Ring in the New Year: 9 Sober Adventures to Enjoy in NYC!

As we bid farewell to 2024, numerous individuals might prefer to sidestep the intoxicated customs that accompany the new year’s transition for diverse reasons. While festivities in New York City predominantly center around alcohol and inebriated merriment, there are still choices for those keen to venture into the world without losing consciousness.

Spend time at a non-alcoholic bar

Just because you’re refraining from drinks on New Year’s Eve doesn’t imply you can’t enjoy a bar atmosphere. You’ll be aware enough to comprehend all those negations! Hekate Cafe in Alphabet City prides itself as an “intimate sober bar” that serves top-notch non-alcoholic beers and cocktails (known as mocktails in some regions), along with even more intriguing drinks like “coffee” and “tea.” As an added perk, Hekate remains open until 10 p.m. nightly, allowing you to likely avoid the majority of the mayhem. Remember – it’s not certain you won’t have an incredible experience!

Explore the trains at the New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show

For three decades now, the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx has hosted the Holiday Train Show, so if you haven’t yet witnessed the remarkable locomotive setup… you should! There are even “twinkling, plant-based replicas of famous local architecture” to enjoy along with the trains. Timed tickets are $35 for adults on New Year’s Eve, or you can opt for a flex ticket for entrance at any time during the day for $45.

Join a bike ride to support the environment

Once more, the Future Positive New Year’s Eve bike ride will gather riders from across the city to raise awareness about the pressing issues facing the environment, which is… indeed, a pressing issue. This year’s focus is on positivity and uniting people. There will be three designated pickup spots around the city: 9:45 p.m. at the Brooklyn entrance of the Williamsburg Bridge; 10 p.m. at Washington Square Park Arch, Manhattan; 10:20 p.m. at Madison Square Park, at 23rd and Broadway, Flatiron side. The event culminates in a grand celebration at Belvedere Castle. The gathering is BYOB (bring your own bike). It lasts approximately two hours and it’s free.

Rest up and participate in the polar plunge on Jan. 1

The Coney Island Polar Bear Club is back at it! This is the oldest winter swimming club in the nation, and the New Year’s Day Polar Plunge has been occurring since 1903. You must be a member to join the weekly swim sessions, but anyone can register for the New Year’s Day plunge, starting at 11 a.m. on Jan. 1.

Enjoy the light display in Prospect Park

There won’t be fireworks in the city this year, despite the recent precipitation. But when life gives you lemons, you should create a spectacular light display over Brooklyn’s most renowned park. You might recall that fire recently affected some sections in Prospect Park, and drought situations haven’t been alleviated. Nobody wants to kick off the new year with a wildfire, right? The spectacle will reportedly showcase forms of iconic New York City landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge, but specifics are still sparse at this moment.

Entice yourself at the Museum of Sex and Super Funland

Or entice someone else – we’re not here to judge. The Museum of Sex is open on New Year’s Eve, with the final admission at 6 p.m. Basic tickets are priced at $36, and currently, you can explore Super Funland, an erotic carnival. One ticket grants you access to both the museum and the carnival.

Visit the Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center

The Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center is a storied venue in New York that reopened under new management just over a decade ago. Although it may not boast the same legendary status it once held – no tic-tac-toe-playing chicken, for instance – you can still enjoy one of Chinatown’s many cultural attractions without spending any money on alcohol. Just remember, it’s not going to be the polished, modern arcade experience of a place like Dave & Buster’s. It’s effectively a small Chinatown venue. But that’s what makes it New York City, baby. And there are plenty of arcade games to keep you entertained until midnight, which conveniently coincides with closing time.

Spend time with cats at a cafe

While we recommended Brooklyn Cat Cafe as a sober alternative last year, it will be closed this New Year’s Eve. The great news is that you have the opportunity to explore a different area of feline relaxation. Meow Parlour on Essex Street has 50-minute sessions available on New Year’s Eve. Be cautious, though: you may find yourself becoming a cat parent in 2025 if you can’t resist the adorableness of the adoptable kitties.

Engage in laser tag

Head over to the Shops at Atlas Park in Queens and check out Laser Bounce Family Fun Center. You can book individual laser tag sessions for around $30, or purchase a larger package. They also offer various games and activities for the entire family, and you’ll be safely distanced from Manhattan’s partygoers.

Another athletic alternative: Area53 has branches in Dumbo and Williamsburg, with the Dumbo site featuring New Year’s Eve laser tag for about $40 per individual. There are additional activities you can opt for, such as the Adventure Park ropes course or paintball in Williamsburg, which also costs $40 per individual for a NYE session.