6 best places to spend New Year’s Eve in the US
Resolve right now to try something new on New Year's Eve. Instead of staying home in your jammies and watching Andy and Anderson giggle and exchange Champagne spit takes in Times Square, shake off the old year somewhere else. Plus, with New Year's Day falling on a Wednesday in 2025, you can break up with your sofa and take an extra-long weekend by taking just two vacation days. Hustle to one of these holiday hot spots to ring in 2025 like you're H-O-T-T-O-G-O.
New Orleans
Throwing wild holiday celebrations is standard operating procedure in New Orleans, so New Year's Eve here is a guaranteed good time. Get in the mood with the afternoon's Sugar Bowl Parade, a noisy annual tradition that rolls right through the French Quarter. Then you can book a late dinner at glam spots like Herbsaint or Bar Metier or dive in and mingle with the crowds at Jackson Square as they watch a giant fleur-de-lis slide down a pole atop Jax Brewery at midnight. Then, join the locals and head to the live music clubs along Frenchmen Street to dance until dawn. Prefer an early show? One of the city's most historic music venues, Preservation Hall, is reopening in December after nearly six months of renovations and has four performances on New Year's Eve between 5 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
TPG tip: Move quickly because rooms are getting scarce. A room at The Barnett — formerly the Ace Hotel New Orleans and now part of the JdV by Hyatt collection — can be booked starting at $385 or 23,000 World of Hyatt points for New Year's Eve.
Washington, DC
Even with the area's only fireworks across the Potomac River in Virginia, Washington is pretty lit on New Year's Eve. Because the Metro's free all night, you can easily breeze between venues. Book dinner at The Bazaar by José Andrés, then head to the original Busboys and Poets bookstore bar on 14th Street NW for its popular open-mic event (with an all-night happy hour). Alternatively, hop the Metro's Orange Line to Foggy Bottom after dinner and catch comedian John Oliver's late show at the Kennedy Center, the year's last laugh. All the Smithsonian museums are open on New Year's Day, so start 2025 off with some culture.
TPG tip: Its unbeatable location in the grand Old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue makes the Waldorf Astoria an impressive and sensible place to stay on a weekend that will be crowded. The hotel has rooms from $864 or 110,000 Hilton Honors points on New Year's Eve.
Seattle
For the whole month of December, the Seattle Center's Winterfest celebration makes it the destination for all things holiday: its event calendar is packed with a Christmas Market that runs daily through Dec. 24, a holiday train show open through Dec. 31 and performances of "The Nutcracker" through Dec. 28. New Year's Eve marks the final night of Winterfest, and it's guaranteed to go off with a bang, not a whimper: The evening festivities start inside with a free 8 p.m. concert and dance party with the rollicking Blue Wave Band, move outside to the International Fountain Mall for a light show and dance party beginning at 10 p.m., and culminate at midnight with the Space Needle drone and fireworks show overhead. Bring your dancing shoes.
TPG tip: Downtown's Hyatt at Olive 8 — worth the stay if only for the divine glass-walled pool and sustainability-minded spa — has rooms available from $193 or 23,000 World of Hyatt points on New Year's Eve.
Related: A Hyatt hop through Seattle: Which Hyatt should you choose on your next trip to the Emerald City?
Philadelphia
You can choose a couple of different ways to spend New Year's Eve in Philadelphia: late dinner at Caribou Cafe (you can't miss with the steak frites) followed by midnight fireworks at Penns Landing or, you know, just stay in that night. Staying in is a great option if you're staying at the W Philadelphia near Rittenhouse Square. Two ticketed parties, one at Wet, the pool bar, and another in the Living Room, a cool lobby space, bring in the locals. Our reviewer says the cocktails will be notable and, big plus, you won't have to bring your coat. In the morning, City Hall, where Philly's famously weird and colorful Mummers Parade originates, is a three-minute walk away.
TPG tip: The design-forward W Philadelphia is centrally located in this city of history, yet it feels very mod. Between the pool bar and the buzzing lobby scene, you may never step outside. On New Year's Eve, stays are available from $422 or 76,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
And now for something completely different. How do peace and quiet sound for New Year's Eve? Santa Fe and its surrounding area offer both in spades. Opt to spend a few days an hour southwest of Santa Fe at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa, where the cinematic desert landscape around Bernalillo lends a quiet serenity to the end of a tumultuous year. You can start the afternoon with a wintry trail ride at the Stables at Tamaya, followed by a spa treatment (lavender dry-brush therapy, maybe?) and then spend a quiet evening thanks to room service and a view of the starry sky over the mountains. If you need a party, drive into town for the annual celebration on the Santa Fe Plaza. Join the locals in the flickering light of pinon bonfires and luminarias to listen to live music, grab a bite from a food truck, countdown to the midnight fireworks and then raise your voice in a singalong of "Auld Lang Syne" and the traditional Mexican birthday song, "Las Mananitas."
TPG tip: With eye-popping views of the snow-dusted Sandia Mountains and activities like winter horseback rides, guided nature walks and spa treatments, the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa has rooms to book on New Year's Eve from $273 or 18,000 World of Hyatt points.
Nashville
Music City celebrates the new year with a free star-studded concert, the annual Nashville's Big Bash at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. This year's country lineup features Keith Urban, Kane Brown and Jelly Roll. That's not enough? As midnight approaches, a 16-foot LED-spangled musical note descends from a tower above the stage. When it hits the bottom, fireworks soar over the park. Don't miss out on Nashville's great food scene: It offers high and low cuisine, including dozens of James Beard Award winners and semifinalists like City House and Prince's Hot Chicken. Also, the wildly entertaining Country Music Hall of Fame is open on New Year's Eve and Jan. 1.
TPG tip: Though it's a convention hotel, the Grand Hyatt Nashville surprised TPG's reviewer with its upscale rooms and elevated dining options. On New Year's Eve, it has rooms from $317 or 29,000 World of Hyatt points.
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- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
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| 5X | Earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
The American Express Platinum Card® has a high annual fee but remains one of the best cards on the market for those who prioritize premium travel experiences. A combination of updated and new statement credits makes the refreshed Platinum Card an ideal card for frequent travelers and digital entertainment enthusiasts alike. (Partner offer)Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to $600 hotel credit (disbursed as up to $300 in statement credits semiannually)
- Up to $300 digital entertainment credit (disbursed as up to $25 in statement credits per month; enrollment required)
- Earns transferable Membership Rewards points
Cons
- $895 annual fee
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
- More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
- More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
- More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees