My husband and I (both around 35) are over from the UK spending New Year's evening in New York. Where should we eat? Is Time Square as good as us Brits are led to beleive? Is there anywhere to bring in the New year which would prove memorable?

Times Square will be a zoo. I would suggest a restaurant in the Village (Blue Ribbon Bakery) for dinner.

NY's eve is a zoo, but then again I'm sure glad I've done it at least once in my life. One of my fondest memories was spending Dec 30-Jan2 in NYC. I think it's a marvelous time to visit!

My personal opinion is to stay away from the Times Square area on Dec. 31. Also remember in making your plans that on that night, taxis are impossible to find and public transportation is mobbed. There should be a lot of first night activities going on. Perhaps if you tell us the area of town you will be staying in, we could give advice.

My wife and I are also in NY for new year (Brits around 34 ish). Staying in midtown (east 44th st) and looking for the same sort of advice as Bev, especially eating on new years eve. Budget is not a problem. Perhaps something typically American ?

We'll be there for NYE as well but a little different scenario, mom and teenage daughter. Staying at E. 34th St & Lexington. This will be the first day of our trip (will arrive early, tho)so maybe we should just look at all the decorations, windows, sites, etc. Or I was thinking about getting 7 p.m. tickets to De La Guarda. Would that area be not-so-crowded or would we have trouble with crowds getting to and from there? Thanks for your thoughts.

It's a fun time to see plays and just walk the city, but I suggest you eat and plan to walk to most of your activities. Taxi's are hard to find. I always go to the theater on New Years Day...seems like a fun way to bring in the New Years. I've never had trouble finding places to eat. We generally stay from Dec. 30-Jan2 (or 3rd) at the Sheraton Towers on 7th Ave. It's easy to walk to everything. I love the vibrance of the city during this time...so much more fun than my own small town! You'll be very happy you went. It's a great place to be this time of year.

Ok everyone is officially invited to a concert at St. John's the Divine. I think it starts at 8pm and is usually over by 10pm, so you can head out to dinner.

The concert is free and is called "The Concert for Peace". It is hosted by a well known TV celebrity and last year Judy Collins sang and she was wonderful.

There is a full orchestra and chorus (yup, I'm the red head in the soprano section). We usually sing Beethoven's 9th, in German (Ode to Joy) and a couple of other pieces.

It's really is a nice evening, and the church is full. It is an annual event and well known in the city so figure there are several hundred people in the church. Friends of the chorus get to sit on the alter and have a full view of the cathedral.

The end of the concert everyone has a candle and we all sing together, Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Ole Lang Sine.

Anyone interested, please let me know.

There are also lots of other events in the city, at various locations, like Grand Central Station, with live music.

I would try your computer and look up "First Night" and you should find an array of interesting things to do.

After the Peace Concert, we head to a wonderful restaurant called Quarto Gati on E 81st just east of 3rd Ave.

Have a great time while you are here.

tweedy

To the Top.

As for an "American restaurant" I'd suggest Grammercy Tavern if you can get a reservation. Not sure what they're doing for New Years but it's among the best in the City and one of the few that I would consider American cuisine.