▷ New Year’s Eve in Times Square 2022: Is it really worth it?

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For many people, spending New Year’s Eve in New York City is one of the absolute highlights in a life of travel. In the following article, I will tell you whether or not it is worth spending New Year’s Eve in Times Square watching the famous ball drop.

I’ll tell you important tips that you should consider, the pros and cons, and I’ll show you a few alternatives for how you can spend an unforgettable New Year’s Eve in New York City.

New Year’s Eve in Times Square is a free event: don’t let anyone sell you tickets on the spot!

If you’re not in New York City, you can watch the ball drop live here on December 31st starting at 11:55 p.m. (go to the live stream).

Recommended: this is my guide to NYE in NYC 2022 with everything you need to know (besides Times Square!)

Tips for if you are in Times Square on New Year’s Eve

Avoid the Times Sq – 42 St subway: in the afternoon, the Times Sq – 42 St station will be closed in preparation for the ball drop. But that’s not a problem because there are several Subway stations nearby that are your options: B D F M to “42 St-Bryant Park Station”, 7 to 5th Ave or A C E to the “42 St – Port Authority Bus Terminal” station.
Dress for the weather: The weather in December will definitely be winter-like; temperatures around 30°F are normal rather than the exception. You’ll definitely need warm shoes, preferably with a really warm insole.
Be there early: especially if you want to see the ball drop at Times Square, you should be there far ahead of the event time. A good time to arrive is 1 p.m., even if it’s still quite a few hours until midnight. The event officially starts at 6 p.m. when the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball is lit up and lifted to the top of the One Times Square building. After that, the festivities begin with live performances and concerts.
Make reservations at attractions & restaurants: from Thanksgiving through the holiday season and New Year’s Eve, New York is packed with visitors – so be sure to reserve your seats in advance, especially at restaurants. The same goes for the city’s attractions!
Don’t forget your power bank and backup batteries: it would be frustrating if your camera or smartphone ran out of battery life just before the ball drop at midnight! Due to the winter temperatures, your battery won’t last as long as it would in the warm weather, so be sure to have an extra battery for your camera or a power bank for your smartphone.
No alcohol: drinking alcohol in public is prohibited in New York State. It’s better to not even think of taking alcohol to Times Square.
Take only a small bag or backpack: larger bags or backpacks are not allowed, smaller ones will be screened.

What is the ball drop in Times Square?

The ball drop in New York represents the dropping of the Times Square Ball on the One Times Square building just in time for midnight on New Year’s Eve. This spectacle is televised worldwide and is one of the highlights of New Year’s Eve in New York. At 11:59 p.m., the ball begins its descent as millions of voices join together to count down the last seconds of the year; “3, 2, 1 – Happy New Year!”

Where exactly does the ball drop take place in Times Square?

Times Square is located on 42nd Street just south of the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue. From there, you can see the ball drop, which takes place at the prominent One Times Square building. This building is located at the corner of W 43rd St and Broadway.

Where is the best place to watch the ball drop?

There is a simple rule for finding the best spot outside with a good view of the ball drop. The smaller the house numbers, the closer you are to the Times Square ball drop. The best view of the ball drop is from Broadway, between 43rd Street and 50th Street. Alternatively, you have a good chance along 7th Avenue from 43rd Street to 59th Street.

There are the designed entry points to watch the ball drop in NYC

6th Avenue – 38th, 49th, 52nd, 54th, 58th, 59th streets
7th Avenue – 37th, 57th streets
8th Avenue – 38th, 49th, 52nd, 55th, 58th, 59th streets
Broadway – 37th, 57th streets

In addition to the outdoor areas, there are of course some hotels and New Year’s Eve parties that offer an exclusive view of the ball drop for an admission fee.

My tip: These are 9 best hotels with Ball Drop View in NYC.

What’s the best time to be in Times Square?

The best seats with a view of the ball drop fill up quickly, so motivated visitors arrive early in the morning. By 1 – 2 p.m. at the latest, the area will close because the event has reached capacity. From then on you can’t leave your place to go to the bathroom or to buy something to eat. You are allowed to leave the area, but reentry is not permitted.

Is New Year’s Eve in Times Square worth it?

Pros

A unique event unlike anything else.
It is a great experience to witness the countdown.
You see famous artists & performances.

Cons

Long waiting times: it takes several hours to get there (especially if you want the best seats).
No toilets: be sure to use the facilities before going to your seat or location. If you leave the event area, as you will not be able to reenter.
The temperature: it‘s guaranteed to be quite cold, so be prepared.

Alternatives to the Times Square Ball Drop on New Year‘s Eve

There are several good alternatives on how you can spend an unforgettable New Year‘s Eve in New York City:

01

#1 Alternative to New Year’s Eve in Times Square: a New Year’s Eve boat tour.

