Quick, picture your ideal New Year’s Eve: Are you out making noise in Times Square? Bundled up by the fire with someone special? Night-swimming with your best friend at a beach resort? Everyone has their own perfect way to ring in 2017. Here are our top ten places to close out the year, whatever your style may be.
FIREWORKS? MORE LIKE FIREPLACE
Hate the idea of standing around with a bunch of people, waiting to watch fireworks and a ball drop? Head to the mountains for a little night skiing, then cheers the new year next to the fire with a mug of hot cocoa (or something a little stronger).
Photo courtesy of TheSkiMonster.com
Sugarbush: Warren, Vermont
Start your night off with a whiskey tasting, then gorge on an Italian buffet until it’s time for fireworks (yes, you can still enjoy them in a low-key setting!) at Lincoln Peak Village.
Photo courtesy of TheRanchAtRockCreek.com
The Ranch at Rock Creek: Philipsburg, Montana
When you’re done ice skating, horseback riding and cross-country skiing, hit the Granite Spa for pampering before dinner and a quiet countdown to midnight.
Photo courtesy of hotel-r.net
St. Regis Resort: Aspen, Colorado
After a long day of skiing, sit down for a nice five-course meal then settle in by the fire to welcome the new year with a quiet crackle.
Photo courtesy of whistler.com
Whistler Blackcomb: Vancouver, British Columbia
The venues in Whistler Village offer New Year’s fun for the entire family, with everything from arts and crafts, to games, to lively entertainment.
SWIM INTO 2017
If you prefer to buck the trend of being chilly on New Year’s Eve, then these beaches will heat up your evening in style.
Photo courtesy of MiamiNewTimes.com
Bayfront Park: Miami, Florida
Dance the night away to Pitbull for free (!) in a balmy beach setting, complete with endless food options and a star-studded lineup.
Photo courtesy of wikimedia.com
San Diego Bay: San Diego, California
Get your Gatsby on with this themed cruise around the Bay, where you’ll enjoy classic cocktails, unbelievable sights and fireworks (without the freezing)
THE MORE, THE MERRIER
Party people, put your hands up! If you’re looking for the ultimate celebration, hit up the hottest (and coldest) parties in the country.
Photo courtesy of wikipedia.com
Times Square: New York, New York
Take part in one of the biggest, most well-known New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world, right in the heart of New York City.
Photo courtesy of flickr.com
Jackson Square: New Orleans, Louisiana
You don’t need to wait until Mardi Gras to fully experience the Big Easy; head to Jackson Square for fireworks and the fleur-de-lis drop, then continue the party along Bourbon Street.
Photo courtesy of VisitMusicCity.com
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: Nashville, Tennessee
An alternative kind of party, Nashville offers a plethora of live music to dance the night away (plus a chicken wing eating contest, pep rallies, after-parties and more).
Photo courtesy of wikipedia.com
The Strip: Las Vegas, Nevada
The party never ends on the Stripgas… Bounce from club to club, rub elbows with celebs, and bet on a lucky 2017!
And for all you sports fans, all 32 NFL teams are playing on New Year’s Day, so plan a New Year’s Eve road trip to your team’s city and save your energy for game day!