The Atlas Expeditions

May 19, 2026

No, it’s not too early to start planning!

Ever since I was a little girl watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from the comfort of my West Coast home, I dreamed of seeing it in person someday. Last fall, the timing finally worked out, and I was able to experienced the parade front and center with my two boys, ages 6 and 8 and spouse.

I dove into the research, booked our hotel, and prepared for visiting New York City with kids during one of the busiest tourist seasons of the year 😬. Now I’m sharing our lessons learned and favorite tips to help you plan an unforgettable Thanksgiving trip for your own family to New York City!

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route stretches 2.5 miles, beginning near Central Park and traveling down 6th Avenue through Midtown Manhattan. While there are plenty of hotels within walking distance of the parade route, booking early is essential if you want the best location and prices.

For our trip, we stayed at the Marriott near Bryant Park. This Midtown hotel was just a couple of blocks from the parade route, making parade morning much easier with kids in tow. Its central location also made it convenient for exploring many of New York City’s top sights throughout our stay, which made it an ideal base for our family adventures.

Tips for Attending the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Kids

⭐️ Book your hotel early
If possible, look for a hotel within walking distance of the parade route. Trust me — this makes the very early morning wake-up much more manageable with kids and allows for an easier return once the parade ends.

We arrived at 5:30 a.m. and ended up in the second row along the parade route. I honestly have no idea how long the people in the front row had been waiting! Our view was fantastic, though, and I personally wouldn’t have wanted to arrive any earlier with children. Keep in mind, it’s a long wait until the parade officially begins at 8:30 a.m. (especially if you are farther down the parade route from the start).

For information on the parade route, you can check the route here.

⭐️ Dress warmer than you think you need to
Temperatures in New York City during Thanksgiving week can vary drastically from year to year. Some years are brutally cold, while others are more mild. Even during a “warmer” year, standing or sitting outside for hours can feel freezing (not to mention wind chill).

We dressed our kids in multiple warm layers, including thick winter socks, snow boots, base layers, waterproof pants, insulated jackets, gloves, and winter hats. I also packed extra hand warmers and neck gaiters just in case anyone got cold while waiting for the parade to start. My philosophy is that It’s better to over dress and take off layers as needed, than be cold and not have enough layers on.

⭐️ Pack snacks, water, and entertainment for the wait
The waiting period before the parade begins can feel very long for kids, so come prepared. I packed a small backpack with books, iPads, toys, snacks, and water to help keep everyone entertained.

One important note: bathrooms along the parade route are very limited. You may want to avoid having kids drink too much while waiting. Our emergency backup plan was simply to run back to the hotel if absolutely necessary.

⭐️ Bring camp chairs if you can
Portable camp chairs made a huge difference for our family. We brought lightweight folding chairs from REI that were easy to travel with and not too heavy to carry around the city.

Having a place to sit while waiting for several hours helped tremendously — especially for the kids. Once the parade started, we simply folded the chairs up and stood to enjoy the festivities.

⭐️ Read Balloons Over Broadway before your trip
If you have younger children, they may love reading Balloons Over Broadway before your visit. The story shares the history behind the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the creation of its iconic giant balloons, making the experience even more magical for kids.

In my effort to make sure we experienced everything the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade had to offer, I also dragged my kids (and spouse) to the balloon inflation event the afternoon before the parade. If you’re unfamiliar with it, the giant parade balloons are inflated on the Upper West Side near the Museum of Natural History and Central Park the day before Thanksgiving, and visitors can walk by to watch the process up close.

Looking back, this is probably one thing I would skip if I were doing this trip again. While it was undeniably cool to see the balloons up close, I realized that it took away a bit of the magic for my kids of seeing the balloons float down the parade route for the first time on Thanksgiving morning. By the time the parade started, the big reveal of seeign the massive floats in person had already happened and took away the giggly excitemement of seeign the floats on the parade route.

That said, if you’re unable to attend the parade itself, the balloon inflation event is still a fun way to experience part of the excitement and tradition surrounding the parade. For our family, though, this was definitely a case of me trying a little too hard to fit everything in.

