Do you want to have a New Year’s Eve that will be different and special? Say no more, because we are here to present you with some of the most quirky spots to spend the new year!
We know that the traditional celebrations have their charm, but why not try to wait for the grand finale in a more eccentric way this year? Try something beyond the ordinary with these incredible and unique spots to spend the new year.
Get ready to start your new year in style, and read on to find out more about some of the craziest traditions of starting the upcoming year!
1. The Red Shoe Drop - Key West, Florida
When you hear Florida, you are for sure thinking about things out of the ordinary, right? The celebration of New Year’s Eve can be something else this year if you decide to visit Key West.
This is a 25-year tradition that many people love and wait for. The entertainer Gary Marion, also known as “Sushi” does this thing when at midnight he descends inside a giant high-heeled red shoe in front of the Bourbon Street Pub.
Even if last year was the last descent of Sushi, this show will continue from now on, and there is a new star that will descend in the red shoe that has a heel that measures 4 feet. Christopher Peterson is the one who will take the job from now on, and we are truly excited about this.
In addition to the shoe drop, which draws thousands of people to Duval Street, Key West is also hosting a conch shell drop at Sloppy Joe’s Bar and a “key lime drop” at Sunset Pier. You have the chance to choose where you want to be when the new year starts.
2. The Idaho Potato Drop – Boise, Idaho
Every new year comes with a new resolution, and maybe this year you will want to say no to carbs, but before making this decision, don’t miss the famous Idaho Potato Drop. This year will be the 11th celebration that takes place in Boise, and you can’t miss the 2,000-pound illuminated GlowTato.
Thousands of people will gather in the Idaho State Capitol, and they will happily enter the new year led by the light of this giant potato. This is certainly one of the best spots to spend the new year.
If you want to visit Boise, what you can do is purchase VIP tickets. In this way, you will stay right near the drop-off spot and also drink craft cocktails while eating the delicious complimentary appetizers. This will be a moment you will never forget!
3. Midnight Muskrat Dive – Princess Anne, Maryland
Marshall Muskrat wants you to be there on New Year’s Eve and help him celebrate this special occasion. Attend Princess Anne’s Midnight Muskrat Dive, and you will see one of the most surprising traditions of the new year in the whole US.
In the Main Street District, Marshall is scheduled to descend from a precisely designed telescoping pole at midnight, accompanied by a countdown clock and confetti cannon. Marshall is a real stuffed muskat, and he will be dressed nicely in a cape and a high hat.
Bring your family and friends to this event, because there will be free food and live music. This is definitely one of the best spots to spend the new year, and you can’t miss it.
Besides this, the Princess Anne Historic District is a nice place to visit that is full of history. Visit the 270 historical buildings and learn more about them. Believe us when we say that you will read some interesting placards.
4. Sardine & Maple Leaf Drop – Eastport, Maine
Elvis Presley’s song “Go East, Young Man” is more than that. It serves as guidance on how to commemorate both Canada and the United States on New Year’s Eve.
Located near the Canadian border, Eastport, Maine, is the easternmost city in the United States. Every year, the town honors its northern neighbors with a maple leaf drop at 11 p.m. and the fishing town itself with a sardine drop at midnight. Also, remember that people will sing “Auld Lang Syne” at midnight and “O Canada” at 11 p.m. at the Tides Institute & Museum of Art.
If you are willing to be in one of the most incredible spots to spend the new year, definitely try this unique experience in Eastport. Besides a quirky celebration of the new year, you will also have the chance to experience the winter on the shoreline. Maine is a pretty popular spot to visit in the winter because it has that winter wonderland vibe a lot of people are looking for.
5. Raleigh Acorn Drop – Raleigh, North Carolina
If you want to feel the whole spirit of the New Year, then this place is perfect for you since it has everything you can ask for. This is definitely one of the best spots to spend the new year.
Raleigh has honored its moniker as the “City of Oaks” for almost 20 years by lowering a massive, 10-foot-tall acorn in City Plaza. Get ready for the big night with a fun-filled day that includes rides on the Ferris wheel, local food vendors, and a children’s party in the early afternoon.
Raleigh has its yearly First Night celebration, complete with live entertainment in several downtown venues, including the Acorn Drop, among other events. Adult tickets cost $16, children’s tickets cost $12 for those aged 6 to 12, and children under five get in free.
6. Sartori Big Cheese Drop – Plymouth, Wisconsin
Why not visit Wisconsin if all of these festivities seem a little too dull and not quite cheesy enough for your tastes? On a crisp, wintry night ring in BellaVitano Gold beneath a massive, lit wedge that will be lowered at 10 p.m.
The first 250 families to arrive at the event will receive a bag of Sartori cheese, despite it not being an actual slice of cheese. Then get ready for some live music inside the Plymouth Arts Center (PAC) until midnight following the drop.
But even if the main event starts at 10 p.m., you can be there until 8:30 p.m. because there will be live music from the 60s and 50s. You can’t miss a party like this one. But even if the main event starts at 10 p.m., you can be there until 8:30 p.m. because there will be live music from the 60s and 50s. You can’t miss a party like this one.
7. Chile Drop – Las Cruces, New Mexico
If you like spicy things, then this is for you. This is one of the most amazing spots to spend the new year, and you will witness a 19-foot chile pepper being lowered from a crane. And this is no ordinary pepper; it is a chrome one covered in 2,400 LED lights.
This is just what happens at midnight, but the party starts before that, around 9 p.m. Music, local food and vendors, and a lot of family entertainment. Jalapeños, margaritas, tacos, and hot chocolate What more can you wish for?
Prior to the chile drops, the audience is asked to predict if this year’s chile pepper is red or green. This is a frequently discussed issue because there is a daily argument in the “Land of Enchantment,” as New Mexico is called, about which color chile is best.
It would be nice to keep some memories from an event like this, which is why you might need a disposable camera: Disposable Kodak Camera [Camera] 3Pack
You should also read: 22 Most Christmassy Towns to Visit For the Holidays
