How to Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
It is safe to say that no place in the world celebrates Thanksgiving with as much gusto as New York City. New York City is home to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the biggest Thanksgiving Day Parade in all the land! Yet, it must be mentioned that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is NOT the oldest Thanksgiving Parade. That honor goes to the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. Yet, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a tradition for over 90 years and is the most watched Thanksgiving Day Parade in the United States. So, how can you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person? Let’s find out!
1iota
1iota is both the easiest and the hardest way to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Arguably, the most coveted seats to watch the parade are the grandstand seats in front of Macy’s or right at the kickoff. These seats are usually reserved for VIPS and Macy’s employees. However, if they are not filled, 1iota is a company that essentially seeks “extras” to fill the seats. You can apply to be a seatfiller through 1iota. The author of this blog has applied several times and has yet to succeed, but knows others who have been triumphant! Try your luck and may the odds be ever in your favor.
Where to Watch Along the Route
If you need to seek seating other than grandstand seating, that’s ok! There are plenty of places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 77th st. and Central Park West. and continues down to Columbus Circle where it makes a sharp left heading East, and then proceeds down Sixth Avenue to 34th St, where it turns West and stops in front of Macy’s department store. This route is rather long, which means even though thousands of people turn out to watch, places to view are bountiful. In general, people love standing at the start of the parade. The energy for each float, band, and balloon right at the takeoff is super exciting, and you’ll see Santa Clause begin his journey in time to return home and watch most of the parade again, from the comfort of your own home, on television! Others love watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade at Columbus Circle. Watching the giant balloons turn the corner creates wonderful opportunities for photos and videos. Finally, many parade watching pros love witnessing it from around 56th Street and Sixth Avenue, because you get a great view of the balloons rounding the corner from 59th St. The one place that is truly not advisable to watch the parade is between 39th St and 34th Street and Sixth Avenue. The reason for this is because all the bands and floats have to stop making noise near Macy’s so as to not disrupt the television broadcast. It is significantly more fun to watch the parade with tons of jubilant music and cheers! (However, if you have a person in your group that is very sensitive to loud sounds and such, this might be an advantageous place for you to enjoy the exciting presence of the parade with a lot less of the very loud music and such.)
What Time Do You Need To Arrive to Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Many people believe that you need to arrive at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade super early to enjoy it. If getting a front row spot is important to you, you will want to arrive several hours before the parade kicks off. That being said, you can still enjoy the parade and arrive at a more reasonable hour. The balloons and floats, for the most part, are gigantic. As such, you can see them well from far away, and they rise above most other bystanders’ heads. The one aspect of the parade that can be tricky further back is seeing the marching bands. Since so many friends and family of band members travel to NYC to watch the band’s special moment, you might want to arrive extra early to guarantee a view.
What to Do After the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
After the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, you’ll have a bit of time to burn before dinner. Head to Times Square and visit welcometotimessquare.com You can upload your photos from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade onto a giant Times Square billboard for just $150. It will truly make the day a Thanksgiving to remember!