Great Adventures Around the World | Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a time honored tradition, an American classic and nothing short of a great adventure! The first parade took place in the 1920s. It began as a celebration by Macy’s Department Store employees who were proud of their American heritage and wanted to celebrate! The parade has since blossomed into one of the most well known parades in the world. Each year, families flock to New York City to experience one the most magnificent parades of the year…a parade that they will most certainly never forget! 

Each year the parade begins at 9:00 AM. In order to secure a prime parade viewing location people begin lining the streets as early as 6:00 AM! The parade begins at 77^th Street and Central Park West. When the parade reaches Columbus Circle (59^th Street), it then turns on to Broadway. Heading down Broadway, the parade marches through Time Square and down to 34^th Street where it will then turn at Macy’s Herald Square and eventually, end on 7^th Avenue. 

There is seating available for viewing the Macy’s parade, unfortunately, the seating is reserved for Macy’s executives, corporate sponsors, charitable organizations and politicians. Several hotels offer a view of the parade route (the Marriott Marquis, Holiday Inn Crown Plaza, Trump International, and the Mayflower…just to name a few), however, good luck getting a room as they book up months (if not years) in advance! 

The beautiful giant balloons that are used in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are probably the biggest attraction…especially for children! The balloons are inflated the night before the event. Inflation starts around 4:00 PM and takes place on 77^th and 81^st Streets between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. Watching the balloons come to life as they are filled with helium is definitely a sight to see…an adventure in itself! The first balloon ever to fly in the parade was Felix the cat. Over the years there have been hundreds of other character balloons including Garfield, Betty Boop, Shrek, Hello Kitty, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Spiderman…just to name a few! 

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a once in a life time adventure! For those of you that would rather stay home, you can, of course, view the festivities on television. Each year, more than 40 million people tune in on Thanksgiving morning. NBC has been the official broadcaster of the parade since 1955 and it is usually hosted by members of the Today Show cast. 

Whether or not you attend the parade in person or watch from the comfort of your living room, one thing is certain. The parade, to many families, has become a yearly Thanksgiving tradition. After all, there is nothing like family, turkey, pumpkin pie and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!! Happy Thanksgiving! And here’s to another great adventure! Gobble Gobble!

Related posts:

1. A Great Adventure with Great Legs Christmas is coming and as the old song goes…”It is...
2. Hot Air Balloons, a Great Adventure? You Bet! Every year, for one week in October, thousands of people...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.