5 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade tips for first-time watchers

Few things compare to seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person on a crisp November morning. Watching massive balloons in the shape of Snoopy, Bluey and Grogu (Baby Yoda) fill the sky overhead as they float down the streets of New York City is an iconic holiday experience on many families’ travel wish lists.

Assuming you don’t live in the Big Apple or the immediate area, seeing the parade may require forgoing (or delaying) a traditional Thanksgiving meal at home. However, it will likely be well worth the effort once you see your child giddy with excitement as their favorite cartoon characters float by to the tune of a marching band in full regalia, while giant floats with entertainers glide by at street level.

Note, though, that more than 3.5 million people attend the parade in person each year. It’s important to strategize your visit so you are not far from the curb, struggling to catch a glimpse of the street.

We have attended the event ourselves, and it’s safe to say there are several things you’ll want to keep in mind as you plan your day at the parade. Here are our top tips for viewing the 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2025.

Catch the balloon inflation the day before

If you want to get an up-close view of the balloons featured in the annual parade, you won’t want to miss the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation. During this event, you’ll see the balloons come to life as they are filled with helium.

Occurring the day before the parade, the inflation starts at 1 p.m. on the Upper West Side at 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue near the American Museum of Natural History. It runs until 6 p.m., so you have several hours to sneak a peek at what’s to come during the parade. (Tip: The line opens at noon.)

There are 32 balloons that will transform from flat to fully inflated during the course of the afternoon. Four new featured character balloons are debuting this year — Buzz Lightyear, Pac-Man, Shrek’s Onion Carriage and Mario by Nintendo — so keep an eye out.

Unsurprisingly, this preparade event is very popular. Long lines form as the balloons become fully inflated in the early evening; the earlier you arrive, the less crowded it will be as you walk the organized trail to see the balloons. Know, though, that inflating a giant balloon the height of a four-story building takes time. So, you may want to test your luck by arriving closer to 3 p.m., when most of the balloons start taking shape.

To get to the event location via public transportation, allow extra time; the subway station at 72nd Street tends to get very crowded as the afternoon wears on. You can also hail a cab or use a ride-hailing service, though you’ll want to be dropped off a block or two north of the gated-off section to avoid delays. Once you're in the line, you'll progress north and can exit west along any block from West 82nd to West 86th streets.

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TPG tip: The closest subway station to the entrance point is the B and C stop at 72nd Street and Central Park West. Consider taking the 1, 2 or 3 train to Broadway and 72nd Street instead. It’s a few blocks west but an easy walk — just follow the crowds.

Related: These are the best New York City hotels for families to check out

Line up very early on the parade route

One of the times we saw the parade, we nabbed spots around 55th Street and Sixth Avenue, a few blocks after the parade turned from the Upper West Side to head down toward Macy’s. Even though the parade started at 8:30 a.m., we arrived a little before 7 a.m. This was already too late to get a spot directly on the curb.

Still, we managed to be in the second row, which was sufficient, especially since the people ahead of us were happy to let all the little kids line up in the front to get good views.

If you don’t want to rely on luck and instead wish to snag a coveted front-row spot for yourself, based on conversations with some parade pros around us, 6 a.m. is the magic time to get the curb seating on this part of the route.

Other portions of the route may require an even earlier wake-up call, so plan accordingly if you have a particular location in mind. For example, we were told that the prime seats in the covered bus stops start filling up by around 4 a.m.

Should you have deeper pockets and want to avoid being outside in the elements, you can pay for a parade brunch with a view along the parade route. Just be sure to make these reservations well in advance, as they tend to fill up quickly. Or, of course, you could book a room with a view directly on the parade route.

Related: Your guide to the can’t-miss holiday happenings in New York City

For those arriving later in the morning, you can stand in the closed-off side streets leading to the parade. You might be 10-15 people back, but you can still see most of the action.

Bring something to keep you occupied — and warm

The parade starts at 8:30 a.m. at Central Park West on 77th Street. Since the route is 2 1/2 miles long, it can take close to an hour for the lead marchers to reach Macy's. This means you’ll have some idle time before you can start watching the spectacle.

