New Years Eve 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

I always love spending New Years Eve in Fort Lauderdale as there are so many restaurants and clubs that offer great and fun packages to enjoy and ring in the new year. This year is no different and there are lots of places you can plan to spend the evening. Here's a few suggestions as well as something very different for those of you who can take the time off to enjoy a great cruise.

The cruise I'm talking about is done by Legendary Journeys aboard the MSC Orchestra. You can purchase tickets now for a five day New Years Eve package starting at $299. You begin by arriving in and sight-seeing around Fort Lauderdale where you'll spend the night in a first class hotel. Later that evening you will enjoy dinner, party favors and a champagne toast to start the year off right before spending a wonderful day relaxing on the beach or enjoying the sights. On day three you will board the MSC Orchestra which will take you Nassau/Paradise Island, Bahamas where you can spend the day shopping or taking in the culture before returning to Fort Lauderdale. To get more information visit legendaryjourneys to see more on their rates. You can be assured that this would be a New Years celebration that you will never forget.

There is a free option for New Year's Eve which I remember attending a couple times and is sure to please all for a great celebration. Plan to spend the evening at Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale at the Esplanade Park at SW 2nd Street which is located in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. This is by far one of the largest New Years Eve celebrations happening in Florida so you surely don't want to miss out, especially since it is free. This is someplace you can bring the kids for an early countdown beginning at 8pm. There will be lots of festival type activities for the kids to enjoy such as face painting and games. You can then kick off the night with a performance by Grindstone, a South Florida based rock band. There will be lots of other entertainment and the evening will peak with a fireworks display and ball drop at midnight. Since you are surrounded by lots of local bars and restaurants there are plenty of options for enjoying the evening and rounding it out at the park before midnight.

For something even a little more different, why not spend the evening with Gilbert Gottfried who will be performing at the Parker Playhouse. This would certainly be a zany twist on what could be a great night. An evening of brash and frequently filthy comedy could be a great way to start off the evening and with tickets available for only $39.50 it's could be an inexpensive night that you can follow up with a free evening at Riverwalk by midnight. Call the box office for more information at 954-462-0222.

It's still too early for most of the nightclubs to advertise for their New Year's specials, but be sure to check back to these websites to see what kind of parties they will be offering to ring in 2009. Some of the more upscale locations to check out would be Christopher's in the Intracoastal Waterway, Pure Platinum for a slightly sexier evening and the Voodoo Lounge for a variety show you'll never forget.