Experiencing Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is an incredible experience that must be added to everyone’s bucket list. From seeing the larger-than-life character balloons float past you on the street, to feeling the energy of the marching bands as they perform just steps away – it is a magical, only-in-New York, experience that you will neever forget.

But how do you get the best view? It’s important to know that front-row seats are challenging to get. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a no-ticket event, meaning that it isn’t possible to purchase seats along the parade path. The bleachers you see on TV are reserved exclusively for Macy’s employees, VIPs, and special guests.

To secure a parade route seat, you must arrive early on Thanksgiving morning, typically by 6 a.m. This early start is crucial, so don’t forget to bundle up, pack snacks, and try to hold any bathroom visits (or know where a public toilet is!). It’s not easy, but with the right preparation, it’s possible.

For a more luxurious and convenient option, consider purchasing a Parade View Package from Your VIP Pass, which offers premium brunch viewing experiences along the Thanksgiving parade path. These all-inclusive packages include a delicious brunch, cocktails, an onsite photographer to take pics, a variety of live entertainment, and breathtaking parade views from a prime dining location. Read on as we discover these Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade viewing packages.

ABOUT YOUR VIP PASS

The VIP Parade viewing packages are created by Your VIP Pass, a well known New York City experiential agency. Your VIP Pass has provided honored guests, families, and individual travelers with sophisticated parade viewing access for over 10 years. More than parade experiences! Their team of event producers has unparalleled connections to the global arts and business worlds and a sophisticated flair for refined cultural programs. Read more about the company and other event offerings HERE.

MACY’S THANKSGIVING PARADE ROUTE

You must first understand the Macy’s Parade route to understand the view. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kick’s off at 8:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. It starts from Central Park West and 77th Street, and heads south to Columbus Circle. From here, the route will head east on Central Park South, then turn onto Avenue of the Americas continuing down the avenue to 34th Street and ending at Macy’s Hearld Square. Need more? Read more about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in our ultiamte guide HERE.

PARADE VIEWING PACKAGES

Your VIP Pass offers unforgettable Thanksgiving Parade viewing packages in NYC. Not just a jaw-dropping vantage – these packages include a delicious brunch, cocktails, an onsite photographer to take pics, a variety of live entertainment, and more. Some packages offer the best of both worlds—a spot outdoors to view the parade and an indoor brunch to provide a warm escape from the elements. This year, the package offerings include:

Thanksgiving Parade Viewing Package at Nusr-Et

Nusr-Et, an internationally acclaimed dining destination, offers a luxury experience at Salt Bae’s world-famous NYC restaurant. Bonus: Its restaurant’s location on the south east corner of West 53rd and Sixth Avenue is perfect for viewing the parade.

The parade package includes indoor dining and entertainment and an outdoor viewing terrace where you can experience panoramic views of the parade as it matches by. Inside, you can enjoy Broadway dancers, distinguished illusionists, and other family friendly entertainers. The restaurant will have TV Screens placed throughout for parade telecasts, and a professional photographer will be on site for the entire event. The experience includes a multi-course brunch menu with unlimited Mimosas, Bloody Marys, Bellinis, and Sparkling Wine. 

Experience Includes:

• Panoramic Views: Private, outdoor viewing patio with panoramic views of the parade, floats, and balloons.
• Premium Family Entertainment: Broadway dancers, illusionists, and other family friendly entertainers.
• Parade Viewing: TV monitors are available throughout the restaurant to view the Parade telecasts.
• Dining: Multi-course steakhouse brunch menu with unlimited brunch cocktails.
• Photos: A professional photographer on site for family photos. Digital photos will be available after the event (included).

Details

• Where: Nusr-Et Steakhouse: 60 West 53rd Street. (53rd Street and Sixth Avenue)
• When: Thursday, November 28, 2024.  7:30–11:30 a.m. 
• Tickets: Tickets can be viewed HERE

Thanksgiving Parade Viewing Brunch at Mastro’s

Mastro’s Steakhouse offers an upscale culinary experience. The restaurant’s location on the north west corner of 51st Street and Sixth Avenue provides a fantastic view of the parade.

The parade package includes indoor dining and entertainment and an outdoor viewing terrace where you can experience panoramic views of the parade. Inside, you can enjoy Broadway dancers and other family-friendly entertainers. TV Screens are placed throughout the restaurant for Parade telecasts, and a professional photographer will be on site for the event. Mastro’s will serve a multi-course brunch menu and unlimited Mimosas, Bloody Marys, Bellinis, and Sparkling Wine. 

