Let's do it again.

June 11, 2012 9:12 AM

I can't help but think ahead for New Year's. Last year, I stood for 20 hours in Times Square and was on the TV broadcast. It doesn't get any better than that. I want to do something again. Where should I go?

New Year's is kind of a big deal to me. But I have to admit, this past year was the first time I did something.

I know there is no way I can top my experience from being in New York for the ball drop, but I'm not looking to. Just somewhere fun to go. I will also be at a very important time in my life when 2013 strikes.

My first thought was to do the ball drop thing again. Or at least be in the city for it, but not necessarily in Times Square. I haven't ruled that out, but I am looking for alternatives to get my mind going.

I'm in America. I would be open to going abroad. There are a few select places in Europe and around the world I've always wanted to go, maybe one of those would be an ideal candidate?

There doesn't really have to be a big celebration at the city in question, but I wouldn't mind doing that again either.

I just want to do this again. I'm not sure if I will be doing something crazy like this every year, but I definitely want a 2nd time.

Let me know if I left off any good information!

posted by signondiego to Travel & Transportation (11 answers total)

Las Vegas can be fun, so can Paris, London, or Berlin.

For me, I enjoy being with my peeps and having a nice quiet celebration.

What kinds of things appeal to you? Crowds and drinking? Nature?

How about someplace in Maine or Canada, where you can be the first person on the continent to ring in the new year? Christmas Island to be the first to ring in the new year in the world?

How about a Cruise ship in the middle of the ocean?

Iceland with the northern lights?

Pyramids in Egypt?
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:21 AM on June 11, 2012

I know that Scotland goes big with New Year's celebrations. Edinburgh's already selling tickets for its festivities.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:25 AM on June 11, 2012

Lubec, Maine is the easternmost point of the contiguous United States (the town got a lot of attention on the millennium). Rent a cabin with some friends, and you'll be some of the very first few people in America to see the sun rise in 2013.
posted by argonauta at 9:37 AM on June 11, 2012

The big city celebrations in Scotland are best known and attract many tourists. The most unusual events, which tend to attract Scots, include The Stonehaven Fireballs, the Comrie Flambeaux and Up Helly Aa in Shetland (which is on January 29th).
posted by rongorongo at 9:43 AM on June 11, 2012

No one does the New Year like the Russians.

I recommend Saint Petersburg. Nothing quite like it.
posted by zizzle at 10:07 AM on June 11, 2012

I did a dinner cruise in boston harbor with my fiancee a couple of years ago. We weren't too far from where they fire off the fireworks, and it felt like they were right on top of us. Bonus of champagne while fireworks exploding above your head, but negative that boston harbor is rather chilly on new years.
posted by bessel functions seem unnecessarily complicated at 10:23 AM on June 11, 2012

Vienna does an enormous city-wide celebration, Silvester in Wien. The whole old center is shut down and thousands of people are wandering around drinking, dancing, making merry. Lots of formal balls and outdoor waltzing and other lovely things. It's cold, naturally, but quite fun. Lots of options from a cheap hotel and wandering the streets to staying in a palace hotel and going to a ball wearing tails.
posted by Nelson at 10:48 AM on June 11, 2012

I would definitely suggest watching the fireworks explode over the Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia. You might be used to celebrating NYE in the winter but nothing beats NYE in the summer!
posted by unlaced at 10:53 AM on June 11, 2012

Thanks for all the suggestions. Some of them I hadn't even heard about!

Regarding what appeals to me, I like crowds and drinking as much as nature. I'm versatile. I also don't mind the cold.

Sydney sounds good but I think the airfare all the way to Australia would be too much for me. If I ultimately do go abroad, I would like to keep things to $1,000 round-trip (airfare only) or not much more.

I should probably elaborate on some places I've always wanted to visit: Venice, Italy. I would like to go to Russia and Saint Petersburg was mentioned here.

I have thought about London/Glasgow/Dublin, too. What about somewhere in Scandinavia, or Poland? Those are some other places I have thought of.

Really, though, I'm interested in a wide variety of places. I know this is a New Year's trip, but being the car-free person that I am, I love architecture and urban planning, etc.

Maybe I could kill two birds with one stone by going somewhere that has a great New Year's celebration and is also somewhere I've been wanting to go.

I think it's going to be fairly easy to narrow this down, there are just so many fascinating cities abroad. I've received many great advice here, but perhaps this additional info can help me some more.
posted by signondiego at 2:38 PM on June 11, 2012

Venice holds a mass kiss-in in St Mark's square at the new year. The city is less manically busy at that time of year than it is in the summer or at carnival time - so it could be a good option. Looks like fun!
posted by rongorongo at 2:49 AM on June 12, 2012

Rio De Janeiro does a fabulous New Year's Eve on Copacabana beach. Everyone dresses in white and there are fireworks, parades, dancing, lighting candles in memory of those that have passed. It's a giant party if that is what you are looking for.
posted by Vaike at 6:32 AM on June 12, 2012