The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade features more than 10,000 participants, along with fabulous floats and Macy's signature giant helium character balloons.
See the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will start at approximately 9AM on November 27th, 2008 and end at approximately noon.Planning to view the parade in person this year? Here's what you need to know.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Route:
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade begins at 77th Street and Central Park West. It proceeds to Columbus Circle along Central Park West and turns onto Broadway. The Parade then marches down Broadway and turns west on 34th Street, just past Macy's Herald Square. The parade finishes at 7th Avenue.
Best Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Viewing Locations:
- From Central Park West: The west side of the street from 70th Street to Columbus Circle and on the east side of the street from 70th to 65th Street.
- Columbus Circle: The west side of the street.
- Broadway: Between 58th and 38th Streets.
- 34th Street: The south side of the street between Broadway and 7th Avenue.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Viewing Tips
- Make sure you get there early if you want a good view. The crowd starts to form as early as 6:30AM for a sort of informal pre-parade street party. Stop for donuts and coffee and have breakfast al fresco while you wait.
- Macy's advises people to leave folding chairs at home. They become cumbersome when the crowds start filling up the sidewalk.
- Don't forget to dress warmly. November in New York gets pretty chilly after a couple of hours outside. Layers are always a good bet.
Getting There:
The New York City subway system is your easiest option for getting to the parade.
- Take the D to 34 St./Herald Square or 59 St./Columbus Circle.
- Take the C to 42 St./Times Square, 50 St./8th Ave., 59 St./Columbus Circle, 72 St./Central Park West, or 81 St./Central Park West.
- Take the 1,2,3 to 42 St./Times Square or 72 St./Broadway. The 1 local will also stop at 50 St./Broadway and 59 St./Columbus Circle.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Street Closures
If you must drive in the city on Thanksgiving, please be aware of the following street closures reported by NYC traffic expert Gridlock Sam:
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Rehearsals -- Broadway will be closed between 34th and 42nd Streets for parade rehearsals on November 24-25th from 6 PM to 10 PM.
- Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Balloon Inflation on Thanksgiving Eve -- From 10 AM on Wednesday until after Thursday's parade, 77th and 81st Streets will be closed between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West for the balloon inflation. Central Park West will also be closed between 77th amd 81st Streets. The NYPD may also close 77th and 81st Streets between Central Park West and Amsterdam Avenue if it gets too crowded.
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade -- For the parade itself, the following streets will be closed from 10 PM Wednesday until approximately 3 PM on Thursday (streets typically re-open 1-2 hours after the parade, depending on clean-up):
- Central Park West from West 86th Street to West 77th Street
- West 77th Street and West 81st Street from Columbus Avenue to Central Park West
- Central Park West from West 77th Street to Columbus Circle/59th Street
- Broadway from Columbus Circle/59th Street to W. 34th Street
- 33rd Street between Seventh and Tenth Avenues
- 34th to 40th Streets between Broadway and Eighth Avenue
- Seventh Avenue between 33rd and 40th Streets
- Sixth Avenue between 34th and 35th Streets
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Parking
Park It! NYC's Margot Tohn says parking garages near the parade route will be charging high rates and has some tips for saving money. For Wednesday night's balloon inflation, parking garages near Central Park West and 77th Street will likely charge upwards of $30 so your best bet is to go further west and look for evening special rates that start at 5 PM.
On Thanksgiving Day, expect to pay $40 - $50 for the convenience of parking near Central Park West in the 80s, $30 - $40 for parking between 60th and 75th Streets, or just $25 at MPG on the South side of 90th between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues.
Here are some more tips from Margot for saving on Thanksgiving parking in New York City:
- Pay $10 - $15 with all the Early Bird Special rates that are available until 9 or 10am. Midtown garages will be craving business since offices will be closed.
- Pay $13+ on the East Side and take a brisk family walk through Central Park. Most of these garages don�t have an Event or Holiday rate for Thanksgiving.
- Pay $14 at Park It on the North side of 26th b/n 10th and 11th
For More Information About the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Visit the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade� site or call the Parade hotline at (212) 494-4495.
Don't miss the inflation of the parade balloons on Thanksgiving Eve.
Get a sneak peek at the new Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade floats for 2008.
See photos of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Find Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Souvenirs and Gifts
