MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

NOVEMBER 2009 INDEX

MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

NYC & Co.

Thanksgiving is one of the City's most colorful holidays headlined by the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Watching it on television may be cozy, but there's nothing like being there in person as the procession of familiar (and new) balloons bops overhead. Here is a quick rundown of what you need to know about the festivities surrounding November 27 and how to make the most of your time at the parade whether you are in from out of town or a resident looking to reconnect with an NYC tradition.

The Big, Big, Big Balloon Inflation

What started as a low key preparatory stage to the main event has become a tradition unto itself. On Thanksgiving Eve, throngs of onlookers of all ages gather on 77th Street and 81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue (the north and south borders of the American Museum of Natural History) on the Upper West Side to watch the enormous balloons come to life. (Giant nets and sandbags are used to keep them from flying away during the night.) People start gathering between 3–4pm and the activities continue until 8–10pm. Check the weather before heading out to the “Balloon Inflation Station” and prepare to bundle up.

Photo by Jeffrey Pearce

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Fast Facts and Advice

First, let’s map out where you can claim a spot on the parade route:

Central Park West—the west side of the street from 70th Street to Columbus Circle and the east side of the street from 70th to 65th Street.
Columbus Circle—the west side of the street.
Broadway—both sides from 58th to 38th Street.
34th Street—the south side of the street from Broadway to Seventh Avenue.

(Note: there is no public viewing or press access on Broadway from 34th to 38th Street.)

And some additional advice that will help you enjoy the parade even more:

As with most major public events, you’ll want to plan on getting there early to secure a prime viewing spot. The crowds start to gather as early as 6:30am, and in some places along the route the momentum starts to build with pre-parade, street party like activities.
Pick up some coffee or make a thermos full of hot chocolate and bring it to the parade to keep yourself warm. Some snacks are also recommended to tide you over—the parade lasts for about three to four hours.
The parade takes place rain or shine so that’s even more of a reason to hop online and find out the weather forecast.You’ll probably need to bundle up.
Macy’s advises people to leave folding chairs at home.We second that notion. They become cumbersome when the crowds start filling up the sidewalk.

Photo by Jeffrey Pearce

After the Parade

Shopping doesn’t start until the day after Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a head start on the holiday season or work up an appetite so you can enjoy even more of the dining recommendations below. Here are two suggestions for post parade fun:

Skating at Rockefeller Center

Yet another NYC tradition.What better way to usher in the holiday season than by lacing up and taking a few dozen laps around the ice at Rockefeller Center? Dramatic backdrop and timeless memories included with the price of admission.

Walk in Central Park

You’ve been standing around for a few hours so you may want to stretch your legs by taking a stroll in Central Park. The park is usually bustling after the parade ends.

Behind the Scenes - Creating a Balloon

From the initial concept drawing and pattern cutting to the final balloon seen on Thanksgiving Day, the process of creating a new Macy's balloon is an intricate and exacting one.

Behind the Scenes - Creating a Float

From initial sketch to final assembly, the complex process of creating a new Macy's float requires countless detail-oriented craftspeople.

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