Top Tips for Seeing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Person

I don't love crowds and I don't love cold weather. But a few years ago, I ended up going to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in person, instead of seeing it in the comfort of my living room. And it was tons of fun. It's really neat to see the giant balloons appear, and underneath, the people holding them with ropes, a leader telling them which way to pull.

If you're a tourist coming to New York, or a suburbanite trying this for the first time, here are a few tidbits on how to see the 2007 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with a maximum of enjoyment and a minimum of stress.

The Route:

The parade starts at 9 am, heads south on Central Park West from 77th Street, across Columbus Circle to Broadway, and down Broadway to 34th Street, then West on 34th. You can see the map on the Macy's website: www.Macysparade.com

Where you should go:

If you can get bleacher seats near Macy's on 34th Street -- go for it! That is the prime viewing area, where the TV broadcast is. Problem is, if you don't know someone at Macy's or NBC, you won't get in there. A few people may try to cram in at the sides, but unless you get there a few hours early, you're not going to see anything but the peoples' heads in front of you. So, this is not the place to go if you're not hooked up with bleacher seats. I've tried it and didn't get anywhere close.

Also- there's nothing to see between 34th and 38th Streets. This is a quiet zone. The people in the parade just keep quiet here so they don't interfere with the TV broadcast, and they can get ready to go on.

Instead, consider viewing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade near but not at Columbus Circle or near its starting point on Central Park West. This area has been the least crowded during the years my family and I have gone. There are people who get there several hours early for the 9 am parade, but we've never done that. We've never been in the front row on the sidewalk, but we've been able to see everything that passes because the crowd hasn't been a zillion people thick, even in warmer years. Also, I've found that leaving after the parade, whether by car or by subway, is easier when the crowds aren't so large.

We've also seen the parade near Times Square, where the crowd is A LOT thicker. Even so, you can still see the balloons and the floats, so being there in person is a fun experience. Marching bands and dancers might be a bit harder to spot with all the people blocking your view, unless you get there hours early. One year, we watched part of the parade from a hotel window, but it was too high, and the window wouldn't open, so it wasn't even as good as watching the parade on TV.

And Finally, Attractions for the 81st Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade:

According to their website, they're planning to have 11 Giant Character Balloons, including Shrek and Snoopy. There will be dancers, singers, 11 marching bands and 24 floats. Celebrities include Ashley Tisdale, Jordin Sparks, Ne-Yo and Nikki Blonsky. Plus, don't forget, you'll be able to see the Radio City Rockettes and Santa Claus.