What are the top New Year's Eve travel destinations in the USA?

New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and the entire world will be celebrating with fireworks and oversized clocks counting down the last few minutes of 2009. Where will you find the best New Year’s Eve parties and most unique celebrations in the United States? Check out these top New Year’s Eve travel destinations in America.

Top 5 New Year’s Eve Travel Destinations in America

Fireworks at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

5.  Orlando, Florida

Orlando is a great place for families to celebrate New Year’s Eve together.  The amusement parks will be packed, but Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios are each sure to give you your money’s worth in terms of fireworks displays and celebratory parades.  Do, however, consider spending the night in a very nearby hotel if you want to avoid spending the first several hours of 2010 sitting in traffic.

Floats in the Rose Bowl Parade

4.  Los Angeles, California

What makes Los Angeles stand out as one of the top New Year’s Eve travel destinations is not the celebrity residents, but rather the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade that coincides with college football’s Rose Bowl.  The parade comes complete with floats made of roses, marching bands and a celebrity Grand Marshal that leads the way.  After the parade, you’ll find an over the top party at hundreds of world class nightclubs all over Los Angeles, and of course, a spectacular fireworks display at midnight.

New Year's Eve On Bourbon Street

3.  New Orleans, Louisiana

You’ll find the New Orleans locals heading to Frenchmen Street for New Year’s Eve, but Bourbon Street is sure to be overflowing with partying tourists.   No matter where you get started, you’ll want to be at Jackson Square by midnight to see the ball drop.  This year, the Sugar Bowl teams (Florida Gators and Cincinnati Bearcats), alumni and students will also be in New Orleans for New Year’s Eve, which is sure to add to New Orleans’s infamous party atmosphere.  Expect dancing in the streets, impromptu brass bands parading through, eccentric costumes, and tailgate style madness.

Las Vegas, Nevada

2.  Las Vegas, Nevada

It’s no surprise that Las Vegas is a top New Year’s Eve Travel Destinations.  Sin City is notorious for knowing how to throw a good party, and New Year’s is no exception.  The strip is pedestrianized for one giant outdoor party, complete with fireworks, sound and light shows.  Of course every casino, nightclub and hotel in Las Vegas will be offering specials and over the top parties of their own.  And who knows – maybe you’ll ring in the New Year with a jackpot win!

Times Square - a New Year's Eve tradition

1.  New York City, New York

Of course, the most famous New Year’s Eve event in the world is the celebration in New York City’s Times Square.  Dick Clark’s big ball drop is watched by a million people in the flesh, and a billion more on television.  Yes, that means you’ll have to fight an unbelievable crowd, but star-studded musical performances, pyrotechnics and the sheer notoriety of the event put New Year’s Even in Times Square on many “must do once in your life” lists.

Photo credit: Bob Jagendorf, d4rr3ll, erinbrace, Gary J Wood, eyeliam, Paul Mannix on Flickr

You don’t get a lot of sleep when there are 5 people on the bus. But you do get a lot of laughs. Sleep you can find anywhere, so it’s a fair enough trade. All of us except Tim, who’s been fighting off something for the past few days, got up early. Robin, Kate and I dropped off Collin to go try and quickly download an iPhone app for his golf (in)ability before playing 18 and we headed over to the Lower 9th Ward, which is – if you don’t know – the hardest hit area of Katrina. Read More »

There’s something mysterious when you pull into Louisiana…whether you know it or not. We got up and – thanks to the disapproving looks of the locals, who no doubt heard Tim & I last night singing along to the newest Darkness album around 3am – found the way through our haze to unplug that which needed to be unplugged and dump that which needed to be dumped and get on the road.

Louisiana, as mentioned, seems to carry its own blanket of both old-fashioned mystique and an even more-rooted general dislike of things different to what has become the norm. The gas station we pulled up to not only did not carry my new found favorite cigarettes, but met my fancy request with a raised eyebrow. Tim fought back with his own form of vigilante by winning $4 on video poker. Had it not been for the dilated stares of the No-Doz chewing truckers, he might have stayed longer.

While it might seem repetitive, this rewarding backdrop with the characters that want to make you work for it, it’s simply how things seem to work around here.

