The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is an annual event that takes place in New York City. The event features giant balloons and floats alongside musical artists and groups as they march through the city. With the parade going on its 96th anniversary, this celebration has become a tradition for many families. Most people stay home to watch the parade on live tv, but some people get the opportunity to witness the event in person despite the bitter cold or rain.
Even though the parade runs through several streets in New York City, there are only a few select spots where you’ll have wonderful parade views. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is both kid and adult friendly with beloved character balloons from Frozen’s Olaf to the traditional turkey.
Here's the scoop on the best places to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade!
History of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is an event not held anywhere else and is considered the second oldest in the United States, first occurring in 1924. The Thanksgiving parade in New York is tied with America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit. However, both parades are younger compared to the parade in Pennsylvania.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade lasts for about three hours and starts at Macy’s Herald Square in the heart of Manhattan. Comprised of Macy’s employees and volunteers, the event always has some of the best floats and balloons. Usually, the balloon inflation takes place on 79th Street, the Wednesday night before the parade.
Starting in 1924, the employees of Macy’s Herald Square on 34th Street marched with costumes, and live animals from the Central Park Zoo. Santa Claus became the main highlight of the first parade with a seat on Macy’s balcony. Afterward, the parade turned into an annual event due to the successful turnout. To replace live animals, volunteers and employees introduced giant character balloons to appeal to all ages.
Artist Lineup in Past Years
Over the years, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade has enabled a variety of artists to perform. Some of the most popular artists include Kim Petras, Kelly Rowland, Kristin Chenoweth, Carrie Underwood, Andy Grammer, Darren Criss, and Jon Batiste.
The broadcasters, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb from Good Morning America have hosted the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade for years and they always have the best time. The last year was especially special due to the parade coming back after the pandemic.
The annual Thanksgiving Parade draws crowds of spectators from all over the world to the streets of New York City to watch performances by Al Roker, Jimmie Allen, Rob Thomas, Chris Lane, and more performance groups in front of Macy's.
In addition to these performers there are also marching bands and other performers that make the parade so much more enjoyable! They even provide a fitness center for these performers to warm up at.
So be sure to find a prime spot for the whole parade, especially if you are viewing it in person for the first time.
The Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day Parade is a much-anticipated tradition in the United States, and this year it will be even more special with the debut of Ada Twist, a character balloon that is part of the popular "Finding Author" series. Every fourth Thursday of November, spectators line up along 6th and 7th Avenue to witness the Macy's parade.
When is the Parade?
The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade starts at 9 am on Thanksgiving morning despite the time zones. For people living on the west coast, the parade is recorded ahead of time and scheduled to come on at 9 am pacific time. On Thursday, November 24th, the parade runs from 9 am to 12 pm.
Where to Watch?
If you're tuning into the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on television, make sure to set a reminder to watch the event on the NBC channel.
The Best Places to Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
To get the most out of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, make sure your family and friends are early birds. People usually start lining up for the parade before 7 am for the best parade views. Even though New York City, specifically Manhattan is extensive, there are only select spots in the city that garners the best views of the floats and broadway performances.
The best part about this event is that you don't need to pay for a ticket for public viewing. It's free for the public!
Macy's Department Store
With floor-to-ceiling views, the Macy's Department Store in Herald Square has some of the best views of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. The Macy's Flagship store located on west 34th Street allows you to reach a higher elevation, overlooking the city streets. From that vantage point, you can get a great view of the floats and balloons passing by.
Macy's Department Store is a good place to shop with easy access, floor-to-ceiling windows and the best choice for the general public.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Route
The starting point for the parade is at 77th Street and Central Park West, just south of the American Museum of Natural History. The parade then heads to Midtown. One of the most popular viewing places for the parade is Columbus Circle, so make sure to get there early. The parade then turns east onto Central Park South.
After traveling onto Central Park South, the parade will reach 6th Avenue and 34th Street, eventually heading to Bryant Park and Macy's Herald Square.
Columbus Circle Access
The sidewalks on Columbus Circle are no longer accessible to the public but there are a few shops at Columbus Circle where you can have a decent view of the parade. Usually, the parade is on a day that is either rainy or extremely cold, so staying in one of the warm shops could be a great option.
Central Park South
Compared to Columbus Circle, this viewing spot is less crowded and provides more space for an enjoyable experience. Before traveling to see the parade, consider researching and booking a hotel in this area for a better chance of viewing the parade from your room window.
Central Park West
This is the spot to catch the early portions of the parade. You can gather on 72nd Street and keep west. Central Park West is one of the best places to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade for early morning risers.
