Celebrating the New Year doesn't have to be reserved for the last day of 2010.
NYC & Company, New York's official marketing and tourism organization, is kicking-off a series of local events all over the five boroughs on the days leading up to New Year's Eve. Check out these New Year's events that don't include shivering
for hours next to an inebriated tourist in the hopes of watching a shiny ball drop.
- New Year's Eve Wishing Well: For those who see the glass half-full, the Wishing Well invites people to record their wishes for 2011 on pieces of paper. All of the submitted wishes will then be collected and added to the confetti that falls over Times Square at midnight. The Wall is located at the Times Square Information Center on 717 7th Avenue.
- Good Riddance Day: And for the others who see the glass half-empty, the Times Square Alliance invites the public on Dec. 28 to say good riddance to the 2010 memory they wish they could forget. The Cintas Corporation will install a large mobile paper shredder to destroy the worst memories of 2010 so New Yorkers can start the New Year fresh.
- Hess Clydesdale Carriage Rides at the Bronx Zoo: From Dec. 26-31, the zoo will provide horse-drawn wagon rides from 11:30 am - 3:30 pm. You can find these rides at Astor Court for the low cost of $5.
- Staten Island Children's Museum: The museum is launching celebration festivities for youngsters on New Year's Eve, where kids are invited to paint their own noisemakers, hats and crowns. For more information, visit statenislandkids.org.
- Jamaica Performing Arts Center: If you're thinking of celebrating indoors, the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, housed in a renovated church, is the place to be. JPAC invites you to a night of champagne, food and party favors. For more information, visit jamaica-performingartscenter.org.
- Emerald Nuts Midnight Run: For New Yorkers who still have the running bug from the ING Marathon, New York Road Runners club invites you to a 4-mile race in Central Park. The race starts at midnight and will include fireworks, a laser-light show, dancing, and even a costume parade. Check out nyrr.org for more details.
- Grand Army Plaza: If you want to get the New Years Eve experience without heading to Times Square, Brooklyn is kicking off its own celebration at the Grand Army Plaza. Beginning at 11pm, the festivities will include live entertainment, hot refreshments and fireworks. For more information, log on to prospectpark.org.
For more information on these local New Year events, visit nycgo.com/holidays.
