Greet 2011 in Philadelphia at the Most Popular New Year's Eve Events in Town

The City of Brotherly Love lights up on New Year's Eve, with Gala Parties, Dinner Cruises on the Delaware, an overnight family encampment on the Battleship New Jersey and "Countdown To Noon" at the Children's Museum.. Way past having the energy or capacity for partying or liquor that I used to, I personally will be at home on the sofa, struggling to stay awake until the ball drops. However, here are some Philadelphia New Year's Eve Events for those of you that still have hormones and have not yet been driven to a 12-step program.

1. New Year's Eve at Philadelphia's Glitter City Gala: The Annual Glitter City Gala at the National Constitution Center at 525 Arch Street is the hottest ticket in town on New Year's Eve in Philadelphia. Admission includes open bars, food stations, trolley rides to partner hotels and the after-party. The Soul Cruisers will perform all night, with a DJ in between band sets. Other amenities include free coat check, midnight Champagne toast, party favors and a view of the midnight Penn's Landing fireworks from 30-foot high windows, or the front of the building. Videographers and professional photographers will be on hand to record your evening. General Admission Ticket, $135, VIP tickets are $180, VIP Table Service, $199. This event has sold out every year (Early Bird tickets are already sold out), so check out this website for tickets and extensive details about the Gala.

2. New Year's Eve on Philadelphia's "Spirit of Philadelphia": The Spirit of Philadelphia welcomes 2011 with two New Year's Eve Fireworks Dinner Cruises on the Delaware River. At 4:00 p.m., a family-oriented cruise boards, and includes a Grande Buffet, soda and juice Bar, DJ and party favors. Adults, $67.90 Children age 3-12, $39.90. At 8:30 p.m., the dining and dancing cruise boards, including open bar, DJ, entertaining servers. party favors and midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $149.90 per person. Call 866-455-3866 or book your cruise on-line here. Both cruises provide front row seats to the 6:00 p.m./midnight fireworks at Penn's Landing.

3. New Years Eve Family Overnight Encampment on the Battleship New Jersey: Berthed just across the river from Philadelphia's Penn's Landing, the annual New Year's Eve Family Overnight Encampment provides dinner and a chowline breakfast, a battleship tour, 4D flight simulator rides and bedtime in the crew bunks. Geared toward families with children aged 6 to 17. Enjoy a non-alcoholic toast to 2011 at midnight and a front row seat to the 6 p.m. and midnight fireworks at Penn's Landing. Tickets are $60.95 per person. If you prefer not to spend the night, an $8 donation will gain you access to the ship's historic decks for the 6:00 p.m. and Midnight Fireworks show, access to food and bar concessions and music. To reserve your berth or for tickets to the deck, call 1-866-877-6262, ext. 107.

4. New Years Eve at the Please Touch Museum -- Countdown to Noon: Wear your kid out so they'll sleep for the baby sitter by taking them to The Please Touch Museum on New Year's Eve day, which offers a child-friendly New Year's Eve countdown, from 9 a.m. until 3 pm. New Year's will strike at noon and at 1 pm in the Atrium, where a ball will drop, cannons will be fired, confetti will fall and a Mummers string band will perform. Day long activities include crafts and a play. The Enchanted Colonial Village, a beloved classic Philadelphia attraction, will be on display at the Museum until January 2nd. Visit this site for the history of the Village, which was originally displayed at Lit Brother's Department Store when I was a child. The Please Touch Museum is located in Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131. Call (215) 581-3181 for more information, or visit their website here.

Here's wishing everyone a happy and safe New Years Eve!

Sources: PhiladelphiaNewYears.com; Battleship New Jersey; PhillyFunGuide Countdown to Noon; PhillyFunGuide - Enchanted Village