New York New Year's Eve

Ball drop, steakhouses and the Brooklyn Bridge

3 days through Midtown Manhattan, DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights.

New York New Year's Eve is a 3-day curated route with 2 destinations and 16 places to eat, see, and do. Preview stops and timing, then plan it in TripsCircle.

1
Destination 01
Midtown Manhattan
9 places

Two nights around Times Square for the ball drop, steakhouses and jazz.
- Photo: Alex Lozupone · CC BY 4.0
  Times Square Ball Drop
  The ball atop One Times Square drops at 11:59 p.m., followed by confetti and fireworks over a crowd of about a million.
  Tip Arrive by mid-afternoon, dress in layers and bring snacks; once you leave a pen you can't get back in.
  SeeTimes SquareFree9 hrDec 31, 3 p.m. to midnight
- Photo: Julian Lupyan · CC0
  Central Park Midnight Run fireworks
  Fireworks over Central Park at midnight start the New York Road Runners' four-mile Midnight Run.
  Tip Watch from Bethesda Terrace or the edge of Sheep Meadow; the show was canceled in 2024 because of drought, so check the year's plans.
  SeeCentral ParkFree60 minMidnight
- Photo: King of Hearts · CC BY-SA 4.0
  Grand Army Plaza fireworks
  Brooklyn's free New Year's Eve party, with live music from about 10 p.m. and fireworks over Prospect Park at midnight.
  Tip Stand along Prospect Park West near the arch for the clearest view.
  SeeProspect HeightsFree2 hr10 p.m. to midnight
- Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 4.0
  Keens Steakhouse
  Steakhouse open since 1885, known for its mutton chop and ceilings lined with thousands of old clay pipes.
  Tip The pub room takes walk-ins more easily than the dining rooms.
  EatHerald Square$$$2 hrDinner
- Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0
  Gallaghers Steakhouse
  Theater District steakhouse open since 1927, with its meat-aging locker visible from West 52nd Street.
  EatTheater District$$$2 hrDinner
- Le Bernardin
  Eric Ripert's seafood restaurant on West 51st Street, with three Michelin stars and a formal tasting menu.
  Tip Reserve as soon as December dates open; the lounge serves a shorter menu.
  EatMidtown$$$$2.5 hrDinner
- Photo: Ɱ · CC BY-SA 4.0
  Bemelmans Bar
  Piano bar in the Carlyle hotel, with murals by Madeline author Ludwig Bemelmans and live music every night.
  Tip Expect a cover charge once the music starts.
  DrinkUpper East Side$$$1.5 hrLate evening
- Photo: Ajay Suresh · CC BY 4.0
  Birdland
  Jazz club named for Charlie Parker, now on West 44th Street, with two or more sets a night.
  Tip Book the holiday-week shows ahead; New Year's Eve sets are ticketed separately.
  DoTheater District$$$2 hrEvening
- Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0
  New York Marriott Marquis
  Big Times Square hotel on Broadway; rooms on the right side look straight down at the ball drop.
  Tip Ask specifically for a Times Square-view room when booking for Dec 31.
  StayTimes Square$$$$
2
Destination 02
DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights
7 places

