The 92nd Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade offers 2.5 miles of family-friendly viewing spots. Here’s a NYC insider’s complete guide to the route and best spots to enjoy the balloons, floats and bands:
The 2018 parade kicks off at 77th St. and Central Park West at 9am.
The balloons, floats and marching bands head south on CPW to 59th St., and make a dogleg turn east onto Central Park South to Sixth Avenue, marching south until the grandstands and TV cameras around Macy’s, at 34th St. and Herald Square, where the parade ends.
SEE ALSO
Balloonfest complete guide
Thanksgiving Day Parade complete guide
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade fun facts
Macy’s Parade Best Viewing Spots
Be in place by 7am for best viewing spots.
Kickoff at West 77th St. and Central Park West
No public viewing here
Central Park West, between West 75th St. and West 59th St:
Great viewing can be found along this stretch. Viewing starts at 75th Street, just below the official start of the parade, on the west, or street side, of the avenue, to 59th St.
There is no public viewing on the Central Park side of the avenue, which is closed other than for invitation-only grandstand seating.
The parade passes along this stretch from 9 to 10:30am, and early birds are often in line by dawn to snag a front row spot.
I always took my kids somewhere along Central Park West, which is less crowded than further downtown
NYC Insider Secret Tip:
- A bonus is that if you are close to the start of the parade, you can leave when the parade passes you buy, hop on the subway before it gets crowded, and perhaps be able to get home or back to your hotel in time to see the last part on TV.
Columbus Circle
The parade turns here onto Central Park South. There is no public viewing here.
NYC Insider Secret Tip:
- The Shops at Columbus Circle, inside the Time Warner Center open at 9am on Thanksgiving Day. Be there at the opening to snag a spot on the second and third floors balconies overlooking the action through the building’s glass wall. And after the parade passes you buy, you can enjoy the Holiday Under the Stars light display before heading back to grandma’s house for turkey.
Sixth Avenue, between West 59th St. and West 38th St.
The floats and balloons reach Sixth Avenue around 9:30am, so you can arrive at this 21-block portion as late as 7am and still find a good spot.
You can get a great view anywhere from 59th to 38th Sts.
The parade makes its final turn here and stops in front of Macy’s Herald Square
Special Needs
If a member of your family or group has special needs, there is special access. Call Healing Arts Initiative (formerly known as Hospital Audiences, Inc.) at 212-284-4100 or email them at outreach@hainyc.org for details.
Getting Around on Parade Day
Please use NYC subways. Driving anywhere in Manhattan is a total nightmare on parade day.
Macy’s has a comprehensive parade website with information about each ballooon, performer, float, and some animated video for the kids to get them ready for the excitement.
It is content-rich and takes forever to load. You might not have the patience to wait.
Here’s a partial list of Macy’s world-famous balloons —
- Buzz Lightyear
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid
- Horton (“From Horton Hears a Who”)
- Kermit the Frog
- Pikachu
- Pillsbury the Doughboy
- Kung Fu Panda
- Ronald McDonald
- Sailor Mickey
- Shrek
- Smurf
- Snoopy
- Spider-Man
- Spongebob Squarepants
- Hello Kitty
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Best Viewing Spots was posted originally in 2013 and is updated annually.
Photos courtesy Macy’s
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