Few issues examine to seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in individual on a crisp November morning. Watching huge balloons within the form of Snoopy, Bluey and Grogu (Child Yoda) fill the sky overhead as they float down the streets of New York Metropolis is an iconic vacation expertise on many households’ journey want lists.
Assuming you do not reside within the Massive Apple or the fast space, seeing the parade might require forgoing (or delaying) a conventional Thanksgiving meal at house. Nevertheless, it should seemingly be effectively definitely worth the effort when you see your little one giddy with pleasure as their favourite cartoon characters float by to the tune of a marching band in full regalia, whereas large floats with entertainers glide by at avenue stage.
Notice, although, that greater than 3.5 million folks attend the parade in individual annually. It is vital to strategize your go to so you aren’t removed from the curb, struggling to catch a glimpse of the road.
We’ve got attended the occasion ourselves, and it is secure to say there are a number of belongings you’ll need to remember as you intend your day on the parade. Listed here are our prime suggestions for viewing the 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2025.
Catch the balloon inflation the day earlier than
If you wish to get an up-close view of the balloons featured within the annual parade, you will not wish to miss the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation. Throughout this occasion, you will see the balloons come to life as they’re crammed with helium.
Occurring the day earlier than the parade, the inflation begins at 1 p.m. on the Higher West Facet at 72nd Road and Columbus Avenue close to the American Museum of Pure Historical past. It runs till 6 p.m., so you’ve a number of hours to sneak a peek at what’s to return through the parade. (Tip: The road opens at midday.)
There are 32 balloons that may rework from flat to completely inflated through the course of the afternoon. 4 new featured character balloons are debuting this 12 months — Buzz Lightyear, Pac-Man, Shrek’s Onion Carriage and Mario by Nintendo — so preserve an eye fixed out.
Unsurprisingly, this preparade occasion could be very common. Lengthy strains kind because the balloons change into totally inflated within the early night; the sooner you arrive, the much less crowded it will likely be as you stroll the organized path to see the balloons. Know, although, that inflating a large balloon the peak of a four-story constructing takes time. So, chances are you’ll wish to take a look at your luck by arriving nearer to three p.m., when many of the balloons begin taking form.
To get to the occasion location by way of public transportation, permit additional time; the subway station at 72nd Road tends to get very crowded because the afternoon wears on. You too can hail a cab or use a ride-hailing service, although you will wish to be dropped off a block or two north of the gated-off part to keep away from delays. When you’re within the line, you will progress north and might exit west alongside any block from West 82nd to West 86th streets.
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TPG tip: The closest subway station to the doorway level is the B and C cease at 72nd Road and Central Park West. Take into account taking the 1, 2 or 3 practice to Broadway and 72nd Road as an alternative. It is a couple of blocks west however a straightforward stroll — simply comply with the crowds.
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Line up very early on the parade route
One of many occasions we noticed the parade, we nabbed spots round fifty fifth Road and Sixth Avenue, a couple of blocks after the parade turned from the Higher West Facet to move down towards Macy’s. Although the parade began at 8:30 a.m., we arrived slightly earlier than 7 a.m. This was already too late to get a spot instantly on the curb.
Nonetheless, we managed to be within the second row, which was adequate, particularly because the folks forward of us had been completely satisfied to let all of the little children line up within the entrance to get good views.
In case you do not wish to depend on luck and as an alternative want to snag a coveted front-row spot for your self, primarily based on conversations with some parade execs round us, 6 a.m. is the magic time to get the curb seating on this a part of the route.
Different parts of the route might require an excellent earlier wake-up name, so plan accordingly when you have a selected location in thoughts. For instance, we had been instructed that the prime seats within the coated bus stops begin filling up by round 4 a.m.
Ought to you’ve deeper pockets and wish to keep away from being outdoors within the components, you may pay for a parade brunch with a view alongside the parade route. Simply you’ll want to make these reservations effectively upfront, as they have a tendency to replenish shortly. Or, after all, you might guide a room with a view instantly on the parade route.
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For these arriving later within the morning, you may stand within the closed-off aspect streets resulting in the parade. You may be 10-15 folks again, however you may nonetheless see many of the motion.
Convey one thing to maintain you occupied — and heat
The parade begins at 8:30 a.m. at Central Park West on 77th Road. For the reason that route is 2 1/2 miles lengthy, it will probably take near an hour for the lead marchers to succeed in Macy’s. This implies you will have some idle time earlier than you can begin watching the spectacle.
