Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is a tradition many families have to start their holiday. Most people watch the madness from the warm comfort of their own homes, but it can be really exciting to actually experience it in person. Since its start in 1924, the parade now attracts over three million people in attendance each year.
As you can imagine with these kinds of numbers, the crowds and the traffic can get pretty intense. The parade route traverses over two miles, starting from 77th St. and Central Park West and concluding in front of Macy’s Heralds Square, so there are plenty of locations to choose from to watch the procession go by. My biggest tip would be get up very early in order to claim a spot close enough to street so you can actually see the parade go by. I would suggest being in your spot by 6am, dressing in plenty of layers. I would suggest watching the parade by Central Park West, which is very near to the start of the parade. Public viewing areas begin on 72nd street, so I would grab a thermos of hot coffee and head there first to find a spot. A lot of people will bring foldable chairs or milk crates to sit on, since you’ll be out there for about 5 hours. The best part of watching near the start of the march is that it’s over by 10:30, so you can go back to your hotel and warm up.
An important note to keep in mind when picking your spot is its proximity to coffee shops or restaurants to allow you to use the bathroom, or even just warm up for a bit. Most shops will enforce a “bathrooms are for patrons only” rule, so be sure to buy something before you attempt to use the restroom.
If your budget is pretty substantial, then I’d recommend spending your money on a hotel along the parade route. This will be the most luxurious and comfortable way to view the parade, but will definitely cost you a big chunk of change. The hotels will allow you to pick a room with a full view, partial view, or even a deluxe “parade viewing” event hosted at a common space at the hotel. The cost for one of these rooms will be upwards of $1000 per night, so if you can make sure to book plenty of time in advance in order to get the best deal.
A fun thing to do while you’re in New York City for the parade is watch the balloons get inflated the night before. It is free and open to the public, located outside the American Museum of Natural History. The public entrance is on West 79th St and Columbus Circle. It lasts from 3pm-8pm, and is a really cool way to see the balloons up close. Like the parade, this activity can also get really crowded. If you want to get a good spot, I’d suggest getting there around 1pm, but keep in mind most of the balloons won’t be filled until around 5pm.
Visiting New York City for the Thanksgiving Day parade is such a fun, unique American tradition, and I hope these tips will allow you to have a stress-free, knowledgeable experience!
The Road Most (Knowledgeably) Traveled 
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