Florida City Takes the Crown for the Best NYE Celebration

Times Square stands out as one of the most popular choices for ringing in the new year in the U.S., but it can also be one of the pricier options. Many destinations nationwide tend to raise their prices when large crowds gather for major events, particularly affecting hotel rates. To identify the best cities for a New Year’s Eve celebration, WalletHub analyzed the 100 largest cities, considering 26 key indicators that contribute to a memorable event. These factors range from the legality of fireworks to nightlife options per capita, food affordability, and the forecasted precipitation for December 31.

Earning the top spot is Orlando, recognized not only for its New Year's Eve festivities but also as a consistently favored destination during the holiday season. According to the ranking, Orlando excels in various aspects, including nightlife options and the availability of affordable restaurants rated 4.5 stars or higher.

The city has some of the longest fireworks displays in the country, and the allowance of consumer fireworks adds an extra layer of celebration. Additionally, Orlando leads in the number of party supply stores and holds the second-highest concentration of gourmet specialty food stores per capita of the population.

Miami secures a place in the top 6 cities, with a focus on its abundant entertainment and food options for New Year's Eve. However, the study does highlight a lower affordability rating for the city.

Completing the top 5 are San Diego, CA, New York, NY, Las Vegas, NV, and Atlanta, GA. Despite New York City's renowned ball drop event, the study emphasizes that celebrations in the city are notably less affordable compared to the other top cities.

Several Florida cities are featured in the list, including Tampa at number 24, Jacksonville at number 31, St. Petersburg at number 37, and Hialeah at the 99th spot towards the bottom of the ranking.

For a detailed view of how other cities performed, check out the complete list here.

'Tis the season when many of us craft our New Year's resolutions, including aspirations such as adopting healthier habits, reducing social media consumption, abstaining from alcohol, and embracing more home-cooked meals. While these goals are admirable, the recurring nature of such resolutions and the common struggle to stick to them is a familiar tale. Whether one opts for one resolution or a collection of them, why not inject a dose of originality by steering clear of clichés?

The advent of the New Year presents a blank canvas. It's an opportunity to rectify past missteps. New Year's resolutions embody the optimism that the upcoming year will be brighter, symbolizing a departure from the past. Dennis Buttimer, M.Ed., CEAP, RYT, a facilitator at Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness at Piedmont, shared his take on the motivation behind making these resolutions. He stated, "I think most people desire a second chance to enhance the quality of their lives," as shared on Piedmont.org. He mentioned that we are employing a concept known as "self-efficacy." This concept entails that, by setting a goal and actively pursuing it, we gain a sense of control over the events unfolding in our lives.

While the tradition of formulating New Year's resolutions has been around for quite some time, it has evolved. According to the History Channel, the ancient Babylonians, credited with pioneering this practice some 4,000 years ago, observed a different commencement of the year in mid-March, coinciding with the planting of crops. Their 12-day religious festival, Akitu, involved the coronation of a new king or the reaffirmation of loyalty to the reigning one. Interestingly, the Babylonians made pledges to the gods, promising to settle debts and return borrowed items. Fulfilling these commitments was believed to garner favor from the pagan deities for the ensuing year.

Back to the present day: if you want to embrace the tradition of New Year's Resolutions but want to steer clear of the usual ones that people typically lean towards, check out our compilation of non-cliché New Year's resolutions below.

Spice up your palate by trying a new food each month. Whether it's exotic fruits, international cuisines, or local foods. This resolution will take your taste buds on an adventure.

Sending handwritten letters to say thank you is a great way to add a personal touch to your New Year. It's a chance to swap out emails and texts and give someone something tangible. A tangible note carries a special warmth that words on a screen can't replicate.

Unplug and unwind by turning off your phone for one night every week. Enjoy some screen-free time and soak in the real world. It's a resolution you can treat like a mini digital vacation.

Travel somewhere special and savor the experience without the pressure to post. Take a trip without turning it into a social media spectacle. Keep it on the down-low, soak in the adventure, and let your experiences be yours alone. No hashtags needed.

Instead of fixating on future goals, try crafting a reverse bucket list. Jot down and cheer for all the quirky and unexpected things you've already accomplished. It's like a highlight reel of your incredible moments.