Macy's Parade--Balloon Inflation--Time?
 

We'll be in NYC for 3 days over the Thanksgiving holiday.

What is the time frame for the balloon inflation the night before the parade? We were wondering what time to head up to check it out.

Thanks!

Sounds like it's from 3 pm - 10 pm (I googled it).
http://www.nyctourist.com/macys_balnite1.htm

3-10 p.m.is not what I recall from years past, so hopefully someone who has actually been lately will know for sure. I recall going up there (my friends used to live on the street where the balloons are blown up) around 10 p.m. and the balloons being inflated all night. Maybe they just don't like to encourage people hanging out after 10 p.m. since it's a residential neighborhood.

This one says 4 - 8 pm. Yes hopefully someone who knows for sure will pipe in.
http://manhattan.about.com/od/events...ysballoons.htm

You can wander by whenever you like, and yes it pretty much does take all night to blow up the balloons, so I'd go later so you can see the progress as the ballons are really taking shape. The "event" is all long Central Park West, just walk up from Columubs Circle or take the subway to 72nd St (Broadway Line or the B/C line along Central Park West).

I just looked at the forcast and we are going to have temps in the MID 50's for Thanksgiving, should be GREAT for the parade. ENJOY!!!!!

Thanks for your responses. I did see the various times--3 to 10 and 4 to 8--posted on different websites.

I am hoping a local can give me the real scoop. I have a 6:30 dinner reservation, and was wondering if I should go before or after dinner.

You'll see more after dinner. But be aware that EVERYONE takes their kids to this and there will be thousands of people on line to see the whole thing.

Yes go after dinner, earlier they are laying the balloons out and then they start to fill them, and it really does take pretty much all night to fill all the balloons.

The later you go the more balloons you will see.