New Year's easy

Illustration by Acmeillustrators

Low-Key

For a serene start to the year, you can catch the Liberty Island and New Jersey fireworks, and hear the ships blast their horns to welcome 2008, at Rockefeller Park in Battery Park City. Bundle up, bring snacks and flasks, and pat yourself on the back for dodging the heaving crowds at nearby Battery Park. Hudson River, near Murray St and Park Pl West (bpcparks.org)

Beneath the Triborough Bridge in Queens, Astoria Park promises shoreline views of the fireworks above Central Park and Brooklyn—and lots more breathing room than at other waterfront spots. When you’re done, stroll over to Astoria’s “Little Egypt” to warm up with a hookah at El Khayam Café (25-72 Steinway St, Astoria, Queens; 718-267-0400), open all night New Year’s Eve and every night.

Perched atop the Beaux Arts architecture of La Quinta Inn, MéBar affords some of the city’s best views of the red, white and green lights of the Empire State Building. Okay, so you won’t see any enormous crystal balls dropping, and you’ll only glimpse the fireworks from this 14th-floor rooftop spot, but look on the bright side: You won’t be sandwiched between a family from Iowa and a throng of backpackers from Ireland, one of whom looks as though he’s about to vomit into his plastic party hat. 17 W 32nd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, 14th floor (212-290-2460)

The hordes of people drawn to the city on New Year’s make you want to escape to a deserted island. The closest you can come on a budget is the 800-foot-wide Roosevelt Island in the East River. A four-minute ride from 59th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan, the Roosevelt Island Tramway is just $2 each way (rioc.com). No cars are allowed on the island, but the Historic Walk will provide you with nifty views of the Manhattan fireworks. P.S. The local liquor store Grog Shop (605 Main St, 212-838-5822) closes at 8pm, so if you’re coming at night, BYOB.

Should you find yourself staring down at your weekly MetroCard as you curse your meager bank balance, stumble into cheery St. Bartholomew’s Church. You don’t have to be religious to feel uplifted by its free Concert to Usher in the New Year. Arrive around 10:30pm to secure a seat in the center section, where the acoustics are, well, they’re just awesome. At midnight the orchestra performs Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. You’ll feel better, trust us. Park Ave at 51st St (212-378-0222, stbarts.org). 11pm.

Escape the noisemakers to savor the final moments of 2007 at Jivamukti Yoga Center’s free silent meditation. There’s no talking from 9pm until midnight; and then the silence is broken with chai tea, chanting and music from the band Lokah, which melds Sanskrit mantras and pulsing backbeats. 841 Broadway between 13thand 14th Sts, second floor (212-353-0214)

The Chinese New Year doesn’t start for another month, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate December 31 with Asian flair. Adventure on a Shoestring offers $10 walking tours of Chinatown throughout the day and into the night. You’ll make stops at bakeries, herbal shops, Buddhist temples and architectural icons like the landmark Edward Mooney House (NYC’s oldest row house, built in 1785). Fork over an extra $10, and you get a complete dinner, tax and tip included. Call 212-265-2663 for reservations and more information. Tours at noon, 2, 4 and 6pm, but take the 8pm for nighttime fun.

If you want to get away from the fireworks, the party favors and the complete lack of cabs when you need one, just slink off to a log cabin in the country. To find a secluded spot with a real fireplace, hot tub and maybe a great view of the stars far from the city glare, search Vacation Rentals by Owner (vrbo.com) for holiday homes that can be rented at the last minute. We found a cabin in the Catskills with a fireplace, sleeping six people, for $900 for the three nights around New Year’s. Factor in the booze, supplies and car rental, and you can all have a three-day getaway for less than the cost of dinner for two at Masa. (And hey, check for places in Bridgeport, Poughkeepsie and Cold Spring, to which Metro-North provides easy access and where car rentals are way cheaper.)

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