Not Exactly Times Square. New Year's Eve in DC.

For a big blowout on New Year’s Eve, DC is really not where it’s at. It is the one night of the year when NYC wins hands down—if you want to do Times Square with the pulsating mob scene and no toilets.  Never been. Don't plan to go--ever.  Some of us like it quieter.

You can, of course, have good time in DC on New Year’s Eve without mortgaging your house to eat a fixed price 7 course dinner in an upscale restaurant.  When everyone thinks they must go out to eat and wear silly hats, the places that put on these events raise the prices.  Remember supply and demand from economics class—if you took economics?

The Kennedy Center is offering a New Year’s Eve concert by the National Symphony Orchestra, (tickets $50-$95) with dancing afterwards in the Grand Foyer.  Dress up if you are going to go.  Don't know if the Salahis plan on coming, but Mrs. Salahi would have another excuse to wear her sari if she did.  In the Terrace Theater there is a Jazz New Year’s Eve Featuring John Pizzarelli: Dear Mr. Sinatra, (tickets $65/$80.  If you are one of the 6 people living in Washington, DC, who have not seen “Shear Madness” , you can go to the 9:00pm performance for $42.  If, however, you have trouble staying up late because you are an alte cocker or have kids, the best deal of all is to hit the 6:00pm performance on The Millenium Stage, Sidney’s Full Swing,  (no tickets; absolutely free; now that is my kind of party!)

The Odyssey, and the Spirit of Washington, both offer New Year’s cruises with dinner.  The Odyssey cruise is $199.90 per person (Why can they just be done with it and make it an even $200?).  The Spirit of Washington is a mere $149.90 per person (Same comment regarding rounding up).  The cruises both leave from the Southwest boat docks on Water Street (Details on the websites).  We can tell you that DC Like a Local will not be there because this blog does not pay enough (or anything) to justify that sort of expense and we are already maxed out on our equity lines.  Besides tour guides in DC have all been on the Spirit of Washington enough time to make our heads spin (albeit with really bad food and not the sort of food you would get on New Year's Eve) on student tours.  No thanks. 

There are numerous non alcoholic first nights all over the area.  The closest First Night Celebration to downtown DC is in Alexandria, VA.  There are fireworks at midnight over the George Washington Masonic Memorial if you can stay up that late without freezing your buns off.  Badges to get you into all of the indoor events cost $15 (free for children under $12).  My hunch is you wouldn’t want to stand out in the cold all night waiting for the fireworks.  A listing of other first night celebrations in the area can be found on about.com.

Of course, there is nothing to prevent you from watching the ball drop in NYC on TV in your warm house with a glass of wine in hand, savoring the prospect of watching endless college football games involving teams you do not know or care about on New Year’s Day.  Since all of the New Year’s Eve party goers will probably spend New Year’s Day recovering, The Smithsonian will be open and empty.  Don't tell anyone that DC Like a Local told you that.  You would spoil New Year's Day for the locals.