Another problem that we’ve faced, and will continue to face, is the fact that while my friends trust me, they don’t believe me. For example, I’m sure Collin trusted me when I said that the photos of the bus do not do justice to the actual size of the bus, which resulted in us not only saying more than one prayer for the satellite mounted on top while driving through his neighborhood, but in Collin and I having to pull out both the ladder and hacksaw from his Father’s garage to make room. T&R fell prey to this problem as well. They’ve been warned about Collin’s love of food, even laughed at the previous story of his, but didn’t believe me enough.

The meal helped them understand. Read More »

Louisiana as seen from Natchez, MS on the banks of the Mississippi River

Last week, I embarked on what most of my friends considered a sheer act of lunacy.  A desperate deed by a clearly crazed man.  Maybe so, but Ohio winters are long and I’d had enough!  I packed up the kids (all five of them), crammed them into our trusty Caravan, pointed it south and started driving.

I didn’t stop until the temperatures rose above 70 degrees and people started referring to me as ya’ll.  I didn’t stop until I found heat, humidity, fried foods, sunshine and zydeco music.  The kids were on Spring Break last week and I made tracks to my hometown in Louisiana.

I thought I might share with you just a few things that go into planning just such a road trip.  A road trip with kids, that is.

Know Where You Are Going

This seems fairly logical.  Those college road trip days are a thing of the past.  Remember spinning the compass wheel on Friday afternoon and heading off for a weekend of adventure in whatever direction it landed?  Not so much fun with kids.  Kids want stability and knowing that their journey has a definite ending point provides assurance.  On the opposite hand, if a kid has any inclination that you may be lost they will freak!  Trust me on this.  Know where you are going and map a direct route.  Then you can start looking for alternatives.

Look to the Road Less Traveled

The Natchez Trace Parkway

Consider alternate routes that will provide interesting sightseeing points.  A little bit of research can make an otherwise mundane trip a lasting memory.  Kids don’t necessarily appreciate being cooped up in the car, strapped to their seats for hours on end so these little jaunts can be extremely rewarding.  It can be as simple as a scenic highway with frequent overlooks to as complex as a full day side trip with an extra night’s stay to take advantage of area attractions.

Know Your Audience

If your kid eats, sleeps and breathes all things ball, oozes masculinity at the ripe old age of five, and buries his face in his hands, groaning and making puking sounds during the kissing scenes of any movie, chances are an interesting side trip to The American Girl Store in Chicago is not going to be appreciated.

Why so sad little boy?

On the other hand, if your kids freak out, screaming with joy at the prospect running up and down grassy hills they will certainly appreciate any jaunt that includes Indian Mounds.

The Pharr Indian Mounds

Take Your Time

Seriously, what’s the hurry?  It’s a vacation.  The whole idea is to get away from hectic and grind and rush and any of those other words that mean hurry up and work harder.  I get tense when hurried, even while not driving.  Vacations are supposed to be relaxing.  A meandering pace with frequent stops keeps everyone interested, almost giddy anticipating the next exciting adventure around the bend.

Remember Your Cards

I’m not talking about playing cards or even the credit cards–though I doubt I’d leave either behind on a road trip.  No, I’m talking about your membership cards.  The Zoo membership card and the Science Museum membership card.  Almost all of the major zoos and children’s museums have what is called reciprocal admission privileges.  That means that if you are a member of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium your membership card will get you into the Alexandria Zoo for free.  Or the Nashville Zoo, or the Reid Park Zoo in Tuscon.

The Alexandria Zoo

The same holds true for your Children’s Museum membership.  There are over 250 participating science centers and museums that offer reciprocity admission benefits.   It’s a good idea to call ahead to verify if the center or zoo you are planning to visit participates.

Bring Entertainment

Let’s face it, the allure of the road has only so much appeal to a youngster and eventually they are going to need alternate forms of entertainment.  And while a rousing game of License Plate Bingo or Slug Bug can pass a few restless minutes you’re going to need more.  Our iPod got plenty play during our recent trip.  I made a few play lists with the kids favorite songs (and mine) before hand so as to keep the search requests to a minimum (and my eyes on the road).

But inevitably I had to pull out the big guns.  The portable DVD player.  There was a time I had sworn them off in the car.  That was until it took us 7 1/2 hours to make the 3 hour and 15 minute drive from our house to Indianapolis.  Long journey does not begin to describe that trip.

