Broadway:

Events and Shows:

Shopping:

Sports:

Sightseeing:

Restaurants:

Beauty and Spa:

Best of New York, Goldstar

Goldstar, Gilt City, StubDog

Gilt Groupe, Bluefly, NYC Sample Sales

Goldstar, TicketsNow

NY Pass, $5 Off Bus Tours, Best of New York

Gilt City, Groupon, Savored

Lifebooker, Gilt City, Bloomspot

86th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Turkey Float

Parade
Thursday, November 22, 2012
9am-12pm

Balloon Set Up
November 21st, 3-10pm

Floats, Clowns, Balloons, Celebrities, Santa Claus and so much more. Arrive no later than 7am to stake the best viewing spots.

Route and Where to Stand – New in 2012:

The 2012 Thanksgiving Parade route starts on Central Park West and 77th Street, marches South on Central Park West to Columbus Circle, turns east on Central Park South and South on 6th Avenue to Macy’s at 34th Street at Herald Square.

In previous yeas, it was not advisable to watch the parade on CPW or Columbus Circle, but rather further down on 7th Avenue (in 2012, this will be 6th Avenue). There are high winds and lots of shade along CPW, so floats and entertainers have been known to “rush” through this area. Pick a sunny spot down on 6th Avenue between Central Park and Macy’s on 34th Street. Sixth Avenue between 34th and 38th Street will be closed to spectators. More information at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.

Balloon Set Up – This can actually be as much fun as the Parade itself and many of us have stood outside with Hot Chocolate (or, um, something stronger) and watched the Parade balloons being blown up. The set up takes place on either side of the American Museum of Natural History, on 77th and 81st Sts between CPW and Columbus from 3-10 pm on Wednesday, November 21st.

Thanksgiving Parade – Best Hotel Rooms

Thanksgiving in New York City

There are plenty of hotels along the 2012 Thanksgiving Parade Route:

Central Park W (77th to 59th Sts)
Central Park South (same as 59th St)
6th Avenue: (58th to 34th Sts)
34th Street (between Broadway & 7th Ave)

Some hotels have great views of the Parade (and some don’t!), making it easy to stay warm and dry, use a rest room, eat and STILL watch the Parade from a prime spot. Many of them also offer Thanksgiving in New York City Hotel Packages (though they can be pricey).

The Parade changed routes in both 2009 and 2012, so please be aware when researching older information and read the FULL NYC Insider Guide to Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Hotels and Vacation Packages

Thanksgiving Short Stay-Cation Vacation Package

Wednesday Balloon Inflation Tour

Applebee’s breakfast and use of the facility during the Macy’s Parade (no parade view from inside Applebee’s)

Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet Breakfast with Santa Friday morning

Rates from: $511.50 per person for a 2-night complete package

More info: Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Short Stay-Cation

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Route Hotel Vacations

Accommodations at the New York Hilton on the parade route for 3 nights or longer

Option to purchase exclusive holiday events and meals

Rates from: $958 per person for a 3-night complete package

More info: Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Route Hotel Vacations

All New York City Travel Packages include Hotel, Taxes, Free Attractions and Museums, Discounts, Maps, Vacation Planning Assistance and more.

Thanksgiving Day Parade VIP View Vacation

Deluxe breakfast buffet at the Hilton New York Bridges Lounge at 8am

Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from the private secured outdoor viewing area

Choice of a tour Wednesday at 2:30pm to the Macy’s Parade Balloon Inflation area or a guided Holiday Displays Tour on Thursday at 5:30pm. 

Optional add-ons include: Thanksgiving Lunch, Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner or Breakfast with Santa Claus

Rates from: $1,398 per person for 4-night complete package

More info: Thanksgiving Day Parade VIP View Vacation

Insider’s View Thanksgiving Parade Vacation Package

Exclusive Insider’s View Party Breakfast overlooking the Macy’s Parade

Choice of Balloon Inflation or Holiday Lights tour

Optional holiday tours and events (additional cost)

Rates from: $691.00 per person for 4-night complete package

More info: New York City Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Vacation

Half Price Tickets on Thanksgiving in NYC

Thanksgiving NYC Half Price Tickets:

- 90-Minute New York Twilight Cruise
– Dialog in the Dark Show
– 90-Minute New York Skyline Cruise
– Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square
– Strawberry Fields: A Tribute to The Beatles
– Rockettes Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Stay tuned for more Thanksgiving discounts and also check StubDog for more half price tickets

Thanksgiving in New York City – Attractions

Many New York City Tourist Attractions are open 365 days per year, although some with limited hours.

Thanksgiving Day may be a great day to try and see some of the more popular attractions, as they will be much more crowded the days before and after Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving in New York City – Open Attractions
Empire State Building
Top of the Rock and most of Rockefeller Center
Statue of Liberty (note: Will have to miss Thanksgiving Parade)
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
CitySights New York City Bus Tours
Times Square – Hershey’s Store, M&M Store, Hard Rock Cafe and more.
Ground Zero Memorial – 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Central Park – Zoo, Carousel, Wollman Ice Skating Rink
Spy: The Exhibit – The Secret World of Espionage

Thanksgiving in New York City – Closed Attractions
Guggenheim Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day)
Museum of Modern Art (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
American Museum of Natural History (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
New York Botanical Garden Train Show (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)

CityPASS
51% off Top 6 Attractions

NY Explorer Pass
Customize your Sightseeing

Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise in New York City

Experience spectacular views of Manhattan and the New York skyline as you enjoy an exceptionally prepared Thanksgiving meal.

