As one of the many students stuck on campus for Thanksgiving, I turned to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, one of the most famous holiday events in the United States, during last year’s break. Though it was fun to see a larger-than-life inflated turkey float down Sixth Avenue, I learned some valuable lessons of event-going that still stick with me a year later — here are some do’s and don’ts for attending the parade, from someone who made these mistakes so you don’t have to.
Do: Get there early
Spanning 2.5 miles from 77th Street to 34th Street near Herald Square, the parade starts at 8:30 a.m. However, make sure to arrive at your designated viewing spot at least three hours early to beat the crowd and get a good view. It may seem excessive and will definitely make your day feel that much longer — but that unblocked line of view will absolutely be worth it. Where you plant yourself will determine how well you see everything and whether you have cover, just in case it rains. Sections of the streets might also open early, then close an hour later — at least, that was my experience when I was asked to move at 5:45 a.m. The earlier you show up, the quicker you can adjust your plans if and when something goes wrong.
Don’t: Go to Central Park
I stationed myself at Columbus Circle, thinking the parade would linger for longer at the corner of 59th Street and Central Park West. I was right — but I wasn’t the only one with the idea. The corner has restricted viewing and sections of it are closed to the public, but it can be hard to figure out what that looks like until you arrive. Macy’s provides the best viewing points, though be warned: Everyone else is probably reading the same piece of advice.
Do: Bundle up
No matter how many times you check your weather app or have a plan of where you’ll be along the parade route, late November in the city is cold. The earlier you go, the colder it’ll be — last year, it was 45 degrees Fahrenheit when I arrived, and only climbed a few more by the parade’s end. The rain didn’t help either, even though it didn’t show up in my forecast the night before. I wore my winter coat, a scarf, a sweater, Ugg boots and multiple layers, but it wasn’t enough to keep me from getting sick. Stay warm and dry, or you’ll spend your Thanksgiving weekend in bed.
Don’t: Push through the crowd
If you arrive at the parade late and can’t get to the barricades for the best view, walk around the route to find a better spot, or risk defeat and try again next year. Do not shove your way to the front — this may seem obvious, but we all know that one person who cuts the line to get into the Cantor Film Center or forces their way into a packed elevator even when they don’t really fit. So don’t make everyone around you uncomfortable and irritated because you ruined their special day.
Do: Talk to people near you
You won’t be the only one spending three hours waiting for the parade, so you might as well strike up a conversation with the people around you. People from all over the world come just for the event — and whether they’re from Stockholm or Sunnyside, you’ll probably meet someone you wouldn’t have otherwise. Last year, I talked to someone who moved to New York from Los Angeles to work at the FRIENDS Experience, the coffee house modeled after the sitcom’s “Central Perk” set. Since you’ll be there for many hours without entertainment, your fellow paradegoers can share their life stories until the floats show up.
Don’t: Film everything
The parade is undoubtedly fun to watch, but if you try to take a photo or video of every float that passes by, your phone will die before the parade is halfway done. Live in the moment — not everything needs to be posted to your Instagram story or take up storage in your camera roll. I took 12 videos and some photos before giving up. I realized it was more worthwhile to put my phone away and simply take in the experience, making memories rather than just documenting them.
Contact Alessa Alluin at [email protected].