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October 19, 2006
Early Planning
A few weeks ago I developed this desire to change my birthday settings and for once, be somewhere that does not involve hiding in the apartment and avoiding shitfaced New Yorkers swerving down whatever street I happen to be walking down. The thing is that I have never spent my birthday anywhere but New York. I also have a sinking suspicion that it's like that everywhere.
Where can one go/what can one do on New Year's Eve that it fun but avoids the usual? My suggestions/requirements:
- Someplace within 5 hours of NYC, by foot, bus, train or plane; or, alternately, somewhere totally in NYC but unknown to me.
- Someplace where, should there be millions of drunken people, they are saying, "Bro, I'm so wasted" in a language that I cannot understand.*
- Or, an activity within NYC that takes my mind off of the millions of drunken people saying, "Bro, I'm so wasted," in English.
- Someplace/something that is not classic NYC on New Year's. At all.
Any ideas? We toyed with having a polaroid camera scavenger hunt but that kind of fizzled when we realized how much coordination it might involve.
*Originally this requirement was "someplace where they do not celebrate the New Year," but I guess that is pretty limiting.
Posted by callalillie at October 19, 2006 7:07 AM | Random
I have heard great things about First Night Baltimore. It sounds really great to be by the bay. I cannot speak to the number of drunks.
Posted by: Emily at October 19, 2006 9:43 AM
my birthday is new years eve too!! any tips for having a non-annoying birthday for once would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by: may at October 19, 2006 10:52 AM
rent a condo and go skiing.
my b-day is halloween, it's never annoying.
Posted by: hubs at October 19, 2006 12:02 PM
Ugh... such an annoying day for a birthday. What about a B&B somewhere close?
Posted by: Phc at October 19, 2006 12:40 PM
have you ever tried the central park run? I think some of the people are shit-faced, but the running might take your mind off it...?
volunteering at a shelter? there must be places that serve dinner or something... that might be a little too "good samaritan" for a birthday, though...
I think laughing lotus does a midnight new year's eve yoga event... music, chanting, yoga, dancing.... but no alcohol.
or get a room in a nice little B&B upstate and curl up with Lex...?
Posted by: Kelly at October 19, 2006 1:35 PM
Or throw a little dinner party with just good friends. Either cook really decadent food or order some super-delicious take-out. And tell everyone who comes they are not allowed to call you, or any other guests, Bro.
Posted by: Phc at October 19, 2006 2:27 PM
My best new years: cooking really great Italian food, drinking red wine, and watching The Godfather triliogy. This is best with partner or a few close friends.
Posted by: em at October 19, 2006 2:52 PM
Well.. it's 5 and a half hours away... but I'd go back to Reykjavik in a second.
I havent been for new years but I cant think of any better way then to swim around in the blue lagoon at night hoping to see the northern lights..
Posted by: Lianne at October 19, 2006 3:41 PM
Montreal. I've never been for New Years, but I love it.
Posted by: Lady S at October 19, 2006 3:54 PM
I'd say get on a plane headed for warmer climes and go camping. And I hate camping. It's a bit longer than five hours in the air, but Big Bend National Park would be lovely.
Posted by: Bill at October 19, 2006 4:42 PM
the best new year's i ever spent was on a beach in ecuador, with the locals burning effigies in the streets, as is the custom.
Posted by: nani at October 19, 2006 5:46 PM
Come to Los Angeles, we are very low profile on New Years Eve, but we can have fun celebrating your birthday.
Posted by: Petrie at October 19, 2006 6:27 PM
The polaroid scavenger hunt is a fantastic idea. I know it will be much work to coordinate, but oh! so much fun. My cousin & her first husband's bestman coordinated one here in chicago for their co-ed pre wedding party. We had such a great time - everyone enjoyed it. I often think of organizing one myself, but oft shy away b.c the task seems so daunting. In the end, though - it would be worth it & super memorable!!! DO IT!
Posted by: tatiana at October 19, 2006 6:52 PM
Montreal? At least their drunken rants will be in French. Plus it's pretty, and you can eat bagels and smoked meat for breakfast.
Posted by: Divaah46 at October 19, 2006 7:03 PM
I find the best way to do what I want for my birthday (7 days before Christmas) is to take the planning into my own hands and invite all my friends to dinner. Have a dinner party at your place or make reservations at your favorite restaurant and ask all your favorite people to be there.
Posted by: Cynthia at October 20, 2006 11:16 AM
my parents do a new years dinner with three other couples every year - totally over the top yummy food and some champagne. sounds like a good tradition to me!
Posted by: dahl at October 20, 2006 12:08 PM
How about Quebec City? You'll really feel like you're away -- it's a lot smaller then Montreal, more French, with plenty of historic architecture.
Posted by: Gail at October 20, 2006 11:17 PM
Wanting to escape the disaster that NYC becomes on New Years Eve, we headed up to Waitfield Vermont and stayed at the Inn at the Round Barn. The actual night was spent at American Flatbread which to this day we believe is the best pizza ANYWHERE. Before dinner we spent the night enjoying our time around a bonfire outside of the restaurant with bottle of red wine. Think Snowshoeing, pumpkin bread, bonfires and lots of Scrabble. I believe that in my 28 years it's the best NYE I've ever had.
Posted by: Tara at October 23, 2006 9:36 AM
