Where to Go for New Year’s Eve

New York City and Las Vegas are perennial favorites for celebrating New Year’s Eve. But a new year just begs for some new ideas, especially those that won’t leave you in debt after the firework dust settles.

Orlando, FL
Orlando is always a magical place for the whole family, but it is unforgettable on New Year’s Eve. Orlando’s theme parks celebrate with live entertainment and special midnight fireworks. So spend your day with Mickey and Minnie, and then watch as the most magical place in the world makes the sky sparkle.

Atlanta, GA
Each year, more than 100,000 people head to Atlanta for the Southeast’s largest New Year’s Eve party. The Peach Drop celebration fills downtown with locals and tourists eagerly awaiting fireworks and the 800-pound peach to drop. Local and national musicians play in venues around Underground Atlanta, and many of the restaurants and bars offer specials for the big event. The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, a prestigious college football dual, also falls on New Year’s Eve, with a week-long schedule of events such as parades and fan nights leading up to the big game at the Georgia Dome.

Chicago, IL
Chicago guarantees satisfaction when it comes to its New Year’s Eve parties. The city hosts celebrations from the family-friendly Chicago Winter Wonderfest at the Navy Pier to elegant boat cruises on Lake Michigan that offer a unique perspective as fireworks soar above the lakefront.

Seattle, WA
Visit Seattle for New Year’s and you’ll find a variety of events to attend, from laid-back parties (a vibe that Seattle is known for) to the going-all-out celebration at the EMP Museum. Three-thousand guests spill into EMP’s doors to tour the exhibits, see live music and comedy acts, and dance to beats spun by live DJs. With 140,000 square feet, it’s the largest party in Seattle and a must-do if you’re in the area. At midnight, turn your eyes to the iconic Space Needle as the sky above it lights up with fireworks.

New Orleans, LA
The famous Sugar Bowl football game brings droves of visitors to New Orleans for New Year’s…as if The Big Easy needed another reason to party. Expect dancing in the streets while brass bands parade by, along with a few costumes, and maybe even a gumbo pot dropping at the stroke of midnight. Bar crawls are numerous, so just hop in with one as it rolls by, and you’ll be sure to make friends (that you may or may not remember) by night’s end.

Niagara Falls
Not many people think to head to Niagara Falls for New Year’s Eve, but each year the free “Party in Niagara” attracts 30,000 people to this beautiful setting for food, drinks, live music, and, of course, a brilliant display of fireworks over the thunderous falls. Bring your passport; the famous party takes place across the bridge in Queen Victoria Park on the Canada side.

Things to Do in NYC During the Holidays

New York City during the holidays is a childhood dream, with its vibrant colors, blankets of snow, and decorated trees. Here are some of the top things to do in the Big Apple during the holiday season.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a must-see over the holidays. The 90-minute performance features 36 Rockettes showing off their synchronized high kicks while dancing their way through the Twelve Days of Christmas and the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.

Check out the holiday window displays at many of the big-name stores near Fifth Avenue. Countless Manhattan stores use the festive season as a chance unveil dazzling and elaborate holiday displays. Designers work for months on the holiday window displays, and it is a treat to see the themes each year.

The Rockefeller Center Tree might just be the most famous tree in the world. The lighting of the Christmas tree has been a tradition for more than 75 years. It is lit by more than 30,000 LED lights on five miles of wire and typically topped with a Swarovski crystal star.
Each year The Pond at Bryant Park offers free admission for ice skaters. Bring along skates or rent them there, and make online reservations if you want to skip the line. Professional coaches staff the rink, if you feel like you might need some extra guidance.

So grab your hat, mittens, and camera because you won’t want to miss a holiday moment in the big city.

Holiday Travel Tips for Families

Holiday travel with family can be a bit chaotic, so here are some tips for parents that will cut down on the stress and keep that festive spirit going.

