The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York is world-renowned, and begins at 9 am (Eastern Time) and ends at noon (Eastern Time). The parade is one of America’s favorite holiday events and a New York City tradition since 1924. Past years have seen around 3.5 million people in attendance to see more than 1,500 dancers, thousands of clowns, and 30 plus floats in the parade. Now you’re probably thinking, “Okay, how do I get tickets to this festive affair?” There are many ways to view the Parade. You can view from the sidelines, Macy’s Parade Grandstand, or watch at home. We’ve recapped some of our favorite tips for getting the most out of your Thanksgiving Day Parade experience.
Looking for Discount Tickets to Top Attractions before and after the Parade?
Of course, we know the Macy’s Day Parade in NYC is the main event on Thanksgiving, but you have a long weekend to see other top attractions in the city. Pick up a New York City Explorer Pass® and save up to 50% off combined admission to top attractions including…
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- Empire State Building
- Top of the Rock Observatory
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Museum
- Museum of Modern Art
- and dozens more…
Secure a Free Spot on the Street
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The most feasible option for many of us is to stake out a spot on the street and watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade for free! To secure a good spot and have the most enjoyable experience, you’ll want to get there bright and early! Spectators typically start lining the streets around 6 AM or earlier. We suggest you do not leave once you get a good place to watch. A lot of the performances happen around 34thStreet. Those will be the most coveted spots and the most difficult to procure (along with spots at the beginning, 77th Street and Central Park West and ends at Macy’s Herald Square in Midtown, on 34th street). There are more than 2.5 miles of public viewing spots. You can start on the Upper West side or in Midtown so you don’t miss anything. You’ll want to dress in warm layers, bring a thermos of hot coffee or cocoa, and either pack a picnic basket or scope out a nearby food vendor, many of whom you’ll find in Central Park. With the right attitude, you’ll have the time of your life when Tom Turkey leads his way through Manhattan.
Tips to Get Macy’s Parade Grandstand Tickets
Technically, Macy’s doesn’t sell grandstand tickets to the general public. But sometimes, where there’s a will there’s a way. Grandstand tickets to the Macy’s parade are reserved for the parade participants friends and family, and Macy’s employees and volunteers. First, try asking around – if you live near New York City, you may know someone with an extra ticket.
Book a Hotel Room with a View
Grandstand seating and street spots may be hard to come by, but if you act quickly, you can get VIP access to the parade through one of the hotels along the route! Again, hotel rooms with a view and VIP packages both come at a high price; however, once you see what’s in these exclusive packages, you just may find it’s worth it. In the past, some package options included the Mandarin Oriental, the New York Hilton Midtown’s Thanksgiving Packages, the JW Marriott’s Buffet Brunch Package or Parade-View Room Package, and the Residence Inn Prime View Package. Be sure to check out each hotel’s official website for specifics on this year’s packages.
More Tips for Viewing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Make sure you know this year’s parade route (as it has changed in the past). Check out the official Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade site for the complete lineup, parade route, and much more info.
- Macy’s recommends between 61st and 72nd on Central Park West as the best place to watch the parade.
- Follow @Macys on Twitter and check out all social media with the #macysparade hashtag to get the latest Parade updates, photos, and to join the conversation.
- If you are in or around NYC beforehand and want a chance to see the balloons for the floats being inflated, head to 77th and 81st streets (between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue) from 3-10 pm on Wednesday night, before the parade.
- Stake out a spot very early (early birds typically stake out their spots around 6 am!), bundle up, and wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be standing for quite a while in typically cold weather.
- Make sure your phones and cameras are fully charged before you arrive – you won’t find a place to charge your tech during the parade and you won’t want to miss out on photos!
- Use the restroom before you arrive – there are no public facilities on the parade route.
- Bring plenty of snacks for you and your loved ones just in case there are no convenient options nearby.
- Expect massive crowds, and be cautious with your children. Keep the family together at all times!
- Be aware that this parade will cause a lot of attraction closures along the parade route. Save your exploring for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Bonus: If you happen to want to do a little shopping while you’re in the city after the parade, be sure to stop by the mezzanine level of Macy’s Herald Square for a 10% off Visitor’s Savings Pass.
Past Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade’s Balloons & Floats
One year’s signature giant character balloons include plenty of fan favorites…
- Snoopy
- Smokey Bear
- Pikachu
- Trolls
- Olaf from Frozen
- and more!
Past Performers at the Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York
- Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree Choir
- Every year new performers are added to the roster for the parade!
Save on Admission to Top New York City Holiday Attractions
Remember, you can enjoy savings of up to 50% off admission to many of the top attractions with a New York City Explorer Pass® – the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility. Enjoy the parade and your Thanksgiving weekend!
For some other ideas, check out our post on Thanksgiving in New York and things to do in November.
Source: https://t-tees.com
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