Request for ideas on NYE

[msiebler.livejournal.com]

Hi:

I have some guests in for the weekend who are looking for ideas for NYE. Since I don't get out much I thought I might ask for suggestions. The general parameters are as follows:
 - to avoid the crowds they prefer to stay in Cambriville
 - they would prefer to pop around rather than commit $50 for a single establishment
 - are there any other places to watch the fireworks besides the river? Prospect Hill maybe?
 - are there other outdoor events in Harvard Square or Union Square or other places?
 - any good restaurants that are not totally booked?
 - bars that might not have a cover?

I know I am asking for the impossible but this is a last minute trip; so I am looking for ideas; thanks

Comments

[ron_newman]

The 6:45 pm fireworks are on Boston Common, so probably visible from both Prospect Hill and the Charles River.

But the midnight fireworks are over Boston Harbor, so I'm not sure you can see those from Cambridge and Somerville at all.

From Somerville Patch: 15 places to celebrate New Years in Somerville. These are all restaurants and bars.

Somerville has no outdoor events on New Years Eve, but why not take them to Prospect Hill the next day?

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

How about spending the afternoon/early evening wandering around Boston where many of the First Night events will be happening, watching the (likely) ice sculpting, ice skaters on Frog Pond, marvelling at all the tents/setup/etc. Then have an early dinner (plan to finish by 7 or 8 pm) and head home. Safely ensconced in a warm home, drink egg nog/spiced cider/your own favorite poison and have a small "just you people" party, and giggle at how smart you all were to not be freezing with all those crazies on TV who are outside in Boston at 10 pm -2 am or later. Play board games, eat cheese and crackers, and pop a bottle of champagne at midnight.

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

i will totally second this, especially based on the OP's "stay in camberville and avoid the crowds" idea which is frankly, not going to happen. i've partied in camberville for the past few years at least and every place i'd go has a cover and is doing a NYE thing. if *those* places are crazy crowded, i imagine any place without a NYE cover would be even more so.

[siderea]

any good restaurants that are not totally booked?

Yes, there are tons of places with seating still available (I assumed a party of 4 when I checked) via OpenTable.com.

[ron_newman]

Here's PostSomerville's list, though I think it's a subset of Patch's list.