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- There Are Even More Peaceful Places To Spend New Year's Eve This Year!
Summary
- Aspen, La Jolla, Atacama Desert, and more offer peaceful New Year's Eve celebrations away from the party crowds.
- Experience luxury in Aspen and explore the stunning coastline of La Jolla for a quiet start to the new year.
- From the beautiful Rovaniemi in Finland to Glacier National Park in Montana, there are serene destinations worldwide to ring in the new year.
While many ambitious travelers head to major cities for the party-centric holiday that is New Year's Eve, some prefer a quieter life, kicking off the New Year in a slightly more serene way. For travelers identifying with the latter, there are some relaxed places for those who don't want to party on New Year's Eve. Some people love a loud, wild night to ring in the new year, while others can't think of anything worse. There are endless destinations with quieter conditions for a New Year's Eve weekend, so don't fret. Instead, consider one of these destinations for a New Year's Eve celebration in peace and quiet.
UPDATE: 2023/11/25 16:01 EST BY NOAH STAATS
There Are Even More Peaceful Places To Spend New Year's Eve This Year!
Relaxing and unwinding to begin the new year sounds like heaven to us. This article has been modified to include additional locations where NYE isn't a major deal, and there won't be too much noise in the process. Have fun, and let's keep it at a whisper!
12 Aspen, Colorado
Aspen Snowmass from Aspen, CO, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
One idea for a quiet and relaxing New Year's Eve celebration this year is heading to beautiful Aspen, Colorado. Known for its world-class slopes and five-star luxury properties, Aspen has always been a place of refuge for the rich and famous around the holidays. With that said Aspen remains relatively calm throughout December and January, with many people coming here to skip the big city or parties associated with them. Some hotels may have New Year's Eve bashes, although they won't be anything like Denver. Aspen is expensive, especially during ski season, so that is one thing to be wary of. Hotels easily exceed $1,000 per night, and meals won't be cheap for larger groups.
- Known for: Aspen is known to be high-end, boasting luxury properties and experiences. The skiing is also some of the best in the world.
11 La Jolla, California
One of the more peaceful areas to spend New Year's in the San Diego Bay area is La Jolla. Known for its stunning coastline, shark sightings, walking trails, and hotels and restaurants, La Jolla is a premier stretch of perfection along the California coast. Many own their second or third home here, making it rather quiet around the holidays. There are also hotels and rentals along the water, within walking distance from shopping and downtown. This seaside village has inspired endless artists and hosts a few galleries and museums worth exploring. It won't be a loud, obnoxious New Year if you're booked at a property in La Jolla, California.
A few things to do include La Jolla Shores Park, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Mount Soledad Memorial Park, Scripps, Ellen Browning Park, La Jolla Cove, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and the Torrey Pines Golf Course.
- Known for: La Jolla is one of the wealthier zip codes in San Diego, bringing quieter, older people to its hotels, restaurants, and streets.
10 Atacama Desert, Chile
Skip the bright lights of Santiago and head north to Chile's unreal Atacama Desert. Known to be the driest place on Earth, the Atacama Desert provides stunning scenery unlike anywhere else in the world due to its unique climate. For those who want a quiet, nature-filled New Year, sleep under the starry skies of South America in this otherworldly Chilean destination.
- Known for: The Atacama Desert is warm year-round, dry through winter, and is great for those wanting to stargaze in Chile.
9 Oneida Lake, New York
While many folks either avoid Upstate New York completely in the winter or head to the mountainous regions of the Adirondacks or the Catskills, Oneida Lake in central New York gives "the middle of nowhere" a whole new meaning.
There's not a whole lot going on in this part of the state, which truly adds to its beautifully serene surroundings. Surrounded by snow-capped trees over a picturesque frozen lake, Oneida Lake is the absolute perfect spot to spend New Year's Eve for travelers looking for the sweet sound of silence.
For those who might want an option to grab dinner or a drink or two, head over to Sylvan Beach, where there are plenty of eateries and bars to choose from before returning to a locally rented Airbnb or Vrbo.
- Known for: Remoteness, its lake amenities, great vacation rentals, and peaceful culture.
8 Sedona, Arizona
For those who want to have a quiet New Year in the US but don't want to deal with the freezing weather of Upstate New York, Arizona's Sedona is one of the best options out there. Go glamping under the stars as the clock strikes midnight, or bring a pup and stay in the dog-friendly Sky Ranch Lodge, located right next to the scenic Sedona airport. Sedona is a perfect spot for those who are culturally curious and looking for scenic surroundings.
- Known for: Sedona is known for its art, culture, Native American influence, resorts, and food.
