Macy’s Thanksgiving Balloon Inflation

This is by far one of my absolute favorite NYC traditions! They usually let people in around 4pm-​9 or 10pm. You should definitely look up the map before going because you have to enter on specific streets. Go with an open mind and understand that the crowds will be INSANE! So many people attend and it gets crazy! However it’s worth it and fun to see the balloons before the parade!
Insider tip– make a reservation at a restaurant on the block with the balloons. Usually one side of street (either N or S) is public and the other side is the VIP side. If your restaurant is on the VIP side then you can avoid the crowds and experience this tradition with others in the know!

Amazing experience! Especially for kids! You get to see the macys parade balloons up close on a walk thru Central Park West. They are HUGE, and usually people will never get to see them this close… Unless you’re as ambitious as we are and stake out a spot at 6am to get front row spots for the parade the next day.
We have made it an annual tradition to come see the balloons, and I highly recommend to anyone with kids who can make it here.
The energy and excitement is also worth seeing/​being a part of this …
Research ahead exactly where to enter. During peak times the lines can be long but once you’re in the park area crowds and lines move quickly. If you want to avoid heavy lines come earlier — however that is when the balloons may not be fully inflated. This year we were there close to ending time around 10 and because it was nice outside the crowds were heavy but they moved at a good pace.
Highly recommend as a family event for kids !

Have been going to this event for the last 4 years. Tons of people, but it is worth going. It is cool to see the balloons getting blown up.

Great event for a family! Most people don’t get to see the parade up close or in person, so coming to the inflation event Wednesday night is a great way to preview the balloons before the big show.
There is a playground in the neighborhood that they turn into a bouncehouse for kids, so you can really make an evening of it.
The only reason I deducted a star is because the sidewalks get very crowded. I’d love to see a «stroller lane» for lingering families and an «express lane» for those of us who just want to take a quick lap around and briefly see the characters.

What do you get when you cross Kermit the Frog, Pilsbury Doughboy, and Papa Smurf?! One hell of a dream! OR Macy’s Thanksgiving Balloon Inflation!
If you want to really enjoy Thanksgiving in New York City, the smart money is on staying in bed on the morning of the big day and taking in the parade on TV. If like me, however, you are a chronic FOMO sufferer (Fear Of Missing Out), you will still want to get your parade fix.
From 3pm to 10pm on the day before Thanksgiving, get yourself to the Museum of Natural History to watch the giant (and they really truly are giant!) animated characters come to life.
The inflation process itself is worth seeing — the shear size of the characters, rising out of the dust, is something to behold. Granted, it is a little disappointing that they aren’t inflated upright, but hey, Papa Smurf is an old dude, he needs his rest before parade mania the next morning.
The other big draw card is how up close and personal you get to the balloons. I got there at 4.30pm, and managed to get right up to the barriers to get some great shots of the balloons. I have heard that things get a bit crazy after about 6pm though, so the advice is to get there early if you’ve got toddlers in tow.
The Macy’s balloons are inflated on Central Park West between 77^th and 81^st Streets. The 1,2,3 or the C will get you there. To avoid the crowds, I would suggest getting the C.