The 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is fast approaching and all of New York City is preparing. Are you? Whether you’re planning to visit New York City to see the parade in person or would prefer watching the show from home, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get the most out of this beloved NYC holiday tradition.
Book Your Manhattan Hotel near the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Route
An important part of experiencing the parade is staying close to your home base. At The Manhattan Club, you’ll have easy access to the festivities. Just minutes from Times Square, Central Park and the Theater District, The Manhattan Club is a top value, ticking off all the marks to create a great stay. From our ideal location to special extras at local restaurants and valet parking, we make it easy to have fun and also relax right in the middle of all the action. Plus, our exceptional Manhattan suites are some of the largest in the city.
Find the Best Place to Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Don’t wait until Thanksgiving morning to pick your viewing destination. The spectacle draws a crowd of 3.5 million people, so it’s best to have a few spots in mind along the 2.5 mile parade route. Walk from The Manhattan Club to the best viewing spots in just minutes. We suggest scoping out Central Park West, from West 75th to West 61st Streets. Along 6th Avenue is also ideal for great viewing (from West 59th to West 38th Streets).
What to Pack
Temperatures are often in the upper 30s in NYC on Thanksgiving, so prepare for the cold weather during the 3-hour parade with lots of cozy layers, comfortable shoes, hats, and gloves (check the weather ahead, if rain is in the forecast, pack a poncho). You’ll also be confined to your parade spot for hours, so bring snacks and plenty to drink.
Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation (Wed., Nov. 22)
Before SpongeBob Squarepants and Pikachu take to the sky, they need to be inflated. From noon to 6 p.m. on Wed. Nov. 22, head to the Upper West Side (specifically the streets surrounding the American Museum of Natural History) to see the larger-than-life balloons reach their gargantuan final size. It's truly a sight to behold! Entry is at 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue, with balloon viewing at 77th and 81st streets. Look forward to these new balloons in 2023: Beagle Scout Snoopy and Blue Cat and Chugs.
Parade Day (Thurs., Nov. 23)
Pre-parade: Get to your spot early. Although the parade starts at 9 a.m., many are out claiming their spots long before the sun comes up. If you are traveling into the city, consider the holiday traffic (or maybe next year, decide to stay with us at The Manhattan Club to avoid the inevitable delays and stay steps from all the action).
Post-parade: After the last balloon has passed, travel to your Thanksgiving festivities with caution. Many of the other parade attendees are also dispersing, so the city gets quite hectic once the parade ends. The worst traveling time is said to be around 1 p.m., so consider catching a bite to eat or spending some time walking around and enjoying the magical sights of NYC. Check out our NYC Travel Blog for inspiration.
Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from Home
Tune in to NBC as they announce the parade live on Thurs., Nov. 23 at 9 a.m. in all time zones. The parade will also be streaming on Peacock and Telemundo.
Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday season
Located in the heart of Midtown, The Manhattan Club is your perfect home-base for Thanksgiving in NYC. Now for a limited time, book our Dine on Us special offer for 15% off our best nightly rate, plus a $100 Restaurant.com gift card to enhance your NYC stay. View offer details. See our special offers to find one that works for you.
