In and Out Time Square on New Year Eve
 

This is my 1st time in NYC for new year eve. Planning to go to time square for count down. But not sure what is the best way to get in and when is the best time. Also which subway station is the best way to go uptown after count down? Thank you.

The best time is probably 6 p.m. or earlier (no, this is NOT an exaggeration). What they do is corral people in -- as soon as one area fills up, they start moving uptown. Once in, you can't leave (or rather, you can leave, but once you leave you can't get back in). It's a cold and generally miserable experience - among other things, no bathrooms once you're "in" the corral.

You might want to read this all the way through before you decide this is what you want to do.
http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye_faq.html

As for getting "uptown" it obviously depends on where uptown you're going. You can use hopstop.com for directions.

People will start gathering as early as 3 pm, and as each pen is filled with people it is closed. The later you arrive the further you will be.

The 42St subway stations close around 4 pm (trains go right through - don't stop) until after midnight. And naturally streets are closed to traffic - so you will have to walk in from one of the further stations.

Do realize that if you leave you will not be allowed back in. All bags/packages are searched and you aren't allowed to bring in alcohol. (Drinking on the street is always illegal in NYC.) Your pen may or may not have a restaurant with bathrooms and food service. There are NO porta-potties. So don't plan on using a bathroom while there.

Current weather for New Year's Eve is low 30's and dry - so pretty good.

To leave - the subways in the immediate area will be mobbed. I would walk out - perhaps to Columbus Circle - depending on if you're going to the upper east or west side.

FYI, forecast now is for one <font color="blue">'Cold Lang Syne'<font color="black">, currently snowing &amp; expected to drop to below 20 near midnight((S)) with wind:-&quot;chills near 0.</font></font>