Travel Tips for Getting to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade-What You Need to Know

Every year, millions of people go into Manhattan to see the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It is considered the 'unofficial' start of the Christmas season. If you are considering going to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year, here are some tips from a former NYC traffic reporter.

Travel Tips For Getting to The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade-The New Parade Route

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at Central Park West and 77^th Street at 9am and ends at 34^th Street in Herald Square. Because of the new traffic pattern in Times Square, there is a change in the parade route this year. As the parade heads down 7^th Avenue towards 42^nd Street, it will go east toward 6^th Avenue. Once on 6^th Avenue, the parade route will travel south towards Herald Square and Macy's Department Store on 34^th Street.

Travel Tips For Getting to The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade-Road Closures

Roads will begin to close in preparation for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at 3pm Wednesday November 25^th near The Museum of Natural History (77^th and 81^st Streets) to begin inflating the balloons. The parade route closures effect streets 3-4 blocks east and west of the parade route as well as above and below the start and end points. Expect some Central Park transverses to be closed as well and disruptions in bus routes that coincide with the parade route. (See more on mass transit in the following paragraph.) These closures will remain in effect through the duration of the parade and up to 1-2 hours after the parade has ended. Local NYC radio stations like 1010 WINS-AM and 880 WCBS-AM provide traffic reports every ten minutes 24/7 and are excellent sources for the most up to date traffic information regarding The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Travel Tips For Getting to The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade-Gridlock alert!

Thanksgiving is a Gridlock Alert day for traveling into New York City. That's basically a warning for people who plan on heading into the city to take mass transit instead of driving in. If you are planning to go to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, here's a run down for what trains to take into Manhattan.

From New Jersey: Take either New Jersey Transit Trains (NJTT) or the PATH Train. NJTT goes into Pennsylvania Station at 34^th Street and 7^th Avenue. The PATH train goes to 33^rd Street and 6^th Avenue one block away from Pennsylvania Station. If you want to head more uptown where the parade begins, take the A,C, B, or D trains.

From Long Island: Take the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) into in Pennsylvania Station. Follow directions and advice from the above section on New Jersey train routes.

From Westchester/Rockland Counties: Take Metro North into Grand Central Terminal at 42^nd Street and Lexington Avenue. You will need to walk west about 4-5 blocks to get to the parade route.

Due to the holiday, NJ Transit trains and busses, PATH, LIRR, and Metro North will be on either a holiday or Sunday schedule. However it is customary for all these trains to provide additional service before and after the parade to accommodate travelers.

Sources:

Over 10 years personal experience as a NYC traffic reporter

http://www.nytix.com/Hotels/articles/thanksgivingroutemap.html

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

http://newyorkcity2005.web.infoseek.co.jp/information/citymap.html

http://gonyc.about.com/cs/thanksgiving/a/tdayparade.htm