Top 25 Cities for Ringing in 2017 Without Ruining Your Budget

You need not shell out for a plane ticket to New York City or a hotel room in Manhattan to enjoy New Year’s Eve celebrations.

While partying as you watch the Times Square ball drop in person is perhaps the ultimate way to ring in the new hear, it’s also among the most expensive.

So WalletHub analyzed the 100 largest U.S. cities based on what the financial data site describes as “20 key indicators of an epic New Year’s Eve.” They include whether fireworks are legal, the chance of rain or snow on Dec. 31, and the average price of a New Year’s Eve party ticket, for example.

The financial data site concludes:

“The last thing you want to do in the final hours of 2016 is ruin your finances over one night of entertainment. Don’t get us wrong, though. We don’t recommend staying home with the cats and pouring yourself a glass of sparkling grape juice just to save a few bucks. In fact, you have plenty of fun yet affordable options for celebrating #NYE2017.”

As it turns out, the top-ranked cities in WalletHub’s analysis are spread out across the country. So you might not need a plane ticket, as at least one of the cities likely is within driving distance of where you are.

The top 25 cities are:

1. Orlando, Florida
2. San Francisco
3. Atlanta
4. Denver
5. Buffalo, New York
6. Cincinnati
7. Miami
8. St. Louis
9. Pittsburgh
10. Las Vegas
11. Washington, D.C.
12. Minneapolis
13. Tampa, Florida
14. New Orleans
15. Seattle
16. Scottsdale, Arizona
17. San Diego
18. Sacramento, California
19. Boston
20. Honolulu
21. Birmingham, Alabama
22. Omaha, Nebraska
23. Virginia Beach, Virginia
24. Madison, Wisconsin
25. Lincoln, Nebraska

If you plan to host a celebration — or otherwise stay home — rather than travel this year, check out:

• “Hate the New Year’s Madness? This Year, Celebrate at Home“
• “10 Tasty Alcohol-Free Drinks That Adults Will Love“

Do you plan to travel for New Year’s Eve? Let us know where by commenting below or over on our Facebook page.