Okay, so you've heard of the New Year's Eve party in Times Square every year, right?
We doubt you've heard of it. It's just this little, teensy, most famous New Year's Eve Party in the country. It's just an event that draws one million in-person viewers, millions of spectators watching on TV, and billions of TV viewers worldwide.
So, like we said, it's not a big deal or anything.
If you were to come out to this most-famous-party-in-the-country, though, you'd probably want to know how to maneuver the situation, wouldn't you?
Navigating a crowd of a million spectators, handling the cold, and having a good time amidst all the chaos aren't exactly walks in the park.
We've prepared a little guide for you to handle New Year's Eve in Times Square, if that's how you decide you want to spend your evening. Read on to find out how to keep your chill.
1. Pregame
hulloffame A year later and this still gives me goosebumps. Forever one of my favorite memories with my family. #NYEInTimesSquare
New Year's Eve in Times Square is going to be crowded. We know that's like saying, "The sky is blue," but there it is. We said it.
What's the best way to handle getting pushed and shoved by crowds who want to get as close to the actual ball as possible?
[anad]
Well, having a bit of a buzz, of course.
Don't bring your alcohol with you. Everyone will be searched with a hand-held wand at the ball drop's entry points, and the Times Square Alliance has announced that all alcohol will be confiscated, so sipping on something before coming to Times Square is absolutely the move.
2. Be early
laurenweissler And so it begins! Idiots starting to crowd the streets at 10 in the morning. Just please get out of my way when it's time for me to leave work! #grumpythismorning #hashtagsarestupid #nyeintimessquare #cantwaitforfireball😁
The ball will be dropped from a flagpole at the top of One Times Square at midnight.
If you want a chance to be close to the ball, get there as early as you can. The New York City Police Department will start closing down vehicular traffic at 43rd Street and Broadway around 3 p.m. Then, they'll continue moving north to end vehicular traffic up to 59th Street, on 7th Avenue and Broadway.
Coming in from Sixth Avenue or Eighth Avenue is, therefore, the move. We'd also suggest you get there as early as you possibly can.
The streets between 42nd and 59th Street on Broadway and 7th Avenue get filled, block by block, very fast. If you want any shot at all to see the ball, you should be there by noon, by one, by two, or at least by 3 p.m.
Our point is, the earlier you're there, the better chance you'll have to get a hot viewing spot. This year's schedule hasn't been published so we can't let you know what's up for sure, but you can check out last year's schedule for a pretty accurate idea of what performances will go on when.
3. Get a hot viewing spot
malloryfact Happy New Year from Times Square! #HappyNewYear #TimesSquare #HNY #NewYearsEve #NewYearsInTimesSquare #NYC #NewYork
What are the hot viewing spots, you're wondering? Well, as we said, the closer you are to One Times Square the better, but if you can't make that happen, we've got some more pro tips.
The sound system is set up at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, and the video screens will be set up at One Times Square.
So, if you can't see the actual ball, being able to hear the performances and see the ball drop on the screens is key. There will be additional video screens set up throughout the day, so scope one of these out before choosing your spot if One Times Square isn't immediately in sight.
[anad2]
Access points for the event will be at 37th Street and 7th Avenue, 37th Street and Broadway, 38th Street and 8th Avenue, 38th Street and 6th Avenue, from 6th Avenue at 49th, 52nd, 58th, and 59th Streets, from 8th Avenue at 49th, 52nd, and 55th, 58th and 59th Streets.
You'll also be able to get in from 7th Avenue at 57th Street, and Broadway at 57th Street. Get into one of these entrances as early as you can in the day on December 31st, and you're bound to have a popping night.
4. Bring snacks
magdanlena Wyjść nie możemy to szalejemy w domu 🍾🎁❤️ #saturday #weekend #now #cosy #home #selfie #selfietime #party #partytime #family #boyfriend #love #loveit #snacks #jackdaniels #food #foodbook #foodporn #daily #evening #night #followme #poland #girlythings
There won't be any food and drink vendors in Times Square during the actual event. You should stock your bags with some satiating snacks. Snacks like baggies of Cheerios, Nutri-grain bars, and bananas.
We're talking about snacks that will actually satisfy your hunger, not, like Twizzlers or cheese doodles. Those do about as much to satisfy your hunger as looking at a Burger King advertisement.
Speaking of Burger King, you should scope out some fast food places at which you can use the bathroom while you're waiting for the event to start. Another point of note is that there are no portable restrooms in Times Square during the celebration.
So bring a pal to hold down your hot viewing spots, and when you have to go to the bathroom, take turns visiting the fast food place you scoped. You can even get snacks there and bring them back to your pals holding down your spot, right?
,5. Eat at a restaurant
If you don't want to shove yourself into all the outdoor Times Square madness, there's another pro-tip coming your way.
There are several bars and restaurants whose windows offer pristine views of the ball drop itself. These restaurants are temperature regulated, and eating at them won't require spending hours of spot saving and not being able to use the bathroom.
[anad]
These restaurants are: Renaissance New York, DoubleTree Guest Suites, Marriot Marquis, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Olive Garden, R Lounge, Novotel New York Times Square, and The Knickerbocker.
If you want to eat at any of these restaurants, call for a reservation. We can't say this enough times: Make. A. Reservation. Drinking in their bars should be fine, and won't require a reservation, but we imagine they'll be pretty packed.
6. Dress warmly
enany87 #timessquare #newyear2015 #capodanno #larmatadeicappellirosa #theballdrop #newyork #newyearseve #happynewyear #lovethislife
We know the weather's been way weird lately, but we're guessing New Year's Eve will be cold. If you are saving a spot, you'll be outside for hours in possibly below-freezing conditions.
Go for it. Wear several sweaters. Bring hand warmers. Bring your comfiest blanket. Most of all, wear a hat and a wind-resistant outer layer. We know we sound like overprotective, lame parents, but that's better than letting you freeze to death, isn't it?
Just do whatever it takes to avoid frostbite, alright?
7. Download the app
If you do wind up in a spot where you can't see at all, just relax and enjoy the party and don't worry.
If you've downloaded the official Times Square Ball app, you'll be able to catch the live, six-and-a-half hour, commercial-free mobile stream of the New Year's Eve party in Times Square.
[anad2]
Who needs real life when you can enjoy the party from wherever, while also enjoying live streaming right to your cell phone?
Ah, we just can't get enough of the modern age's joys. Download the app here.
Check out 10 Pro Tips for Surviving SantaCon 2015.