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Get in line by early to avoid the crowds at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Balloon Inflation
What: Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Balloon Inflation
Where: Columbus Ave. and West 79th St. New York City, NY
When: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012 3 – 10 pm
Cost: FREE
Photos: For More Photos of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation, visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook
Last Thanksgiving we visited New York City with the kids. It was their first trip to the Big Apple and it was a huge success. I grew up with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade but since we were not going to be in the city on Thanksgiving (and I didn’t want to get up before dawn and freeze just to see the parade) we decided to take in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Balloon Inflation that takes place the Wednesday before Thanksgiving outside the American Museum of Natural History along Central Park West. Here are some tips to ensure a pleasurable experience.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation
In 2011, we arrived about 3:30 pm and there were several balloons already inflated, as well as several to go. It was a great time to visit as we were able to get up close and even enjoy taking a few leisurely photos.
After we had walked around looking at the balloons, we visited the American Museum of Natural History for a few hours. When we came out, we found a HUGE line wrapped around the block to see the fully inflated balloons. There were no opportunities for photos at 6 pm. In fact, I’ve heard from NYC moms that you really need to be there around 2:30 if you want to have any room to breath.
There are two new balloons this year. Elf on the Shelf and a balloon called Companion, designed by graffiti artist KAWS (this would be especially fun if you saw the giant KAWS sculpture at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta). Companion is part of the Blue Sky Gallery series that recreates famous works of art by some of the world’s most renowned modern artists. After their parade debut, the artists’ balloons travel the world to museums and public spaces around the globe.
If you can’t make the balloon inflation and the parade is a little too crowded for you, NYC blog Mommy Poppins suggests watching the balloon deflation on the side streets around 34th Street and Sixth Ave.
If you plan to visit New York City with Kids, take a look at our post on NYC with Kids or vista the local blogs of these fabulous New York City Moms:
