Wondering where the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are? If so, keep reading!
If you’re visiting NYC during Thanksgiving, you might be wondering where the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are!
This is one of the most epic parades that happens in NYC, so you’ll want to have a great view to soak it all in!
And finding the ideal best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is such an important part of the experience!
As the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is such a huge event in the city, there are plenty of brilliant viewpoints to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade from…
And often, the best way to watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, is to find the ideal spot and enjoy!
You just need to know where to look!
Here, we’ll talk about the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and also some tips for making the best of the day!
But first, the basics about Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade….
Do you need to pay to watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
No, you don’t! The parade is a public parade, so you can view it from most places along the route for free.
You won’t need to pay a ticket fee to stand in any of the public viewing locations along the route.
Are there ticketed seats for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Or, can you buy tickets for a better view to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Well, not exactly.
Unlike other big events in the city, there aren’t really any tickets sold for exclusive viewing seats or podiums.
There just isn’t that kind of thing available for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to the general public for purchase.
The parade is free, so viewing it is also free… you just need to find a good location.
This means that finding the best way to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is all about securing that perfect viewing spot early, and being smart about where you stand.
There aren’t purchasable VIP seats or boxes, etc, so don’t waste your time looking for them.
Some charities do give away seats for fundraisers, but it’s unlikely the average Joe from the public would get their hands on these special seats, because they’re very expensive and very exclusive.
You may find restaurants or bars along the route charging extra during the parade, for tickets, but these aren’t associated with the parade itself.
So really, for the public, when finding the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – you should take a read of this list.
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Where does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade take place?
When it comes to locating the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – it helps to know where the parade actually goes!
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 77th Street & Central Park West, at 9am in the morning.
The Parade then goes south towards Midtown, on Central Park West.
As you’d expect, the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, will be along this route, or as close as possible to it.
The first main area for viewing is Columbus Circle. At this point, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade turns east onto Central Park South. This is another great location to view the parade from (we’ll get into that below).
Once the parade has reached 6th Avenue, it turns south to 34th Street.
Then it’s straight down 34th Street, towards Bryant Park and Macy’s Herald Square.
Anyway, let’s get into it all in more detail below!
Here’s our list of the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
Columbus Circle
Without a doubt, one of the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is along Columbus Circle.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to access the sidewalk on Columbus Circle, as this is now closed to the public.
However, you can try and sneak into the Shops at Columbus Circle to get a decent view of the parade from the elevated floors.
Although it’s not perfect, this is an excellent way to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from a warm, toasty viewing area (perfect on a rainy day!).
Just be aware that many people will likely have the same idea, so your vantage point is unlikely to be stellar, and it will almost definitely be busy.
This is one of the most popular choices for the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, because it is a lengthy section of the parade!
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Secret tip: Find a hotel overlooking Columbus Circle…
Another hack for finding the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, is to find a hotel room on the route. Or a hotel bar.
In this particular location, the Mandarin Oriental is the best hotel to watch the parade from, and their bar has a great view of this section of the parade (although you’ll be quite high up of course!).
If you’ve got the budget, this is a top option for the best way to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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Central Park South
Next on our list of the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, it’s Central Park South. This is another excellent spot for watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
This is a great choice for those who want to avoid the worst of the crowds – as you’ll have a little more space here.
If you’re not fussed about getting the ultimate view of the parade and would rather avoid the worst of the crowds, then this is an excellent choice for the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Again, you can find some great hotels along this part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route.
So, if you’re heading to the city simply to watch the parade, you might even be able to watch it all from your hotel window.
Some of the best hotels along this part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route are listed towards the end of this article in much more detail!
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Central Park West
Next on our list of the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, it’s Central Park West.
This is one of the initial stages of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and early on in the day.
Central Park West is an excellent place to try and snag a place to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Although you won’t be able to perch on the sidewalk right at the start of the viewing area, you can start gathering from 72nd Street.
You’ll need to stick to the west side if you want to catch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, as anything further east isn’t open to the public.
If you want to catch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from Central Park West, then it’s worth being aware that this is one of the first places that the parade passes, so perfect for early birds!
Be aware! If you arrive past 9am, you’re likely to miss it!
However, you’ll need to rock up early to practically any viewing spot, so this shouldn’t be much of an issue. A great choice for the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Sixth Avenue
Sixth Avenue is another option for the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
So, if you’re shivering away on the sidewalk, you’ll be able to catch most of the action before 11:00am.
