New Years Eve in Times Square- The Adventuring Millennial

Updated November 2019

I spent New Years Eve 2015 with 1 million of my closest friends.

Ok, I actually did spend New Years Eve with my closest friends. We just happened to also be surrounded by 1 million strangers.

Yes, to ring in 2015, I joined the crowds in Times Square and saw the ball drop in person. It was a surreal and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But it was also mentally and physically exhausting.

So, I want to share my tips and tricks with you. If you are thinking about spending New Years Eve in Times Square, read on. This guide is filled with everything I learned about preparing and surviving New Years Eve in Times Square. It is the guide I wish I had before spending NYE in NYC.

The Basics

Since 1904, people have gathered in Times Square to ring in the new year. And since 1973, this event has been televised.

When: New Years Eve is celebrated on December 31. The ball drops at midnight, but people start arriving first thing in the morning to secure a spot.

Where: In this post, I am talking about the Times Square celebration. So, naturally, this takes place in Times Square in New York City. 43rd to 59th streets at 7th and 43rd to 50th streets at Broadway are some of the best spots to view the ball drop. According to the official website, the viewing areas “start at 43 and move north.” As the viewing areas start to fill up, the police will start closing the blocks and people arriving later will have to fill in farther away from the main viewing area.

What to Expect

Before deciding to attend Times Square New Years Eve, consider this basic information:

This event is free and you don’t need a ticket to attend.

About 1 MILLION people cram into Times Square to watch the ball drop. And with that many people and very limited information about where to go, you can expect some chaos. I arrived in Times Square with my group around 11 am. The area was already packed, so we grabbed a quick lunch and then tried to find a spot. We found a spot near a stage with a great view of the ball. After an hour or so, the NYPD told everyone we had to leave the area. So now, thousands of people are trying to figure out where to go and are frustrated with losing a great viewing spot.

When we asked, the police kept jokingly telling everyone to “go home.” Well, that wasn’t going to happen.

Finally, we managed to figure out where to go. Everyone started funneling into an area for a security check. As the crowd entered a bottleneck, I thought I was going to suffocate. SO. MANY. PEOPLE. Everyone was pushing and shoving and it honestly got scary for a little bit. After some more chaos, my group managed to get past the security check and secure our “official” spot. I was actually surprised by how much space we had inside the barricades. We were able to sit down for most of the waiting period before the main event.

But something pretty major to consider: there are no bathrooms. And if you remember, I arrived in Times Square around 11 am. So that was OVER 12 HOURS without a bathroom. I knew this going into it and stopped drinking any liquids the night before. And somehow I managed to make it through the day without feeling too uncomfortable.

What to Bring

Really, don’t bring that much.

You can’t bring a bag into the viewing area, so anything you bring has to fit in your pockets.

Make sure you check the weather but prepare for a long cold day. Wear layers and bring plenty of hand warmers.

I also packed a few snacks in my coat pockets to keep me going through the day.

The main thing you should bring is a good attitude. I know, it sounds cheesy, but it really makes all the difference. I went to Times Square New Years Eve with a group of my best friends. We spent hours talking about the event beforehand. We prepped together and thought of games to play while we waited. And even though we were cold, exhausted and dehydrated, I have incredible memories from that day. Our group danced, laughed, made lifelong memories, and had a great time. Throughout the day, we noticed that a lot of the people around us were quiet and seemed very miserable. Others were complaining loudly. Honestly, you just need to know what you are signing up for. And make sure you go with the right people who also know what they are signing up for.

Quick Checklist:

Warm Layers
Hat
Gloves
Scarf
Hand warmers
Snacks (that fit in your coat pockets)
Wallet with essentials (Metro Card, money, ID, etc.)
Phone/Camera for pictures
Good attitude

When to Arrive

Honestly, the earlier the better. But keep in mind, you will likely have to move once the NYPD has established the official viewing areas. There is no guarantee when this will happen, but be prepared to move to a new spot if you arrive too early in the morning.

When I went (NYE 2015), I arrived around 11 am. Times Square was already filling up. So my group quickly grabbed lunch and tried to secure a spot.

If you do arrive early, be ready to wait. Arriving at 11 meant that I had 13 hours to wait.

So, try to think of ways to pass the time. It will be way more fun (and go faster) if you pass the time with games or interesting conversation topics. Our group decided that each person needed to think of two games or conversation starters before arriving. We spaced these out during the day and it was a fun way to distract ourselves for a few hours.

What Is it Actually Like

Ok, so now you know the basics. But what was it actually like to spend 13 hours in Times Square?

Memorable.

Honestly, that is the best way I can explain it. Times Square New Years Eve was incredibly memorable. It is something I will remember for the rest of my life. It wasn’t the most fun I’ve ever had. But it also wasn’t miserable.

