New York's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Planning a visit to the Macy's-sponsored Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City? Grab extra blankets, a thermos of hot chocolate, and this list of the best viewing spots.
It's time for turkeys, football and the Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! This NYC tradition was begun in 1924 by Macy's first-generation immigrant staff which wanted to combine a celebration of this all-American holiday with some of their European traditions. Costumed employees marched along with animals on loan from the Central Park Zoo from 145th Street to 34th Street as the crowds cheered.
In all these years, the atmosphere has stayed pretty much the same. That's why being out on the street early, bundled up against the sometimes very cold and rainy holiday, is so traditional. Here are some tips for enjoying it together. And if you decide your family would prefer to march in it and you're willing to plan very far ahead, visit the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade website for information on joining the waiting list.
- The parade starts at Central Park West and 77th Street at 9am and proceeds to Macy's Department store at 34th Street and 6th Avenue by noon, via Central Park West, Columbus Circle and Broadway.
- Plan to arrive as early as 6:30am if you want to get a spot at the curb (where you may set up your own chairs or spread out a blanket) as there is no seating available for the general public. Bleachers seen along the parade route are VIP only!
- The best viewing spots are Central Park West from 61st to 72nd Streets, or along Broadway from 57th to 49th Streets. It is not recommended to gather south of 36th Street, a very hectic area. Don't forget your outerwear, some snacks, a thermos of hot chocolate and a camera.
- If your family wants to spend the night before the parade in town, there's plenty to do on Thanksgiving Eve. Wednesday between 3 to 10pm, bundle up and head to the area around the American Museum of Natural History, on 77th or 81st streets between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. You can watch as Garfield, Snoopy, and friends come to helium-filled life. This is almost more fun for older kids, who will enjoy seeing the inflation diagrams posted at each balloon station. Little children may be frustrated by the crowds and the difficulty of getting a stroller down the crowded sidewalks; they also may be uncertain that the creature they're looking at lying down in the street is actually the cartoon character they've come to admire. However, the later you go, the more of these colorful creatures will be inflated. And there are several cafes on Columbus Avenue (we love Columbus Bakery at 82nd Street and Columbus Avenue) for hot chocolate after your viewing.
- Some rooms at the Accor Novotel Hotel
, Crowne Plaza Manhattan, Doubletree Guest Suites, Millennium Broadway, Mayflower, Renaissance New York, Sheraton Manhattan, W New York Hotel Times Square and the Best Western Woodward offer views of the event - be sure to have a very influential travel agent request a route-view room below the 12th floor as early as possible. See www.nycvisit.com for other lodging options.
