The arrival of the new year is the perfect time for a fresh start. Is there a better way to celebrate new beginnings than a romantic getaway with your partner? The United States has many romantic destinations that know how to throw a New Year’s Eve celebration. You don’t need to travel far to enjoy world-class live entertainment and spectacular fireworks displays. Or, you can book a once-in-a-lifetime trip to one of the most romantic NYE destinations around the world. Toasting a glass of champagne at the stroke of midnight in a Scottish pub or under an Australian night sky will be an unforgettable experience. Here are our top picks for romantic getaways for New Year’s Eve.
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15 Unforgettable Romantic Getaways for New Year’s Eve Celebrations
1. New York City, New York
There’s a good reason why New York City remains one of the most popular destinations for New Year’s Eve. Couples can combine iconic experiences with intimate moments. Watching the ball drop at midnight in Times Square is a bucket list-level experience!
If you want to join this wild party, get there super early or buy a BallDrop Pass. Head to Broadway from 43rd to 50th Street, along Seventh Avenue, and 59th Street. Alternatively, the Marriott Marquis Hotel throws a VIP party with the best views (unobstructed!) of this super fun New Year’s Eve celebration.
Spend New Year’s Day taking a restorative winter stroll through Central Park. Enjoy dimly lit cocktails at Bemelmans Bar. Hold hands as you try not to tumble ice skating at Rockefeller Center.
Where to stay: The Langham Fifth Avenue is a five-star luxury hotel mere blocks away from the action in Midtown. Sink into the softest kingsized bed, melt under the waterfall showers, and relax in the full-service spa. This elegant, modern hotel is the perfect place to unwind after an eventful day exploring NYC.
2. Venice, Italy
While the end of December might not be the best time to visit Venice weather-wise, it’s perfect in every other respect. Wrap up warm and enjoy a romantic boat ride in a gondola along the canals. Afterward, warm up with a mint hot chocolate and macarons in the famous Caffè Florian.
Put on your party hats for the big night and watch the fireworks display from the historic Piazza San Marco. Book tickets to watch opera at Venice’s stunning Teatro La Fenice on New Year’s Day. Most restaurants in Venice will have a special New Year’s Eve menu. Ristorante Santa Maria Formosa is always a winner.
Where to stay: The best hotels for couples in Venice are former grand palaces turned five-star accommodations. Ca’ Sagredo Hotel is in a fantastic location next to the Rialto Bridge and it’s dripping in opulence. Eat breakfast underneath painted ceilings, sleep in a gilded gold bed, and look out over Venice’s rooftops from your terrace.
3. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Are you looking for the best New Year destinations in New England? There’s no better place than Cape Cod. This lively vacation spot plans tons of special events for New Year’s. Its natural beauty and relaxed, coastal charm make it ideal for couples who want to do something special without the busy crowds of a big city.
First Night Chatham is a popular New Year’s Eve event for families with live music, parades, and no alcohol, but it may not be ideal for couples. Instead, enjoy the festive atmosphere on Commercial Street in Provincetown. Many cute boutiques and gift stores stay open late and many restaurants advertise specials. Indulge in a casual yet unbelievably delicious seafood feast at the Red Inn. Don’t skip the oysters! Head to the beach by MacMillan Pier to watch the fireworks.
Where to stay: You’re not getting the full P-Town experience in Cape Cod if you don’t stay in an adorable bed and breakfast. Land’s End Inn is also a five-star hotel. It perfectly blends cozy suites with roaring fireplaces with tons of amenities like free breakfasts and cheese tastings. Nothing can beat the picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean!
4. Sydney, Australia
One of the best things about spending New Year’s Eve in Sydney is that it’s one of the first major cities in the world to celebrate the New Year! Plus, December is summertime in the southern hemisphere, so it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy some winter sun together. Your only problem with traveling to Sydney for New Year’s Eve celebrations is where to celebrate.
There are so many great places! The city hosts NYE in the Park, an annual music festival in Victoria Park. Expect live performances from top Australian musical acts. Or, camp out in a spot at Blues Point Reserve to watch the 9 PM and midnight fireworks light up Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Locals swear by the views from Observatory Hill.