Experience Includes:

• Panoramic Views: Private, outdoor viewing patio with panoramic views of the parade, floats, and balloons.
• Premium Family Entertainment: Broadway dancers, illusionists, and other family friendly entertainers.
• Parade Viewing: TV monitors are available throughout the restaurant to view the parade telecasts.
• Dining: Multi-course steakhouse brunch menu with unlimited brunch cocktails.
• Photos: A professional photographer on site for personal family photos. Digital photos will be available after the event (included).

Details

• Where: Mastro’s Steakhouse: 1285 Sixth Avenue. (51st Street and Sixth Avenue)
• When: Thursday, November 28, 2024.  7:30–11:30 a.m. 
• Tickets: Tickets can be viewed HERE

Thanksgiving Parade Viewing Brunch at Stella 34 Trattoria

Stells 34 Trattoria, located on the 6th floor within the Macy’s Flagship, offers an incredible VIP parade experience. The sprawling restaurant provides a birds-eye-view of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade procession with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the parade action in Herald Square and 34th Street. This area of the parade is where all the action takes place (and where the featured star performances are held during the parade!). 

The Parade Experience includes a festive morning of Thanksgiving family fun. During the event, there will be strolling family-friendly entertainment and a private performance by a cast member from one of Broadway’s hottest shows, followed by a meet & greet and autographs. Stella 34 Tratorria will have TV screens so guests can watch Parade telecasts, and there will also be a professional photographer on hand to take family photos during the event. The experience includes a multi-course brunch menu with unlimited Mimosas, Bloody Marys, Bellinis, and Sparkling Wine. 

The Stella 34 Package continues past the parade! Guests will receive an exclusive” before the store opens to the public”tour of the world-famous FAO Schwarz Toy Store in Rockefeller Center, led by an official Toy Soldier the following morning. 

It’s the ultimate party and the best way to experience the Macy’s parade.

Experience Includes:

• Panoramic Views: Private indoor viewing and panoramic views of the parade, parade performances, floats, and balloons.
• Premium Family Entertainment: Special performance by a Broadway star (including a meet and greet and autographs) and other family-friendly entertainers.
• Parade Viewing: TV monitors are available throughout the restaurant to view the parade telecasts.
• Dining: Multi-course brunch menu with unlimited brunch cocktails.
• Photos: A professional photographer on site for personal family photos. Digital photos will be available after the event (included).
• Exclusive Access: Private, pre-opening Toy Soldier tour on Black Friday of the world-famous FAO Schwarz Toy Store

Details

• Where: Stella 34 Trattoria, located on the 6th floor within Macy’s Herald Square. 151 West 34th Street. (34th Street and Sixth Avenue)
• When: Thursday, November 28, 2024.  7:30–11:30 a.m. 
• Tickets: Tickets can be viewed HERE

Thanksgiving Parade Viewing Brunch at Quality Italian

Quality Italian is a classic NYC steakhouse with striking, contemporary design, and a stellar reputation among New Yorkers and is revered for its creative menu. The restaurant’s location on 57th Street offers the best of both worlds – a spectacular indoor view and an outdoor patio directly on Sixth avenue with a front row view of the parade.  

The Parade Package gives guests two floors of fun. Guests can spend time in the street level café which offers coffee, hot chocolate, and light snacks, or head upstairs for the second floor, where they will find a stunning multi-course brunch buffet, unlimited cocktails, live entertainers, and a televised live feed of all the parade action (all with a lovely second-floor vantage of the parade!). Quality Italian will have TV Screens placed throughout the restaurant for Parade telecasts, and there will also be a professional photographer on hand to take family photos during the event.

Experience Includes:

• Panoramic Views: Private, outdoor viewing patio directly on the parade route with up-close views of the parade, floats, and balloons. The restaurant has a second-floor panoramic window viewing option as well.
• Premium entertainment: The world-famous Honey Taps (tap dancers!), professional mentalists, and family entertainers such as balloon artists and face painters.
• Parade Viewing: TV monitors are available throughout the restaurant to view the parade telecasts.
• Dining: Multi-course Italian brunch buffet with unlimited specialty brunch cocktails 
• Photos: A professional photographer will be on site for photos. Guests will have access to all the digital images after the event (included).

Details

• Where: Quality Italian. 57 West 57th Street (57th and Sixth Avenue).
• When: Thursday, November 28, 2024.  7:30–11:30 a.m. 
• Tickets: Tickets can be viewed HERE

HOLIDAY VIP EXPERIECNES IN NYC

Not just Thanksgiving! Your VIP Pass offers amazing Rockefeller Christmas Tree VIP Packages as well. Just steps from the tree, you can experience the lighting ceremony from a private plaza viewing area, with dinner, drinks, live entertainment and more. An experience not to miss! Read more about this VIP package HERE.