While many ambitious travelers head to the big cities for the party-centric holiday that is New Year’s Eve, some prefer the quieter life, kicking off the New Year a bit more serenely. For travelers who identify with the latter, there are indeed laid-back places for those who don’t want to party on New Year’s Eve. Consider one of these 10 destinations for a peaceful New Year’s Eve .
10/10 Atacama Desert, Chile
Avoid the bright lights of Santiago and head north to The unreal Atacama Desert in Chile. Known to be the driest place on planet Earth, the Atacama Desert offers stunning landscapes like nowhere else in the world due to its unique climate.
For those who want a quiet, nature-filled New Year’s Eve, sleep under the starry South American skies in this otherworldly Chilean destination.
9/10 Oneida Lake, New York
While many people avoid upstate New York altogether in the winter or head to the mountainous regions of the Adirondacks or Catskills, Lake Oneida in central New York is in the “middle of nowhere.” a whole new meaning.
Not much going on in this part of the state, which really adds to its beautifully serene surroundings. Surrounded by snow-capped trees above a scenic frozen lake, Oneida Lake is the perfect place to spend New Year’s Eve for travelers seeking the sweet sound of silence.
For those who would like to at least have dinner or a drink or two, head to Sylvan Beach where you’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars before returning to a locally rented Airbnb or Vrbo.
8/10 Sedona, AZ
For those who want to have a quiet New Year’s Eve in the United States, but don’t want to deal with freezing weather in upstate New York, Sedona, Arizona is one of the best options.
Go glamping under the stars as the clock strikes midnight, or bring a pup and stay in dog-friendly Sky Ranch Lodgelocated right next to the scenic Sedona Airport.
Sedona is a perfect place for those who are culturally curious and looking for a scenic setting.
7/10 La Fortuna, Costa Rica
For travelers who want soak in hot springs the last day of 2022 before ringing in the New Year at midnight in the middle of the rainforest, La Fortuna in Costa Rica is the obvious choice.
With an average daily temperature of 87 degrees Fahrenheit, sun-seekers would be remiss to overlook this Central American destination for a nature-filled New Year.
La Fortuna offers plenty of reasons to visit, but on New Years it’s usually not a late night town, so don’t worry about being kept up late by drunken revelers.
Just sit outside and listen to the sounds of Costa Rican wildlife as the clock strikes midnight, striking the year 2023 with the flora and fauna of one of the most bio-diverse nations in the world.
6/10 Geneva, Switzerland
European cities usually go hand in hand with rowdy partiers, and while that’s not to say the Swiss can’t party, Geneva is a great option with plenty to do for those who want a modern urban destination without a young, drunken crowd.
Geneva is generally a little more sophisticated than some close neighbors like Paris, London and Berlin, making it less likely that tourists will be drawn into a late-night party.
Although there are plenty of bars and clubs, they are more easily avoided with some higher end options, like staying at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva.
5/10 Rovaniemi, Finland
For those who aren’t ready to let Christmas go by just because December 25 has passed, that Kris-Kringle spirit lives on all year round in Rovaniemi, Finland. This northern Finnish town is a whimsical winter wonderland and is best known as the hometown of Santa Claus, so why not combine a Christmas and a New Year’s getaway in one big trip?
Meet Santa Claus, visit his workshop, go to a reindeer farm, go dog sledding, eat traditional Finnish food and even try chasing the Northern Lights. Rovaniemi takes the crowds away from the hustle and bustle of Helsinki city and offers a totally unique experience like nowhere else in the world.
4/10 Samoa
What a year it has been. For travelers who want to get away from it all and likely have little to no cell service, head to the South Pacific island nation of Samoa.
Samoa is a tropical oasis in the middle of nowhere (go ahead, try to find it on a map now!). Surrounded by lush tropical surroundings, there’s something a little romantic and mysterious about ringing in the new year in a place most people have never traveled to before.
Keep in mind, there is American Samoa and there is Samoa. This list refers to the latter.
Keep in mind how far Samoa is; for those who dare to take the long trip, please be aware that the arrival time in Samoa will likely be at least three days from the departure date due to multiple layovers and jet lag.
3/10 Wanaka, New Zealand
Arguably at an even further end of the earth than Samoa is New Zealand. The New Zealand landscape makes it ideal for one of the best places on planet earth to explore by car. With more sheep than people, travel through the Wanaka Mountains, home to Roy’s Peak, plenty of lavender fields and, of course, tons of New Zealand vineyards.
Roy’s Peak is a great escape for those looking for a serene New Year. Sleep in a campervan, wake up and brew a fresh brew of coffee in the van’s built-in kitchen (most rentals come with it), and shout Happy New Year to the open New Zealand skies.
2/10 Glacier National Park, Montana
Bundle up and start looking for flights to FCA, the closest airport to Glacier National Park. Glacier National Park is exactly what it sounds like: a park filled with glaciers, waterfalls, and water so blue thanks to glacial remnants that it will turn even the most city-obsessed citizens into nature lovers. in no time.
Glacier National Park is ideal for camping or spending the night, especially with its size. It takes a long time to properly explore one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States, so plan accordingly.
For a New Year’s Eve party, there really are fewer places to do it more serenely and healthier than this beautiful park.
1/10 Moshi, Tanzania
Tanzania is a fun and unique destinationof Mount Kilimanjaro to the virgin Zanzibar beachesto wildlife in the Serengeti. For those seeking peace and quiet, Moshi is a great place to spend a serene New Year’s Eve.
The nice thing about being located in Moshi is that travelers will be close to Kilimanjaro if they decide to tackle the epic trek, and they’ll even be close to the Kenyan border if they decide to cross into a new country.
What better way to start the new year than by checking off a new country right off the bat?
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