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Things to Do in the Big Apple on New Year’s Eve, NYC, 2013

Haven’t decided where to go for New Year’s Eve yet? Take a look at a few ways you can join the fun in New York City.

Ring in the swing at the Lincoln Center

Allen Room, Broadway and 60th Street
Dance into 2014 with a full night of live Jazz music, backdropped by the idyllic Central Park. The evening also includes an open bar, a Southern Style buffet dinner, champagne toast and party favors. 212-721-6500. 8:30 p.m. $325

Spin your way into the New Year

SPiN New York, 48 East 23rd Street
Get into the festive spirit with a game of ping pong, a 5 hour premium open bar, New Years Eve party favors and a world renowned DJ. Celebrate with a champagne toast and countdown to a happy and prosperous 2014. 212-982-8802; 9 p.m., doors 8 p.m. $20 – $135

Party with celebrities at Madame Tussauds

234 West 42nd Street, near Seventh Avenue
Spend a night with Madame Tussauds A-listers above the crowds in Time Square. Enjoy the premium open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, 4D cinema, and best of all, watch the ball drop – live from the gallery. 212-201-0735; 8 p.m. $85 – $415

Walk through historic Lower Manhattan

Front steps of the U.S. Custom House, located at Bowling Green.
Discover where New York began on New Year’s Eve. The tour spans 400 years of New York City’s history, weaved together with the architecture, people and key events. 1 p.m. Prices from $20, concessions $15.

Bike ride and outdoor after party

Washington Park, under the arch
Just turn up at 10 p.m. (or if you want to skip the ride, 11:45 p.m. at Belvedere Castle)
Cycle your way into a healthy New Year with New York’s Environmental organization, Time’s Up New Year’s eve ride. The ride ends at Belvedere Castle in Central Park where you can enjoy the fireworks and merriment outside. Free

Brooklyn Bridge Walk into the New Year

In front of McDonald’s, 160 Broadway between Cortlandt and Liberty Streets, Multiple tours, 10:15 p.m. – 11:15 p.m.
Enjoy a guided tour of the City Hall area and the Brooklyn Bridge, and watch the fireworks and the illuminated Empire State Building. A great day out for the family. 646-493-7092; Price: $50 online, $60 on the day. Children 8-18 years old, $30 online, $40 on the day. Children under 8 years old, free.

Bowl a strike for New Year’s

Bowlmor Times Square, 222 West 44th Street, 8 p.m.
Get revved up for the New Year bowling in the heart of Times Square on a night hosted by “The Bachelor” stars Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici. A mini buffet and premium open bar are available on the night. $35 – $665

4 mile midnight run

72nd Street Transverse. Dancing from 10 p.m. Costume parade from 11 p.m. Run at midnight.
Dance and run into 2014 in streets lit up by New Year’s fireworks. Look forward to getting cocoa roasted almonds after the race. Bookings close December 28, 11:59 p.m.
Prices NYRR Members, $55 or $60 on the day. Jr/Sr members, $25 or $35 on the day. Non-members $60 or $65 on the day

Yoga and music celebration

Celebrate the New Year with 2-hour ecstatic practice yoga and music. It’s open to all levels. There will be cake and Kombucha too. $45

THE SPECS ON NEW YEARS

RESOLUTIONS

WHAT IS A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION?

A New Year's resolution is a secular tradition, most common in the West but found around the world, in which a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement starting on New Year's Day.

RELIGIOUS ORIGINS

The ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts.
The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named.
In the Medieval era, the knights took the "peacock vow" at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry.
At watchnight services, many Christians prepare for the year ahead by praying and making these resolutions.
There are other religious parallels to this tradition. During Judaism's New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays and culminating in Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), one is to reflect upon one's wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness. People may act similarly during the Catholic fasting period of Lent, though the motive behind this holiday is more of sacrifice than of responsibility, in fact the practice of New Year's resolutions partially came from the Lenten sacrifices. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually.

At the end of the Great Depression, about a quarter of American adults formed New Year's resolutions. At the start of the 21st century, about 40% did

A 2007 study by Richard Wiseman from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people showed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study's participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying "lose weight"), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.

"Resolutions are more sustainable when shared, both in terms of with whom you share the benefits of your resolution, and with whom you share the path of maintaining your resolution. Peer-support makes a difference in success rate with new year's resolutions". It is also noted that talking with a counselor about setting goals and new year resolutions can help you keep those resolutions." (Frank Ra)

THE MOST COMMON NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS...

(Comment which one is yours?)