When you think of New Year's in New York City, do you think of packed bars, pretentious clubs, and the crowded, freezing, abysmal atmosphere of Times Square while the ball drops?
Do you think of moaning in your bed in the morning because you're more hungover than you've ever been in your entire life?
Well we've got news for you.
Your New Year's Eve does not need to involve pouring alcohol into your face, and your New Year's Day does not need to include an anxiety-inducing hangover.
If your New Year's resolution is to spend your time in a more healthy and productive manner, there are plenty of ways you can actualize that resolution on the very night of New Year's Eve.
You can bike through Central Park, you can swim in the ocean, you can even take part in a four-mile run or yoga class. There are plenty of ways to be really, really good to yourself this New Year's, in a way that'll have nothing to do with alcohol.
Read on to find out what they are.
1. Fireworks at Grand Army Plaza
keelieliang #Fireworks last night at #ConeyIsland 👣🎉💫🎇👻 #FridayNight #Friday #Night #TBT #LivinginBrooklyn #Brooklyn #ConeyIslandbeach #lifeisgood #view #nightview #instaview #firework #pictureoftheday #rightnow #sky #nightsky #Brooklyn #Brooklynfireworks #NYCFireworks #NYC #Light #shinning #stars #Imissyou #miracle #universe #heaven #niceview #amazingview
Do you want go to around bragging that you spent New Year's Eve hanging out with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams?
Well, if you go to the free fireworks at Grand Army Plaza at 11 p.m. on New Year's Eve, you'll get to join Eric Adams and the Prospect Park Alliance for a sparkling (get it?) good time.
You'll be able to catch this spectacular light show at Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park's West Drive, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street.
If you hit up Grand Army Plaza, though, you'll have the experience of live entertainment by DJ C. Live, the Brooklyn Mash It Up Band, and hot chocolate. Why would you spend hundreds on a lame New Year's Eve party when you could have all this fun for free?
2. New Year's Eve Concert for Peace at The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Avenue)
Peace is awesome, right? So is experiencing harmonious tunes that are reflective of that peace.
Leonard Bernstein founded this Concert for Peace in 1984, and ever since, it's become a signature Cathedral event.
There's music, candles, and best of all, there's a spirit of peace that'll send you hurtling into the New Year feeling connected, uplifted, and ready to communicate and uphold that spirit.
If you're looking for a New Year's vibe that's positive, productive, and helpful to your overall well-being as a person, this is probably it. Get your tickets here.
3. Time's Up New Year's Eve Ride (Washington Square Park arch)
Everyone knows that endorphin-fueled euphoria is so much more worthwhile than alcohol-fueled euphoria, right?
So why not spend the final moments of 2015 flying down a hill under the moon in Central Park? You can either bike or rollerblade. If you participate, you'll ride up to Belvedere Castle in Central Park.
After you bike or blade, you'll get to spend the rest of the night dancing away with other endorphin-crazed partiers. There will be fireworks. There will be noisemakers and party favors, and it's a potluck style party, so bring food and drink to share!
If you don't want to bike or rollerblade, you can just head to Belvedere Castle at 11:45 p.m. for the dance party. If you do, meet at Washington Square Park under the arch at 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve ready to ride. Oh, did we mention it's all free?
4. Midnight Run at Central Park (72nd Street Transverse)
run2golden Had such a blast ringing in the New Year with a great 4 mile run in Central Park with my girl @artificiallybalanced !!! What an awesome New Years Eve!!! 🎊🎉🏃👏❤️🙌 #nye #NYEmidnightrun #runhappy
Yeah ... there's this little known fact about running. Running is very good for you. With that in mind, we thought you'd be interested in knowing about New York Road Runner's Midnight Run.
There will be music at dancing starting at 10 p.m., and when the clock strikes midnight, the four-mile unscored run will begin, so you'll have the chance to literally run your way into a positive, rewarding 2016.
There will be spectacular fireworks igniting the sky above while you run. The race starts on the 72nd Street Transverse and concludes just west of Bethesda Terrace. To take part in this wholly productive, fun, and empowering New Year's Eve activity, register for the race here.
,5. Laughing Lotus Yoga (232 Broadway - Brooklyn)
melbournelovesyoga We spent an incredible week in New York, participating in a 50 hour intensive inversions teaching training at @LaughingLotusNY. We'll be sharing the experience soon at mel.loves.yoga 🙏 #MELBOURNELOVESYOGA
Mindfulness? Self appreciation? Lots of laughter?
We're not sure we could come up with a more constructive New Year's Eve evening. Laughing Lotus yoga studio just opened a brand new Williamsburg location, and they've got a few classes on New Year's Eve that'll make you sweat, feel, and head into the New Year tingling with endorphins.
They have a 7 p.m. Lotus Flow class, a Lotus Basics Class at 7:15 p.m., and the class we really recommend? SOUL SWEAT at 8:30 p.m.
Maybe your New Year's resolution was to exercise more. Maybe it was to try new things. Maybe it was to do things you're afraid of.
We don't know your relationship with yoga, but we do know that yoga is about experiencing sensation without judging it, being in the moment, and acting on behalf of yourself. These are all entirely excellent aspects of an entirely excellent New Year's.
To browse and sign up for classes, click here.
6. Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge (West 37th Street Boardwalk)
Swimming in the ocean is just a summertime activity, right?
Wrong. With Coney Island's Annual Polar Plunge, which goes down every year on New Year's Day, you'll have a chance to swim in the ocean. In January.
The best part is that it's all for an amazing cause. All proceeds are donated to Camp Sunshine; a summer camp in Maine for children with terminal illnesses and their families. It's just about the best cause we could come up with.
The suggested donation for each participant is $20. If you want to participate, arrive at the Boardwalk on Stillwell Avenue on Coney Island at 1 p.m. on New Year's Day. Bring warm clothes, surf boots or old sneakers.
All registered attendees will also get free admission to NY Aquarium on New Year's Day after the swim. There will also be a post-dip celebration at the Coney Island Brewing Company. $2 will be donated to Camp Sunshine for every beer sold. So, you're excused for drinking a lot.
Register and donate here.
7. Brooklyn Bridge Walk (160 Broadway)
kallenblairp Snagged a bench this evening on #brooklynbridgewalk for an Arthur Miller appropriate reading location #aviewfromthebridge #vsco #VSCOcam
Everyone knows walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a stunning activity. Why wouldn't you participate in a stunning, physical yet attainable activity on the last evening of 2015?
You'll cross the bridge with an expert guide who'll tell you all about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, the invention of the NYC skyscraper, City Hall, and the technology and architecture of the bridge itself.
You'll gaze upon the harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and the illuminated city skyline. The walk will meet in front of the McDonald's at the intersection of Cortlandt and Liberty Street at 10:30 p.m.
To register for the Brooklyn Bridge Walk, click here.
Check out 10 Pro Tips for Surviving SantaCon 2015.
[Feature Image Courtesy NYC Arts]