Five Fantastic Spots to Celebrate New Year’s Eve

Out with the old and in with the new!

Still trying to decide where to ring in the new year? We’ve got you covered! Because we’re pretty sure that heading out of town to celebrate New Year’s Eve is the perfect way to end one year and start the next one.

Not sure where to take your noisemakers? Check out these “Fab Five” cities for NYE fireworks and fun.

• Chicago, IL

  Who would willingly visit the Windy City during the winter? Anyone who wants a luxe holiday experience on a budget, that’s who! Parties with DJ’s, balloon drops, and open bars are surprisingly affordable in our fave midwestern city.

  And no worries if you raise a glass of champagne or two. Chi-town’s public transportation runs all night long for free, so you won’t have to pay a hefty Uber fare back to your hotel.

  Pro Tip: the frigid temps are a given, so trade your party clothes for layers. Lots and lots of layers!

• Honolulu, HI

  How to combine your NYE celebration with a tropical vacay? Head to the Aloha state, you guys!

  New Year’s Eve celebrations in Hawaii are a wonderfully unique experience. Local hotels offer midnight luaus with fireworks, bonfires, and dancing the night away on the sand. Or visit the Aloha Tower Marketplace for a decidedly more laid-back vibe, featuring local musicians and food trucks.

  And with average temps in the 80s, you can wake up on the 1st and kick off your new year with a dip in the ocean.

• Nashville, TN

  Looking for some toe-tapping fun to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Then Music City it is!
  Bars and clubs all over the city will be brimming with tunes as musicians from all over the world head to Music City for a night of concerts, jam sessions, and tunes.

  One of the most anticipated shows is Music City Midnight, the city’s biggest concert venue. Make sure you’re there at midnight for confetti, fireworks, and the annual Music Note Drop.

• New York City, NY

  With the rest of the country watching the ball drop in Times Square, there’s no doubt that New York City is the place to celebrate New Year’s Eve!

  The party possibilities in the Big Apple are endless, with everything from upscale midnight buffets to raucous pubs with live music spilling into the streets.

  If you have your heart set on the Countdown Party, your holiday budget will be thrilled to hear that the iconic Ball Drop is free. But as for us? We’d rather stay toasty-warm indoors at one of the many venues overlooking Time Square.

• San Francisco, CA

  The “City by the Bay” makes full use of its miles of waterfront, with jaw-dropping fireworks over the San Francisco Bay.

  While there are plenty of viewing spots, our pick is a bay cruise, with unparalleled views of the pyrotechnics while you toast the new year.

  Believe it or not, San Francisco is also a great destination if you’re traveling with kids. The SF Zoo and the Aquarium of the Bay are both open on the 1st (although you might have to wear your sunglasses indoors).

If your resolutions include traveling more, then a New Year’s getaway will start your year off right! And these five cities are just the place to start.

But even though it’s the end of the holiday season, traveling to celebrate New Year’s Eve can still get hectic. Avoid luggage hassles and lines at baggage claim by shipping your stuff to your hotel or Airbnb with LugLess. We’ll get your stuff to your NYE’s destination, stress-free!