The Best Places to Ring in the New Year

Four cities for celebrating in style

Want to squeeze in one more getaway before the year ends? A New Year’s escape is the perfect excuse to gather your besties, book flights, and make amazing memories. Not sure where to go? We’ve got you! We’re sharing our favorite places to ring in the New Year, so you can kick off January feeling energized, inspired, and excited for whatever comes next.

From mountains to Main Street, classic to coastal, these four spots are perfect for an end-of-the-year getaway.

• Bend, OR

  For a NYE that’s easy-going yet exhilarating!

  Bend offers a refreshing take on New Year’s celebrations, blending outdoor adventures with a low-key vibe. For daytime fun, bring your skis or snowboard and finish the year with adrenaline-fueled runs down Mount Bachelor. Or enjoy the winter landscape at a slower pace, exploring the forest trails on snowshoes or cross-country skis. The Deschutes River is another option, with riverside paths open for winter walks.

  In the evening, downtown Bend is filled with lively countdown gatherings. Local restaurants offer prix-fixe menus with hearty Northwest fare. The city’s well-known craft beer also shines, with themed parties and extended hours at breweries and tasting rooms. Prefer your NYE on the mountain? With live music and slopeside fireworks, Hoodoo is one of the PNW’s best places to ring in the New Year. ods. Perfect for unwinding after a long day on the slopes!

• New York City, NY

  There’s one big reason it’s a classic!

  And that reason, of course, is the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square—a total bucket list experience. But that’s not the only NYE celebration in town. If you want to avoid the crowds, there are plenty of other fireworks and events all over the city. Check out ticketed rooftop parties, river cruises with skyline views, and fireworks over Central Park or along the East River.

  The celebrations start well before midnight, though. Food is a major part of the experience, with special New Year’s Eve tasting menus and late-night dining experiences. And after the ball drops? Bars, lounges, and dance floors keep the party going well into the early morning hours. After all, this is the city that never sleeps!

• Park City, UT

  Snow, skis, and celebrations!

  Forget going out for the evening, you guys. New Year’s Eve in Park City is a full-day experience. The party starts during the day, with outdoor fun on the slopes. As night begins to fall, look for torchlight ski processions and fireworks to light up the mountain. The fun continues with après-ski gatherings, with cozy fires and champagne toasts.

  As it gets closer to midnight, bars and lounges along Main Street host lively countdown parties. Outdoor fire pits and winter festivals add to the lively end-of-the-year vibe. But if you’re looking for a quieter moment, Park City delivers that, too. Take a snowy walk through the historic district or find a tucked-away viewing spot to make the celebration feel less rowdy, more reflective.

• Savannah, GA

  Where Southern hospitality meets NYE festivities!

  Charming Savannah is one of our favorite Southern cities for almost any holiday, from St. Patrick’s Day to Mother’s Day. And it’s definitely one of our favorite places to ring in the New Year! The fun begins in the early afternoon. Explore Savannah’s famous squares, lit up for the season and perfect for a pre-dinner stroll. Then enjoy a unique Lowcountry dinner, focused on coastal flavors and Southern classics like oysters, she-crab soup, and collard greens.

  As the night goes on, the action moves over to Savannah’s lively, walkable historic downtown. River Street’s celebration includes live music, street performers, and midnight fireworks over the Savannah River. The city’s infamous rooftop parties provide amazing views, but you’ll find plenty of uncrowded spots along the water, too.

More places to ring in the New Year

Want even more options? Here are more of our favorite spots to count down to midnight.

• Honolulu, HI

  Waikiki Beach throws a “Party of the Year” with food trucks, DJs, and midnight fireworks. Start with a traditional luau, or watch the show from a New Year’s Eve cruise.

• Las Vegas, NV

  The Strip closes to traffic and becomes one enormous block party, capped by a choreographed, music-synced fireworks display that lights up the whole skyline.

• Miami Beach, FL

  A warm, mojito-filled NYE of South Beach parties, glam yacht cruises, and fireworks over the water at Bayfront Park, all set to a Latin beat.

• New Orleans, LA

  The Big Easy serves up multi-course Reveillon dinners, then a midnight fleur-de-lis drop and fireworks over the Mississippi River from lively Jackson Square.

• Nashville, TN

  Music City rings it in with Music City Midnight and the famous Music Note Drop, plus honky-tonks packed with live music all night long.

• Chicago, IL

  A luxe holiday night on a budget: DJ parties, balloon drops, and open bars, made easy by free public transit running all night so you can skip the ride-share surge.

• San Francisco, CA

  The City by the Bay puts on jaw-dropping fireworks over the water, best seen from a bay cruise with front-row views as you toast the new year.

• Orlando, FL

  Family-friendly and festive, with over-the-top fireworks at Disney World and Universal, plus early countdowns at ICON Park and Lake Eola for the littlest celebrators.

• Anchorage, AK

  For a snowy new year, the Downtown Countdown pairs food trucks and fireworks with dog sledding, skiing, and a real shot at spotting the Northern Lights.

Want a year-end adventure? These awesome places to ring in the New Year promise fun, fireworks, and unforgettable memories.

To wrap up the holiday season stress-free, ship your bags to your final destination with LugLess. No long baggage lines, no hassles at baggage claim. All that’s left? Showing up for your flight, smiling and ready to celebrate!