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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Guide 2012

September 19, 2012 10:30 AM

(Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade Guide 2012

(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the largest celebration of its kind. Over 3.5 million people watch the parade along the parade route in Manhattan and another 50 million watch at home on television. For many there is no substitute for seeing the floats, enormous balloons and marching bands in person. If you’re planning to view the parade in person from the streets of New York City, this is your insider guide for making the most of it. This year, Hello Kitty and Papa Smurf will be among those making an appearance in Midtown. Will you?

More: NYC’s 5 Best Takes On Classic Thanksgiving Foods

1010 WINS is the Official radio station of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Can’t be there to watch? Listen live!

Getting There

(credit: Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

Parking in Manhattan is always tight, but Thanksgiving Day it’s nearly impossible. From Westchester & Connecticut, your best bet is taking a Metro-North train to Grand Central Station. It’s an easy walk west from Grand Central to the parade route on 6th Avenue and 42nd Street. From Long Island take the LIRR to Penn Station. From there you can head due east to the parade route one block to Macy’s – or head north first to get to a better viewing spot on 7th Ave in the 40s.If you must drive, consider coming in to the city around 6:00am in order to get a spot in nearby lots on the Upper West Side or near Lincoln Center where garages abound.

Your best bet within the city is to stick to the subway. You can download the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade app by clicking here. Powered by MyCityWay, the iPhone or Android app will allow spectators to interact with the parade in real time. Plus, it has a real-time Santa Tracker, so you’ll be sure to stake out a good spot for the main attraction.

Not sure of your way around underground? Check out Hopstop or use the HopStop iphone app to plan your trip.

Other Thanksgiving Day travel tips:

MetroNorth & LIRR
Icon Parking
Official Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Web Site

The Night Before

The Kermit the Frog float gets prepped for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Balloon Inflation 3 p.m. -10 p.m.
Wednesday, November 21st

What started out as an event that only locals knew about, the pre-Thanksgiving balloon inflation has turned into its own must-see Thanksgiving event. See Abby Cadabby, Snoopy and all the gigantic Macy’s parade balloons come to life as they inflate on the streets near the American Museum of Natural History on 77th and 81st Streets between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West.

Route Changes For 2012

The Smurf float moves down Seventh Avenue (credit: Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

Widening pedestrian plazas and other factors have made it necessary for Macy’s to slightly alter the Thanksgiving day parade route this year. The parade will kick off early Thursday at 77th and Central Park West as usual. It will head down along CPW to Columbus Circle, before making a left and heading along Central Park South to 6th Avenue. Once at 6th Avenue, the parade will continue south until 34th Street, where it will make a right and head to Macy’s at Herald Square. For more information on the parade route, click here.

For more info on bridges and road closures, click here.

Where to Watch

(Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

Plan to arrive at 6 a.m. to get a prime viewing spot. While many choose to watch from Central Park West, that tends to be the windiest and shadiest part of the route. Instead head to 42nd Street around 6th Avenue and the path along 6th Avenue to 34th Street. The sidewalks are wider and less-crowded there. You’re also more likely to find food in delis and nearby coffee shops in this area.

Tips, Tricks And Things To Remember

(Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

Coming with little kids? Here are some other things to keep in mind:

Bathrooms are scarce. Hotels around the route are your best bet as well as at The Time Warner Center.

Leave the stroller at home, or plan on bringing one that folds easily and can be carried. Trying to get through the crowds with a stroller can be impossible – not to mention scary for your kid. Instead think light and easy to carry for your child and the stroller.

Pack snacks! While delis and Duane Reade stores are usually open along the route waiting around for hours is a long time, especially for little ones. Avoid meltdowns by supplying your own treats.
Dress warm and in layers. Even if it’s milder than usual on Turkey Day standing outside for 6 hours can get pretty cold. Hats and gloves will keep you and your parade watching family happy and warm.

Judy in Twin Falls ID.

I absolutely agree! WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT. All I see is lots of BLONDE HAIR (Super Model)…and honestly who wants to know about that!.. and a stupid turkey hat.I want to see a parade. I’ve been watching the parade for over 65 years and this coverage is the WORST!!

Raul

i absolutely agree I don’t know why they have to keep the camnera on the MC”s while thet babble on. I can see floats in the background I’d rather be seeing. Does any other network cover the parade? Maybe somewhere online?

Melissa

I think it is absolutely appalling how self-promoting, self-serving, and disresepctful NBC’s coverage of the parade has become!!

