4 . If you choose to be part of the world's biggest New Year's Eve party at the Times Square, here are some activities to make your experience memorable and pleasant.

Watch the Times Square New Year's Eve's Ball Drop

The famous Waterford Crystal ball, which can display more than 16 million colors, will be raised at around 18:00 to the top of the flagpole at the Times Square. At exactly 23:59, it will start its one minute drop to ring in the New Year. Those who get the choicest spots typically arrive before 15:00. By 22:30, it's nearly impossible to find a spot with a view of the ball.

Of course, if Ball Drop isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of other ways to ring in the New Year in NYC.

Join the bike ride and dance

Participants in the annual New Year's Eve bike ride can join ranks with the skaters at the entrance to Washington Square Park at 22 :00, and then make your way through Manhattan before winding down at Central Park's Belvedere Castle at 23:45,just in time for an informal dance party with the group ( festival dress is needed), as Central Park's midnight fireworks display gets underway.

Celebrate New Year's Eve at the Comedy Cellar

Laugh your way into the New Year with the country's best comedians at New York's most famous comedy club. It will show the countdown and ball-drop festivities at the Times Square live on their 10-foot screen. Tickets are available online and there is a two drink minimum.

Get classy with the performing arts

For a high class night on the town, look to special New Year s Eve programming at performing arts centers like The Metropolitan Opera. Normally, the black tie Gala Dinner Package usually includes a post performance dinner and dance on the Mercedes Bass Grand Tier, where you will be able to see the midnight fireworks erupt throughout New York City.