nyc thanksgiving weekend
 

Going to NYC thanksgiving weekend. Need tips on (1)Macy's Parade (2) best time to go to Empire State Building - during this particular time of year - any tips welcome....Will have 4 adults, 4 kids (15, 10, 8 and 6...)

In my opinion the best viewing areas are along Central Park West between 60th and 70th Streets. Avoid viewing areas below 42nd Street. 59th Street and Columbus Circle is also a bad choice. The parade begins on 77th Street and Central Park West at 9:00AM. Arrive early and make sure you are all dressed in layers to keep warm. Avoid beverages so you don't have to go crazy looking for a bathroom.

Macy's Parade: I would go along Central Park West. I would get there between 7-7:30 for the kids to be able to get up front.

You might also want to take them the day before to the blowing up of the balloons. It starts about 3pm on Wednesday and goes into the night at West 77th Street and Central Park West.

Avoid all department stores on Friday after Thanksgiving.

Bring extra layers to view the parade. It can be chilly out there on a November morning. Whatever the forecast says, dress for 10 degrees colder, especially the kids.

I would not try to do the Empire State Building over Thanksgiving, you will be in line for HOURS, and miss lots of other things to see.

For the kids, there's skating at Wolman Rink in Central Park, and the Museum of Natural History with the IMAX Theatre, the Planetarium, Museum of TV and Radio, The Staten Island Ferry (at dusk), walking through the east village and so much more.

I would get a book on NYC and ask the kids to read it and pick some of the things they want to see, that way they will "own" more of the trip.

The parade is for kids off ALL AGES, so as everyone else mentioned dress WARMLY it will probably be cold and windy, hat scarf, gloves and boots to keep warmest.

Another annual special NY treat is the Bronx Zoo, it is lit up by over 1 Million lights over the holidays and there are carolers around the zoo singing christmas music (I sing there too). Some of the buildings are open so you can tour parts of the zoo as well. The cafe is where the carolers are located.

Have a great time while you are here.