Because you could find yourself waiting several hours until the parade shows up, you’ll want to bring some stuff to keep your kids occupied, such as snacks, breakfast and portable games. A backup charger is also a good idea.

My family opted to enjoy breakfast on the street before coloring and watching some Netflix shows on our phones. We sat as much as possible before the parade arrived, which I highly recommend doing — at the very least, for your little ones — to preserve your standing ability for when the balloons make their appearance.

You can bring camping chairs, buckets or anything else you may want to sit on to the parade, though these items are not very helpful for the parade itself, since everyone seems to stand. Still, at the very least, you’ll probably want to have some hotel towels or blankets to sit on instead of the hard, cold, gum-covered New York City sidewalks.

Don’t forget proper attire (think: jackets, hats, gloves and umbrellas, too, if rain is in the forecast) since the weather can turn quickly in late fall.

Live in the moment

While we all attend the parade with images of the TV-screen version of the annual event playing in our heads, know that the celebration is a little different in person.

Like at home, excitement builds as the parade start time nears, and before long, cheers erupt as the parade comes into view. The first thing we spotted was clowns roller-skating with bundles of balloons. Soon after came the New York Police Department motorcycles, horses, marching bands, cheerleaders, floats and, of course, the huge character balloons.

However, what you may not realize from watching at home is how interactive the experience can be. Being so close to the front row meant that Summer's daughter got to be part of the parade. In addition to receiving high-fives from clowns and getting confetti in her hair as it was thrown, she got to enjoy a face-to-face encounter with a Harlem Globetrotter.

Not everything you see on TV happens along the parade route, either. Some performances, including those by the Radio City Rockettes and various singing and dance groups, only occur in front of Macy’s Herald Square (where the cameras are). As a result, you’ll want to manage your expectations. Don’t worry about what you’re missing. Instead, focus on all that’s taking place in front of you: the floats, balloons and festivities.

Related: 10 tips for flying during the holidays

Book a hotel near the parade route

The parade covers so much of the city that there isn’t one best hotel for attending the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. While some hotels are physically on the parade route, it’s not as simple as booking a room at one of these properties and watching the festivities from your window.

Sure, some windows at the route-adjacent hotels offer good views — but hotels are savvy, so those rooms are often sold as part of pricier parade packages. As such, you’ll have to pay more and often meet minimum stay requirements to see the parade from your actual hotel room.

If you don’t want to splurge to see all the action from your room, ask if your hotel has a special viewing area for guests. Often, hotels on the parade route have some space outside where patrons can watch the parade as it passes.

A few properties on the parade route include:

• Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Times Square
• JW Marriott Essex House New York
• 1 Hotel Central Park
• The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
• New York Hilton Midtown

Should you have trouble securing a room at a property on the parade route or wish to save a little money, consider staying a block or more off the route.

We've stayed at both The St. Regis New York and Park Hyatt New York on parade mornings and loved both of their locations. Both are a very short walk to and from the parade, which was much appreciated when the parade ended. The Park Hyatt has the added perk of indoor swimming for the family after the parade!

Pro tip: Hotel points are a great way to get a very nice hotel near the parade route and keep cash in your pocket.

Some more points-friendly hotels that are within walking distance of the parade route include:

Related: 12 festive hotels for people who really love the holidays

Bottom line

When we've attended the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the past, we've always walked away thinking the event was wonderful. The balloons flew high, the weather was decent for late November and the people all around us were fantastic. One time, it even started to snow right before Santa arrived at the end, a truly memorable moment during an already special day.

Since New York City is an incredible place to be for the holidays, there are all kinds of other ways to celebrate the season after kicking it off with the parade.

Be sure to see Santa in person at Santaland on the eighth floor of Macy’s on 34th Street (reservations are required). The Big Apple Circus, under the big top in Lincoln Center, is a sure-fire family pleaser. Also, peruse some of the festive holiday markets throughout the city when you’re not busy ice skating at Rockefeller Center or catching a performance of a Christmas classic like “The Nutcracker” or “A Christmas Carol.”

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a first-time or frequent traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• The best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can’t travel without