Getting to Times Square wasn’t that bad. And when we first arrived around 11 am it was busy but still seemed manageable. But once the NYPD told everyone to leave the barricaded areas so we could go through a security checkpoint, it got very chaotic. That was when I fully realized how many people were crammed into Times Square. And it was terrifying for a moment.

But once my group secured a spot past the security checkpoint, we had a great time. Sure, it was cold. And it was hard to not have access to a bathroom. But it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

No, it’s nothing like watching the event on TV. I couldn’t see any of the performers. I heard them warm-up and then also heard their “live” performances but I couldn’t actually see them.

Throughout the day, people walked up and down the outsides of the barricades selling pizzas. I could also see people enjoyed their ticketed NYE parties in the restaurants surrounding the viewing area. So, it was hard to not get very jealous of their warmth, food, and access to restrooms.

But watching the ball drop was something I will cherish forever. There was an energy in the air when the clock finally hit 11:59. All 1 million of us were connected for that moment. We had all survived this crazy day of standing and waiting. Counting down together and watching the ball drop was surreal. When it finally hit midnight, fireworks exploded and confetti rained down. We all sang New York, New York together. It was magical and honestly, I cried. (Call it exhaustion or relief or pure joy. I’m not entirely sure.)

How to Get There

The subway is your best option. If you take an Uber or Lyft, you should get dropped off a ways away from Times Square and walk into the viewing area.

If you take the subway to Times Square, you can probably follow the crowds also trying to find a viewing spot. Some exits in the Times Square station might be closed off during the event, so you may need to take a side exit and walk into Times Square. It is difficult to predict exactly (and it also depends on what time you arrive) but there will be plenty of NYPD telling you which exit to take.

You will only be able to enter Times Square from 6th Ave and 8th Ave on New Year’s Eve. No one will be allowed to cross 7th Ave/Broadway. For a complete list of access points, check the official website. But honestly, you will just need to follow the crowds. You really won’t get a choice in where you stand. The NYPD fill in the barricades and once they are full, the block will be closed and people will have to start filling in behind the full viewing section. So just follow the crowds and the instructions from the NYPD as best as possible.

How to Leave

Surprisingly, leaving wasn’t that bad. I expected more chaos, but once the ball dropped and we finished singing, it was pretty easy to leave the area.

You probably don’t want to get on the subway right away. Everyone else will be rushing to the subway and it will get very chaotic. Also, you are probably ready for a bathroom.

I went straight to Shake Shack on 8th Ave so I could use the bathroom and get some food. By the time my group finished at Shake Shack, the subways were manageable and we didn’t have any trouble getting back to our Airbnb.

Events Before New Years Eve

If you spend some time in NYC before New Years Eve, don’t miss the city’s Christmas festivities. NYC will still be decked out for the holidays. Be sure to stop by Rockefeller for ice skating or to see the impressive 72-ft tree. Check out the Winter Village in Bryant Park or walk by the window decorations on 5th Ave.

Also, stop by Times Square a few days before New Years Eve for a chance to write a wish on a piece of confetti. This confetti was then dropped on Times Square at midnight on NYE.

Check out my complete NYC Christmas Guide for more inspiration!

Alternative Options

So if you’ve changed your mind about attending Times Square New Years Eve, there are a few other ways to enjoy the fun.

Watch New Years Rockin’ Eve on TV- Instead of standing in Times Square, you can watch the ball drop from the comfort of your home. The classic New Years Rockin Eve’ airs in ABC, but other networks (CNN and FOX) also have their own version of the show.
Attend a Times Square NYE Party– If you want the Times Square experience without the chaos, consider attending an event in a Times Square Restaurant. Many of the restaurants (including Olive Garden) offer packages that include food, drinks, and viewing areas. Tickets are $400 for the 5-hour Olive Garden party.
Other NYC NYE Events- If you want to check out an NYC event (but want to avoid Times Square) there are plenty of other options in the city. There are midnight runs and bike rides in Central Park, fireworks in Prospect Park, and parties in restaurants and clubs all over the city.

Is it Worth It?

Ultimately, you need to make this decision.

If this is something you’ve always dreamt about doing, go for it. It’s a bit crazy and stressful, but it really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But if you are not that interested, don’t go. You need to commit to really enjoy it.

For me, it was worth it. Sure, I was cold and uncomfortable for a while. But I got to see the Times Square ball drop with my best friends. We talk about this event all the time. It was an incredibly memorable experience and I am so glad I did it.

I hope you enjoyed my guide to surviving New Years Eve in Times Square Guide. If you are thinking about going or have gone before, let me know in the comments below!

If you are looking for more, check out these posts:

Your ULTIMATE Guide to Celebrating Christmas in NYC

The Essential NYC Coffee Shop Chains

How to Celebrate New Years Eve in the Magic Kingdom