Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2018: What you Need to Know

What had originally started as a Christmas parade in 1924 that led Santa Claus and other classical character balloon floats from Harlem to the doors of Macy's, known as the “world’s largest store”, has become a staple in Thanksgiving tradition not only for New Yorkers but any family with a television set. On November 22, 2018 the 92nd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City will broadcast live from the NBC network at 9 a.m. Here is what you can expect.

What is the Parade Route?

There are 2.5 miles of public viewing that starts from the Upper West Side and ends in front of Macy’s in Herald Square. The kickoff will begin on West 77th st and Central Park West at 9 a.m, but early risers may want to be there as early as 5 a.m.

The best views of the parade can be found going downtown from 75th street to 59th street, not to mention that this is a great time to explore the entrances to Central Park that behold the city's most stunning foliage.

To get to the Upper West Side you can take the B and C trains that stop at 72nd st and Central Park W as well as 59th st Columbus circle. This may be affected due to the parade so plan to find an alternative route such as the 1 train.

At the end of the park and the beginning of Columbus Circle, the parade will turn left and head South on 6th avenue. This long stretch from 59th street to 38th street is also a great way to get a spot to watch the holiday parade. Anyone watching the parade should avoid standing below 38th street, due to restricted access for media broadcasting and the parade’s final stop.

A New Yorker's Pro Tip:

"If you'd like to get a chance to see the balloons as they are blown up, on Wednesday, November 21,2018, you can watch the inflation of the 25 parade balloons from 3 to 10 p.m. near the American Museum of Natural History just off Central Park West between 77th and 81st Streets." according to Trip Savvy

It may be a good idea to bring folding chairs for sitting or crates to stand on to make passing time more comfortable. November mornings can be very chilly so staying warm for four to six hours is essential for maximum enjoyment of this holiday tradition.

The closer you get to the start of the parade the faster you get out. People who view the parade from the lower parts of Manhattan witness the full 3 hours of the parade and can experience hectic and crowded areas to navigate. Spectators who stand on the Upper West Side will spend approximately an hour and a half of time watching the parade, which leaves time to spare for other New York City attractions. When picking out your spot it's important to keep in mind any surrounding restaurants and coffee shops. It is ideal to have places nearby where you can grab a quick snack, use the bathroom, and even just escape the cold for a few moments. Being that it is a national holiday it is hard to predict what small businesses will be open, luckily Starbucks is our friend in operation. Here are a list of Starbucks locations on the Upper West Side:

W 76th st and Columbus Ave

W 73rd st and Columbus Ave

W 66th st in between Columbus Ave and Central Park W

W 60th st and Central Park W

W 57th st and Central Park W

Floats Making a Debut and Entertainment to Look Out For:

People of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds can enjoy watching this magical event!

All photos and event information pertaining to the parade in this article can be found on the Macy's website.