Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Parking Guide 2022

New York City is one of the best places to spend Thanksgiving weekend! No matter where you’re headed, we’ve got you covered on parking all weekend long, from the parade balloon inflation on Wednesday to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on Thursday to holiday shopping on Black Friday.

Let SpotHero figure out your parking so you can enjoy all the city has to offer over the holidays!

Balloon Inflation Parking

Watching the preparation of the balloons for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has become an annual tradition, with interest rivaling the parade itself. Inflation begins on Wednesday, November 23rd at noon near the American Museum of Natural History. You can expect to see the balloons take shape somewhere between 1-3 p.m. Parking in the area is tricky, as Central Park presents some natural road blockages.

Pro-tip: New York Latin Culture Magazine suggests arriving later in the day when characters have already taken shape.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Parking

The beloved Thanksgiving Day tradition takes place on Thursday, November 24, 2022. The parade begins at 77th and Central Park West and moves south on Central Park West. For this part of the parade, public viewing will start on 75th street and will only be available on the west side. Sixth Avenue from 59th to 34th offers the most opportunity for public viewing on both sides of the road. The parade will conclude at Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square around noon (full interactive route here).

nyc macys thanksgiving day parade route 2022

Pro-tips:

  • Can’t stand the cold? There will be indoor viewing at the shops at Columbus Circle
  • Use Waze for the most up-to-date traffic and road closure info
  • Want to sleep in? Choose a viewing space that’s on 6th Avenue between 59th and 38th–you should be okay to grab a spot as late as 7 a.m.

Black Friday Parking

For some, Thanksgiving dinner is just a warm-up to the main event–shopping! New York City has some of the best shopping in the country, and Black Friday will be no exception.

Whether you prefer the boutiques of SoHo or the excitement of 5th Avenue, book your Black Friday parking spot ahead of time with SpotHero so you can use your time and energy to focus on the deals!

Your SpotHero Questions Answered

Whether you prefer balloons, bands, or bargains, we’ve got the perfect parking space for you! SpotHero can help make your holiday parking easier so you can focus on the things that matter most.

For more on how SpotHero works, check out our blog: How SpotHero Works: What to Know Before You Park

If you still have questions, give us a call at 844-324-7768 or email us at support@spothero.com. Our customer heroes are available 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. CST, 365 days a year!