counts down and as the year end the Mayor hits the switch and the enormous ball drops. Unless the weather is truly horrendous (20's and sleeting) there will be over a milion people there to watch it.
There has always been a significant police presence just due to the crowds but since 9/11 it has been considered a major terrorist opportunity - and security is many times tighter. People start arriving at around 3 in the afternoon and as the sidewalks fill up (and they're all divided into blocks by police barricades), the areas are sealed off and people are stuck there until after the ball drops - for security reasons. Also - you can;t bring anything sizeable into the area with you, all bags are searched and once there you have only the facilities in your area.
And yes - this is really necessary for security reasons.
And yes- this is an activity that can be a hoot - once - for college kids. I can't imagine anyone else putting up with it - esp since 9/11.
You can see fireworks in Central Park (very civilized as long as the weather is good) and there are usually activities in Grand Central Station. I'm not aware of any other street parties - I can;t believe the city would give permission on New Years Eve given everything else the police have to contend with - there are only 35,000 of them for the whole city after all.
Most places have a set price for a dinner/New Years Even Party (not cheap) includng champagne and some form of Old Lang Syne.
Just stay away from the west 40's (they even stop the subway into that area later in the evening), find a nice restaurant for dinner - and if the weather is good go for a Central Park stroll and see the fireworks.
There has always been a significant police presence just due to the crowds but since 9/11 it has been considered a major terrorist opportunity - and security is many times tighter. People start arriving at around 3 in the afternoon and as the sidewalks fill up (and they're all divided into blocks by police barricades), the areas are sealed off and people are stuck there until after the ball drops - for security reasons. Also - you can;t bring anything sizeable into the area with you, all bags are searched and once there you have only the facilities in your area.
And yes - this is really necessary for security reasons.
And yes- this is an activity that can be a hoot - once - for college kids. I can't imagine anyone else putting up with it - esp since 9/11.
You can see fireworks in Central Park (very civilized as long as the weather is good) and there are usually activities in Grand Central Station. I'm not aware of any other street parties - I can;t believe the city would give permission on New Years Eve given everything else the police have to contend with - there are only 35,000 of them for the whole city after all.
Most places have a set price for a dinner/New Years Even Party (not cheap) includng champagne and some form of Old Lang Syne.
Just stay away from the west 40's (they even stop the subway into that area later in the evening), find a nice restaurant for dinner - and if the weather is good go for a Central Park stroll and see the fireworks.
Oct 12th, 2006, 10:01 AM
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Your hotel concierge may have some suggestions. Aquagrill and Balthazar are 2 good, popular restaurants in Soho. Goblin Market is new and getting great reviews.
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...22&cuisineid=0
Do you want something low key? Trendy? Elegant?
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...22&cuisineid=0
Do you want something low key? Trendy? Elegant?
Oct 12th, 2006, 10:29 AM
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How about low key, trendy AND elegant!
We'll be in NY for one week and planning to eat out every night so we'd like a nice variety. I like the look of Goblin Market, that shouldn't be far from where we're staying. Problem with asking hotel concierge is that from what I understand we'll need to have booked some of these places weeks in advance or we'll never get in, especially on NYE.
We'll be in NY for one week and planning to eat out every night so we'd like a nice variety. I like the look of Goblin Market, that shouldn't be far from where we're staying. Problem with asking hotel concierge is that from what I understand we'll need to have booked some of these places weeks in advance or we'll never get in, especially on NYE.
Oct 12th, 2006, 10:42 AM
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New Year's Eve is called First Night now, and there are parties all over the city, free with music, like Grand Central Station, with dancing and beautiful surroundings.
Or if you are into music, COME UPTOWN. St. John the Devine, at 110th and Amsterdam holds the Annual Concert for Peace, and it sure is needed this year. Harry Smith (from CBS) is the host for the evening and there will be 200 or so singers(I'm the red head on the end of the soprano section). We usually get a big name performer, like Judy Collins or a Broadway Star (to be named later, don't know who has been asked to perform with us this year).
The concert starts at 7ish and we are out by 9ish for more partying.
Please let me know if you are interested as it is a huge event in the city and we get "family tickets", so you would be seated with friends and family.
This concert is a special night you won't forget, the end of the concert we all have candles (5,000 or so in attendence) and sing Let There Be Peace on Earth and Ol'e Lang Syne.
I have been doing this concert for several years and it really is a great way to start off the new year.
Let me know if you would like tickets, and this is an invite to anyone on the board, please let me know.
Or if you are into music, COME UPTOWN. St. John the Devine, at 110th and Amsterdam holds the Annual Concert for Peace, and it sure is needed this year. Harry Smith (from CBS) is the host for the evening and there will be 200 or so singers(I'm the red head on the end of the soprano section). We usually get a big name performer, like Judy Collins or a Broadway Star (to be named later, don't know who has been asked to perform with us this year).
The concert starts at 7ish and we are out by 9ish for more partying.
Please let me know if you are interested as it is a huge event in the city and we get "family tickets", so you would be seated with friends and family.
This concert is a special night you won't forget, the end of the concert we all have candles (5,000 or so in attendence) and sing Let There Be Peace on Earth and Ol'e Lang Syne.
I have been doing this concert for several years and it really is a great way to start off the new year.
Let me know if you would like tickets, and this is an invite to anyone on the board, please let me know.
Oct 12th, 2006, 12:02 PM
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wantsomesun, that sounds very nice! If we were staying at Affinia Manhattan and wanted to go up to this concert and then back to our hotel (which is close to Penn station/Madison Square Garden) would we have a problem doing that, regarding getting around Times Square instead of thru it?
