New Year’s Eve in New York

Wednesday 30 December

13:00 · Pastrami at Katz’s

Hold on to the ticket they hand you at the door; you pay with it on the way out. Share sandwiches, they are huge.

Lower East Side · restaurant

15:00 · Same-day Broadway tickets

The TKTS booth in Duffy Square sells discounted seats for that day’s shows. Decide on two or three shows the group would all see before you queue.

Times Square · culture

21:30 · The tree at Rockefeller Center

Go late in the evening, when the crowd thins. The rink is right below the tree.

Midtown · place

Thursday 31 December

11:00 · Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

Start on the Brooklyn side so Manhattan is in front of you the whole way. Cold up there, so gloves.

Brooklyn Bridge · place

12:30 · Dumbo and the Manhattan Bridge view

Washington Street frames the Manhattan Bridge for the photo everyone takes. Coffee nearby, then the waterfront park.

Dumbo · place

20:00 · New Year’s Eve dinner

Book the table for 8 p.m. now and ask about a set menu for six. Somewhere in Brooklyn keeps you close to the fireworks.

Brooklyn · restaurant

23:30 · Midnight fireworks at Grand Army Plaza

Prospect Park’s free fireworks, without the hours in a pen that the Times Square ball drop takes. Get there by 11:30 and stand facing the park.

Prospect Park · experience

Friday 1 January

10:30 · Bagels from Russ & Daughters

Lox and bagels for a late first breakfast of the year. Check holiday hours, and expect a line.

Lower East Side · restaurant

13:00 · Polar Bear Plunge at Coney Island

The New Year’s Day swim in the Atlantic; register ahead with the Coney Island Polar Bear Club. Watching from the boardwalk is allowed too.

Coney Island · activity

Saturday 2 January

11:00 · Chelsea Market and the High Line

Food stalls under one roof, then up the stairs to walk the old rail line north.

Chelsea · shopping

12:30 · The High Line to Hudson Yards

About 1.5 miles above the street. Bare trees in winter, but the views stay.

Chelsea · place