So many people work so hard in preparation for this parade- all the marching bands, float handlers, and other parade marchers. Yet, all you can cover is what CBS stars are in the crowd and interviews with CBS Stars. The camera is constantly on the hosts as they jabber about nothing! On the rare occassion that a float passing by is caught in the site of the camera, the hosts may provide some general information on it, but the camera remains on the hosts. When a band passes, they complain about the volume of the band.

I, and my children, do not care about who is tweeting; we do not care to see pictures of them in their homes. Save that nonsense for Entertainment Tonight, or any one of the many “reality” shows that do nothing but drain the brains of society.

It’s a real shame.

Thank you, network television, for continuing to kill what few traditions remain. My children will never know or understand what the excitment over this parade was all about.

W Harlow

TOTALLY agree! The hostess commented that the kids in the marching bands find out a year in advance of their once-in-a-lifetime trip to New York, then they aren’t given ANY air time? Then they spend five minute jabbering about an inanimate balloon?

We finally turned it off in frustration.
Glenn

I agree withi you, Melissa. This is a disgusting display of egotism and self-centeredness. We tune in to see the parade, not hear their prattling about themselves.
I’m turning it off.

erin conway

I want to express my disappointment of the CBS coverage of the Thanksgiving Parade. They took away the spirit of a parade by constantly cutting out to performers who are on a stage no where near the parade or cooking tips. If I want to watch a show on stage I will go there, if I want to learn how to cook I will watch the cooking channel. Today I want to watch the PARADE.
John Drombo

WHAT parade? All I see are talking heads and stage performances!

I remember when I was young, I’d look forward to SEEING a parade…not these bozos talking their idiot heads off!

So much for YOUR stock in trade!

BROADCAST television has absolutely NO vision!

Thanks for taking another chop at another American tradition.

John D
Fairfax, VA

Arty

This really stinks! Lousy coverage where the darn Parade???

terry

OK 945am….this is Thanksgiving Day isnt it????????
Candice

Please take that absurd turkey hat off!
terry

OK 945am and still no parade….this is Thanksgiving Day isnt it????????
TT in DC

Please show more of the parade on the TV coverage! Dancing and, for Pete’s sake, INTERVIEWS are NOT a parade. Thanks!

vrathbun

We agree completely, we’re up with our family wanting to see a parade. All we see is talking and singing. This is not what we want from a parade!!! Our son who is special needs was really looking forward to seeing Sonic and has now left the room dissapointed.

erin conway

I just want to express my disappointment of the cbs thanksgiving parade coverage this morning. They took away the spirit of the parade by cutting out to dances and cooking tips. I want to see the parade. If I want to watch people dance on a stage I will go to a show or watch a movie. If i want to learn how to cook I will watch the cooking channel. Today I want to watch a parade.
terry

Media must be related to our government…everything they touch is destroyed
terry

9:34 and still no parade
terry

What parade? Havent seen any parade yet. iTS 9:25 and havent seen anything of a parade. Is there a parade or a ploy to get us to watch the chaannel for ratings
Patti

CBS should show more of the parade – the bands and stuff always get missed on television

. It sure is not like it used to be. They used to show way more than they do now. Very disappointing.
Conne Owens

Where can you watch the Parade on Thanksgiving Day.
Joe

These are the times of our lives. Take it all in. We won’t be here forever.

terry

as far as I have seen there isnt any there. What parade? Again media has destroyed an American tradition.

Jim

When does it start?
wazzo from the north pole

you guys are crazy, santa’s a crazy myth that no one believes in. its impossible
hogan

Does Macy tell Gimbel?

wazzo from the north pole

wah???

natalie

im going, im sooo excited!!!!! my kids will enjoy it
Rose

I am 68 years old born and bred in New York and never saw the thanksgiving day
parade. I now live in NJ and I’m going. I will be with my son. Now I can cross that
off of my bucket list.
Deb from NJ

We are on our way to the parade for the first time. It is on my bucket list. Can’t wait to see my grandaughters face when she sees those balloons. I believe in Santa. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Clemie Edwards

Hi if you believe in Santa have you seen this article in broadway world about that December in New York song on Youtube possibly being sung by Michael Buble at tree lighting?
http://broadwayworld.com/article/Michael-Buble-To-Sing-At-Rockefeller-Center-Christmas-Tree-Lighting-20111117
Jennifer reeder

I am 61 wish I could see it-but live so far away., I believe in SANTA and I am Jennifer
Marcie Gravelin

We are looking forward this year to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, again this year~My late brother was employed Engineer, for Macy’s Stores, during the 1990′s.
Kierstian West

cant wait to be cooking some good food and watching the macy parade:):)