Best Places for New Year’s Eve

Trying to figure out how to ring in the new year? NYE doesn’t always have to be some ball dropping crazy cold event in Times Square or Millennium Park – here are my Tried & True favorite New Year’s Eve events and locations from around the globe!

BANGKOK

One of THE most rockin’, if not The most rockin’ overall, New Year’s Eves I’ve ever spent was in Bangkok.  From street parties to secret underground clubs to all out wildness that went from 7PM to 7AM the next morning, Bangkok is a serious experience!  We almost got stabbed, saw some super crazy stuff I can’t begin to try to explain, talked our way out of trouble with a street gang,  got proselytized by a really out of place missionary who may not have actually made it out safely,  watched hot girls eat bugs, and saved a frog from being boiled alive in hot oil.  And this was all before 3AM!  The remaining 4 hours of my night could fill a National Lampoon’s script – Just Awesome!!

DISNEY WORLD

I know most of these lists include Iceland as the top pick.  Unless you have a crazy Bjork fantasy, or are craving a big Fireworks show – you can get your kicks without having to head up there.   Disney World fireworks on NYE are some of my favorites.  And YES, I said World not Land.   There’s a brilliant dinner by the Pavilion, fun characters, the rides are still going, and FLORIDA weather!

AUSTIN, TEXAS

I think I’ve done two NYE’s in Austin – although maybe one of them was the 4th of July, I can’t remember, because it’s AUSTIN! The 1st one is definitely full of NSFW stories so I think I’ll keep those adventures to myself BUT if you can get a spot on the river in a high rise you will Not be disappointed.  Pretty much anywhere you go in Austin will have cool people, great food, and good times.

SANTO DOMINGO, The Dominican Republic

Yes, those bars with walls made out of tin foil are real! I Loooooooove me some DR!  NYE in Santo Domingo was more low key than you would expect in terms of formality.  Which is why it was so great.  We basically hit the streets, and rang in the new year with total strangers who had set up speakers outside of their house and blasted music.   Just walk around and hang out.  Don’t get freaked out by all the dudes standing around with Machine Guns, those guys are AWESOME!

MEXICO CITY

The street fests around el DF are so awesome!  By the monument there are often kick ass concerts, and around Zocalo you’ll find some crazy fun action.  There are people selling those blue corn tortillas everywhere too! Make sure you look for this dude who sets up a torta (sandwhich) shop out of what looks like a phone booth! Yeah, he’s making sandwiches out of a phone booth!  And often it’s 2 for 1! Best sandwhiches I’ve had in my life! Milanesa con rajas? Good Googamooga!

NAVY PIER, CHICAGO

Navy Pier usually has a fun indoors-meets-outdoors option.  I remember once there was some sort of Dinosaur show/museum exhibit.  This is definitely Chiraq at its best, while everyone else is outside dealing with angry mobs of Chicagoans – the few calm & happy Chicago-folk are on the Pier.

SAIGON (HO CHI MINH CITY)

Life in Saigon is like being on one big college campus.  It’s all about cool coffee shops, great music venues, and hanging out with friends eating street food. Strangers turn quickly into Family.  Food in Vietnam is the Best food in the world, hands down.  I can’t even describe it.  Nothing else has that depth of flavor outside of Vietnam.  So head to HCMC, grab some friends and ring in a foodie’s dream new year.

 

and of course – HOME

There is nothing wrong with hanging back at home with family, friends, or just you.  This is actually my favorite way to spend NYE I think – we cook up a feast of snacks and just hang out.

Where Am I Missing? Anyplace else?