NYE at Times Square

Hello everyone! I was planning on spending NYE at Times Square but have never done it before. At what time do you suggest me to get there? (And what is the best spot to spend the evening?) Are crowds really that horrible? Thanks in advance and a wonderful new year to you all!

I agree the crowds are going ton be insane this time of year in Times Square. I would suggest going to a local restaurant or bar in the area and staying there and watching the happenings outside from there. My two friends went a couple of years ago and they said that the crowds were horrible. Whatever you end up doing celebrate well with your friends and family.

Happy New Year

Some of the chain restaurants in the area are charging from several hundred up to and including almost $2,000 for the night without even a view of the ball. I'm talking places like Ruby Tuesdays and the like.

There are already thousands of people there (wearing diapers).

Have fun.

You couldn't pay me enough to be at Times Square on NYE.

Roxy, I think you're more upset about the Toys R Us closing than the employees out of a job.

Why, why, why do people do this?

I went for NYE 2002-03. We saw the matinee of Aida which ended around 3pm and then we walked out into Times Square and claimed our spot against the railing across from the (then) Uptown/Midtown MTV Studios (now) Aeropostale.

Somehow, the lack of bathrooms was not a problem, it was me, another guy and a female friend. And we are complainers.

the BEST parts of NYE Times Sq:

-the people. Lots of fun people, talkative people, fascinating people to talk to.

-The view. You get to really know every nook and cranny of Times Square from your vantage point by midnight.

-The hourly celebrations. Every hour, they sort of did this mini-celebration. It was something to look forward to instead of just waiting for midnight. At 3pm, IT MATTERED.

-Ganging up on meanies (see below). So many people had glitter bombs and confetti. After 11pm, whenever people were still being mean or cursing or threatening, next thing you know, somebody covered them in glitter.

-11pm to midnight. When 11pm hit, it was insane. More and more party favors kept getting handed out seemingly out of nowhere, and the festive, crazy atmosphere that you see on TV happens for real. Once-in-a-lifetime (i mean it ONLY ONCE!!!!) experience.

The worst parts of NYE Times Sq:

-the wait. hours and hours and hours

-the rude people. We had so many people pushing, shoving, elbowing, screaming curse words in our face to get out of their way. Old people, young people. I even called people on the phone and had them listen to the random people cursing us out. At one point, as I had my elbow on a barricade, it came into contact with a woman's coat, and her husband said that if I don't get my elbow off his wife's coat, he would break every bone in my body.

-the worst part of all was being in a standing position for nine hours and not being able to bend, stretch, or otherwise do anything to my back. By the end of the night all we could do is grab a slice of pizza and go straight home and stretch. It was intense, intense, intense pain. I would suggest anyone going do whatever you can to strengthen your lower back before you commit to standing in one exact position for so long.

Updated On: 12/31/15 at 11:53 PM

Here's what's worse- I didn't realize the crowed extends all the way to 59th st. Can you imagine going through that torture and be almost a mile away from the action? People are nuts!

Jane2 said: "Here's what's worse- I didn't realize the crowed extends all the way to 59th st. Can you imagine going through that torture and be almost a mile away from the action? People are nuts!"

Was that just this year? A few years ago a friend of mine and I went and saw Tangled at the Lincoln Square AMC and then walked down to Columbus Circle right before midnight for the Central Park fireworks and it didn't seem like any of the people there were a result of the Times Square madness extending that far (I don't recall it being that much busier than normal, to be honest).

To Mildred

Never assume. People lose their jobs daily. They may get them back if and when they reopen at another location.Do you feel bad when a show you do not like closes and all those connected with it are out of work? You probably do not even even give it a second thought. Next year, many more people will be put out of work in a number of areas. Since the reason is political in nature, I will not post the specifics . Suffice it to say, many will be out on the street because of it. I cannot do anything about it but yes I do feel sorry for them and all those who lose a job due to no fault of their own.

By the way, they knew it was coming for a long time. If they were smart, they should have started job hunting as soon as they heard the news.

Updated On: 1/1/16 at 02:54 PM

I have done it several times because I work at a hotel in Times Square. I would not wish it on anyone unless you buy a party pass. I recommend the John's Pizza party. Open bar, all you can eat pizza, and they escort you right to the center at 11pm.... Totally worth the 400 entry fee... Save your pennies... Don't deal with the crowds I have heard from hotel guests before that they waited for hours and were kicked out by police... It's a nightmare. Did you end up going?

Yes. The King and I had an evening performance, but they're many blocks further uptown. I imagine even getting out of a matinee on NYE must be a nightmare.

I've seen touring shows on NYE and the audiences are pretty excited and there's a party atmosphere. It's fun!

There used to be a 2 floor Nathan's on the corner of 43rd and Broadway. On NYE you could scoot in there to go to the john, grab a bite and sit. You than could go outside . You did not see the ball drop but you were in the crowd when it did. This is how I did my one and only New Years in Times Square.

Just for your info, Mildred, I am ignoring you. Be guided accordingly.

Updated On: 1/2/16 at 11:00 AM