Best of Washington, D.C. (New Year’s Eve Edition)

While it may not be on par with Times Square, Washington, D.C. still manages to offer a variety of fun New Year’s Eve celebration options. From clubbing to a quiet night at home, everyone has their unique own idea of what the best way to welcome in the New Year is. And being a big city packed with culture, the District certainly caters to all of these unique demands for the holiday. So fight the urge to hop on the Amtrak up to New York for the weekend because you can have just as good of a time in D.C. and avoid the panic attack that the crowds in the Big Apple will inevitably trigger.

If you want to go all out this year, you’re in luck because the Newseum is hosting the New Year's Eve Headliner's Ball. This is an opportunity to dress up in your fanciest ball gown or tux and dance to the music from the band, Round Midnight. Tickets are pretty pricey at $180 per person, though they include an open bar from 8:00pm – 2:00am, access to all of the museum’s exhibits, and appetizers from Wolfgang Puck.

Ball gowns and tuxes may not be for everyone, so another option is to check out the comedy scene and spend the last day of 2011 laughing. D.C. Improv will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring comedian Ralph Harris from Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, HBO, and the movie, Dreamgirls. Tickets for the 8:00pm show run at $35/person and include a free ticket to a future show. Tickets for the 10:15pm Count Down Show will cost you $75/person and include appetizers, midnight champagne, party favors, and a free pass to a future show. And D.C. Improv is always a good time, whether you go on New Year’s or any other night.

One thing that New Year’s Eve events tend to have in common is that they’re all ridiculously overpriced. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, consider Town Tavern’s Midnight Masquerade Party. For only $40, you can get an evening buffet, open bar 8:00pm – 10:00pm plus two drink tickets after 10:00pm, champagne toast, party favors, and music from a live DJ. While Adams Morgan certainly isn’t for everyone, but this great deal and might be worth be worth the trip there. Make sure to show up in masquerade attire so you can participate in all the fun.

If you’d rather avoid the bar scene, then head over to Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company to see Chicago’s Second City perform the hilarious “Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies.” Tickets will cost you $110-$130 and include the performance, desserts from Jose Andres Catering, open bar, midnight champagne toast, and giveaways.

For those with kiddos, take them over to First Night Alexandria where you can enjoy face-painting, live performances, clowns, dancing, magic, games, fireworks and more. There’s even a scavenger hunt with prizes. First Night Alexandria takes place on King St. and the fireworks will be on the lawn of the Masonic Temple. The event runs 1:00pm – Midnight and tickets cost $20/person, though children under 12 are free.