PENNSYLVANIA — As fireworks and countdowns dominate the final hours of the year, a new nationwide survey suggests many Pennsylvanians would choose something far more personal if faced with a once-in-a-lifetime New Year’s Eve.
A poll of 3,026 respondents conducted by Choice Mutual, a life insurance agency specializing in final expense coverage, asked participants where they would spend their last ever New Year’s Eve. In Pennsylvania, the top choices favored warmth, reflection, and familiar landscapes over packed city streets.
The leading destination was the Hershey Kiss Raise in Hershey, a family-friendly celebration that replaces the traditional ball drop with an illuminated Hershey’s Kiss rising above ChocolateTown. Respondents described the appeal as nostalgic and joyful, marked by music, fireworks, and a communal countdown in what is widely marketed as “The Sweetest Place on Earth.”
Second on the list was Point State Park at dusk in Pittsburgh, where the city’s three rivers converge. Survey participants favored the quieter winter setting, with views of illuminated bridges and the downtown skyline reflected on calm water, offering what many saw as a peaceful and grounding way to mark a final moment.
The Brandywine Valley countryside ranked third among Pennsylvanians, reflecting a preference for solitude and nature. Respondents cited quiet fields, winter skies, and a reflective atmosphere removed from crowds and noise.
Nationally, the survey revealed a wide range of imagined final celebrations. Iconic events such as the Times Square ball drop in New York City and fireworks along the Las Vegas Strip ranked alongside deeply tranquil choices, including stargazing near Yellowstone’s winter lodges, watching the northern lights at Creamer’s Field in Fairbanks, Alaska, and standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon under a star-filled sky.
Tropical and entertainment-driven destinations also made the list, including Waikiki’s beachfront fireworks in Honolulu, Disneyland’s New Year’s Eve celebration in California, and rooftop countdowns overlooking Los Angeles.
Anthony Martin of Choice Mutual said the exercise was less about mortality and more about clarity. “Death is one of the most difficult subjects for people to talk about, yet when we gently lean into it, something interesting happens — we get clearer about what really matters to us,” Martin said. “Whether that meant fireworks in Times Square or a quiet moment under the stars, the answers revealed a simple truth: when faced with the end, people naturally gravitate toward whatever makes them feel most alive.”
Choice Mutual said the survey was intended to explore how people define meaning and connection when stripped of routine and expectation, revealing that, at least for many Pennsylvanians, a final farewell would be less about spectacle and more about comfort, place, and memory.
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