New York City Celebrates New Year with Fanfare and Style

11/13/07

New York City Celebrates New Year with Fanfare and Style


City Businesses Prepare to Welcome Visitors and Couples with Special Offers and Promotions






New York, NY (November 13, 2007) New York City sets the standard every year as the destination offering the most excitement and fanfare during the annual New Year's Eve countdown and celebration. NYC & Company, the official marketing and tourism organization for New York City, is encouraging visitors to plan their holiday celebration by booking a trip to the destination to take advantage of all it has to offer.


Central to the celebration is the famous ball drop in Times Square. This year, a new hi-tech crystal New Year's Eve ball will debut to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the event. The City's hospitality industry is also gearing up to accommodate the throngs of visitors that are expected.


"There's an excitement about being in Times Square during the City's annual ball drop, and this year will be no exception," said George Fertitta, CEO, NYC & Company. "The City's hotels, restaurants and attractions are also gearing up for what will be one of the year's most memorable events."


The new crystal ball, more than twice as bright as the previous one and with enhanced color capabilities and state-of-the-art LED lighting effects, will descend from the 77-foot flagpole at the top of One Times Square (Broadway at 43rd Street). The best viewing points are along Broadway, from 43rd Street to 50th Street, and along Seventh Avenue, as far north as 59th Street. At approximately 6pm, the ball will be raised to the top of the flagpole and lit. At exactly 11:59pm, the ball will make its 60-second descent down the flagpole to signal the start of the New Year.


During this holiday period, the City offers many activities for both visitors and locals to enjoy.


Circle Line cruises take passengers on a New Year's Eve Cruise with breathtaking views of Manhattan and an incredible night of dancing, fireworks and celebration aboard the Zephyr. Board at 9:30pm, sail at 10pm and return at 1:30pm. The boat docks at South Street Seaport, Pier 16 (866-9CLINE1).


For those who prefer to ring in the New Year on the Upper East Side, try the Linda Eder New Year's Eve 2007 event at the Loews Regency Hotel. Two shows will be offered: one at 7pm (seating is at 5:30pm) and one at 9:30pm. The first package has a $175 cover charge (with a $40 food/drink minimum) and includes the show and a gift bag. The second package for the later show costs $550 per couple and includes a three-course dinner, Michael Feinstein champagne and wine produced and bottled by Iron Horse Vineyards, noisemakers/decorations, dancing and a gift bag (212-339-4095).


In Brooklyn, check out the 26th Grand Army Plaza Fireworks display, which offers the excitement of the Midtown display in a more mellow atmosphere. Gathering point is Grand Army Plaza on Prospect Park's West Drive and Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and Ninth Street (718-965-8999).

For those who prefer more active pursuits, the Annual Brooklyn Bridge Walk into the New Year gives visitors a chance to walk along one of the City's most inspiring landmarks (718-591-4741).


Another option is the 10th Annual New Year's Eve Bike Ride that offers a ride from Washington Square to Central Park, just in time for the fireworks. Meet at 10:30pm at Washington Square Park, 10:50pm at Madison Square Park, or 11:15pm at the Sherman Statue in front of the Plaza Hotel at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue (212-802-8222).


On New Year's Day, visitors can go to the Annual New Year's Day Marathon Reading attracts punk rockers and poets. The day-long event of readings takes place at St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery, a landmark of the downtown art scene, located at 131 East 10th Street at Second Avenue. Hear big names like Patti Smith alongside local residents (212-674-0910).


Hotel PackagesHotels throughout the City are gearing up for the New Year's activity by offering special hotel packages for visitors.


The Shoreham Hotel, located at 33 West 55th Street is offering a special New Year's Eve package for $599 (plus taxes) per night. The package includes superior plus accommodation, a bottle of champagne upon arrival and a continental breakfast for two delivered to the room the next morning. Guests can upgrade to a deluxe accommodation for an additional $20.08. The package can be booked starting on November 15, 2007.


H�tel Plaza Ath�n�e is offering a New Year's Eve package that includes a deluxe room or one-bedroom suite, champagne and chocolates on New Year's Eve, daily continental breakfast for two and a gala New Year's Eve dinner for two in the stunning gold-domed restaurant Arabelle. Prices for this program are $1,530 for a deluxe room and $2,200 for a one-bedroom suite, per night, single or double occupancy, inclusive of New Year's Eve dinner. Price does not include alcoholic beverages, gratuity and room and food tax (res@plaza-athenee.com).The Peninsula New York is offering a New Year's Eve Gala package and the Ball Drop Spectacular package. The offer includes accommodations in a grand luxe room at the hotel, a celebratory evening for two at the Peninsula's New Year's Eve Gala at Fives, with a five-course dinner and a live band; a continental breakfast for two via room service or at Fives with one bloody mary, mimosa or bellini per person as well as overnight parking. The evening also features a special grand prize drawing for a two-night stay in the Peninsula Suite, valued at $30,000. The package is available for arrival December 31 at $2,008 for a grand luxe room based on double occupancy with a one-night maximum stay, exclusive of taxes.


The second Peninsula hotel package is the Ball Drop Spectacular package, which includes accommodations in a deluxe suite, a three-course New Year's Eve dinner for two at Fives, a continental breakfast for two via room service or at Fives, one bottle of champagne, transfer and escort to a VIP viewing area for the Ball Drop at Times Square and overnight parking. The package is available for arrival December 31 at $3,500 for a deluxe suite based on double occupancy with a one-night maximum stay, exclusive of taxes (pny@peninsula.com, 212-956-2888).On the Upper East Side, visitors can take advantage of the Marmara Manhattan's New Year's Eve package, which offers four nights of accommodations from December 28 to January 1 in a spacious one-bedroom suite, including complimentary round-trip transfers from New York airports, a gift basket from Eli's Vinegar Factory and admission to the Empire State Building. Package is $1,599 for four nights, based on double occupancy and availability and excludes taxes (877-301-0294).


For more information on what's going on in New York City on New Year's Eve, visit nycgo.com.



About NYC & CompanyNYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide.




Contacts
Kimberly Spell
NYC & Company
tel 212 484 1270
kspell@nycgo.comChris Heywood
NYC & Companytel 212 484 5458
cheywood@nycgo.com