With reference to http://www.timessquarebid.org/new_year, is it worthwhile and meaningful to atend especially with kids under 6? I'm making a decision whether I should depart NYC in the evening of Dec 31 or next morning. Alternatively, which one, Washington DC or NYC, is the best place to celebrate the event? Given the huge crowds, is it safe to walk arond the streets with two kids?

Thanks for your valuable comment in advance.

Sincerely
Armstrong Wong
Hong Kong

Hi Armstrong:
I hope you don't mean Times Square at midnight with kids! 1 million people in a area that is barricaded into pens so that everyone is contained in an area. It is cold, crowded and there are no public facilities to be proud of. That is for the young and faint of heart. It is fun to watch from the comfort of a living room or a nice party. If you stay in NYC, find a nice cozy spot and enjoy your stay!

I agree with the above post. Times Square on News Years Eve is no place for children! My husband and I went to NYC for New Years Eve a few years ago. We splurged and got a room at the Marriott Marquis hotel overlooking Times Square. However, we were out and about till about 10:30 on News Years Eve, and had quite a difficult time just making it back to our hotel. I did not feel particularly unsafe in the streets that evening, but the crowds were overwelming. People started accumulating in Times Square in the afternoon. The police make "corals" (or "pens") with the police barricades. The corals closest to Time Square fill up rather early, so that people coming later in the evening are farther down Broadway
(?or Seventh Avenue). As you can imagine, it gets a bit crazy after everyone has been drinking for many, many hours. Of course, it is wildly crazy at midnight. It could be fun for those not of the faint of heart, however it would NOT be a place I would bring children to. I was glad to be watching it all from my hotel room! (It is almost certainly too late this year to get a hotel room overlooking Time Square. Even though the Marriott is at Times Square, they actually only have a limited number of rooms that overlook it. You may want to keep in mind for another year.)

Hi AC and Cheryl,

Indeed I'm grateful for your first-hand opinions. Originally, I thought to bring a history moment and life-time experience to my sons. Sometimes good motive doesn't promise a desirable result. Thanks again for sharing your personal experience.

Armstrong
Hong Kong

Armstrong:
You are a great Dad to want to do this...It will give you a reason to return to NYC in 2012! )

Hi AC,

Actually my two sons have already toured the States 5 times previously. WE traveled almost every major city in the States. I'm planning to take them to Europe next Summer to enhance their understanding about the world. By the time 2012, I wish my sons can earn a PhD degree at a U.S. university. Then I don't the New Year's eve countdonw would be on top of their agenda. Again thanks for your wonderful idea.

Armstrong
Hong Kong

Compare his posts...he's a troll.

You couldn't give me free lodging, meals,& limo service to be crammed in sub freezing weather with over 1 million people just for a few minutes pleasure, then try to get out of the place afterwards, married or not, children or no children.

Just curious Armstrong...what do you do for a living and where do you live? I've noticed several of your travel talk posts, so I'm just curious.

Curious:
check the post that says DEC 25

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