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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.

D’Lynn Everet

CBS —I have been a fan of the MACY’S DAY PARADE my entire life. I am still frustrated that I could not see or HEAR the performers singing on the float—
The producer of this show should be fired. It was truly the WORST show I have watched in 30 years— WHAT THE HECK Happened…Why hasnt Macy’s explained to the public how they are going to correct this FIASCO for 2012. I record the show so i can see the broadway numbers and see the famous singers on the floats—Those commentators were AMATURES to say the least.
I thought that female commentator interrupted and read the info—she seemed like she was on drugs—-SHE WAS OVER THE TOP—-Celebrities didn’t even get to talk. I won’t be shopping for gifts at MACY’s this year—Sorry get your act together I beg you!
Sharon Freeman

I never watch CBS — was at my inlaw’s home over Thanksgiving and that is their station.
The CBS broadcast of the parade was horrible. The guy was trying but the woman broadcaster appeared to have no idea what was going on and seemed to be drunk as well.
It was terribly unprofessional, and very, very boring.
Painful to Watch CBS Coverage

WORST coverage ever of the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade. What was CBS thinking?? The lame commentary and poor footage of the parade made it hard to watch. Did anyone else notice that the two horrible hosts weren’t listening to their guests or eachother?? It was embarassing to watch. Please, please, please bring back Harry Storm.
Bigfoot’s Dad

The advertisers on CBS should demand a refund! I’m sure they paid good money to advertise their products on this show only to have ruined by the hosts and it’s poor production by CBS. They should issue a public apology for ruining this parade, and Thanksgiving morning for so many people!!
Diane Loewen

Since we recorded this parade on our DVR, my husband went back and timed how much actual parade coverage actually occurred. In two hours, there was only 21 minutes of actual camera time on the actual parade. This included exactly three bands. 21 minutes in two hours. Gee whiz CBS, we’re sorry the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade got in the way of your “celebrity interviews” and broadcast promotions!
Diane Loewen

Worst coverage of a parade on television EVER!!! We will NEVER tune in to CBS to watch this parade again! We recorded it and were chagrined to find that the commentators completely ignored the parade so that they could talk about Broadway shows, sponsors and each other. I feel bad for the bands and floats that traveled distances to be in the parade that were completely ignored and passed by… that we never got to see. WAKE UP CBS!!! If it’s going to be coverage of the parade, then SHOW THE PARADE!!!!!
Diane Loewen

We will NEVER tune in to CBS to watch this parade again! We recorded it and were chagrined to find that the commentators completely ignored the parade so that they could talk about Broadway shows, sponsors and each other. I feel bad for the bands and floats that traveled distances to be in the parade that were completely ignored and passed by… that we never got to see. WAKE UP CBS!!! If it’s going to be coverage of the parade, then SHOW THE PARADE!!!!!
Peter Lenagh

Wow… that was bad. I mean bad. I have no idea who the ‘hosts’ were, but they must have ticked-off the CBS execs or lost some sort of reality show.
The point seemed to be to plug CBS’s line-up but oddly enough they just seemed to destroy many people’s traditional Thanksgiving morning.
Well Done CBS.
Well Done CBS Show Producer.
And I think you owe us all an on-air apology. Possibly while on helium from the stupid new balloons
Tirado Family

I completely agree. The coverage was very disappointing. I wanted to hear the bands that have worked so hard to get to the parade – NOT the ridiculous comments from the commentators, who showed great disrespect to these young talented people. Plus, Santa Claus went by without the commentators announcing him! We’ll be sure to watch next year on a different station.
MIchelle I

I was glad to read all the posts as it validated my feelings of the coverage….I have not watched the parade in years but I wanted to watch the Hawaii All State Band …We tune in to watch the parade not to watch celebrity interviews (they have access to airtime more than the parade participants) We tuned in to watch a parade not watch people talk….Shame on you for ruining what should be an honor for thousands of people who worked so hard for so long…
YOU OWE THE PUBLIC BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THE PARADE PARTICIPANTS AN APOLOGY
Susan Baker

This year’s coverage of the parade was awful. If you were to take all the comments above and stir them into a big pot the stew would not be stinky enough for this year’s parade coverage. I was driving to my dinner destination in the middle of the event, so I missed the Rockettes. The 2 Broadway productions I did see were over-staged and phoned in. And those CBS talking heads should have their’s removed … totally offensive non-stop blather, and that stupid turkey hat. And where was make up to do something about her stupid hair that kept getting in her mouth so she had to pull it away with those ugly gauntlets? Thankfully, Santa and the Mrs. were FABULOUS.
BDS

I was very disappointed in the coverage of the parade. Does CBS have any idea how much it cost to make some of these floats and travel with them to New York, how much it cost bands and other groups to travel to New York and how long and how hard some of them practiced —then have 2 commentators set there and steal the whole show, while the parade was downsized in the background. I believe most people turned in to see the parade—which was barely shown. What a poor job!.
carol konya

CBS should return to actually letting viewers SEE parade and enjoy it…and agree..the bands should be shared..even if is a short shot…lots of smalltown America watching to see them
carol konya

CBSshould return to actually letting viewers SEE parade and enjoy it…and agree..the bands should be shared..even if is a short shot…lots of smalltown America watching to see them
MaryAnne

This is Macy’s Parade? WHAT happened to the groups & especially the bands performing in front of Macy’s?!!? Instead the parade moves by in the background while inane chatter & interviews fill the screen. Worst broadcast ever!!!
TODD

THE COMMENTATORS WERE THE WORST I’VE EVER HEARD. THEY TALKED OVER EACH OTHER AND NO ONE COULD UNDERSTAND ANYTHING. THE PRODUCER SHOULD BE FIRED. YOU MIGHT WANT TO HAVE THEM WATCH NBC.
Dan

please don’t interview victoria secrets models about their fashion show during a family broadcast…
terry

people people people the station doesnt care if you enjoyed it or not….they got you to watch so they earned there money, and they know you will watch next year to see if they made any changes, and guess what, NOT. If Comcast gets it, then you will have to pay to watch it. Face it MEDIA SUCKS