Thanksgiving Is Finally Here Meaning It's Time For The New York Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade With Classic Favorites Like Kermit The Frog And Spider-Man


Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

So Thanksgiving is finally here (OK, tomorrow): The turkey, the stuffing, the fight with Cousin Bert over which football game to watch. But all that plays second fiddle to the real star--New York’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The big news this year is that the parade route has changed—No longer just on Broadway and Central Park West, the parade will begin at its usual spot—77th street and Central Park West--but will now meander down Central Park South and turn south on Seventh Avenue. From there, it will turn east on 42nd Street, mosey on to the Avenue of the Americas, and proceed down to 34th Street and 7th Avenue.

Parade Starts At 9 am

The parade starts at 9 am, and both parade familiars and those new to it will have to scramble to find the best viewing spots--since the route is new, it’s hard to say where those will be.

Our advice: Go early (more than 3 million spectators are expected to show up); have fortitude; bring snacks. (You can call the parade hotline for info at 212 494-4495). What to look for? How about the first new Santa float in almost 50 years?

Check Out The Balloon Inflation Site

And don’t forget favorites like the Kermit the Frog and Spider-Man balloons, as well as countless marching bands, clowns, and celebrity entertainers. For an insider’s view, try wandering over to the balloon inflation site later today, around 77th Street and Central Park West.

But Caveat Balloon Gawker: As the evening wears on, only those with invitations are generally permitted onto the street. You can still get a good view from a little further away, however, and it’s a quintessential New York experience to say you were part of it.