There are certain days of the year that see a whole slew of "closed" signs in the proverbial windows of some of our biggest attractions and museums.
Destinations often shutter on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but there's a big asterisk on the first day of the year in terms of what stays open, at least for a few hours.
At least around here. The Tournament of Roses keeps life lively on January 1, year in and out, so a person looking to do something outside of the house -- after the parade and before the big game, of course -- can usually find a diversion or two.
Need a spot that's welcoming visitors on New Year's Day? Hours may vary, but check out...
Descanso Gardens: The La Cañada Flintridge wilderness wonderland recently wrapped a busy fall with The Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns, and winter shall bustle with camellia-seeking flower fans. But get there on New Year's Day afternoon for a bit of peaceful nature time, a few deep breaths, and some thoughts about the new year under those rather towering and magnificent Coast live oaks.
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanical Garden: Flowering coral trees and those iconic peacocks are two hallmarks of this Arcadia-based favorite, a fine place to focus on all of those goals and resolutions you've been planning on pondering when you get a moment. Here's your moment, at one of SoCal's most oxygen-nice stretches.
The Original Farmers Market: Want to see a small sea of sweatshirts and tees supporting the teams of the Rose Bowl? Seminoles and Ducks'll be at the Third & Fairfax landmark donuting it up -- or crepeing it up or nachoing it up -- on New Year's Day. It's a packed scene, and festive, but thank, in part, the welcome sign that the market hangs in honor of both Rose Bowl teams.
The Scene
Want to find new things to do in Los Angeles? The Scene's lifestyle stories have you covered. Here's your go-to source on where the fun is across SoCal and for the weekend.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art: Exhibitions from German artist Thomas Demand and protoist sculptures from Christine Corday are some of the newer visual wonders to behold around the Miracle Mile museum, but kicking off 2015 in front of a longtime favorite painting might be the ticket to setting as stellar path into the next 12 months. Too deep? Get deep: It's art + a new year.
Holiday on Ice: Pershing Square's seasonal ice rink typically keeps New Year's Day hours, but there's a teeth-chattering twist this year, in the form of the Polar Bear Skate. From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 1, skaters in swimsuits and not much else'll strap on the blades. And another twist? It'll actually be pretty cold, a semi-unusual event for this time of year. Who's brave in the face of the brrrr?
