The place to be for New Year’s Eve is New York City. The Big Apple boasts the notorious New Year’s Eve Times Square party and the big ball drop. Find yourself in New York to ring in 2008, plan a last minute trip with these tips.

Times Square
Named for The New York Times, Times Square first served as party central in 1904. New York Times editor, Alfred Ochs, petitioned city to rename the area in honor of the paper. He succeed, won the designation ‘Times Square’ and threw a lavish New Year’s Party that lasted all day and into the evening capped off by a big fireworks display. The celebrations continued each year, but a city ban on fireworks prompted Ochs to have a large illuminated ball dropped to signify the start of 1908. The New York Time offices relocated but their tradition lives on and 2008 marks 100 years of ball drops.

Check out the schedule at the Times Square Alliance website www.timessquarenyc.org.

Think Times Square for New Year’s Eve may be too claustrophobic, try a river cruise. Spirit Cruises and the New York Water Taxi offer dinner cruise, bar and fireworks packages.

Nightclubs & Hotels
Get in the thick of the NYC scene. Several nightclubs promote New Year’s Eve party specials. Touch NY is located in Times Square or visit the infamous Webster Hall.
Several hotels feature special package rates for New Year’s stays. Try a booking service like Noo Years or Joon Bug to find pricing, locations, events and buy tickets online. Google Maps has party location tool just for New Year’s Eve in New York.

Think you’d like to celebrate New Year’s Eve in NYC. With last minute deals, specials and space still available it’s not too late to make the trip.