If you need to make up some time or just need some quiet time, my experience is that a good movie will provide a near perfect hour and a half to two hour window.

Let Your Kids Be Kids

It Echoes!!! It Echoes!!! The Illinois Monument at the Vicksburg Battlefield and Memorial Vicksburg, MS

It’s OK if your kids go a little crazy.  It’s a vacation for them, too and while they may not have had their shoulder to the wheel grinding out nine to fives they certainly have earned a break from the routine of school and chores.  The road trip provides them an opportunity to experience their world in a tangible and exciting way.  Watching them yell, “Wahoo!!” every time the van doors opened cemented the fact in my mind that I was doing something good for them.  And me.

There are countless other things you should include or consider when planning a successful and enjoyable road trip with the kids:  cameras (and chargers–I’m an idiot that learned this the hard way), insurance cards (medical-God forbid you should need them), wipes for dirty hands in car, etc. etc.   But what’s the fun in endless planning?  Eventually, rubber needs to meet the road and the journey must begin.

Our trip, I am happy to report, was a resounding success.  The kids had a great time as did I.  Honest!  I also let out a “Wahoo!!” myself every once in a while , but usually at inappropriate times so as to keep the ruse of lunacy alive.

Inspiration for this post came from a colleague here at UpTake.  Her post 18 Travel Tips for Planning a Road Trip was brilliant.  My purpose here was simply to augment her excellent advice.  If you are anything like me, you certainly appreciate a good augmentation.

This “Local’s Perspective” on New Orleans comes from Chris Marz. Chris is a long-time resident of New Orleans that now lives in the Dallas area. I loved reading about all there is to do in this decadent and colorful city. It was heartening to hear of the hard work being done to rebuild from Katrina. I also enjoyed Chris’s list of tasty restaurants to visit. New Orleans does food well and I am drooling over the thought of dinner at Galatoire’s or a muffaletta from Central Grocery! Enjoy!

1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of New Orleans and its residents?

Warm, fun-loving, laid-back, welcoming, and food-loving

2. What is your favorite neighborhood/area of New Orleans?

French Quarter, Garden District, Lakeview, Uptown – each neighborhood is unique.  Be sure to go past the French Quarter in touring New Orleans

3. Which cuisine do you think New Orleans does best? What is the runner-up?(feel free to share your favorite restaurant)

Creole (not Cajun); Runner up: seafood; Favorite restaurant:  Liuzza’s on the Track

4. What is the best free thing to do?

People watch in the French Quarter (Best “almost” free: ride the streetcar uptown and then back to downtown)

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?

Street festivals with food and music (these occur almost every weekend)

6. List the best family friendly activity.

Audubon Park (zoo), the Aquarium, Insectarium,  or riverboat cruise to Chalmette

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?

The Column Hotel

8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about–  In three sentences or less.

An early morning walk/run through the French Quarter followed by breakfast at Café du Monde; lunch at Liuzza’s on the Track (even better, if the Fairgrounds racetrack is open) If not, a trip to New Orleans Museum of Art (wonderful Faberge exhibit).  Late in the afternoon, a drink on the front porch of the Column Hotel.  Dinner at Arnaud’s, Brennan’s, Broussard’s or Galatoire’s.  Nightcap at Lafitte’s Hideaway (one of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter) or the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go whether it is in the guidebooks or not.

Get a muffaletta from Central Grocery and eat on the levee, overlooking the river. Take the streetcar to the ferry landing and ride the ferry to Old Algiers.  Walk through Old Algiers and see old homes and Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World.  I would also recommend a drive through Lakeview to see how hard New Orleanians are working to recover from Katrina and how far they still have to go  There are good seafood restaurants in the area as well.

10. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?

“Should I take one of the buggy tours of the French Quarter?”

Yes, but don’t believe a word they tell you.  Look for the National Park tour offerered for free, if you are interested in learning the history of the city.

“Do you have to pay a lot of money to eat good food?”

NO NO NO.  If there is a line or the place is crowded, chances are the food is good.

If you’re planning a trip, check out flights to New Orleans.

Would you like to share your hometown with UpTake visitors? Send us an e-mail or comment on this post and then maybe you can be our next “local expert”!