Columbus Avenue and 59th Street
One of the most iconic scenes of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is the view from a prime location along Columbus Avenue and 59th Street. Every year, millions flock to these two streets to witness the beautiful floats, larger-than-life balloons, and marching bands that make up this beloved event.
Sixth Avenue
If you're looking for the best possible view of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, then you should head to 6th or 7th Avenue. From these spots, you can get great views of the parade and its giant character balloons that soar through the air. If you don't want to overcrowd with all the other viewers, then head to the Upper West side.
If you decide to choose this viewing spot for the parade, you're in luck due to the nearby cafes and shops that will help you stay warm with a nice hot beverage. Since this is one of the spots where the parade doesn't come till later, you can easily come around 7 am for a good view.
Here are the best hotels to view the parade:
1. Trump International Hotel and Tower New York
The Trump International Hotel and Tower New York offer suites just for viewing the parade. With the hotel being located right on the parade route, you can also access a private street view of the event. To access the suites for the parade, you have to book this hotel for at least three days.
2. Park Central Hotel
When staying at this luxurious hotel for parade views, call ahead to see if you can reserve a room with a nice view of the parade. Usually, the parade is better from higher elevations compared to standing on the sidewalk. You can't choose a better hotel than the Park Central Hotel with most of the parade occurring in Central Park.
3. New York Hilton Midtown
This hotel in New York offers packages specifically for guests who plan on watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. New York Hilton Midtown has both partial and full views just for the parade, so don't wait till the last minute as the package prices can be fairly expensive. If you aren't able to purchase a viewing package, you still may be able to see the parade from in front of the hotel.
4. Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Times Square
Similar to New York Hilton Midtown, this Residence Inn also has amazing parade views, offering packages based on partial, sky, prime, and south views. This hotel on the parade route is family-friendly with a stay of at least three days.
5. Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Herald Square
With the parade route starting on Herald Square, a New Yorker would know that this Marriott is one of the best places to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. The hotel goes the extra mile to host a party for guests on the indoor patio for both adults and children.
6. JW Marriott Essex House New York
JW Marriott Essex House New York is located in Central Park, the heart of Manhattan. There are rooms where you can specifically book for wonderful views of the event; however, be wary that the 5-star hotel can be super expensive.
7. Hilton Club The Quin Hotel New York
On 57th Street, this 4-star hotel has spacious rooms and suites with both views of the city and the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Based on the rates, expect the prices for this hotel to skyrocket around Thanksgiving.
8. The Ritz-Carlton New York
Located in Midtown Manhattan, The Ritz Carlton is one of the best places to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Just like many other hotels nearby, The Ritz-Carlton offers packages specifically for the parade. Due to its location, the hotel is perfect if you want to visit Times Square and the Empire State Building.
9. Mandarin Oriental New York
One of the best places to view the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is Columbus Circle and this hotel is located right on it. Even though the hotel is in the middle of the city, Mandarin Oriental is an oasis for relaxation. For a view of the parade from above, book the Mandarin Oriental hotel.
10. The Warwick Hotel
Located on west 54th Street at 6th Avenue, this hotel has perfect views of the parade later on in the day. You can also ask ahead to book a room with a premium view of the parade. This is a great choice if you're looking for a nice viewing location.
11. 1 Hotel Central Park
With beautiful views of the city and the parade, 1 Hotel Central Park is a great hotel to choose from due to its location on 6th Avenue, 58th Street. A package is available for both parade views and in-room dining.
12. Millennium Times Square New York
Millennium Times Square is cheaper and is near all of the action in the city. It might not have a prime view of the parade but you can easily walk to see the parade due to the location being in Times Square.
13. The Refinery Hotel
This loft-style hotel in Bryant Park has access to a rooftop bar with rooms showing the Empire State Building. The downside to this hotel is the pricy resort fee, but it may be worth it for the Thanksgiving parade accessibility.
It's time to gear up for the holiday season with one of the most famous parades in the country! Keep in mind that Central Park is a popular location to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. With Central Park being the center of Manhattan, crowd levels increase as the holidays draw near.
If you decide to join the crowd of New Yorkers and people out of state for the parade, you might catch a glimpse of Santa Claus at the end, marking the warm welcome of Christmas.
The Macy's Day Parade is always a fun experience, especially when you have a great spot to watch. Whether you're on West 38th Streets and Fifth Avenue, viewing from 81st streets or even watching from home. The Macy's parade will be joyous no matter where you're watching from.
Every year it draws thousands of spectators who come to admire the colorful balloons and marching bands. It's a great way to get into the spirit of the holiday season!
Will you be attending the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade this year?
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