Macy's Parade where to stand?
 

We will be in NYC for the Macy's day parade. We are staying on the Upper East Side and would like to be near the beginning of the parade route. We have a 7 year old boy with us so we would like to be in the front of the line to see the parade. Where should we stand for best viewing and what time should we get there? Thanks so much for your help.

The Parade starts at West 77th Street and goes south along Central Park West to Columbus Circle, then it turns east on Central Park South to 6th Avenue (ask Avenue of the Americas) where it again goes south to 34th Street.

So, if you want to be "near the beginning of the parade route, set yourself up somewhere on Central Park South between West 75th Street and West 59th Street. The parade itself begins at 9:00AM. People will start lining up along the streets around 6:00AM. The earlier you get their the better your chance you'll have of "being in the front". There are no guarantees so go earlier rather than later.


Go here for more information:
http://social.macys.com/parade2012_k...-_-n-_-n#/home

Agree to get there early if you have a small child who wants to see- or assume that you will have to hold him on your shoulders (not really viable for a long period). the farther uptown the better chance to be near the front.

Also - don;t forget that the balloons are blown up the later afternoon/evening before in the park next to the Museum of Natural History. But again, do realize there will be tens of thousands of people there.

So as to avoid any confusion for the OP, a corection on RoamsAround posting: In the second paragraph, it should read "Central Park WEST between West 75th Street and West 59th Street..."

Thanks for the correction, Howard! I got that "direction" mixed up.

Oh, and just so you know the "performances" - of the Rockettes and numbers from Broadway shows only happen right in front of Macy's and for the TV viewers and VIPS in those Grandstands. People on the parade route don;t see them unless you have a teeny TV with you!