Where to stay: Shangri-La Sydney is one of the more affordable Shangri-La hotels. It’s the perfect place to splurge on your romantic getaway! You’ll have unbeatable views across the harbor from their cocktail lounge and luxurious marble bathrooms to soak in.
5. Tokyo, Japan
While fireworks are an uncommon way to ring in the New Year in Tokyo, there are other reasons why couples will love a New Year’s Eve trip here. Book a special dinner at The Tavern Grill & Lounge in Minato City. Visit a temple like Meiji Jingu or Senso-ji at midnight to witness the traditional bell-ring ceremony.
Where to stay: One place we recommend for couples is Park Hyatt Tokyo. This cinematic hotel is famous for being a location in the movie Lost in Translation. However, it is undergoing restoration until October 2025, so check into the equally elegant and modern Mandarin Oriental. It offers on-site Michelin-starred dining and minimalist Japanese design.
6. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is one of the best New Year destinations in the US for families, groups, and couples alike. Couples who want to tear up the dance floor as they ring in the new year have many options. Book tickets for the Plaza Hotel & Casino’s VIP fireworks viewing party or the Fremont Street Experience. This is one of the city’s main events for New Year’s Eve and includes a zip line and three stages of musical acts.
Couples looking for a more intimate Las Vegas New Year’s Eve should book a table at a fine dining restaurant. Delmonico Steakhouse in the Venetian Resort is an institution. Expect a festive atmosphere, the best steak you’ve ever eaten, and decadent desserts. Don’t worry about missing the fireworks. They’re fired from the rooftops of eight resorts (the Venetian included) so you can’t miss them wherever you are!
Where to stay: The Venetian really is a great spot for a romantic New Year’s Eve stay in Las Vegas. Choose a suite with private hot tubs to make the most of this lavish five-star resort. Of course, don’t forget to take a gondola ride along their artificial canal!
7. Miami, Florida
Florida is a great place for winter sun, and Miami knows how to throw a party! Couples who like to dance should book tickets for the crazy Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Or you could watch the fireworks together from Bayfront Park. On New Year’s Day, stroll through South Beach’s iconic Art Deco District and along Miami’s beautiful beaches with your love.
Where to stay: The Standard Spa on Miami’s Belle Isle in Biscayne Bay is anything but standard. This is the perfect four-star hotel if you’re looking for a restorative experience with coastal decor, green spaces, and every spa treatment under the sun.
8. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
This beautiful resort city in Baja is perfect for couples seeking a relaxing, pampered New Year’s Eve. Book a scenic cruise at sunset with views of the Cabo San Lucas Arch. Many hotels arrange private bonfires and s’mores on the beach at night. Alternatively, you could splurge on a table at The Rooftop at The Cape to watch the fireworks.
Where to stay: Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort is an adults-only, all-inclusive, five-star hotel. It offers direct access to Playa el Faro, outdoor terraces, and tons of amenities.
9. San Francisco, California
Couples are spoiled for choice with bars, restaurants, and parties on New Year’s Eve in San Francisco. The city has an incredible comedy scene, with many venues like The Fillmore or Punch Line Comedy Club lining up exceptional New Year’s Eve guests. Dine at a San Francisco hotspot like Gary Danko. This restaurant always has a prix-fixe menu on holidays.
If you can brave the wind, take an evening stroll with your significant other to The Golden Gate State Park. It’s a great place to watch the fireworks and see the city lit up.
Where to stay: Couples love staying at the iconic Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill for New Year’s Eve. This historic building has all the classic elegance you would expect in a four-star hotel complete with chandeliers and incredible panoramic views.
10. New Orleans, Louisiana
You can guarantee that New Orleans will be a special place to count down to midnight with your partner. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride together through the French Quarter. Stop by one of the city’s famous jazz clubs like Preservation Hall to listen to incredible live performers. Watch the fireworks over St. Louis Cathedral from Jackson Square, or book a table on a rooftop bar. The Thompson Hyatt’s bar serves classic cocktails and unparalleled views across the city.
Where to stay: If you’re looking to check into a New Orleans institution, book The Roosevelt. This lavish hotel (dating back to 1863!) has old-world European influences and is the height of class. Relax in the rooftop hot tub and don’t forget to order cocktails at the historic Sazerac Bar.