Cruise
in
Lower East Side

Make your New Year’s Eve in New York an unforgettable experience with a boat tour to see the fireworks over Manhattan! There’s hardly a better place to experience Manhattan’s glittering skyline and the fireworks over the Liberty Embankment than on the water. That’s why we have the best New Year’s Eve boat tours in New York City for you here!

My tip: Here you can find the most beautiful boat tours for New Year’s Eve 2022.
02

#2 Alternative to New Year’s Eve in Times Square: Watch the ball drop from the comfort of your hotel!

Hotels & Accommodations
in
Theatre District

There are 9 hotels from which you can directly watch the ball drop in Times Square. Either do it directly from your hotel room or from the hotel bar. Enjoy sitting relaxed in the warmth and toast to the New Year!

My tip: these are the best hotels with a view of the ball drop in New York.
03

#3 Alternative to NYE in Times Square: Central Park

Park
in
Midtown Manhattan

Our Highlight

Things are much more relaxed in Central Park on New Year’s Eve. Visit the fireworks directly at the Bow Bridge or watch them from Cherry Hill in Central Park (71st Street).
04

#4 Alternative to New Year’s Eve in Times Square: Celebrate New Year’s Eve in a bar or restaurant.

French Restaurant
in
Financial District

Our Highlight

Another wonderful option to spend New Year’s Eve in New York is to visit one of the city’s many fine restaurants. I recommend Manhatta, the Peak at Hudson Yards or Celestine in DUMBO.

New Year‘s Eve in Times Square: My conclusion

My conclusion

New Year‘s Eve in Times Square – is it worth it?

The ball drop in New York City is a huge event that attracts mostly visitors. For many, it is an absolute must-see to witness the famous event live in Times Square at least once, and it is definitely an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere, the backdrop, the concerts – it‘s a truly unique event!

However, you really have to be prepared to wait for hours outside in the cold without food and drink. If you consciously accept all this and prepare well, you can experience a very special New Year‘s Eve in New York City.

Personally, however, I would spend New Year‘s Eve in a more relaxed way; either relaxing on a dinner cruise with a view of the fireworks or in one of the many restaurants in the city. But if you‘ve always wanted to experience New Year‘s Eve in Times Square, you definitely should!

11 Fun Facts about the Times Square Ball and Ball Drop.

These are some exciting and fun facts about the Times Square Ball:

The ball is 12 feet in diameter and it weighs almost 12,000 pounds.
The manufacturer of the glass elements on the Times Square Ball is Waterford Crystal, named after an Irish city.
The first New Year‘s Eve celebration in Times Square took place back in 1904 and the first ball drop followed three years later on the roof of the One Times Square building.
Since 1904, there have been 7 different New Year’s Eve Balls; the current version, installed in 2000, is permanently installed.
Over 16-million colors can be displayed by the ball’s LEDs.
In total, the Times Square Ball consists of 2,688 triangular crystal faces. Its illumination is provided by 672 LED modules, on each of which 48 LEDs are installed. Thus, the Times Square Ball consists of an incredible 32,256 LEDs that make it glow.
From 1981 to 1987, the ball consisted of red bulbs and had a green style; emblematic of the famous “I Love New York” campaign.
Did you know? The tradition of the “time-balls” dates back to 1833. That’s when the first “time ball” was installed at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England so that the
captains of the surrounding ships could set their chronometers according to it.
More than a ton of confetti are scattered over Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
Over a billion people watch the ball drop in Times Square every year; right there, on television, and streaming.

Ball Drop Live Stream

Here you can watch the ball drop in a live stream on December 31 starting at 11:55 pm.

Frequently asked questions

Can you watch the ball drop at home?

If you’re not in New York on New Year’s Eve or you want to avoid the crowds and waiting times in Times Square, you can also watch the spectacle live on your screen at home (to the live stream). In the USA, the event will of course also be broadcast on television on many basic cable channels like FOX, NBC, and ABC.

Who is performing at the Ball Drop 2022?

While the crowds are waiting for the new year and the ball drop on Times Square there are several artists performing on stage leading up to midnight. In the past stars like Christina Aguilera were rocking the stage in the pouring rain. We will keep you updated who is performing at the Ball Drop this year!

Is it worth it watching the New Years Ball Drop in NYC?

The Ball Drop in NYC is a huge event that attracts mostly tourists. Some of them have it on their bucket list to watch the ball drop in New York once in their lifetime. To see the ball drop live is definitely a unforgetable experience. But if it’s worth waiting outside in the cold for hours without any food or beverages?

From our local perspective, we don’t think it’s worth waiting 10+ hours in the cold with no bathroom or food near us to see the ball drop on Times Square. But again, we live in the city and just like to spend our New Years Eve differently.

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