This Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Tips & Tricks Guide was written by Alejandro Beltran, a NYC local who works as a writer and photographer for New York Simply (an official NYC partner of Apple Maps) .
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual tradition that goes beyond New York. 28 million viewers watch it from their homes across America! Naturally, seeing the parade in person ends up on more than one bucket-list, and every year thousands pour onto the NYC streets to make it happen.
I was one of those thousands in 2023. After multiple years of living in New York City I was finally able to attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, and I walked away with a few tips! It can be a zoo, but I’ll answer your questions and quell your nerves in this article. Let’s dive in!
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Table of Contents: NYC Thanksgiving Parade Tips
Table of Contents: The Best Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Tips
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Tips & Tricks Guide
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Tips and Tricks
- Tip #1) Watch the Balloons Get Inflated the Day Before
- Tip #2) Bundle Up
- Tip #3) Order the Essentials
- Tip #4) Find a Spot Early
- Tip #5) It’s Better to Watch the Parade Where the Route Begins
- Tip #6) Book a Hotel Along the Parade Route
- Tip #7) Plan for Jam-Packed Subways
- Tip #8) Bring Coffee & Snacks from Home
- Tip #9) Avoid Drinking too Many Liquids
- Tip #10) If it Rains, It’s Not Worth It
- The Brief History of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC
- 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Guide (Post Summary)
- Thanksgiving Macy’s Day Parade Tips & Tricks (Map)
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Tips & Tricks Guide
When is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
As the name suggests, the Macy’s Day Parade in NYC takes place every year on Thanksgiving Day. In 2024 the parade falls on November 28th, beginning at 8:30AM in the Upper West Side. It lasts approximately three hours, ending at Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square around noon.
To have first pick of your plot of sidewalk you’ll want to arrive around 6AM, but you can still find a good view come 7AM. By 8:00 the sidewalks are pretty full, and by 9AM? God be with you. The most important tip I can offer is to arrive at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade early.
What is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Route?
The NYC Thanksgiving Parade route covers more than 40 blocks, running for 2.5 miles. Setting out near the American Museum of Natural History, the parade heads south along Central Park West. (Local’s tip: this is the best place to view the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade). At Columbus Circle (59th Street) it hooks a left, heading east until reaching Sixth Avenue.
From this point it heads south again, working its way down Manhattan until reaching Herald Square. At 34th Street it takes a turn west, running for less than half a block before reaching Macy’s flagship store. One of the best Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade tips is to avoid the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds on 6th Avenue between 34th and 38th Streets, often restricted by TV setups.
What balloons will be in the NYC Macy’s Day Parade?
The headliners at the Macy’s Day Parade are always the balloons, which are enormous. On average, balloons are about five stories tall and weigh upwards of 800+ pounds. Each one requires roughly 90 handlers, and trust me, they have their work cut out for them.
There were 25 balloons in the NYC Thanksgiving Parade in 2023, and 2024 will likely bring a similar number. Crowd favorites from 2023 include Bluey, Pikachu, Grogu (baby Yoda), Paw Patrol, Ronald McDonald, Spongebob, and Smokey Bear.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Tips and Tricks
Tip #1) Watch the Balloons Get Inflated the Day Before
Starting off with a local tradition, one of the best Macy’s Day Parade tips is to swing by the day before Thanksgiving to watch the balloons get inflated. The inflating takes place 12-6 PM, on the streets surrounding the American Museum of Natural History.
But word to the wise: Last year I arrived at 1PM and had to wait more than two hours before getting inside! To be honest I don’t know if the inflation is worth a two-hour wait. But it was my own doing, had I shown up earlier the line wouldn’t have been as long. The one time I’d say the wait is worth it is if you’re traveling with kids.
Tip #2) Bundle Up
Between 2010 and 2020 the average temperature on Thanksgiving Day in Central Park was a high of 47° and a low of 34°. Considering the fact that you’ll be arriving early, standing in place, and braving the wind-chill, you’re going to want to bundle up.
If you need suggestions we have an article covering What to Pack for New York in the Fall. In brief, keep your hands warm, cover your ears, and insulated jackets are worth their weight in gold.
Tip #3) Order the Essentials
Piggy-backing off the last tip, I recommend swinging by a store or placing an online order for a few things to be comfortable during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
I never leave the house without these bad boys, they come in handy more than you’d think. Consider investing in wool socks, they’re worth their weight in gold. And If you want cute pictures and don’t want to mess up your hair with a beanie here’s a solution that has saved me in the past.
Tip #4) Find a Spot Early
It’s estimated that as many as 2.5 million people attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade annually. (I personally think those numbers are inflated, but I haven’t been able to find any official counts). Regardless – the streets overflow with eager viewers.
The best arrival time to be at the front of the crowds is 6AM, but you’ll likely still be able to find a good spot as late as 7AM. Anything after 8AM becomes a coin flip. My wife arrived at 8:30AM in 2021 and had to stand behind the huge crowd seen in the photo above.
