Heading to Times Square for New Year's Eve? What to know before you go
Karen CrokeAre you getting ready to ring in 2019 with a trip to Times Square?
New Year's Eve in New York City is the biggie of all ball drops, attended by an estimated million revelers each year.
The event is free and open to the public, but there are a few things to know before you go:
You should get there early
On Monday, the New York City Police Department starts closing down access to Times Square starting at 38th Street and Broadway around 3 p.m. and moves north as revelers arrive. Viewing areas will start at 43rd Street and move north, and blocks will be closed off as they fill up, as the police deem necessary.
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What about security?
The only way to access a viewing area is to enter at specific entry points. Every spectator must go through an access point and each person and bags will be searched before entry. Knapsacks, large bags and umbrellas are not permitted.
Access points south of 41st Street are at:
- 37th Street & Seventh Avenue
- 37th Street & Broadway
- 38th Street & Eighth Avenue
- 38th Street & Sixth Avenue
Access points north of 43rd Street are at:
- 49th Street from Eighth & Sixth avenues
- 52nd Street from Eighth & Sixth avenues
- 54th Street from Sixth Avenue
- 55th Street from Eighth Avenue
- 57th Street from Seventh Avenue
- 57th Street from Broadway
- 58th Street from Eighth & Sixth avenues
- 59th Street from Eighth & Sixth avenues
Um, what about the restrooms?
There are no portable restrooms within the viewing areas. And if you leave a secure area for a bathroom break or to have dinner, you will most likely not be able to return from whence you came. As areas fill up, they will be closed to further viewers.
(P.S.: Take snacks but leave the bubbly home. There are no food or drink vendors within the viewing areas; and alcohol consumption in public is illegal.)
Who is performing?
There are performances throughout the day, starting at around 3 p.m. and continuing up and through the midnight ball drop. Go to www.timessquarenyc.org for an updated performance schedule.
Go there, too, for more information on access points and other questions.
What about the trains?
Metro-North Railroad will run extended service on Tuesday morning. The schedule includes extra inbound late afternoon and early evening service Monday, and "overnight" New Year's morning service.
(Note: Drinking alcohol on Metro-North trains is banned from noon New Year's Eve until noon New Year's Day. For schedule information, go to web.mta.info.)