Trust us when we say that a warm cup of hot chocolate will be welcomed after standing out in the cold for hours!
And luckily, there are lots of cafes and lunch spots in this part of the city.
As the parade hits this spot slightly later than a couple of others on this list of the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, you should be able to set up here at around 7:00 or 7:30 and still get a decent view.
Read more about parades in NYC: The best places to watch the St Patrick’s Day Parade in NYC (plus map!)
Hotel Central Park
As we’ve already briefly mentioned, if you’d like to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in comfort, then consider splurging on one of the many hotels that overlook the parade route.
Your own hotel room can be the perfect choice for the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
As the parade route hits numerous corners of Central Park, The Hotel Central Park is an AMAZING choice!
It probably comes as no surprise that one of the best hotels for watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is Hotel Central Park.
Not only is this property beautifully fitted and full of luxury details.
You might have to call ahead to secure a room that overlooks the parade route, but if you call up prior to placing a booking, the friendly staff are sure to do their best to help you out.
So, sit back, relax, and watch the world go by.
This is a gorgeous choice for the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Another excellent hotel that you may want to consider for watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is The Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
This is an ideal choice for the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Now, a room at this luxury hotel costs a bomb. We’re not kidding, during the parade dates, you’re looking at upwards of $1000. Wowzers!
However, if you’re willing to dish out the dough, then you’ll get some incredible views of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as it passes through Columbus Circle.
Featuring great amenities, awesome bathrooms, and unbeatable views of the city, the Mandarin Oriental is an excellent choice for anyone looking to catch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
A luxurious choice for the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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The Ritz-Carlton
Next on our list of the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, it’s The Ritz-Carlton.
Those looking to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the lap of luxury will appreciate The Ritz-Carlton New York.
Located right near Central Park, this hotel gives you great views out onto 59th Street and beyond.
As well as being a prime hotel for catching the parade itself, the Ritz-Carlton also happens to be one of the most gorgeous hotels in NYC.
With amazing full windows, a spa, and a lovely on-site restaurant, there’s plenty here to love without the promise of catching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! Again, a stay at the Ritz won’t come cheap.
However, you only live once, right? Go on, treat yourself to a stay! Another great choice for the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
New York Hilton Midtown
Although not every room at the New York Hilton Midtown offers stellar views of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, several rooms overlook Sixth Avenue.
If you request one of these rooms, then you may just have one of the best seats in the house for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
If you’re lucky to score one of these rooms, then it’s a great choice for the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
This hotel is luxurious, but it has a more modern appeal when compared to some of the other high-end New York hotels.
If you do choose to stay in this hotel, then you’ll be perfectly placed to explore the best that NYC has to offer.
Our top tips for watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
OK, so now you know the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, it’s time to learn a few tips, so you can get the best out of the day!
Only half the battle when enjoying the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is turning up at the right place!
Even if you’ve researched the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – it doesn’t guarantee a perfect day.
Hopefully, these extra tips will though!
Now let’s talk about our tips for watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
Tip 1: Wrap up warm!
Remember, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade happens in November in NYC, which is the start of winter.
So (obviously) make sure you wrap up warm on the day. Most of the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are outdoors, and you’ll be standing around for a few hours – so wrap up and get cosy!
Tip 2: Avoid the Official Viewing Area
The official viewing area is located on 34th Street, and it’s usually the most crowded part of the route.
Whilst many people would recommend this as one of the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, we wouldn’t because of the sheer crowds and amounts of people. It can feel a little like you’re a sardine!
Tip 3: Show up early
As with any public event, the key to finding the best place to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is to show up early to the right places!
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade generally departs right on the hour at 9am – so we’d recommend grabbing a good place to stand at least by 8am.
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Tip 4: You can see the balloons the day before!
If you’re in the city for more than the day itself, then you can actually head to 77th and 81st streets between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue (1pm – 8pm the day before the parade) – for a great viewing opportunity of all the giant inflatables.
Tip 5: Take the subway
Our last tip for viewing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is to arrive at your chosen spot by Subway.
When you’re making your way to any of the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, don’t even consider getting a taxi!
There will be so many crowds and road closures – it could take hours! Subway is the most reliable option on parade day!
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We hope this list of the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been helpful!
As you can see, there are a few different choices for the best places to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
Let us know which you will be checking out on the big day!
And have fun!
