10 great places around the world to greet 2009
— -- New Year's Eve is a special occasion, why not spend it in a special place? Mahdad Taheri, founder of newyears.noo.com, shares his list of favorite New Year's Eve party destinations with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY.
The StripLas Vegas Coordinated fireworks are launched at midnight from eight locations along the Vegas Strip in this most renowned of the nation's party towns. "In addition to the fireworks, guests can go downtown and join 'America's Party,' a New Year's Eve event with live music on Fremont Street," Taheri says. "Visitors also can enjoy a light-and-sound show featuring 12 million LED lamps illuminated on an overhead canopy above Fremont Street." 877-847-4858; visitlasvegas.com
BostonFirst Night Celebration, founded by a group of local artists and residents in 1976, has grown to a major festival with more than 40 indoor and outdoor events throughout downtown. "Make sure you check out the Mardi-Gras style grand procession that winds through the street," Taheri says. "This unique event is truly a life experience." The concept is so popular that it has spread around the country, including several in New York state. 617-542-1399; firstnight.org
Sydney HarbourAustralia "Join up to 1.5 millions spectators lining the Sydney Harbour foreshore to ring in one of the first New Year's Eve celebrations in the world," thanks to the International Dateline, Taheri says. "The Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks display involves seven barges, pontoons, city buildings and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as the centerpiece. Down Under is the place to be for the dawning of 2009." sydneynewyearseve.com
London"Approximately 700,000 revelers descend on the Thames River and central London to hear Big Ben signal the start of the New Year and watch fireworks launched from the London Eye," Taheri says. "The best viewing is from Westminster and Waterloo bridges and the north embankment of the river, opposite the Eye." Alternatively, go to Trafalgar Square, another hip spot to join the cheering crowds. visitlondon.com
Bayfront ParkMiami "Who wouldn't love a party complete with a Big Orange climbing up the side of a building?" Taheri asks. "The Big Orange," a New Year's Eve icon in Miami's Bayfront Park, reaches the top of the Hotel Intercontinental at midnight, heralding the beginning of a huge fireworks display. The park hosts a free concert until the midnight extravaganza. "The best thing about this event: It's warm!" Taheri says. 305-358-7550; bayfrontparkmiami.com
Copacabana BeachRio de Janeiro "If you're sick of the wet and wild winter weather and are ready for a steamy hot New Year's Eve, Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach could be the answer for you," Taheri says. Thousands of partygoers descend on the sand to listen to live music, watch a huge offshore fireworks display and celebrate until dawn. "Make sure you wear white clothes for good luck and peace in the New Year," Taheri says. copacabana.info
New York HarborNew York Looking for an alternative to the traditional dropping of the ball on Times Square or all those fancy parties in hotel ballrooms? Consider a cruise in New York Harbor. "New York City, one of the most famous New Year's Eve spot in the world, can also be the one most likely to break the bank," Taheri says. "An all-inclusive cruise could be the solution in these challenging economic times." From the Circle Line to Spirit Cruises to the New York Water Taxi, cruising offers a prime spot for viewing fireworks along with an open bar, entertainment and more. gonyc.about.com/od/newyearsevecruises
Edinburgh, ScotlandHogmanay is the Scots' name for the last day of the year, and they do it up right in Edinburgh. "The New Year's Eve celebration is part of a four-day festival of music, street-theater, dance, fireworks and concerts, all on a grand scale," Taheri says. "After 15 years, the festival remains one of the most iconic New Year celebrations in the world, attracting tens of thousands of international visitors." After the midnight fireworks, join the Street Fair crowd on Princes Street and sing Auld Lang Syne, Scotsman Robert Burns' famous poem set to music. edinburghshogmanay.com
Navy PierChicago "With Obama fever sweeping the nation, what better place to celebrate than Chicago?" Taheri asks. "This public pier on Lake Michigan has something for everybody." Free events for families include an early-bird fireworks display at 8:15 p.m. Or find a sitter for the kids and splurge on tickets for the Gala at the Grand Ballroom or go to Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier for dinner, dancing and a private terrace overlooking the fireworks and Lake Michigan. 800-595-7437; navypier.com
Cape TownSouth Africa "If you're not a night person, save your celebrating for New Year's Day," Taheri says. "Kaapse Klopse, also called Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, is an annual New Year's Day event that continues into January, with more than 10,000 musicians, singers and dancers coming together to perform in a crazy carnival." A huge parade winds through the streets, ending at Green Point Stadium with dancing, singing and costume competitions. capetownminstrels.co.za