Top Destinations for New Year's Eve in Texas

You don't have to travel far to find fun and exciting ways to celebrate the New Year in Texas. Whether you're looking for a crowd-packed party scene, a gourmet dinner with your sweetheart, or a family-friendly celebration, Texas' towns and cities have a lot to offer this time of year. These are a few of the best ways to celebrate New Year's Eve and ring in 2015 in Texas.

New Year's Eve in San Antonio

To be part of all the action in San Antonio, head to HemisFair Park and the River Walk to join in the Celebrate San Antonio party. Some popular party venues in the city include Club Rio, Celebs Star Bar, Maroc Bar, Backstage Live, Gruene Hall, and Cheatham Street Warehouse. There are lots of restaurants and bars to stop in as you stroll the River Walk and catch a fireworks display to ring in the first minutes of 2015.

Things to do in Dallas for New Years

The city of Dallas is another great place to spend New Year's Eve in Texas. Here you can enjoy elegant white tablecloth dinners and dance the night away with all your closest friends. Last year, some of the most popular New Year's Eve venues were the Victory Music Stage, Blue Martini, Hotel Intercontinental, and the historic Forth Worth Stockyards. If you're spending the holiday with your kids in tow, consider driving through Prairie Lights to see the display or catching a hockey game.

New Year's Eve in Austin

Austin has a wonderful New Year's festival and fireworks show to attend at midnight. A couple of the popular restaurants to celebrate at are Roaring Fork and Chez Nouz, but definitely make a reservation in advance wherever you decide to dine. The city hosts a free family-friendly event on Auditorium Shores that celebrates the city's rich artistic culture. One of the biggest events takes place at the Republic Live venue, where live performers take the stage and get the crowd pumped up for a massive balloon and confetti drop.

New Year's Safety Tips

It should come as no surprise that New Year's Eve is one of the most dangerous times to be out on the roads. If possible, arrange to take public transportation, grab a cab, or stay overnight at your New Year's party destination. But if you must drive, follow these New Year's Safety Tips to stay safe this year:

Name a designated driver before attending a New Year's party
Drink festive non-alcoholic beverages if you are the designated driver
Take the keys away from someone if they are too impaired to drive home
Be extra alert and aware of your surroundings behind the wheel
Check winter weather reports and make sure you have an emergency kit in your car
Make sure every passenger in your car is wearing a seatbelt
Make a New Year's resolution to be safe and responsible in 2015!