Get Out: Write, Hike, Dance Into New Year

Surely you've heard the old adage that the way you enter the new year is the state in which you'll spend the new year. Assuming you want your 2012 leisure time to be spent engaging in rich, educational, entertaining experiences, what better time than the first weekend of the new year to get out of the house? A wide range of activities follow. Pick your fancy and enjoy. Happy New Year, and ring in the year safely.

Writer's Group Meeting
When/Where: Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Children's Storytime Room of the , 90 Horseneck Road, Montville.
Why Go: You have a book chapter or short story you'd like to submit for review.
Cost: Free

When/Where: Thursday at 8:30 p.m. at , 2 Changebridge Road, Montville.
Why Go: Social dancing, drinks, food and good music.
Cost: $15

Zumba
When/Where: Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the 
Why Go: To start working off those holiday pounds and learn some latin moves.
Cost: $10 to just drop in; $7 per class with a package

"Hike Out the Old Year"
When/Where: Saturday at 1 p.m. at 
Why Go: So you can shake off 2011 and sweat into 2012.
Cost: Free

Where/When: Saturday, time varies, at the , 199 Smith Road, Parsippany
Why Go: To celebrate the New Year with friends, family or that special someone at the elegant Sheraton. 
Cost: starts at $199


Where/When: Saturday at 7 p.m. at the , 1 Hilton Court, Parsippany
Why Go:  To enjoy an ijazzglobal.com all-star jazz show featuring Jeff Golub, Alex Bugnon, Cindy Bradley and Art Sherrod Jr., and luxuriate in an overnight stay at the Hilton
Cost: $350/single, $500/couple


Where/When: Saturday at 7 p.m. at the , 1735 Route 46, Parsippany
Why Go: To rock in the new year at the righteous Blackthorn to the energetic pop covers of Sick Star Nation
Cost: No cover; drink specials start at $3

When/Where: Saturday, 7 p.m. to midnight, throughout Morristown
Why Go: It's only the biggest "First Night" event in the state, bringing out thousands of revelers, featuring about 70 performances.
Cost: $25 for unlimited access; $90 for a 4-pack


When/Where: Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m. at Pamir, Morristown
Why Go: You would like a bit of the exotic, with live belly dancing paired with your Middle Eastern cuisine.
Cost: $5, in addition to ordering food

Murder Mystery Dinner
What/When: Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Maggiano's Little Italy in Bridgewater
Why Go: To celebrate the end of 2011 in style with a little food, a little drink, a little murder—what's better than solving a mystery at the end of the year?
Cost: $125 per person

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast
What/When: Sunday at 8 a.m. at the Raritan Valley Masonic Lodge #46 in Somerville.
Why Go: Because there is not much better than all-you-can-eat pancakes on the first day of the new year.
Cost: $6 for adults, $4 for children under 12 and children 3 years and under eat free.