Times Square by Countdown Entertainment LLC

Times Square by Countdown Entertainment LLC

There’s one New Year’s Eve celebration that surpasses all others in tradition and excitement. Watching the ball drop at One Times Square, New York, New York.

I’ve been watching the 60-second “ball drop” ever since I can remember–first as a child sitting in front of the TV at home with my parents, and still now, at New Year’s Eve parties the TV’s always on with a group of people standing around, watching the countdown.

Times Square many years ago photo courtesy of New York Times

Times Square many years ago photo courtesy of New York Times

The tradition is over one hundred years old. On December 31, 1907, the first seven-hundred-pound iron and wood ball glided down the flagpole on the tower of the New York Times headquarters at the intersection of Broadway, 42nd Street, and 7th Avenue. That’s nothing compared to the 11,875 pound crystal ball to be unveiled this year.

 

Experience the international phenomena of New Year’s Eve on Times Square in New York. Every year hundreds of thousands of people crowd into the square, throwing over a ton of confetti, to bring in the New Year; a mere fraction of the estimated one billion who watch it thanks to satellite technology.

New York has plenty of options for places to stay, but below is a list of hotels that have a view of Times Square and the New Year’s Eve Ball:

Rennaissance New York Hotel Times Square
Two Times Square
714 Seventh Avenue at West 48th Street
(212) 765-7676

Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square New York City
1568 Broadway
(212) 719-1600

New York Marriott Marquis
1535 Broadway
(212) 398-1900