Our family, ages from 76 to 9, will be in New York for a few days including Easter Sunday, and the parade sounds fun. I understand that it runs up 5th Avenue from Rockefeller Center to 57th Street. Are there scads of people watching? Can you get close enough to the street to actually see anything? What time of day is it?

Thanks.

It's not your normal type of parade. You are actually part of it. The street is closed to traffic; hordes walk up and down the avenue, some dressed in eye-popping--sometimes outrageous--hats and other getups!

The parade this year will be on April 20. It usually starts around 10 am and goes to about 4. The parade is about people showing off their clothes/costumes/hats, so there's not a lot in the way of floats and bands. If possible, I would try and stay away from the ever crowded St. Patrick's Cathedral on that day.

Also don't forget that April 13-27 is the Macy's flower show. Make sure and plan time to drop in and see the beautiful flowers.

The Easter Parade is too funny! Men, women and animals in their Easter bonnets! I would say peak time is 10:30 to 12 noon and St Patty's is the best location because it is so crowded! You are there to people watch! Have fun!

I was there one year and wished I had understood in advance what it was. I would have loved to have been out in the middle of it all with some huge hat. You will not believe the characters you will see.

This sounds like it'll be hilarious; thanks for the replies. There's nothing more fun than people-watching in NYC, so this looks like a great opportunity.

Also thanks to gothampc for the tip about the flower show at Macy's. We'll definitely add that to the list.

I love these freebie things to do! Maybe we should wait until the musician strike is resolved to worry about tickets to any shows, huh?

We've been trying for weeks to decide where to go for Easter break and just decided tonight to head for NYC! We are excited! Would like to go to Easter Mass and if St. Patrick's is so crazy does anyone have a suggestion where we should go?

How about St. John the Divine? It is actually an Episcopal church and BIGGER than St. Pats (110 and Amsterdam Ave), and close to Columbia University.

The Easter Parade is really a HOOT, so many people and furry friends "dressed up", lol, in their finest, a must see to believe, lol.

Have a fun trip.

Do NOT miss the Easter parade..It is a hoot...and make sure you are able to answer any quesions your 9 yr old might ask as she/he sees guys in drag..
Totally fun!!

We went a few years ago and someone was dressed as the Statue of Liberty-- complete with the "bluey copper" face and body makeup..Incredible and tons of fun!

Go to the Easter Parade! We took the gang (see previous post) to the parade last year and had a *GREAT* time. Of course, the fact that it was absolutely picture-perfect weather didn't hurt...

Wandered up and down 5th Ave a few times, which was wonderful (bring your camera!!) then was pressured into lunch w/ a 10-yo nephew at Jekyll & Hyde (I did say we were tourists, didn't I?!?!). If anyone is remotely interested of a review of that place, I'd be happy to give you my opinion, but doubt that you're really interested.

Spent the rest of Easter Sunday (apres J&H above) wandering Central Park, and we just loved this afternoon. Weather was perfect, lots of people were out and about, and we finally made it to other sections of the park that we hadn't seen before.

Go! Sure wish I could make it again this year.

Cathy