With all the scrumptious trimmings of a traditional Thanksgiving meal and breathtaking New York City views as an ever-changing backdrop, this dinner cruise is a great way to sightsee New York City and make your Thanksgiving Day unforgettable.

More Info: NYC Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise

Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise Highlights Include:

• 4-course dinner freshly prepared on board
• Thanksgiving dinner cruise in New York
• Enjoy views of the New York skyline, Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty
• Sail along the Hudson River and the East River
• On board music entertainment provided by D.J.

Departure Point: Cruise departs from 41st Street Marina, New York
Departure Time: Sails at 7:00pm (boarding starts at 6:00pm)
Return Details: Returns to original departure point at approximately 10:00pm
Price: From $122 per person
Spots sell out quickly – book your New York City Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise

Thanksgiving Dinner in New York City

Thanksgiving in New York City

Many restaurants are open on Thanksgiving in New York City, and most of them will be serving pre-fix dinners.

Check out the complete NYC Insider Guide to Thanksgiving Dinner in New York City.

New York City Helicopter Tours

The cold weather is a great time to take to the Manhattan skies for an exciting New York City Helicopter Tour! On top of our always-gorgeous skyline, you’re bound to see amazing holiday lights up close this time of year! Enjoy spectacular aerial views of the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Ground Zero Memorial, World Trade Center and Ellis Island downtown.

I LOVED my tour…check out some of my photos and review at New York City Helicopter Tour.

NYC Insider Print Map and Guide to Manhattan

The Print Guide to New York City includes the BEST of the NYC Insider Guide website, with detailed maps, directions and my personal recommendations for shopping, restaurants, attractions and Insider Tips.

Available for download and print immediately, you can make as many copies as you want and get FREE Updates for a year!

Read more about the BEST Print Guide to New York City on the internet.

• Detailed maps of over 18 NYC neighborhoods, top Things to Do and See, restaurants, Shopping, Subways and key hotels
• Weekly chart of the Free Museum Days and NYC Tours
• Over 20 Discount and Outlet Shopping Locations rarely advertised
• Best of NYC by ALL native New Yorkers! Kid’s sights and restaurants, Movie and TV sights, Pizza, Romance and FREE views of the NYC Skyline
• NEW BONUS GUIDE with 14 pages of additional NYC Maps and Guides

Thanksgiving in New York City – All Shows

Broadway and other NYC shows are hit or miss on Thanksgiving. In prior years, some Broadway Shows have performed, the Rockettes always have multiple shows and other shows are open around the city.

Thanksgiving in New York City – Open Shows
Big Apple Circus (2pm Performance)
Phantom of the Opera (8:00pm)
Chicago (8pm)
Radio City Christmas Spectacular, with the Rockettes
The Nutcracker Ballet at Lincoln Center (please confirm)

Thanksgiving in New York City – Closed Shows
Lion King, Spiderman, The Book of Mormon, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia!, Evita, Mary Poppins, Rock of Ages, Once, Peter and the Starcatcher, War Horse, Annie…see Broadway.com for more holiday schedules.

Check back soon for more information or follow NYC Insider Guide:

Thanksgiving in New York City – Ice Skating

For tourists and locals alike, ice skating at Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park is a classic New York winter experience.

All three major rinks are open on Thanksgiving Day, as are the restaurants surrounding them.

Here are the rates and dates for the most well-known ice skating rinks.

NIT Season Tip Off and Championship Game

Madison Square Garden NIT

NIT Post Season Tip Off 2012

11/21, 7:00 pm- Semifinals

11/23, 2:30 pm – Championship
NIT Season Tip-Off Tickets

or try Ticketmaster

Michigan, Virginia, Kansas State and Pittsburgh headline the 2012 NIT Season Tip-Off, and the winners advance to Madison Square Garden during Thanksgiving Weekend.

Held every November, the Preseason NIT Tip-Off Finals are a great way to kick off the beginning of the college basketball season.

Deluxe Thanksgiving Day Package at Strand Hotel NYC

The Strand Hotel NYC, steps from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, offers the 2011 Deluxe Thanksgiving Day Package at Strand Hotel NYC including a scout to reserve prime viewing locale for guests prior to the parade, and even provides them with a thermos of hot chocolate to enjoy while viewing the holiday festivities.

The package also includes two nights in a deluxe guestroom for four, gourmet 3-course Thanksgiving dinner at the Strand American Bistro restaurant, prepared by Executive Chef Kelvin Fernandez, daily continental breakfast, late checkout, surprise goody bag and exclusive Macy’s shopping coupons.

More Thanksgiving in New York City Events

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