New York City Times Square was glitzy and bustling like how I expected it to be, while Boston on the other hand, was quaint and quiet. My advice about New Year's countdown at Times Square would be to either go all out - get a ticket and enjoy the concerts and line-up of programmes in Times Square, or take it slow - find a nice spot in a park (maybe Hyde park), or just sit back and relax on a couch. Being enthusiastic (& poor) exchange students then, we decided to wait it out at the fringe of Times Square, away from the main stage area. Subsequent to the 6 - 7 hr wait in the winter cold with barely any standing space in the barricaded passageways and no opportunity to sneak out for a breather or toilet breaks, we were then greeted with measly streaks of fireworks from the side of a building and an unassuming "ball drop". Standing far from the main stage meant we couldn't hear the countdown nor experience the New Year spirit, which also resulted in confusion.. "Huh? it's the New Year already?!" Please, do purchase a ticket if you can afford it!
