Editorial Review
In 2009 the 83rd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will be held on Thursday, November 26th from 9am to noon. The parade is FREE, so find a spot along the parade route early! In order to get a good viewing spot we suggest you arrive before 8:00am to stake your place along the route. If you are really serious about being in the front row, consider arriving before 7:00am. The average morning temperature at this time of year here in New York is about 40 degrees (5 degrees Celsius) and it goes without saying that you should be sure to wear warm clothes, ideally in layers that you can remove as the day warms up. It is a good idea to bring a thermos full of something warm.
The parade begins at 9:00am at 77th Street and Central Park West and snakes its way down to Macy's flagship department store at Herald Square, 34th Street and 6th Ave. The entire parade lasts about three to four hours. However, the duration of the parade for spectators will depend on where you view it from: near the beginning of the route, it will last about 1 1/2 hours, closer to Macy's, the parade will last closer to 3 hours.
Detailed Parade Route
The parade starts at 9:00am outside the American Museum of Natural History, between 77th and 81st Sts. at Central Park West. It heads south on Central Park West alongside Central Park. On this stretch of the Parade, the balloons are held close to the ground, to avoid trees and crosswinds. At Columbus Circle (on the southwest corner of Central Park), the parade turns onto Broadway.
Once on Broadway, the balloons are raised to their full height and the parade continues southeast, through Times Square, to the Macy's building at Herald Square (where Broadway intersects with 34th St. and the Avenue of the Americas).
The Parade comes to a conclusion with a right turn onto 34th St, and a final right onto 7th Ave, where the balloons and floats are disassembled.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Public Viewing Areas
Central Park West:
- West side of street from 70th Street to Columbus Circle
- East side of street from 70th to 65th streets
Columbus Circle
- West side of street
Broadway
- East and West side of avenue, between 58th & 38th Streets
34th Street
- South side of street between Broadway & 7th Avenue
Admission And Tickets
Free -- but please note:
Macy's has reserved seating only from 34th to 38th Street on Broadway and on 34th Street from Broadway to 7th Avenue, so avoid those spots. Unless your family member works for Macys, there is no way to get one of these reserved seats! They do not sell tickets.
Map
Telephone: (212) 494-4495
Address: Begins 77th St. and Central Park West
Ends at Macys, Herald Square, 34th St. and 6th Ave
New York
NY 10024
Subway:
 | to 59th Street Columbus Circle |
Hours And Additional Info
9:00am to noon
The evening before the parade, the floats are blown up right outside the Museum of Natural History on 77th Street between Amsterdam and Central Park West. The action begins around 5pm and lasts until finished, usually around Midnight.
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Tips
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