Macy's Parade Plan-of-Attack

There's a certain exciting holiday right around the corner...

...and no, Mom, it's not time to celebrate Christmas quite yet.  Even though you already have five Christmas trees decorated at home. (yes.)

I'm talking about Thanksgiving!

If you're like me and planning a big apple Thanksgiving celebration, here are a few tips for the 2010 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

According to About.com, the parade will start at 77th Street and Central Park West. They will travel south on Central Park West and then turn east onto Central Park South. When they reach 7th Avenue, they will turn south at the corner of Central Park South and continue down to 42nd Street. They will turn east at 42nd until 6th Avenue (Avenue of Americas) and will travel south to 34th Street. Once there, the procession will head west ending at Herald Square located at 34th Street and 7th Avenue.

map from here

Here are the suggested public viewing areas:
Central Park West: West side of street from 70th Street to Columbus Circle & east side of street from 70th to 65th

Columbus Circle: West side of street 

7th Avenue: between 58th & 42nd Streets 

42nd Street: from 7th to 6th Avenues 

6th Avenue: between 42nd & 34th Streets

34th Street: south side of street between Broadway & 7th Avenue

image from here 

People apparently line up as early as 6/6:30am (!) to grab their viewing spots. If you're hoping to just get a glimpse of the balloons, consider heading uptown to Central Park West between 77th and 81st on Wednesday, 11/24. You can watch as the balloons are inflated between 3 and 10PM.

And, as always, you can also watch the parade on NBC from 9AM until noon. 

Keep an eye out for the little lady! ;)

until next time,

g