I can't answer your questions Bev, sorry, but would like to welcome you to the forums

Am sure someone will be along soon with, hopefully, some helpful advice

Hi Bev

My wife and I did virtually the same trip in 2007/8. On New Years Eve, we went to the Heartland Brewery where it was free drinks, food and entertainment til about 4 in the morning - by which time we were exhausted.

The venue is just round the corner from Times Square and we went out at Midnight to watch the ball drop and be kissed by hundreds of yanks who loved our "britisher accents". Surprised they could understand us seeing as we are from the west country.

Anyway, we booked our tickets via Joonbug and they were $200 each. Thr price is a bit high, but if you go to the official Times Square website, it will give you more venues.

Enjou yourselves

Gary & Jacqui

Hi Gary

Thanks for your reply, I will check out the websites.

Thanks again for your help.

Bev

I've just come back from the Westin Times Sq!

New York will be packed around that time but the atmosphere is great.

Are you going with Virgin Holidays by chance? It is just that they offer a variety of options for the NY holiday (or they did two years ago) which can be booked with their NY rep. You could do a river cruise down the Hudson (not cheap but meal and dancing and great views) , or my tip to see the whole Times Square experience would be to book the Virgin Holidays Planet Hollywood NY Party. You get a meal at PH which is in Times Sq, some drinks included (beer and wine) plus they have a special roped off area outside where you can go out to Times Sq and watch the ball drop at mid-night.

I would avoid Times Square New Years Eve night it,s packed for hours before midnight and somewhat doesn,t live up to the hype ( I spent hours there a few years ago and was disappointed,) however a few friends took one of the cruises it was a fixed fee disco, buffet and free drinks and they said it was fantastic.