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First tip: book early. If you want to fly on a certain day, at a certain time, you’ll have to pay the price. But with a toddler in tow, ensuring convenience versus saving a buck might be worth it. Consider flying on December 25th when tickets are cheaper and the crowds are smaller. Plus, you can open presents at home and won’t have to ship them.

Second, pack well. Trying to lug two suitcases, plus a child and a diaper bag, through an airport or hotel is difficult. Keep the frustration level down by packing as little as possible. Choose items that are versatile, like kid’s pjs that can be worn as playwear. Look into renting a stroller and car seat, or buy cheaper, smaller ones to go with checked luggage on the plane. Also, remember to put DVDs, snacks, band-aids, and extra clothes in your carry-on.

Finally, plan your travel-day timetable. Add additional time for everything! Traffic, security lines, bathroom breaks, and other things can throw a wrench into your schedule, but by planning buffer times, it can make the trip less stressful.

So this year, use our tips to help keep some holiday cheer alive as you travel with family.

Destinations for Quick Holiday Getaways

For some people, the holidays are meant to be spent at home, surrounded by friends and family. For others, they are a time to escape on vacation. And then there are those remarkable people who manage to work in both. To aid in that pursuit, here are six destinations across the country that are perfect for a quick holiday getaway.

Asheville, N.C.

Named by Good Morning America as one of the country’s three most beautiful places, Asheville is a wonderful destination year-round, but in the winter, this town really turns up the cheer. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the historic Grove Park Inn hosts the National Gingerbread House Competition, inviting contestants of all ages from across the country to enter their sugary masterpieces into this famous contest.

The houses are on display throughout the resort until the beginning of January. Across town, visitors to the area will find one of the largest private homes in America, The Biltmore Estate. Built by George Vanderbilt in the late 1800s, this 8,000-acre property is still family owned, and each year during the holiday season the home is decorated with dozens of trees, hundreds of wreaths and thousands of ornaments. It’s a special treat to take an evening tour when all the candles and fireplaces are lit.

New York City

Visiting NYC over the holiday season is like dropping into a movie scene. The vibrant colors, soft white blanket of snow, and beautifully decorated trees set the scene of a perfect Christmas. A great way to celebrate is getting tickets to the famous Radio City Christmas Spectacular and watching the 36 Rockettes kick their way through “The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Also recommend to head over to Fifth Avenue and take in the holiday window displays at the famous department stores. Don’t miss the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, which has been a tradition for more than 75 years. And if that’s not enough, several ice skating rinks and the holiday fair at Grand Central Station will surely fill out your vacation.

Chicago

Chicago is host to one of the largest traditional German Christmas markets outside of Germany. The city’s first Christkindlesmarkt was held in 1996, and it now resides in Daley Plaza from the end of November through December. A tree-lighting celebration kicks off the season, and visitors can experience German traditions without having to fly to Europe. Walk through the small village under skyscrapers and feast on Bavarian pretzels and bratwurst. Plus, admission is always free.

Disneyland, Anaheim, Calif.

The happiest place on earth might just be the merriest place on earth, too. Disneyland lights up the holiday season with tons of sparkly decorations all over the park and castle. Of course there are parades with Disney characters, a Santa, and real reindeer, too. The park caps off the evenings with a “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks show, with lots of color and even snow.

 Austin, Texas

Of course Austin, Texas, the “Live Music Capital of the World,” would have a Christmas carol sing-along through the streets of downtown. After you harmonize your way through “Jingle Bells,” make your way over to the annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, which has more live music and art that is 100 percent “Made in Austin.” Once the sun goes down, take in 37th Street, which is famous for the thousands of lights that are displayed during the holidays. Clark Griswold has nothing on these people.

South Deerfield, Mass.

If you’re one of those people who cannot get enough of Christmas, then head to Yankee Candle’s flagship store in Deerfield, Mass., 15 miles south of the Vermont border. Year-round this store features an old fashioned German-style Bavarian Village. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are always nearby to say hello to the good boys and girls. Tons of ornaments and decorations can be found and snow falls from the ceiling to the delight of visitors.