New Year's Eve Getaways 2023
See our list of last-minute and family-friendly getaways for New Year's Eve.
Grab your party hat and noisemaker. Even if you didn't plan ahead, we'll help you find the best last-minute New Year's getaway for 2023. We've got great family-friendly New Year's Eve getaways, too.
See our list of destinations below, and be sure to verify all events and venues, which are subject to change, before you go.
Have a Blast in Las Vegas, Nevada
The ball drop in Times Square is iconic, but there are other terrific places for a last-minute New Year's Eve getaway in 2023. Take Las Vegas, where the party never stops. On Dec. 31, traffic closes on the Strip and it becomes a huge block party. Hotels and clubs host festive gatherings, and visitors 21 and older can head to the Time of Your Life Festival at the Freemont Street Experience for live music, casino action, more than 60 restaurants and spectacular, free light and sound shows on the Viva Vision screen. (You can't miss it; it boasts 12.5 million digital lights and a 550,000-watt sound system.)
Sam Morris LVCVA/Las Vegas News Bureau
You can see fireworks from almost anywhere in Vegas including the pedestrian bridges, because they're launched from multiple locations.
Vegas is also fun for family getaways for New Year's Eve. Take the kids to see David Copperfield's illusions at the MGM Grand and amazing acrobatics at Cirque du Soleil or let everyone take a whirl around The Cosmopolitan's ice rink. Look for more last-minute New Year's Eve ideas at Visit Las Vegas.
Make a Splash in Key West, Florida
Drop everything. That's what they do in Key West. Take a last-minute New Year's Eve getaway to this sunny paradise, where they'll welcome 2023 with several tropical-themed ball drops. Look for a conch shell drop at Sloppy Joe's, the famous bar once frequented by author Ernest Hemingway. A drag queen will ride a red high-heeled shoe as it drops at the Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House complex, while a giant Key lime splashes down into an oversized margarita glass at Sunset Pier.
Carol Tedesco/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO
Confetti flies through the air on New Year's Eve 2022-2023 at Sloppy Joe's Bar in Key West.
About two hours before sunset on New Year's Eve (and every other night), head to the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration for drinks, food, music, magicians, jugglers and more. Stay until the glowing orange sun drops into the sea. If you're hungry, make the short walk to El Meson de Pepe for Cuban cuisine and a Cuban Cigar Drop.
For a watery New Year's Eve weekend getaway, visit Casa Marina Key West; this private beach, the largest on the island, has two pools (one for adults only) and water activities like jet skiing and dolphin-watching tours. Find more last-minute New Year's Eve ideas at Visit Florida.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth in Mobile, Alabama
Mobilians like to say the city was born to celebrate, including with kids. Take your littles to a special "Kids Zone" in Mardi Gras Park on New Year's Eve from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a bedtime-friendly MoonPie drop at noon.
Tad Denson/Visit Mobile
Approximately half a million MoonPies are tossed to the crowds during an average Carnival season. Mobilians eat more MoonPies per capita than anywhere else — even in the pie's hometown of Chattanooga, Tenn.
Mardi Gras started in Mobile, and in the mid-1900s, locals started tossing MoonPies from parade floats. Sailing the wrapped treats into the crowd is now a tradition. At midnight, Mobile drops a 600-pound MoonPie, said to be the world's biggest electric MoonPie, while fireworks and a laser light show play overhead. Don't leave before you get your piece of the pie. A giant edible MoonPie will be cut and shared in the courtyard of the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel. Find more ideas for a last-minute New Year's getaway in 2023 at Visit Mobile.
Party Hearty in Chicago
The Windy City's got it going on. At Navy Pier, Offshore Rooftop — named the world's largest rooftop in the 2019 Guinness Book of World Records — plans a New Year's Eve premium open bar from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a live DJ and spectacular views of the fireworks. Dinner and champagne cruises will depart from the Pier that evening.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier, a 3300-foot-long pier on the shore of Lake Michigan, has three floors of fun for the entire family on New Year's Eve.
Party like it's the 1920s at Gatsby's Roaring '20s New Year's Eve Soiree at JW Marriott Chicago or Gatsby's Penthouse at Altitude at the W Chicago - Lakeshore. Enjoy drinks and bites at the Mile High Cocktail Club at Chicago's Four Seasons Hotel or ask the concierge about family getaways for New Year's Eve 2023; they can suggest special kids' activities and babysitting options.
Tie on a seafood bib and indulge in a whole king crab presented tableside at Shaw's Crab House, or choose from the holiday menu available from Dec. 22-31 at Shula's Steak House.
Kids aged 3 and up can accompany adults to see The Blue Man Group at Chicago's Briar Street Theater. These blue-painted performers combine drumming with comedy and lots of splashing paint. Find more to do for a last-minute New Year's getaway at Choose Chicago.
Cruise Around Los Angeles
You could spend more than one night enjoying the end-of-the-year festivities in and around Los Angeles. Take a family getaway for New Year's Eve 2023 with rides, shows and other attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood's Eve event or catch the fireworks downtown at Gloria Molina Grand Park.
Lyd & Mo Photography/Visit Pasadena
After the Tournament of Roses parade on New Year's Day, you can walk around for a closer look at the flower-laden floats.
More last-minute New Year's ideas: Book a moonlight New Year's Eve party cruise at Marina Del Rey or party aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Don't miss the beautiful lantern sculptures of animals, trees and more at the LA Zoo Lights Event, Animals Aglow, which runs from Nov. 17 to Jan. 7, 2024. Just don't stay out too late. You'll want to wake up in time to see Pasadena's Tournament of Roses parade and Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1, 2024. Check Discover Los Angeles for more on the New Year's Eve festivities.