For those wondering, the grandstands are reserved for Macy’s employees, volunteers and friends and families. There will be designated areas for those with grandstand passes to enter, in 2023 it was on Columbus Avenue and West 75th Street.
Tip #5) It’s Better to Watch the Parade Where the Route Begins
You might want to be close to the Macy’s flagship store or sandwiched between skyscrapers in Midtown, but the best place to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is from Central Park West. The reason? You don’t have to stand around as long!
The parade begins at 8:30AM, and if you’re at the beginning of the route you get to enjoy it from the second it starts. Meanwhile, if you’re towards the end of the route you’ll have to wait for the parade to actually get to you. Not to mention the straggling leaves adorning the trees in Central Park West create a picturesque backdrop for pictures of the floats and balloons!
Tip #6) Book a Hotel Along the Parade Route
If standing around for hours sounds like torture then you might be willing to consider booking a hotel with views of the parade route. This way you can view it from the warmth of your room and avoid an early wake-up call. Just expect the rooms to come with a premium price-tag.
Most hotels begin their pricing north of $2,000 a night, and require a multiple-night stay. JW Marriott Essex House New York, Warwick New York, The Hilton Club New York, and Residence Inn Times Square are a few hotels along the route.
I’ll also mention you shouldn’t blindly book online. This is a situation where I strongly encourage you to call and make sure you’re paying for a room with a view. A quick search online will provide more than one horror-story where folks pay a premium for a room only to find out it faces the wrong direction.
Tip #7) Plan for Jam-Packed Subways
Immediately after the parade is over the floodgates will open and the subways will overflow with thousands of hungry folks eager for a Thanksgiving meal. One of the best tips is to skip the stations closest to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route and head to second, or third one out.
Tip #8) Bring Coffee & Snacks from Home
Bring a Thermos full of coffee so you have something warm to sip on throughout the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you don’t like coffee (or have kids) you can replace it with hot chocolate, tea or hot apple cider. But don’t forget the snacks!
All together you might be spending five or six hours at the parade. Take it from someone who’s been there, your stomach will begin to grumble. A local’s tip is to pick up bagels before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to hold you over until lunch.
Tip #9) Avoid Drinking too Many Liquids
I know I just told you to bring hot drinks in a Thermos, but avoid getting carried away and drinking too much. You should know there aren’t any public bathrooms at the parade. And even if there were, you’d never get your spot back once you left.
Some folks (adults) have worn diapers to the event, but that’s a tip I refuse to add to this Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Guide. Just be mindful of what you drink since you’ll be standing around for a few hours.
Tip #10) If it Rains, It’s Not Worth It
I might catch some flack for this, but if it’s raining on Thanksgiving I suggest watching the parade on TV. I know, what kind of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade guide tells you to stay home? But the cold will only get worse once you’re soaked. However, if you’re set on attending you’re going to want some of these.
The Brief History of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC
The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in 1924 by employees of the Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square. It had floats, live music and a few four-legged participants from the Central Park Zoo. Although it wasn’t popular in the press, more than 250,000 spectators arrived to cheer it on.
Macy’s subsequently vowed to make the parade an annual event. It largely stayed a local event until the 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street brought it to the country’s attention. Henceforth, the surge in popularity led to the NYC Thanksgiving Day Parade’s first national broadcast in 1948, and the rest is history.
More Helpful Links:
What Else to Do for Thanksgiving: 15 EPIC Thanksgiving Activities in New York City (Local’s Guide)
Where to Have Thanksgiving Dinner: 15 Tantalizing Thanksgiving Dinner Restaurants in New York City
The Best Thanksgiving Treats: 15 Festive Fall Treats in New York City (You Don’t Want to Miss!)
What to Do for Christmas: 20 MAGICAL Things to Do in NYC During Christmas (+5 to Avoid)
How to Ring in the New Year: Celebrating New Years Eve in Times Square (Is it Worth it?)
Frequently Asked Questions: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Guide
Traditionally, the parade airs live on NBC from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) but times can vary from year to year. In 2023 the broadcast began at 8:30 AM.
In 2023 the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade started at 8:30 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST), but traditionally it begins at 9:00 AM.
Technically you are not allowed to bring chairs to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but in my experience a lot of folks do without repercussions. One year I even saw two ladders set up with a plank strung in-between for kids to sit on like an elevated bench.
It’s estimated around 28.5 million watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade doesn’t set up any public bathrooms, depending on where you’re viewing Central Park, the Shops at Columbus Circle, and the Rockefeller Center.
2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Guide (Post Summary)
- When is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
- What is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Route?
- What balloons will be in the Macy’s Day Parade?
- Watch the balloons get inflated the day before
- Bundle up
- Order the essentials
- Find a spot early
- It’s better to watch the parade towards the beginning of the route
- Consider booking a hotel along the parade route
- Plan on walking home
- Bring coffee & snacks from home
- Avoid drinking too many liquids
- If it rains, it’s not worth it
- The brief, but important history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thanksgiving Macy’s Day Parade Tips & Tricks (Map)
I hope this Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade guide helps you make the most of the day. Happy holidays, and until next time!
Alejandro.
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