# Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: what to do between sessions in New York City

Source: https://eventweekends.com/culture/macys-thanksgiving-parade/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** Thursday, 26 November 2026 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Central Park West to Herald Square, New York City, United States, about 7 km from the centre
- **Free time:** Gaps of two to four hours between screenings or shows, and whole days for companions.
- **Best base:** Midtown West and Chelsea: Walk to Times Square, Broadway and the High Line.
- **Getting there:** JFK has the AirTrain to the subway and LIRR (45 to 60 minutes to Midtown).
- **Weather:** In November, New York City temperatures average about 10°C, with roughly 101 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 9 h 33 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island; Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt; Central Park bike or pedicab tour

## Know before you go

- Balloon inflation on the evening before, near the American Museum of Natural History, is free to watch.

## Weather and what to pack

In November, New York City temperatures average about 10°C, with roughly 101 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 9 h 33 min of daylight.
- A warm layer for the evenings.
- A rain jacket or umbrella: it rains often in this month.
- Comfortable walking shoes and a small day bag.

## Airport to venue

JFK has the AirTrain to the subway and LIRR (45 to 60 minutes to Midtown). LaGuardia has the Q70 bus to the subway. Newark (EWR) has AirTrain to NJ Transit trains to Penn Station in 30 minutes.

Subway to 59 St-Columbus Circle; arrive by 6:30 am for a spot.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Long Island City and Downtown Brooklyn. One subway stop from Manhattan, cheaper rooms.
- **mid:** Midtown West and Chelsea. Walk to Times Square, Broadway and the High Line.
- **luxury:** Central Park South and the Upper East Side. Classic luxury hotels.
- Hotels we would book: Pod Times Square (budget), Arlo NoMad (mid), The Plaza (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.
- Half-day: Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt. Skyline views.
- Eat: Katz's Delicatessen, Pastrami

### A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.
- Full day: Hudson Valley day trip. Mansions and autumn colours.

### Evenings

After the last show of the day.
- Evening: Harbor sunset cruise. Manhattan skyline from the water.
- Eat: Joe's Pizza, Classic slice

### Rainy day

Indoor backups.
- Rain or heat backup: 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Allow two hours.
- Free: Central Park.

## Tours worth booking

- [Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Statue%20of%20Liberty%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-macys-thanksgiving-parade): Ferry from Battery Park; book pedestal or crown early.
- [Broadway show](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Broadway%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-macys-thanksgiving-parade): Matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- [Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Summit%20One%20Vanderbilt%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-macys-thanksgiving-parade): Skyline views.
- [Central Park bike or pedicab tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Central%20Park%20bike%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-macys-thanksgiving-parade): Bethesda Terrace and Strawberry Fields.
- [Food tour of Greenwich Village or Chinatown](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=New%20York%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-macys-thanksgiving-parade): Pizza, dumplings and cannoli.
- [Harbor sunset cruise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=New%20York%20sunset%20cruise&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-macys-thanksgiving-parade): Manhattan skyline from the water.
- [9/11 Memorial and Museum](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=911%20Museum%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-macys-thanksgiving-parade): Allow two hours.
- [Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO walking tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Brooklyn%20walking%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-macys-thanksgiving-parade): Cross the bridge and see the views.
- [Helicopter tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=New%20York%20helicopter%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-macys-thanksgiving-parade): Fifteen to thirty minutes over the harbour.
- [Hudson Valley day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Hudson%20Valley%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-macys-thanksgiving-parade): Mansions and autumn colours.

## Where to eat

- Katz's Delicatessen: Pastrami
- Joe's Pizza: Classic slice
- Russ and Daughters: Bagels and lox
- Chelsea Market: Food hall
- Xi'an Famous Foods: Hand-pulled noodles
- Los Tacos No. 1: Tacos
- Peter Luger: Steakhouse in Williamsburg
- Levain Bakery: Giant cookies

## With kids

- American Museum of Natural History.
- Bronx Zoo.
- Intrepid Museum.

## Rainy-day backups

- The Met.
- MoMA.
- Grand Central Market and the New York Public Library.

## Getting around

- Subway runs 24 hours; OMNY contactless with a weekly cap.
- Arthur Ashe Stadium: 7 train or LIRR to Mets-Willets Point.
- Uber and taxis are slow in Midtown traffic.

## Questions people ask

### When is Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026?

The next edition is Thursday, 26 November 2026, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

In November, New York City temperatures average about 10°C, with roughly 101 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 9 h 33 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Central Park West to Herald Square?

JFK has the AirTrain to the subway and LIRR (45 to 60 minutes to Midtown). LaGuardia has the Q70 bus to the subway. Newark (EWR) has AirTrain to NJ Transit trains to Penn Station in 30 minutes. Subway to 59 St-Columbus Circle; arrive by 6:30 am for a spot.

### Where should I stay for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

For most visitors the best base is Midtown West and Chelsea: Walk to Times Square, Broadway and the High Line.

### What can we do between sessions at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Good short outings in New York City include Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt, Central Park bike or pedicab tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Family-friendly picks: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Broadway show, Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt. American Museum of Natural History.

### How far is Central Park West to Herald Square from New York City centre?

About 7 km in a straight line. Subway to 59 St-Columbus Circle; arrive by 6:30 am for a spot.

More in New York City: https://eventweekends.com/city/new-york/