This year, more than one in four Americans will travel to welcome in the New Year. But after all that shopping and gifting, your wallet might be a little thin. No need to deplete your bank account any further; here are some budget-friendly ways to ring in the New Year in America’s top cities. This might just be your most memorable New Year yet!
New York
Can it be that there are free things to do in New York on New Year’s?
The Staten Island Ferry that cruises New York harbor is free, and when you take it on New Year’s Eve, you’ll have one of the best seats in the house for viewing the skyline and fireworks in Brooklyn, Manhattan and New Jersey. Needless to say, this can be a chilly, and crowded ride, so bundle up and get there early.
Party with the New York Road Runners on New Year’s Eve; they take off running through Central Park at the stroke of midnight. You can volunteer to help out, or just go and hang for the freebies with a DJ, other live performers, and fireworks. If you’re into running, $60 gets you a spot, and all of the money goes to charities like the Central Park Conservancy.
Chicago
Hint: It ain’t called the Windy City for nothin’.
Lincoln Park zoo is one of America’s finest, and it’s open to the public and free on New Year’s Eve – and all other days of the year too! The Zoolights experience allows you to see the animals showcased in their natural nighttime habitats, with twinkling lights, sparkling ice sculptures and lively music from local Chicago bands. Food kiosks and hot chocolate and beer vendors will be on hand to help you stay warm and keep your energy up.
https://www.lpzoo.org/zoolights-presented-comed-and-powershares-qqq-invesco
You’ll need that energy to keep going for the Navy Pier Fireworks display, also a free event. Since the crowds are multitudinous down at the Pier, head down to the museum campus and watch the show from the lakeshore, about two and a half miles south. It’s one of the best vantage points in the city, and the crowds are considerably less here. The fireworks start at midnight and last about twenty minutes, but that can seem like forever if you have not dressed properly. So take heed.
Aspen
Where it’s all about the outdoors.
Champagne powder, glorious mountainscapes and roaring fires all add up to fun in Aspen. On New Year’s Eve, be sure to check out these free events:
Wagner Park Celebration –Hit the city’s downtown park for the free outdoor party with a bonfire and a DJ, followed by two fireworks displays; one at 8 PM and the other at midnight. Perfect timing for kids and adults alike.
Another top activity is to view the spectacular fireworks from atop Smuggler’s Mountain. It’s a 45 minute hike up, and proper gear is definitely required, but the views and the experience are memorable. Look for the waxing crescent moon and the stars of the constellation Orion on your trek up.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5187415.pdf
Houston
The pleasant climate makes this a great place for New Year’s.
Sugar Land Town Square hosts an evening’s worth of entertainment for families and adults alike, all for free. From 7 to 9 PM, walk-around entertainment, street performances, a live DJ and a fireworks finale dazzle the little ones. Once they’re safely tucked up, the adults take over from 10 PM to 1 AM, with state-of-the art lighting effects, heart pumping music and a vibrant party atmosphere.
https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/index.aspx?NID=919
CityCentre in downtown Houston also hosts a free all-night party starting at 9 PM, with music, entertainers, and specials galore on offer by the many retailers, lounges and hotels surrounding the area. Live musical performances and an awesome confetti drop at midnight will help you usher in 2017 in style.
https://citycentrehouston.com/events/detail/new-years-eve-at-citycentre
San Francisco
One of the priciest cities in the country still has a few freebies left.
The scene at Mission Delores Park is never dull, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. Bring your own refreshments and settle in for an evening of people-watching and conviviality, San Francisco style! The parks in San Francisco are plentiful, and with the temperate weather, you’ll have a memorable New Year no matter which one you choose.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/san-francisco-public-parks-summer
Glitterati and glittering fireworks are on tap at the Embarcadero every year on New Year’s Eve, and this event is totally free. Arrive early and bring chairs and refreshments, and usher in 2017 in grand style, without dropping a dime! This is an amazing event, attended by hundreds of thousands celebrants every year.
https://www.sftourismtips.com/new-years-eve-fireworks-in-san-francisco.html
Atlanta
No need to bundle up when you party in this town.
Assuming you’re not footballed-out, and even if you are – catch the popular and fun Chick-Fil-A college football parade in downtown Atlanta on New Year’s Eve Day. Lots of gorgeous floats, huge balloons, classic cars, bands and dance troupes make this a fun event. And the warmer temps don’t hurt, either.
Watch the sunset and bid adieu to 2016 from the top of Stone Mountain. The top of the world’s largest exposed granite monolith is a one-mile trek up, so be prepared for some exercise. But you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the sunset with the sparkle of downtown Atlanta in the distance. One caveat: there’s no charge to hike, but parking passes go for $15.00. A small price to pay for a memorable evening.
https://www.stonemountainpark.com/
Washington DC
Freedom means never having to be told you can’t party.
Plan a daytime visit to the United States Botanic Garden, and wind down the holidays while taking in the luxurious plantings and displays in one of the country’s leading horticultural exhibits. Model trains chug about, glorious stands of poinsettias will astound, and the country’s largest indoor decorated tree stands guard over the whole affair. The Garden closes well before midnight, but that just gives you the chance to walk the National Mall for a unique nighttime view of our capital city, and ponder your own future as you reflect on our nation’s past. Celebrate your freedom as you welcome in 2017.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington is another great place to visit, and admission is free. Daytime hours are available New Year’s eve, but the best day to visit may be New Year’s Day, when at 5PM thousands of lights come on in a holiday display like no other. Zoolights features great family-friendly activities like live music, snow-less tubing and holiday refreshments like eggnog and hot chocolate, cookies and gingerbread. Come out and see the animals, get in on the fun, and recover from the evening before at our National Zoo.
No matter where you travel for your New Year’s celebration, think of All Star Travel first for your car rental needs. The best way to see the sights in any city is by car, and we have a great selection to choose from. We promise you will love our extreme customer service, and our deals can’t be beat! And to get 2017 off on the right note, help us give back to the community. For every rental booking we take, we make a donation to a pediatric cancer center, to help defeat childhood cancer and give more kids and families more years together.
Help us help them, and have a happy and safe New Year!