A slow Jan 1 on the Brooklyn waterfront, then the plunge at Coney Island.
- Photo: Rodolfo Zosel (Realpicr) · CC BY-SA 4.0
  Brooklyn Bridge
  The 1883 bridge's raised wooden walkway is open to pedestrians around the clock; the walk takes about 30 minutes.
  Tip Start on the Manhattan side and walk toward Brooklyn so the skyline is behind you for photos on the way back.
  DoDUMBOFree60 minMorning
- Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0
  Brooklyn Heights Promenade
  Third-of-a-mile esplanade above the East River with a straight-on view of Lower Manhattan and the harbor.
  Tip On New Year's Eve you can often see several harbor fireworks shows from here.
  OutdoorsBrooklyn HeightsFree45 minLate afternoon
- Photo: Cubie King · CC BY-SA 3.0
  Jane's Carousel
  Restored 1922 carousel in a glass pavilion by Jean Nouvel, on the water between the two bridges.
  Tip Winter hours are shorter, so check before you go.
  DoDUMBO$30 minAfternoon
- Juliana's
  Coal-oven pizzeria run by Patsy Grimaldi in his original Old Fulton Street building, a block from the bridge.
  Tip Lines build by early afternoon; go right at opening.
  EatDUMBO$$60 minLunch
- The River Café
  Barge restaurant under the Brooklyn Bridge, open since 1977, with a five-course New Year's Eve dinner and live band.
  Tip Jackets are required for men at dinner.
  EatDUMBO$$$$2.5 hrDec 31 dinner
- Photo: Invertzoo · CC BY-SA 3.0
  Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge
  The Polar Bear Club's New Year's Day swim at Stillwell Avenue, held for over 120 years; thousands go in.
  Tip Register online to plunge; spectators can watch from the boardwalk for free.
  DoConey IslandFree2 hrJan 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Photo: Kidfly182 · CC BY 4.0
  Nathan's Famous
  The original hot dog stand at Surf and Stillwell Avenues, serving since 1916 and open year-round.
  EatConey Island$30 minAfter the plunge

The moments that shape this trip.

01Times Square Ball Drop
02Central Park Midnight Run fireworks
03Keens Steakhouse
04Bemelmans Bar
05Brooklyn Bridge
06Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge

Planning New York New Year's Eve.

Base yourself in Midtown Manhattan. On Dec 30, have a mutton chop dinner at Keens Steakhouse and see a set at Birdland. On New Year's Eve, either claim a spot in the Times Square pens by mid-afternoon or book a long dinner at Le Bernardin or Gallaghers and catch the midnight fireworks over Central Park or at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle is the classic place for a late cocktail. On Jan 1, cross to DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights: walk the Brooklyn Bridge, eat coal-oven pizza at Juliana's, ride Jane's Carousel, then take the subway to Coney Island for the Polar Bear Plunge and a Nathan's hot dog.

Good for Couples and friends who want the classic Times Square night and an easy, walkable Brooklyn Jan 1.

When to go

The Times Square ball is raised at 6 p.m. on Dec 31 and drops at 11:59 p.m. Viewing is free and unticketed, but police close the area early: for the 2025 event, street closures started around 4 a.m. and viewers were not let in until 3 p.m. Once you leave a pen you can't return, and there are no restrooms, food stalls or bags allowed. Central Park's fireworks typically launch at midnight near 72nd Street with the NYRR Midnight Run; the 2024 show was canceled because of drought, so check the year's plans. Prospect Park's party at Grand Army Plaza usually starts with music around 10 p.m., with fireworks at midnight. Expect highs around 40F and lows near freezing. On Jan 1, the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (the 2026 edition), and many shops and some museums close for the day.

Getting around

The subway runs all night, so skip the car. Around Times Square, police close streets roughly from 39th to 58th Street and some subway exits may be closed or exit-only, so enter from Sixth or Eighth Avenue and walk. Rideshare prices surge sharply between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., and Midtown traffic stops near midnight. On Jan 1, take the A/C or F to the York Street or High Street stops for DUMBO, and the D, F, N or Q to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue, about 45 minutes from Midtown.

Tips for your crew

If you want to watch the ball drop without the pens, book a Times Square-facing room at the Marriott Marquis well ahead.
Book New Year's Eve dinners in October or November; Keens, Gallaghers and Le Bernardin often sell out of prime seatings early.
Plungers at Coney Island need to register online in advance; watching from the boardwalk is free.

New York New Year's Eve

3 days through Midtown Manhattan, DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights.

Midtown Manhattan

Times Square Ball Drop

Central Park Midnight Run fireworks

Grand Army Plaza fireworks

Keens Steakhouse

Gallaghers Steakhouse

Le Bernardin

Bemelmans Bar

Birdland

New York Marriott Marquis

DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Jane's Carousel

Juliana's

The River Café

Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge

Nathan's Famous

The moments that shape this trip.

Planning New York New Year's Eve.

When to go

Getting around

Tips for your crew

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