Fireworks show in Orlando, FL — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: VIAVAL TOURS
According to recent research, the Sunshine State’s rise at the expense of New York now includes recognition as the greatest spot in the country to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
According to WalletHub’s research this month, Orlando, Florida, has overtaken New York City as the country’s most popular destination for New Year’s Eve.
Orlando has become the go-to place for New Year’s Eve travel after years of trends that have made Florida more powerful and the Empire State less dominant than it once was.
After the 2020 U.S. Census, Florida surpassed New York in terms of population, electoral votes, and congressional members.
WalletHub’s New Year’s Eve list saw New York City drop to No. 3, even with its famous and widely reported Times Square celebrations.
A recent survey by the personal finance company ranked San Diego, California, as the second-best city to ring in the new year.
The Orlando area “ranks first when it comes to nightlife options and affordable restaurants rated 4.5+ stars, so you can enjoy some fun and a good meal before 2024 arrives,” according to WalletHub.
“What stops New York from being the best city overall is the price — celebrations are a lot less affordable than in the top two cities,” the organization said.
According to WalletHub, the typical couple will spend $872 to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the three biggest cities in the country: New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
A representative of New York City rejected the report, claiming Orlando lacked the strength to rival the Big Apple.
Tom Harris, head of the Times Square Alliance, said to Fox News Digital, “It’s comparing apples to oranges.”
Harris added, “New York City has been the place that America and the world look to for many years to ring in the New Year. We’ll have a million people in Times Square again this year and a billion people watching around the world.”
First hosted in 1907, the Alliance is responsible for overseeing events and activities in Times Square, such as the ball drop party on New Year’s Eve.
However, national trends are shifting Florida’s way.
More than 100,000 people have left New York over the last year, more than any other state, according to newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
While Florida’s coffers have been flooded with billions in new revenue, the Empire State has also lost billions in taxable income annually.
Communities in Florida have even hired police officers from New York City, right next to Times Square.
“Being the top choice for New Year’s Eve travel indicates that Orlando is a great place to be because there is something for everyone to enjoy,” Visit Orlando president and CEO Casandra Matej said in a statement to Fox News Digital this week.
In addition to its “world-famous theme parks,” she listed the city’s numerous family-friendly outdoor activities as the top spot in the country to ring in the new year.
“Block parties, concerts, and dining events” are on the list, along with other “one-of-a-kind fireworks displays.”
Fireworks are the reason Orlando tops the list; according to WalletHub, they seem to symbolize Florida’s less restrictive political environment.
According to the survey, “You can’t talk about New Year’s Eve without mentioning fireworks.” “Orlando has some of the longest fireworks displays in the country, and consumer fireworks are legal, so people can set up their own shows.”
The “mild weather” in San Diego enabled the sunny Southern California community to overcome the frigid Gotham.
“It’s the place to be if you want clear skies so you can appreciate an outdoor get-together and fireworks show,” according to WalletHub. “The city has the lowest chance of precipitation on New Year’s Eve.”
The 100 biggest American cities were ranked by WalletHub using 26 distinct variables from three categories: entertainment and dining; expenses; and accessibility and safety.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.