Trying to plan a trip for family for Thanksgiving. We live in So. Jersey; they want to go to NYC and see the Macys Parade. Can we get tickets for seats? What's the best way to see the parade. One relative is elderly with limited walking. Suggestions? Thanks!!

you cannot get tickets; the best way to see the parade is from a private apt along the parade route. It is often very cold that time of year. I do not think its a good plan to take an elderly person with limited mobility.
Sorry to be so negative but its not that easy to enjoy the parade unless you are willing to stand with crowds in possibly very chilly weather.

I went to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade when I was 15, that was almost 40 years ago. The crowd at the curb was 3 rows deep... I couldn't see anything except Michael Landon on his horse (His show was all the rage then). It wasn't worth the experience.. very cold, very crowded.... its much better on television.

I have to agree with the nay sayers. It is hard enough to manuever around the city in a crowd without the parade. The only 'seats' are bleachers in front of Macy's, and they are for Macy's VIP's and families only, not for the general public. It will be cold, you will have to park quite far from the parade route as many streets are blocked off, and it will be tough to find restrooms unless you are near a hotel.
However, if you want the 'mobile' part of the family to join in some of the NY Thanksgiving fun without abandoning the imobile family on Thanksgiving Day, come in to the city on Wed. night. W. 79th & W. 81st streets bordering the Museum of Natural History are blocked off to traffic for the inflating of the parade balloons! Tons of fun trying to figure out if that big black blob is Snoopy's nose or Frosty's shoe. Walking involved as many streets are closed. Go have dinner and then start walking at about 10 PM. Look out for Al Roker. If you get behind him and wave, the imobile family member will get to see you on the 10 PM news.

I agree with the others, it's probably best to watch it on tv, the crowds are horrible.

Helen: 3 rows deep!! Those were the days weren't they? It was about three deep the first time I went in the mid-70's (John Davidson was the rage that year). I went about two years ago and the crowd was about 6 people deep. Another event that has outlived its usefulness.

Best to watch on television. We went 2 years ago. Got to the parade route aout 7 am and they were already 6 people deep!. Parking was another issue expensive and very far from parade. I agree that watching them the night before is just as much fun but was VERY cold and no public rest rooms around.

We went last year. Glad we did, will never do it again. But, I wanted to do it once and encourage everyone to do it at least once. Took a cab at 6:30 a.m. to the parade route. We were up by Tavern on the Green. We took a little step stool for my wife to sit on while we were there. Very cold for us Floridians, but it was in the low 40's.

Getting there is no problem, just catch a cab right to your spot. Getting back is a little tougher because all the cabs are taken.

I would suggest trying to stay somewhere like the Marquis Marriott. At least get 1 room for the night (although I think there is a 2 night min) That way you are basically staying on the parade route. The rest of your party can go down and get the seats and the less mobile person can come down at 9:00 or so. Restrooms nearby as well as very close to walk back to the room.

Go, don't let anyone talk you out of it. With the right planning you'll have a GREAT time. We did.
Duane

If I was planning to come up specifically for that parade (want to warn you it can be very cold that weekend), I would want to be here the night before. They blow up the ballons in central park. Everybody is out but it is not as crowded as the actual parade.

Nan I live here and have a hard time making it out to that parade. But if you have kids it still will be a memorable experience even if you can't get that close.

rooms are very expensive for the parade and often booked a year in advance..but you can check with the Novotel..they have rooms overlooking the parade and a terraced lobby that gets parade views..good luck