Since you may end up ready a number of hours till the parade reveals up, you will wish to carry some stuff to maintain your children occupied, similar to snacks, breakfast and transportable video games. A backup charger can also be a good suggestion.
My household opted to get pleasure from breakfast on the road earlier than coloring and watching some Netflix reveals on our telephones. We sat as a lot as potential earlier than the parade arrived, which I extremely advocate doing — on the very least, on your little ones — to protect your standing potential for when the balloons make their look.
You possibly can carry tenting chairs, buckets or anything chances are you’ll wish to sit on to the parade, although these things aren’t very useful for the parade itself, since everybody appears to face. Nonetheless, on the very least, you will most likely wish to have some lodge towels or blankets to take a seat on as an alternative of the onerous, chilly, gum-covered New York Metropolis sidewalks.
Remember correct apparel (assume: jackets, hats, gloves and umbrellas, too, if rain is within the forecast) because the climate can flip shortly in late fall.
Dwell within the second
Whereas all of us attend the parade with photographs of the TV-screen model of the annual occasion enjoying in our heads, know that the celebration is slightly completely different in individual.
Like at house, pleasure builds because the parade begin time nears, and earlier than lengthy, cheers erupt because the parade comes into view. The very first thing we noticed was clowns roller-skating with bundles of balloons. Quickly after got here the New York Police Division bikes, horses, marching bands, cheerleaders, floats and, after all, the massive character balloons.
Nevertheless, what chances are you’ll not notice from watching at house is how interactive the expertise will be. Being so near the entrance row meant that Summer season’s daughter acquired to be a part of the parade. Along with receiving high-fives from clowns and getting confetti in her hair because it was thrown, she acquired to get pleasure from a face-to-face encounter with a Harlem Globetrotter.
Not every little thing you see on TV occurs alongside the parade route, both. Some performances, together with these by the Radio Metropolis Rockettes and varied singing and dance teams, solely happen in entrance of Macy’s Herald Sq. (the place the cameras are). In consequence, you will wish to handle your expectations. Don’t be concerned about what you are lacking. As an alternative, give attention to all that is going down in entrance of you: the floats, balloons and festivities.
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E-book a lodge close to the parade route
The parade covers a lot of town that there is not one greatest lodge for attending the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Whereas some resorts are bodily on the parade route, it isn’t so simple as reserving a room at one in all these properties and watching the festivities out of your window.
Certain, some home windows on the route-adjacent resorts supply good views — however resorts are savvy, so these rooms are sometimes offered as a part of pricier parade packages. As such, you will must pay extra and infrequently meet minimal keep necessities to see the parade out of your precise lodge room.
In case you do not wish to splurge to see all of the motion out of your room, ask in case your lodge has a particular viewing space for visitors. Typically, resorts on the parade route have some area outdoors the place patrons can watch the parade because it passes.
Just a few properties on the parade route embrace:
Ought to you’ve hassle securing a room at a property on the parade route or want to save slightly cash, think about staying a block or extra off the route.
We have stayed at each The St. Regis New York and Park Hyatt New York on parade mornings and beloved each of their areas. Each are a really brief stroll to and from the parade, which was a lot appreciated when the parade ended. The Park Hyatt has the added perk of indoor swimming for the household after the parade!
Professional tip: Lodge factors are an effective way to get a really good lodge close to the parade route and preserve money in your pocket.
Some extra points-friendly resorts which might be inside strolling distance of the parade route embrace:
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Backside line
Once we’ve attended the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade up to now, we have all the time walked away considering the occasion was fantastic. The balloons flew excessive, the climate was first rate for late November and the folks throughout us had been unbelievable. One time, it even began to snow proper earlier than Santa arrived on the finish, a really memorable second throughout an already big day.
Since New York Metropolis is an unimaginable place to be for the vacations, there are every kind of different methods to rejoice the season after kicking it off with the parade.
You should definitely see Santa in individual at Santaland on the eighth ground of Macy’s on thirty fourth Road (reservations are required). The Massive Apple Circus, beneath the large prime in Lincoln Heart, is a sure-fire household pleaser. Additionally, peruse a few of the festive vacation markets all through town once you’re not busy ice skating at Rockefeller Heart or catching a efficiency of a Christmas traditional like “The Nutcracker” or “A Christmas Carol.”
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