Tips for Visiting the Macy’s Balloon Inflation Event with Kids

⭐️ Arrive early and expect long lines
The balloon inflation event is incredibly popular, so be prepared for large crowds and a long wait to enter. When we got off the subway, we actually had to walk nearly seven blocks just to find the end of the line 😲.

The line moves steadily, but it can definitely test the patience of younger kids, especially after a full day of sightseeing.

⭐️ Bring snacks, water, and a little entertainment
Just like parade morning, a few simple distractions go a long way. I recommend packing water, snacks, and perhaps a small activity or toy to help pass the time while waiting in line.

There are also vendors along the route selling snacks and drinks, but having a few familiar favorites on hand made things much easier for the littles in your family.

⭐️ Pack light and keep things simple
The city’s event guidelines mention restrictions on large bags, backpacks, umbrellas, and oversized items. In our experience, security wasn’t overly strict, but traveling light definitely helped us move through the line and security checkpoints more easily.

With kids, maneuverability matters — especially in dense Manhattan crowds — so I’d recommend bringing only the essentials.

⭐️ Pair it with other Upper West Side activities
The balloon inflation takes place near Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side, making it easy to turn into a full afternoon outing.

You could easily combine the event with time at the museum, lunch nearby, or a stroll through Central Park before heading back to your hotel for the evening.

⭐️ Enjoy New York City during the holiday season
One of the most magical parts of visiting New York for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is that it also marks the unofficial kickoff to Christmas in New York City. By Thanksgiving week, the city is already glowing with holiday lights, decorated storefronts, festive window displays, and Christmas trees.

It truly feels like New York is dressed in its winter best, which makes the entire trip feel even more special for kids and adults alike.

Once you’ve recovered from the excitement — and very early wake-up call — of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, take some time to enjoy all of the holiday magic New York City has to offer.

One of my kids’ favorite stops was the iconic FAO Schwarz toy store. Visiting during the holiday season felt especially magical, with giant stuffed animals, interactive toy displays, and festive decorations around every corner.

Of course, the highlight was recreating scenes from the movie Big — from visiting Zoltar the fortune teller to dancing across the store’s famous oversized piano keys. It was one of those quintessential New York experiences that felt just as fun for the adults as it was for the kids.

During the holiday season, Bryant Park transforms into a picturesque winter village filled with festive charm. The park’s Christmas market is lined with vendors selling handcrafted gifts, seasonal treats, and cozy holiday drinks, making it the perfect place to wander and soak in the atmosphere. There’s also an ice skating rink in the center of the park. While we decided to skip the ice skating because of the cost, we still loved spending time browsing the market and enjoying the holiday energy.

Just across the street, the New York Public Library is beautifully decorated for the season and absolutely worth a stop while you’re in the neighborhood. The grand architecture and festive touches make it feel especially magical during Thanksgiving and Christmas time.

As evening falls, Midtown Manhattan truly comes alive. Twinkling lights, decorated storefronts, towering Christmas trees, and elaborate holiday window displays create an unforgettable atmosphere throughout the city. One of our favorite evening activities was simply walking along 5th Avenue and admiring the famous holiday window displays. Department stores throughout Midtown go all out for the season, transforming their storefronts into elaborate Christmas scenes filled with twinkling lights, animated displays, ornaments, snowflakes, and larger-than-life decorations. Stores like Saks Fifth Avenue even host dazzling holiday-themed light shows that draw crowds each night and add to the excitement of the season.

And if you need a break from all things Christmas, consider a broadway show! Head out to Ellis Island and take a tour of Statue of Liberty. We booked our tickets well in advance and were lucky enough to snag access to the top of the crown — an experience that was absolutely worth it. I highly recommend purchasing tickets directly through the National Park Service rather than using a third-party vendor. Click here for the official National Park Service website. If sold out, you may have luck with Get Your Guide.

We hope you’ve found this post helpful for your travel plans!