Where
is the Ball lowered?
The
Times Square New Year's Eve Ball descends from a flagpole at the top
of One Times Square. It can best be seen along Broadway, from 43rd Street
to 50th Street, and along Seventh Avenue, as far north as 59th Street.
What streets will be closed for the celebrations?
The
New York Police Department will begin closing down access to Times Square
starting at 43rd Street and Broadway and moving north as revelers arrive.
The exact times that these blocks close to pedestrian and vehicular
traffic will depend on when the revelers begin arriving. It is likely
that there will be no vehicular traffic on either Broadway or Seventh
Avenue as of approximately 4:00 p.m. Vehicles will most likely have
difficulty traveling across town after 6:00 p.m. above 42nd Street as
far north as 59th Street. If you are planning to come to Times Square
and join in the festivities, you are advised to enter from Sixth or
Eighth Avenue. Your chance of getting a viewing spot near the Ball (at
Broadway & 43rd Street) increases the earlier you arrive. The blocks
will be closed off as they fill up northward, street-by-street, as the
police deem necessary.
Will there be areas in Times Square designated for the disabled?
Yes.
The police will set aside a viewing area for the disabled, located on
the northwest corner of 43rd Street. However, this area will fill up
quickly, and it is advised that disabled visitors arrive early in the
day. For a listing of the access points from which you can enter Times
Square, please click
here.
Where is the best view?
The
earlier you arrive, the better your view and the closer you will be
to the action. The sound system is set up in the Bowtie area (where
Broadway and Seventh Avenue cross), and the video screens on One Times
Square (where the Ball is lowered) are easily visible. There are additional
screens set up at Broadway and 50th Street, Broadway and 52nd Street,
Broadway and 54th Street and Broadway and 58th Street.
What is the best way to come to Times Square?
The
best way to come to Times Square is via public transportation. To get
to Times Square, the # 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F, N, Q, R, W,
V and S shuttle trains all service 42nd Street. It is expected that
the MTA will keep all subway stations open on New Year's Eve. Some entrances
and exits may be closed as crowd conditions require. After 7 p.m. on
December 31st, the N and R train station at 49th Street and Seventh
Avenue may be closed until after midnight. Trains may also bypass some
stations, depending on how the crowds build. For further information
nearer the date of the event, please call or visit the MTA at (718)
330-1234 or www.mta.nyc.ny.us.
Other
useful sources of information:
Port
Authority Bus Terminal (212) 564-8484
New
York City Transit Authority (Local Bus Service) (718) 330-1234
Amtrak
(800) 523-8720
Metro
North (212) 532-4900
Long
Island Rail Road (LIRR) (718) 217- LIRR
How do I enter Times Square on New Year's Eve?
Please
visit: http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye_residents_info.html for a list of all access points.
When should I get there?
Revelers
begin to gather in the late afternoon on New Year's Eve, December 31st.
The best advice we can give is to get there as early as possible. We
cannot predict how quickly the viewing areas will fill up. Prime viewing
areas may fill up early in the afternoon.
At approximately 6:00 p.m. EST the Times
Square New Year's Eve Ball will be raised to the top of the 77-foot
flagpole at One Times Square (Broadway at 43rd Street) and lit. At exactly
11:59 p.m. EST, the Ball will make its 60-second descent down the flagpole
to signal the start of the New Year.
Will there be portable public restrooms available?
No.
Is alcohol or champagne allowed?
No.
Public drinking is illegal in New York City. Police will confiscate
alcohol.
Will there be food and drink vendors in the square?
No.
There will be no licensed food and beverage vendors in Times Square.
However, there are hundreds of restaurants in and around Times Square
(see below).
Will there be restaurants open in the area? Can
revelers return to the same viewing areas after dining?
Many
restaurants located in the Times Square area will be open on New Year's
Eve - be sure to consult our interactive map and guide http://www.timessquarenyc.org/map/map.html to locate a restaurant - and make your reservations well in advance.