Let the Good Times Roll in New Orleans
In New Orleans, a 6-foot, 100-pound LED fleur de lis drops at midnight on New Year's Eve at Jax Brewery near Jackson Square. (You can't miss it; it's home to the biggest party in town.) Catch the fireworks display over the Mississippi River or, for more music and entertainment, visit a big venue like the House of Blues or an intimate bar or club on Frenchmen Street between the French Quarter and Marigny neighborhoods.
Cheryl Gerber/NewOrleans.com
The Fleur-de-Lis, a symbol of New Orleans, drops to ring in the New Year.
Ring in 2024 with a lavish multi-course meal at Chemin a la Mer or try Miss River for regional cuisine. Toast with champagne at the Four Season Hotel New Orleans, where the chandelier in the bar sparkles with 1,500 Bohemian crystals.
On Jan. 1, 2024, watch the Sugar Bowl Parade and visit Caesars Superdome for the Allstate Sugar Bowl Game. (The game is officially sold out, but Sugar Bowl Committee members suggest trying Ticketmaster for verified resales). Click here for more last-minute plans for New Year's Eve.
Be a "Spec-tater" in Boise, Idaho
When the clock strikes midnight, New Yorkers drop a glittering ball. Atlanta drops a peach, while a giant beach ball descends in Panama City, Florida. In Boise, thousands of "spec-taters" gather to cheer for a huge potato. This free New Year's Eve Idaho Potato Drop supports local arts, businesses and various charities.
Terry Welch
In some years, the Idaho GlowTato flies into the sky on "wings."
Start your Boise family getaway for New Year's Eve 2023 at 6 p.m. with live bands, vendors selling food and drinks, selfies made with a costumed Spuddy Buddy and the Big Idaho Potato Tour truck. Later, an illuminated GlowTato will rise over the Idaho State Capitol. Until it does, enjoy the fireworks and Urban Air Exhibition, where world-class skiers and snowboarders, pulled at 40 miles an hour onto a launch positioned between columns of flames, will do amazing aerial stunts.
Don't feel like a small potato at this event. If you get cold, ask the Idaho Concierge about the heated, elegant VIP (very important potato) room. The highlight of the night, of course, is when the GlowTato drops — like a hot potato.
Catch the Magic in Orlando, Florida
Orlando's Walt Disney World knows how to throw a party for adults and kids, which is why it's always packed on New Year's Eve. Depending on when you go, you may need a Park Pass Reservation and a valid theme park admission to get in. If the Disney hotels are full, look for last-minute family getaway accommodations in the surrounding area. Most run shuttles to and from the parks.
Kent Phillips
At Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Fla., the “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks start at 11:50 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
The most popular fireworks show is The Fantasy in the Sky at the Magic Kingdom, which includes laser lights and other special effects. Feel like dancing? Head to the parties at Tomorrowland and Frontierland. OK, maybe the prices and crowds at Walt Disney World in Orlando mean it isn't the best choice for a last-minute New Year's getaway. But it's one of the most fun, and besides, who wants to disappoint the kids (or themselves)? Events can change, so watch the Disney Parks blog for news and updates on the holiday events.
Find Your Jam in Nashville
In Music City, Jack Daniel's New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash will welcome 2024 with Grammy Award-nominated artist Thomas Rhett, current CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year Lainey Wilson, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd and a spectacular fireworks display. At midnight, the city's signature red music note is set to drop from a 138-foot pole. The Big Bash will be free and open to the public at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park State Park.
Nashville Visitors and Convention Corp.
Nashville's Big Bash, seen here in a previous year, will announce more New Year's Eve 2023 performers as December 31 approaches.
Some of Nashville's most famous bars and venues will also host parties and other events. For a last-minute New Year's Eve weekend getaway, scoop up tickets on Dec. 30-31 to the Old Crow Medicine Show at the Ryman Auditorium.
If you're 21 or older, get the VIP treatment at the ticketed Gold Circle Party, a private event at the Nashville Farmers Market. It will include food and beverages, and a prime viewing area for performances, fireworks and the Music Note Drop. Individual tickets will be available or you can include the party in some hotel packages.
After the festivities, rest your weary head at a vacation rental or elegant boutique hotel; more than 140 lodgings are available with Nashville's Celebration Pack and Hotel Package. The package includes lodgings, while the packs contain a New Year's Eve T-shirt, Nashville koozie, party horn and hand-warmers. You'll need to buy the add-on pack. Visit Music City has more last-minute New Year's ideas.
Sing Auld Lang Syne in Edinburgh, Scotland
You'll need a New Year's Eve weekend getaway for this one, but it'll be worth it. Join merrymakers from around the world in Edinburgh to celebrate Hogmanay (the Scottish word for the last day of the year). This year, the three-day festival runs from Dec. 29 to to New Year's Day. The festivities begin when some 20,000 people parade with wax-based torches (like big candles) to raise money for various charities.
Tony Marsh/Forever Scotland
A parade of partiers carrying torches creates a spectacular "river of fire" as they proceed through Edinburgh's historic Old Town on New Year's Eve.
On Dec. 30, the ABBA tribute band Björn Again will headline a family-friendly Night Afore Disco Party beneath Edinburgh Castle. It will appear with Massaoke, a live, U.K.-based band known for leading sing-alongs (think of Massaoke as mass karaoke).
Join a street party, catch a concert in West Princes Street Gardens or count down to midnight at the city's premier indoor party in The Assembly Rooms, where revelers will ring bells and play Gaelic folk music. Want a quieter intro to 2024? Welcome the turn of the calendar with music written for brass, choir and organ in a candlelit concert at St. Giles Cathedral. Click here for more New Year's Eve getaway ideas for Edinburgh.
