LHarbar

Need ideas for New Years Eve in NYC. Not sure I am ready for the whole Times Square event, but would love something special to do. The kids would love a party atmosphere but we're limited because not everyone is over 21. Staying at the Sheraton Towers. Thanks.

lisettemac

There's an annual run in Central Park that could be fun for the kids. There are also ususally First Night celebrations throughout the city. Not sure you can avoid the TS mess if you are in the Sheraton Towers! Keep in mind that the NYPD now divide the crowd up into "pens" and you can't leave. So once you find a spot, you're stuck there...

sf7307

NYPD now divide the crowd up into "pens" and you can't leave. So once you find a spot, you're stuck there...

For hours and hours and hours, without a bathroom.....

Gosh, I remember when Times Square was actually FUN on NYE!

nytraveler

Avoid the madness. Head uptown for dinner in a nice restaurant at a human price - then go to Central Park for the fireworks. Much more civilized. And by the time you et back to midtown a lot of the crows will have dispersed and the subway will be stopping there again.

LHarbar

Just curious, what your suggestion for an uptown restaurant would be? We had thought about Becco, something kind of close to the action but that may not be the best idea.

nytraveler

Depends on your favorite cuisines and your budget. But - unless you're there to see the ball drop I wouldn;t stay in that area at all - the whole place will be packed to the rafters.

You need to get a perspective on NYC:

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year drew more than 3.5 million spectators along the route of march

On a bad year Times Square (a fairly small area) gets more than a million people packed into the police barricaded pens - plus many wandering on the outskirts trying to get close enough to see anything - with all traffic anywhere nearby detoured away

Your hotel is close enough that the streets will be blocked and you will have to push your way through the crowds to get in and out

LHarbar

Sounds crazy, knew it would be. Sounds like I better look elsewhere for entertainment. As far as food, I'd like a nice dinner. We ran the NY marathon but didn't get to see much so taking the family back. Anyway, while we were there we ate at Pastis (sp?) and Balthazar so hate to repeat those although loved them both. I know they are kind of on the "overdone" side, maybe you would have better suggestion. Thanks. (No sushi or asian with kids)

lisettemac

From where your hotel is located, I would suggest you head north to the Upper West Side to escape the madness. Here is a thread for moderately priced UWS restaurants:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

This will also put you in position to see the fireworks at midnight in Central Park.