11. Reykjavík, Iceland
Jetting to Reykjavík for a couples’ New Years Eve vacation is a great idea for many reasons. It’s a small city, but there’s plenty to do. Cozy up beside one of the many bonfires around the city while you watch the midnight fireworks. Perlan and Öskjuhlíð Hill have the best vantage points. In fact, the restaurant at the Perlan offers a stellar four-course menu for New Year’s Eve.
Witnessing the Northern Lights is a phenomenal way to start the new year! You can chill out with your significant other at an Icelandic geothermal spa like the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon.
Where to stay: Housed in a restored building, Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel blends color and pattern with a sleek Scandinavian design. This four-star hotel couldn’t be in a better location in the heart of central Reykjavík. Its cozy soft furnishings make it an inviting place to stay for couples in winter.
12. Saint Lucia, the Caribbean
Whichever area of St Lucia you stay in, you can guarantee there will be a party nearby. Popular regions like Castries and Gros Islet host impressive fireworks displays. Enjoy a candlelit seafood dinner at the Naked Fisherman Restaurant in Smugglers Cove. Sip a local rum cocktail to toast the new year. Don’t forget to use your hotel’s spa to ring in the new year fresh and relaxed.
Where to stay: Cap Maison Resort & Spa has a traditional Caribbean facade with luxurious, coastal interiors. This boutique, five-star hotel includes access to a private beach, fine dining restaurants, and several outdoor pools.
13. Atlantic City, New Jersey
Couples wanting to stay on the East Coast don’t have to miss out on an exciting New Year’s Eve break. Everything you can do in Las Vegas, you can do in Atlantic City on a tighter budget. Café 2825 is an upmarket Italian restaurant and the perfect place to fuel up before a NYE party. All the top casinos like Borgata and Caesars throw a huge New Year’s Eve bash! Snuggle up on the boardwalk to watch the fireworks. Or, book a table at a rooftop bar like The Vue at Claridge’s.
Where to stay: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino knows how to throw a New Year’s Eve party. Indulge in a five-hour open bar and a live DJ dance party. Recover in a four-star suite with views of the boardwalk and Steel Pier.
14. Edinburgh, Scotland
Like Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Carnival in Rio de Janeiro… New Year’s is an important holiday for the Scots. Famous Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote the words to Auld Lang Syne, after all! There are few places better to enjoy a New Year’s celebration with your significant other than the magical Scottish capital.
Edinburgh’s signature New Year’s celebration is the seven-hour street party on Princes Street. While there’s no open bar, there is a “bring your own booze” policy. Celebrate the New Year by listening to a top British live band like the Pulp. Singing Auld Lang Syne while linking arms with a stranger for good luck is non-negotiable. Other local traditions include breaking shortbread and eating circular food.
Aside from the big night, enjoy a stroll around the Christmas Markets. They’re open until early January so you might be able to grab some bargains. Visit The Witchery for a cozy dinner with your special someone, and head to the speakeasy-style Panda & Co. cocktail bar afterward.
Where to stay: The Balmoral is the right place to stay on a romantic weekend in Scotland. This legendary five-star hotel boasts elegant suites, a whisky bar, and unrivaled views of the fireworks surrounding Edinburgh Castle.
15. Orlando, Florida
This is an honorable mention as I’ve already included Florida, but Walt Disney World is a magical place to spend this holiday. You might think spending New Year’s Eve at an amusement park is for families, and it is, but there’s so much here for couples too.
EPCOT has the best New Year celebration at Disney for you and your significant other. Think pyrotechnics, bubbles, smoke, lasers, and dance parties in the World Showcase. Take a romantic stroll through the Glimmering Greenhouses. Another reason why it’s one of the most romantic getaways for New Year’s Eve is because you’re guaranteed to see a shooting star! It will be at Magic Kingdom and not a natural wonder, but it counts.
Where To Stay: Couples seeking elegance and romance at Disney have to stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This five-star hotel offers amazing views of the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks at Magic Kingdom. Relax in upscale rooms and dine 10 courses with wine pairings at Victoria & Albert’s.
Turn Your New Year Celebrations Into a Romantic Getaway
New Year’s Eve is a great time of year to create lasting memories with your special someone. From iconic cities like Venice to beautiful locales close to home like Cape Cod, these romantic getaways for New Year’s Eve are some of the best places to spend this magical night.