2024 is quickly approaching, which means many are trying to find the best way to celebrate the new year. Whether you love to go to a big party or prefer a nice dinner, NYE presents endless options, and where you are for the holiday can determine your plans. While many people probably think of the iconic ball drop in New York City when it comes to New Year’s Eve, there are many other fun places to celebrate the holiday that might surprise you.
According to an in-depth study conducted by WalletHub, San Francisco ranked #11 in the best places to spend New Year’s Eve.
The personal finance website used 26 different indicators and analyzed the 100 largest U.S. cities to create the ranking. WalletHub analyzed three key categories: entertainment and food, cost, and safety and accessibility.
Among specific metrics considered were the legality of fireworks, nightlife options per capita, food affordability, and even the forecast for New Year’s Eve.
Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 being the “most favorable.” San Francisco scored 62.72 at #11. The top city was Orlando, Florida, with a score of 71.88. San Diego came in second at 69.70, and New York City was third with a score of 68.10.
San Francisco scored very well in food and entertainment at #9 but was #98 in costs, which really isn’t much of a surprise for people familiar with San Francisco. SF was tied at #1 for nightlife spots per capita and restaurants per capita.
The top 10 cities for New Year’s Eve according to the the study:
- Orlando, Florida
- San Diego. California
- New York, New York
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Miami, Florida
- Los Angeles, California
- Chicago, Illinois
- Denver, Colorado
- Washington D.C.
You can read the full report by WalletHub here.
By Grant MacHamer and Dana Flynn