Need New Year’s Eve Plans? Spend the Evening Ice Skating By the Ocean (Plus 3 More Unique Options)

You’d think it’d be easy to have your New Year’s Eve plans solidified. After all, you’ve had all year to think about them, right? The truth is, after all the holiday hubbub, New Year’s Eve plans can easily fall by the wayside. There’s nothing wrong with staying in (again) and watching the Times Square celebration on TV in your jammies. But if you’re looking to ring in the new year with a little more excitement, it’s not too late. So, grab a glass of champagne, brush up on your vocal rendition of “Auld Lang Syne,” and check out these unforgettable and unique New Year’s Eve parties on the West Coast. 

A 1920s-Inspired Soirée at The Historic Davenport Hotel in Spokane, WA

Celebrate the upcoming new year by taking a step back in time. Enjoy a Gatsby-esque party fit for the Jazz Age at The Historic Davenport Hotel in Spokane, which originally opened in 1914 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. This architectural gem has been lovingly remodeled and restored to its glittering glory, and it is the home of the state’s finest and oldest ballroom, The Grand Pennington Ballroom. In that ballroom, an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration will take place, complete with champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and live music by the Grammy-nominated Sacha Boutros Quartet. Don’t forget to stop by the stain-glass-ceilinged Peacock Lounge for a pre-party tipple. Buy tickets for this event on their website. 

A New Year’s Eve River Yacht Cruise in Portland, OR

There’s something poetic about ringing in the new year on a boat: Water is reflective, just like we are at the end of an era. Water is fluid, just like the passage of time. And being on a boat is just really, really fun. The Portland Spirit New Year’s Eve Cruise isn’t just any old boat ride, either. The Portland Spirit is a 150-foot yacht that can carry up to 540 passengers. It has multiple full-service bars, a marble dance floor, baby grand pianos, and a dedicated staff cooking and serving fine cuisine. Aboard this craft, you’ll enjoy bubbly, hors d’oeuvres, and live music and dancing as you cruise down the Willamette River with the best possible views of Portland’s skyline. Don your most festive cocktail finery (plus a jacket — it will probably get chilly!) for this classy cruise and set sail on a night you won’t forget. Buy tickets for this event on their website. 

A Starry Desert Dinner at ADERO Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, AR

Are you more of a stay-on-dry-land gal? Head to the middle of the desert for a celebration! ADERO Scottsdale Resort is an oasis featuring world-class dining, golf, and spa services. One of its most unique features, however, is its unparalleled views of the Sonoran Desert sky, as it is located in a certified Dark Sky Community — an internationally recognized area dedicated to keeping light pollution at bay and maintaining the night sky’s natural beauty. One way you can soak in the celestial scene is by enjoying appetizers and Prosecco in a private globe — a transparent igloo with luxurious decor —  at one of the hotel’s restaurants, The Village at Skytop. Celebrate under the stars at ADERO’s New Year’s Eve Escape, which includes accommodations for two, fine dining, live entertainment — and of course, champagne. And what better place to drink it than underneath the night sky, counting shooting stars? You’ll feel like Dom Pérignon himself when he invented champagne, exclaiming, “I am drinking the stars!” Buy tickets and learn more about this event on their website. 

A Seaside Celebration at Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach, CA

Ice skating is so much fun in the winter. But you know what’s even better? Ice skating on New Year’s Eve. And even better than that? Ice skating on New Year’s Eve…by the ocean in sunny Southern California. Paséa Hotel & Spa, “where the sun meets the sea,” is a luxury oceanfront property featuring a top-of-the-line spa, premier dining, and stunning views. Paséa is also incredibly pet-friendly, even offering a full menu just for dogs at their restaurant. Hit the resort’s seasonal seaside ice skating rink for a few laps around the ice, then kick back at a rinkside fire pit with holiday-themed drinks, bites, and delights. Later, you can celebrate 2023 at their New Year’s Eve Party, where you will enjoy live music, hors d’oeuvres, and champagne at the resort’s Treehouse Lounge. This Treehouse Lounge has a massive rattan-decked tree at its center, along with cabanas, swinging chairs, and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Still hungry after all that celebration? Go to the onsite restaurant Tanner’s for a late-night buffet. You won’t want to miss out on this one. Buy tickets for this event on their website. 

Any of these parties pique your interest? If you can’t make it to any of them this year, start planning for next year. And no matter what you ending up doing, make sure you’re doing it with those you love. Stay warm, hydrated, and joyful this holiday, and have a happy new year!