7 La Fortuna, Costa Rica
For travelers who want to soak in hot springs on the last day of 2022 before ringing in the New Year at midnight in the middle of the rainforest, La Fortuna in Costa Rica is the obvious choice.
With a daily average temperature of 87 degrees Fahrenheit, sun-seekers would be remiss to overlook this Central American destination for a nature-filled New Year.
La Fortuna provides plenty of reasons to visit, but for New Year's, it's generally not a late town, so don't worry about being kept up late by drunken party-goers. Simply sit outside and listen to the sounds of the Costa Rican wildlife as the clock strikes midnight, ringing in 2023 with the fauna and flora of one of the most bio-diverse nations in the world.
- Known for: La Fortuna is known for its tropical climate, quiet people, hiking and biking, and flora and fauna.
6 Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland
European cities typically go hand-in-hand with rowdy partiers. Though this isn't to say the Swiss don't know how to party, Geneva is a great option with plenty to do for those who want a modern city destination without a young, drunk crowd. Geneva is typically a bit more sophisticated than some nearby neighbors like Paris, London, and Berlin, making it less likely that tourists will be suckered into a late-night party.
While plenty of bars and clubs exist, they are more easily avoided with some higher-end options, like staying at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva.
- Known for: Geneva is known for fancy hotels and restaurants, quiet people, and world-class service.
5 Rovaniemi, Finland
For those who aren't ready to let Christmas go just because December 25th has passed, that Kris-Kringle spirit lives on year-round in Finland's Rovaniemi. This northern Finnish city is a whimsical winter wonderland, and is best known as Santa Claus's hometown, so why not combine a Christmas and a New Year's getaway in one big trip?
Meet Santa, visit his workshop, go to a reindeer farm, go dog-sledding, eat traditional Finnish food, and even try to chase some Northern Lights. Rovaniemi gets crowds away from the city rush of Helsinki and offers a totally unique experience unlike anywhere else in the world.
- Known for: Rovaniemi is a winter getaway for many, boasting sledding, skiing, resorts, snow, and plenty of food and entertainment to keep people busy.
4 Samoa
What a year it's been. For travelers who want to escape from it all and likely have minimal to no cell service, head to the South Pacific island nation of Samoa. Samoa is a tropical oasis in the middle of nowhere (go ahead; try finding it on a map right now!). Surrounded by lush, tropical surroundings, there's something a little romantic and mysterious about ringing in the new year in a place that most people haven't traveled to before.
Keep in mind, there's American Samoa, and there's Samoa. This list refers to the latter.
Keep in mind how far Samoa is; for those who dare to trek the long journey, know that the arrival time in Samoa is likely going to be at least three days from the departure date due to several layovers and the time difference.
- Known for: Samoa is known for its friendly people, rich culture, food, and water.
3 Wanaka, New Zealand
Arguably on an even further end of the earth than Samoa is New Zealand. New Zealand's landscape makes it one of the best places on planet Earth to explore by car. With more sheep than people, drive through the mountainous Wanaka, home to Roy's Peak, plenty of lavender fields, and of course, tons of New Zealand wineries.
Roy's Peak is a great escape for those looking for a serene New Year. Sleep in a camper van, wake up, and make a fresh brew of coffee from the van's built-in kitchen (most rentals come with this), and shout Happy New Year to the open New Zealand skies.
- Known for: Wineries, lavender fields, natural scenery, peace and quiet, and resorts.
2 Glacier National Park, Montana
Bundle up, and start searching for flights to FCA, Glacier National Park's closest airport. Glacier National Park is exactly as it sounds: a park that is filled with glaciers, waterfalls, and water so blue, thanks to glacial remnants, that it will turn even the biggest city-obsessed citizens into nature lovers in no time.
Glacier National Park is great for camping or staying overnight, especially with how large it is. It takes ample time to properly explore one of the USA's most beautiful national parks, so plan accordingly. For a New Year's Eve celebration, there really are fewer places to do it more serenely and soundly than this stunning park.
- Known for: Glacier National Park is perfect for camping, "glamping," hiking, and enjoying peace and quiet while in Montana.
1 Moshi, Tanzania
Tanzania is a fun and unique destination, from Mount Kilimanjaro to the pristine beaches of Zanzibar, to the wildlife in the Serengeti. For those looking for some peace and quiet, Moshi is a great spot to head to for a serene New Year's Eve.
What's nice about being situated in Moshi is travelers will be close to Kilimanjaro if they decide to tackle the epic hike. They'll even be close to the Kenyan border if they cross into a new country. What better way to start the new year than by ticking off a new country right off the bat?
- Known for: Tanzania is known for its remote, quiet location, plus beautiful water and natural scenery.