Big City: Fireworks and Classic Countdowns in New York City
New Year’s Eve in New York City? Iconic. The world tunes in as the New Year’s Eve Ball drops from One Times Square during a time-honored tradition that dates to 1907. The lighted ball is covered in 2,688 Waterford crystal triangles and illuminated by more than 30,000 LED lights. Leading up to the ball drop is a night packed with festivities, including countdown performances from New Edition, Duran Duran and a recap of major moments from 2023.
Get to New York City a little early to enjoy the city’s famous holiday amenities, from ice skating at The Rink at Rockefeller to seeing the storefronts decorated to the nines.
Cozy up at InterContinental New York Barclay, which has alpine-inspired “Winter Chalet” programming, with special tablescapes, turndown services and cocktails like a campfire espresso martini with a toasted marshmallow.
Or stay in style on Madison Avenue at Lotte New York Palace, which, this time of year, sets up a gorgeous Winter Bar in its courtyard where you can sip hot chocolate while taking in views of a large Christmas tree anchoring the space.
To be in the center of all the festivities, snag a reservation at The Knickerbocker, the first luxury hotel in Times Square. The 330-room hotel has a Beaux-Arts facade and is home to the sky-high St. Cloud Rooftop, which overlooks Times Square.
Mountains: Start 2024 in a Real-Life Snow Globe in Park City, Utah
There’s something poetic about a fresh blanket of snow on New Year’s Day. While it’s not guaranteed, your best chance for fresh powder over the holidays is in a high-country winter wonderland like Park City. Utah’s snow, in fact, is so fluffy and fantastic it's nicknamed “The Greatest Snow on Earth.”
Park City revelers can get some ski runs in before kicking off the New Year’s celebrations at Canyons Village beginning at 3 p.m. The communal party includes cookies, hot cocoa, live music and a DJ, and fireworks at 7:30 p.m.
Retire early so you can be the first on the lifts at Park City Mountain or Deer Valley Resort, where the slopes are open to skiers only. Winter sports lovers can also round out their trips with visits to the Museums at Olympic Park and even ride a bobsled captained by a professional pilot and on the same tracks that hosted bobsled and luge events during the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games.
Stay at The Chateaux Deer Valley, which is just steps from Deer Valley Resort. The luxury hotel has heated pools and hot tubs with steam lifting off the water and inviting you for an apres-ski soak. The on-property Ski-n-See makes the equipment rental process seamless.
Stein Eriksen Lodge is an iconic stay in Park City. Get a head start on your 2024 wellness resolutions by treating yourself to a seasonal spa treatment, like the “Fireside Toast” that comes with a whisky scrub and a honey chai lotion or a muscle-soothing Hot Cider in the Snow Massage with warm river stones chased by icy marble.
European Escape: Paris
Say bonjour to 2024 in the City of Lights. From cabarets to dinner cruises floating past iconic landmarks like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, there’s all kinds of magical ways to bid adieu to 2023 in this city that’s considered the culture capital of the world. Other festive ways to celebrate include a night at the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret, with dinner and a show or a day trip to Reims for champagne tasting.
Les Jardins du Marais is a beautiful boutique stay in Paris, close to trendy districts like Oberkampf, Bastille and Le Marais. Some unique amenities include a theater that’s available to reserve and a beautiful cobbled courtyard.
At L’Hotel Du Collectionneur, coveted rooms include the Eiffel Apartment that features a terrace that has spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower, plus a spa-like bathroom and soaking tubs. Enjoy French gastronomy at the hotel’s Art Deco-inspired restaurant.
After you’ve wrapped your Parisian New Year’s party, you can continue your vacation, connecting to other European destinations like London or Versailles.
Music City: Dance into the New Year in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville has emerged as a top New Year’s destination, and Music City puts on quite an impressive show that’s also unique to the city’s identity (think: instead of dropping a ball at midnight, there’s a signature Music Note drop).
The marquee event, Nashville’s Big Bash, includes hours of live music with CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson, plus Elle King, Thomas Rhett and Lynyrd Skynyrd headline the free main stage event at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. The gathering also includes a fireworks show.
Pack your favorite cowboy hat and boots and check into the Hutton Hotel, a fun spot that’s just steps away from Music Row. Analog, the hotel’s live music venue, regularly hosts rising stars and well-known performers.
Noelle matches the creative vibe of Nashville, with a hotel art gallery that displays fine works of art and rotates throughout the year plus a hidden bar experience (look behind the storage closet to find Ralphie’s Christmas bar).