New York New Year
 

I know I've heard a dozen times not to attempt a Times Square visit on New Years eve. If I'm in New York on December 31st, I want to go to Times Square. The only problem is the 7 hour wait time without bathrooms. I read the 'New Years Dining' post and it seems like I will be spending quite a bit for a snack, and since backpacks and bags are prohibited, I can't bring any food in. Any recommendations?

You can bring in a small bag - which should hold a snack and small bottle of water - it;s large bags and backpacks that are prohibited. And you may be lucky - or plan - and end up in a pen that has a coffee shop or deli you can go into.

And if that sound uncomfortable - no one ever said this was a good idea.

I have a suggestion. Do this instead:

www.newyearsnation.com

Presumably, you'll be dressing warm for the event, and will thus have a large coat. You can always stuff some sandwiches, fruit, snacks, whatever in your pockets. You should also probably do an early dinner.

http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye.html

No - dinner is too late to get a good view of anything. By then you'll be several blocks from Times Square (people start waiting in large groups by 2pm or so).

2 p.m.. Wow, that's early. I guess you're right, the early bird gets the view. So small bags are ok? There is supposed to be a 50% chance of rain, so that may cut down on the crowd.

What about transportation to Lower Manhattan after the ball drop? I read the subway stops are less frequent after midnight and a taxi is near impossible.

Subway stops less frequent? This is Manhattan - less frequent means instead of the subway coming every 2 minutes it comes every 5.

You won't have a problem with the subways on New Year's Eve, the trains will run from Times Square after the midnight, but you might head east to the D train or further east to Grand Central since the subway at Times Square will be MOBED.

Later at night the times between trains can be half an hour to an hour wait, but that won't be a problem on New Years' Eve.

The subways near Times Square are closed for New Years Eve untile the ball drops. Then - everyone is trying to get home so there are lots of trains. (Yes -usually after 1pm or so the trains are farther apart - maybe 15 minute - but on NYE the city knows it has to get everyone home.) Just realize trains will be crowded.

Read this

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34915694

"Later at night the times between trains can be half an hour to an hour wait, but that won't be a problem on New Years' Eve."

An hour? In Manhattan? Never. I've lived in Manhattan for a long time and the longest I think that I have ever waited for a train was about 20 minutes and that is extremely rare. Even at 3:00 a.m.