Hotels Just Outside the Action Put New Year's Travelers Near the Nation's Biggest Celebrations Without Big City Price Tags
Plus Save 10 Percent on Event Tickets on CheapTickets.com and Get a Chance to Win a Free New Year’s Eve Trip
CHICAGO, Dec. 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Don’t let the high price of New Year’s Eve accommodations keep you from big city celebrations. CheapTickets.com®, a leading seller of discounted travel products, has identified the top ten destinations for ringing in 2016 and offers affordable nearby alternatives that let you stay close to the action without the hefty price tag.1 CheapTickets.com editors also scoured the nation to find some of the hottest (and cheapest) New Year’s Eve events in and around this year’s top cities to celebrate.2
“High demand for big-city New Year’s celebrations usually means high prices when it comes to hotel accommodations, sometimes dissuading those on a budget from getting in on the fun,” said Brian Wolf, general manager of CheapTickets.com. “This year, travelers looking to welcome the new year in style can celebrate without breaking the bank by staying just outside of the most popular destinations, shaving off a significant amount of their total travel costs.”
Instead of staying on the Las Vegas Strip – this year’s top New Year’s destination – savvy travelers can save on average 36 percent by staying West of The Strip, an area that boasts popular resorts and activities all its own. Those looking to bid a fond farewell to 2015 amidst the theme parks in Orlando can on average reduce accommodation costs by nearly 70 percent just by opting for a hotel in nearby Kissimmee.
| Destination | Average Daily Hotel Price | Alternate Destination | Average Daily Hotel Price | Average Savings | |||||||
| 1 | Las Vegas, Nev. (The Strip) | $ | 220 | West Of Strip | $ | 141 | 36 | % | |||
| 2 | New York, N.Y. (Times Square) | $ | 362 | Midtown East | $ | 318 | 12 | % | |||
| 3 | Orlando, Fla. | $ | 287 | Kissimmee | $ | 88 | 69 | % | |||
| 4 | Chicago, Ill. (Millennium Park) | $ | 181 | The Loop | $ | 149 | 18 | % | |||
| 5 | Atlanta, Ga. (Downtown) | $ | 186 | Marietta | $ | 112 | 40 | % | |||
| 6 | Miami, Fla. (Miami Beach) | $ | 315 | Downtown Miami | $ | 211 | 33 | % | |||
| 7 | San Diego, Calif. (Mission Bay) | $ | 182 | Gaslamp Quarter | $ | 149 | 18 | % | |||
| 8 | New Orleans, La. (French Quarter) | $ | 338 | Central Business District | $ | 280 | 17 | % | |||
| 9 | San Francisco, Calif. (Union Square) | $ | 232 | Fisherman's Wharf | $ | 215 | 7 | % | |||
| 10 | Los Angeles, Calif. (Hollywood) | $ | 366 | Beverly Hills | $ | 257 | 30 | % | |||
CHEAPTICKETS.COM’S PICKS FOR CHIC AND CHEAP NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS
There’s no lack of things to do in the top destinations on New Year’s Eve, but so many options often make it difficult to choose. CheapTickets.com editors have done the legwork and found some of the hottest events in the top five destinations and also offer their cheap tips for activities that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re traveling to one of the top destinations or staying close to home, visit CheapTickets.com/Events to search for tickets to events near you, and use promo code ‘HOLIDAY10’ to save 10 percent on eligible tickets.3
Las Vegas: On-Strip/Off-Strip
Hot Spot: Superstar Bruno Mars croons in the New Year at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan for one night only.
Cheap Tip: For just $20 per person when you buy your tickets early, skate into 2016 at the Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan and snag a great view of the fireworks show.
New York City: Times Square/Midtown East
Hot Spot: Known for their incredible live performances, Phish welcomes 2016 at Madison Square Garden.
Cheap Tip: Opt for a lower-key, environmentally friendly (and free!) celebration by joining the 14th annual New Year’s Eve Bike Ride and Outdoor After Party hosted by environmental organization Time’s Up. Bikers and skaters meet at Washington Square Park and bike to the middle of Central Park to watch fireworks and dance the night away.
Orlando: Orlando/Kissimmee
Hot Spot: Mixing blues, funk, and soul, Southern rock group JJ Grey & Mofro headlines at the House of Blues.
Cheap Tip: Swing by the newly reimagined Disney Springs for a complimentary champagne toast with your reservation at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. The pub will ring in both the Irish New Year at 7 p.m. EST and U.S. New Year at midnight EST.
Chicago: Millennium Park/The Loop
Hot Spot: Comedian and HBO star John Oliver bids a fond farewell to 2015 from the Chicago Theater.
Cheap Tip: Debuting this year, the massive (and free!) Chi-Town Rising outdoor celebration will feature live entertainment, fireworks and a countdown to 2016 along the Chicago River. Watch the “Chicago star” ascend 36 stories as the clock ticks closer and closer to midnight.
Atlanta: Downtown/Marietta
Hot Spot: New Year’s Eve isn’t strictly concerts and parties… The Florida State Seminoles take on the Houston Cougars at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome.
Cheap Tip: Skip the game, but not the celebration by checking out the free Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Parade presented by Lions Club International as it snakes throughout downtown Atlanta. Floats, classic cars, award-winning marching bands and more kick off the game day celebrations in the morning.
NEW YEAR’S CHEAP SWEEPS
Now through Friday, December 18 at 3:30 p.m. CST on Twitter, follow @CheapTickets and retweet the #NewYearsCheap tweet for a chance to win two flights! Visit www.twitter.com/CheapTickets to enter.4
1 Average savings were calculated on Nov. 18, 2015 by taking the average price for all hotel bookings in the listed destination purchased on CheapTickets.com for travel between Dec. 30, 2015 and Jan. 3, 2016 and comparing them with the average price for all hotel bookings in the listed alternative destination purchased on CheapTickets.com for travel over the same time period.
2 Hottest events were selected by CheapTickets.com editors based on event ticket data from CheapTickets.com and general research.
3 HOLIDAY10 - Purchase an event ticket between November 23, 2015 12:00:00AM CST and December 31, 2015 11:59:59PM CST via CheapTickets.com/events and instantly receive 10% off through the use of the promotion code. Limit one discount per ticket and one promotion code per booking. Discount may not be used toward the booking of theme park tickets. Discounts are not redeemable for cash for any reason. Promotion codes are non-transferrable, not for resale, and cannot be combined with other offers. Promotion code is valid at time of check-out only and will not be credited after you have confirmed your purchase. Any attempt at fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. CheapTickets.com/events reserves the right to change or limit the promotion in its sole discretion. Promotion code does not apply to service fees or shipping.
4 No purchase necessary to enter, play or win. To enter, follow @CheapTickets on Twitter. At or about 9:00am CST on 12/16/15, a tweet announcing this giveaway will be posted to the CheapTickets’ Twitter page. Retweet the giveaway tweet for a chance to win. All entries must be received by 12/18/15 at 3:30 pm CST. For complete terms and conditions, visit: http://orbitzbrand.barkbark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/CheapTickets_NYE-Giveaway_Rules_FINAL.pdf
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