You can live in Northeast Queens and travel less than 45 minutes to attend this year's  New Year's Eve ball drop.  Take the Long Island Rail Road from Bayside and arrive at Penn Station in under 30 minutes.  Another 10 to 15 minute walk to the best seats for this annual end-of-year show.  Actually, you will be standing for about 6 to 10 hours if you want to be closest to the action.  The best places are located along Broadway from 43rd Street to 50th Street and along Seventh Avenue, as far north as 59th Street.

From these locations you will have a clear view at 6 p.m. when the ball is raised to the top of the flagpole at One Times Square (Broadway at 43rd Street).

If you plan to be there, the rules are still the same.  No backpacks or alcoholic beverages (including Champagne) are allowed.  Think very carefully about drinking even soft drinks since there are no public restrooms closeby.  A few restaurants may allow you to go in an emergency but there are no guarantees.  Furthermore, if you leave your position for a bathroom break, you risk losing your space and end up being sent further uptown.

For latecomers, four big screens will be set up on Broadway: at 50th Street, 52nd Street, 54th Street, and 58th Street.