The best US cities for New Year’s Eve celebrations
New data has revealed which US cities are the best for safely ringing in the new year without breaking the bank. Find out here.
According to research from WalletHub, which compared the 100 biggest cities across 26 key metrics it is possible to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a whole host of nightlife options and still have an incredible time.
The data set ranges from the legality of fireworks and the nightlife options per capita to food affordability and forecasted precipitation for the 31 December.
The NYE data
According to the statistics offered as part of the data, 142 million Americans will travel for the New Year’s holiday this year, with 64% of them driving to their destination. Looking more closely as what people will be doing, the data revealed that 55% of Americans plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve with family or friends.
Reasons why this is useful come down to the fact that the analysts revealed that the average cost for a couple to enjoy dinner and a show on New Year’s Eve in the three largest cities assessed (New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago) would set them back US$772.
Also, the analysts revealed that more than 360 million glasses of sparkling wine are forecast to be consumed each New Year’s Eve, showing that the occasion is big business for the drinks and hospitality sector.
Speaking about the results. WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said: “Celebrating New Year’s Eve in the right city can turn the holiday into a truly magical experience. The best cities for New Year’s celebrations have clear skies and some of the best fireworks displays around. The top cities also offer an abundance of highly-rated, affordable dining options, along with a vibrant nightlife and plenty of activities to make your transition into the new year a memorable one.”
The ‘Best Cities for New Year’s’ have been graded as follows:
1. Orlando
2. Las Vegas
3. New York
4. Seattle
5. Los Angeles
6. San Diego
7. Chicago
8. Washington
9. San Francisco
10. Miami
11. Anaheim
12. Tampa
13. Pittsburgh
14. Atlanta
15. Louisville
16. St. Louis
17. Boston
18. Denver
19. Cincinnati
20. Philadelphia
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Lupo explained: “Orlando is the best city for ringing in the new year. It ranks as the second-most fun city in the US overall, and has the fourth-most party supply stores and the fifth-most nightlife options per capita. Orlando offers a great fireworks display with a solid, enjoyable duration, and consumer fireworks are legal, so people can set up their own shows.”
Travelling costs
Luana Nanu, PhD, the assistant professor at the University of South Florida highlighted the factors people should consider when choosing whether and where to travel for New Year’s Eve and said: “Given the current state of the economy and price increases, travellers need to consider the familiar surge in already very high prices close to NYE due to high demand. Hotel and airfare prices can often increase by as much as 50%, especially in popular spots like New York. My advice for people to consider, given the current state of the economy and some uncertainty, is to avoid popular destinations and opt for more underrated ones, avoid over tourism destinations, and perhaps even consider driving-based trips.”
Linchi Kwok, PhD, professor at Cal Poly Pomona added: “I recommend considering a few key factors: affordability, crowd size, cultural experience, and personal well-being. Popular destinations are usually associated with higher prices and larger crowds, which can also mean more stress during the trip. Travellers should balance their budget, comfort level, and the type of experience they want. For example, while some people prefer a white Christmas, others may want a New Year’s Eve countdown on a warm beach. It ultimately comes down to personal preference, but it’s also important to consider weather conditions, safety, and whether the trip supports relaxation and overall well-being, not just excitement.”
Money-saving tips
There are money-saving tips for people planning to travel for New Year’s, according to Amanda Belarmino, PhD associate professor at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, who explained: “If you want to travel for New Year’s, start booking now. Early bookings often come with deals. Consider less famous destinations for your travel. New Orleans and Memphis, for example, have great city-wide celebrations but are often less expensive destinations. Additionally, warm-weather destinations mean you need to take less luggage. Plan out a budget for your trip, and consider using any gift cards you get for Christmas on your trip. Restaurant gift cards from major chains, like Starbucks, are a great way to save money.”
Kwok also suggested: “To save money on New Year’s travel, planning early and being flexible with travel dates and destinations are key. Airfares and hotel rates usually rise sharply during the holiday season. Booking early helps, though travellers sometimes find good deals on flights roughly 30 to 90 days before departure or during special promotions such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales. Flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, or after January 2, can also lead to lower fares. Choosing less touristy destinations or nearby cities can stretch the budget without sacrificing enjoyment. Because hotels offer more flexible cancellation policies, travellers should book early and rebook if prices drop. Finally, staying with family/friends or redeeming reward points can significantly reduce expenses.”
Pitfalls to avoid
The biggest New Year’s Eve money-wasters, however, were identified by Jane Bokunewicz director, Lloyd D. Levenson at the Institute of Gaming Hospitality and Tourism at Stockton University. According to Bokunewicz: “Customers considering dinner at a favourite restaurant as part of their New Year’s Eve celebration should be sure to check the menu first. Many restaurants offer Prix Fix menus for the night that could have reduced entrée choices and higher than normal prices. Guests may be disappointed if their favourite items are not on the menu that evening and they are paying a higher price.”
Kwok also advised: “Overpriced events, last-minute bookings, and unnecessary splurges often don’t add much value to the overall experience, and they can be costly. Many travellers spend heavily on exclusive parties, premium seating, or expensive prix-fixe dinners that are often overcrowded or underwhelming. If that is the kind of experience they are seeking, they can often find better deals through a hotel concierge or travel agent. Booking flights and hotels at the last minute often leads to higher prices. Finally, overspending on souvenirs or luxury upgrades can strain the budget. For most budget travellers, these expenses might not significantly enhance their overall enjoyment of the trip.”
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