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December 10, 2025
Which U.S. cities are considered best for ringing in the New Year on New Year’s Eve, without putting a strain on the wallets of travelers?
A study by WalletHub compared the 100 biggest U.S. cities across 26 key metrics to determine which destinations are the best choice for pop-the-cork toasts and fireworks celebrations without breaking the bank. Times Square might be the most famous destination for ringing in the New Year, but it’s also extremely expensive as local businesses are known to hike up their prices for major events.
WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo said in a statement, “Celebrating New Year’s Eve in the right city can turn the holiday into a truly magical experience. The best cities for New Year’s celebrations have clear skies and some of the best fireworks displays around. The top cities also offer an abundance of highly rated, affordable dining options, along with a vibrant nightlife and plenty of activities to make your transition into the new year a memorable one.”
He added, “Orlando, FL, is the best city for ringing in the new year. It ranks as the second-most fun city in the U.S. overall, and has the fourth-most party supply stores and the fifth-most nightlife options per capita. Orlando offers a great fireworks display with a solid, enjoyable duration, and consumer fireworks are legal, so people can set up their own shows.”
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Here are the top New Years destinations.
- Orlando, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
- New York, NY
- Seattle, WA
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Washington, D.C.
- San Francisco, CA
- Miami, FL
- Anaheim, CA
- Tampa, FL
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Atlanta, GA
- Louisville, KY
- St. Louis, MO
- Boston, MA
- Denver, CO
- Cincinnati, OH
- Philadelphia, PA
Other key study takeaways include:
- 142 million Americans will travel for the New Year’s holiday, with 64 percent driving to their destinations.
- 55 percent of Americans plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve with family or friends
- The average cost for a couple to enjoy dinner and a show on New Year’s Eve in the three larges cities of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago is $772.
- 360+ million glasses of sparkling wine are consumed each New Year’s Eve.
This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.
Contact My Journey Begins Travel to plan and book your best New Year’s Eve vacation celebration.