You
can also pick up a copy of the Zagat Times Square Restaurant Guide at
the Times Square Information Center (http://www.timessquarenyc.org/about_us/info_center.html)
on 7th Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets. Please remember that if
you dine at a local restaurant, you will not simply be able to come
out and watch the Ball lowering at midnight. Revelers will arrive in
Times Square early in the day, and while you are dining, designated
viewing areas will fill up on a "first come, first served"
basis. Furthermore, no one is allowed to stand in the emergency lanes
or on sidewalks. Please remember that if you leave your viewing area
to dine in a restaurant, you will not be able to return to your spot
in a viewing area.
Are theaters, stores and restaurants going to be open?
Some
Broadway theaters will be open on New Year's Eve. The TKTS booth will
open at 10 a.m. on New Year's Eve. You can check the schedules for Broadway
and some Off Broadway shows at www.telecharge.com or www.ticketmaster.com,
and check out our interactive map and guide at http://www.timessquarenyc.org/map/map.html.
Stores and restaurants will be open at their own discretion, so please
call them ahead of time. Please remember that if you leave your viewing
area to dine in a restaurant, you will not be able to return to your
spot in a viewing area.
Which Times Square restaurants and hotels have a view of the Ball?
Renaissance
New York
DoubleTree
Guest Suites
Marriott
Marquis
TGI
Fridays
Bubba
Gump Shrimp Company
Sbarro
Pizza
Olive
Garden
Foley's
Fish House
Please
check out our Interactive Map & Guides at http://www.timessquarenyc.org/map/map.html
for
contact information for the above venues.
What security procedures are in place?
The
New York Police Department will control all access points to Times Square.
No bags or backpacks are permitted. Emergency Service squads, drug and
bomb sniffing canine units and counter-terrorism personnel will be present
in Times Square on New Year's Eve.
Where can I find information on Times Square New Year's Eve parties?
Please
click: http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye_ts_parties2007.html for a listing of other New Year's Eve parties and activities in Times
Square.
What is the history of the Times Square New Year's Eve event?
Revelers
have been celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square since 1904. To
learn more about the celebration's history, check out our History
of New Year's Eve in Times Square.
What can you tell me about the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball?
Plenty.
Check out this page: About
the the New Year's Eve Ball.
What should I wear and what should I bring?
Dress
warmly. Remember that you could be spending an extended period outdoors
in potentially below-freezing conditions. You should be well-prepared
and well-insulated. Many layers, synthetics (such as Goretex and polypropylene),
wind-resistant and water-repellant outerwear and a good hat are the
keys to staying warm.
Finally,
remember to drink lots of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Not
only is public drinking illegal in New York City, but both caffeine
and alcohol will dehydrate you. Dehydration is very common and can sneak
up on you in cold weather.
Are tickets needed for this event?
No.
This event is open to everyone. However, to get the best view, arrive
early in the afternoon.
Will there be a Webcast?
TBD
- check back for more info. http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye.html
Are there still hotel rooms available in the Times Square area?
There
are more than 16,000 hotel rooms in the Times Square neighborhood -
ranging from large hotel chains, to small quiet retreats or suite hotels
for extended stays. There are also several youth hostels situated in
and around the Times Square area. Book your stay now to avoid disappointment.
For a complete listing of hotels in the area visit our Interactive Map
and Guides: http://www.timessquarenyc.org/map/map.html.
You
can contact the hotels directly about rates and availability, or contact
your travel agent for more information and reservations.
How much confetti is dropped in Times Square on New Year's Eve?
More
than 1,000 pounds (1 ton) of confetti.
Can I volunteer to help prepare for New Year's Eve?
Absolutely.
There are many opportunities to help the Times Square Alliance prepare
for New Year’s Eve. Once you’ve signed on, you will
be contacted with specific information about the various volunteer projects
that you can participate in. Projects include helping with mailings,
putting together gift bags, general office support, and much more.
There will be weekday, evening and weekend volunteer dates throughout
November and December. If you would like to help out, please email
us at volunteers@timessquarealliance.org. Please be sure to include
your name, phone number, email address, and general availability (evenings,
weekends, or weekdays.)