Is This Kiss on Your List? Best Places to Smooch on New Year's
The ultimate New Year’s Eve kiss will probably always be the moment in When Harry Met Sally when Billy Crystal tells Meg Ryan, “I came here because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
But for those of us who don’t have Nora Ephron writing our dialogue, there are other ways to have a legendary kiss before the ball drops. The travel site Cheapflights.com rounded up 16 favorite places in America to share a kiss for New Year’s, from high atop the One World Observatory in New York to a hot-springs bath in New Mexico.
Here’s the full list:
The Seattle Great Wheel. (Photo: Stuart Westmorland/Corbis)
Atop the Great Wheel in Seattle: The 175-foot-tall attraction overlooking Elliott Bay is having a Midnight Ride special on New Year’s with a champagne toast.
In front of the Fountains of Bellagio, Las Vegas: You can blow a lot of money in Vegas for New Year’s, but just like that kiss, at least this favorite stop on the Strip is free.
Wollman Rink in Central Park, New York: The rink is only open until 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, so do your kissing early. After the rink closes, you can join the Midnight Run through Central Park.
Related: The Most Romantic Weekend Getaway in Every State
Courtesy: Cheeca Lodge & Spa
On the beach in the Florida Keys: For those who prefer sand over snow for New Year’s. There’s a conch shell drop at Sloppy Joe’s in Key West, and if you stay at Cheeca Lodge & Spa in the Upper Keys, you can party with an eight-course tasting menu, live music, and fireworks.
At Fan Pier in Boston: Cheapflights lauds this as an uncrowded spot along Boston Harbor to enjoy the fireworks over the city.
Related: Romantic Travel Fails — When Reality Doesn’t Match the Dream
Nighttime at the Racetrack in Death Valley. (Photo: Shubhika Bharathwaj/Flickr)
Beneath the stars in Death Valley, Calif.: For some ultraromantic stargazing, it’s tough to beat this national park in the desert. You could sit down on the famous Racetrack in the dark, and if camping isn’t your thing, book a room at Furnace Creek Resort.
On a Mississippi steamboat cruise in St. Louis: For a romantic kiss on the river and near the Gateway Arch, go for a 3 ½-hour New Year’s cruise with Gateway Arch Riverboats.
In the hot springs of Truth or Consequences, N.M.: There are various hot springs and spas you can choose from for a more therapeutic kiss — did you know some of the most heavily mineralized water in America can be found here?
Après ski in Aspen, Colo.: Kissing is always better while making snow bunnies. A daily ski pass of $139 for adults and $89 for children and teens will cover you at all four Aspen Snowmass mountains.
The Golden Gate Bridge at night is always a great kissing spot. (Photo: iStock)
On the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco: This landmark is great for a couple’s bike ride anytime, but despite all the traffic, it will be open on New Year’s via a security gate on the east sidewalk.
A Canal Walk in Indianapolis: For a more chill kiss, take the three-mile walk along the White River Canal with its 9/11 memorial, mastodon sculptures, and murals.
Overlooking the French Quarter in New Orleans: Bourbon Street will be bonkers on New Year’s, so Cheapair suggests this plan: “Located between the banks of the mighty Mississippi River and the iconic St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square, Washington Artillery Park is a postcard-perfect spot to share kisses.”
Mackinac Island, Mich.: There are no cars allowed on the island, but who needs them? Just take a romantic stroll and pucker up by the 40-foot Mackinac Island Christmas tree.
By the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.: We find this truth to be self-evident: A nighttime kiss by this illuminated memorial for the author of the Declaration of Independence is a historic way to bring in the New Year.
In a teepee at the Wigwam Village in San Bernardino, Calif.: Don’t laugh — you know what they say about teepees and rocking. Take a turn off Route 66 and bed down at Wigwam Village #7.
Related: Where Will You Count Down? A New Year’s Eve Destination for Every Type
This view on New Year’s will come at a high price. (Photo: Getty Images)
Atop One World Observatory in New York: If grand romantic gestures are your thing, this is tough to beat. For a mere $500 per person you can attend the New Year’s celebration from the 100th and 102nd floors of One World Observatory. If that’s not baller enough for you, you can make it a double date and spend $2,500 for reserved table service.
WATCH: See Forever — Looking Down From the Top of One World Trade Center
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