Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade 2010

Philadelphia Parade Starts 9:00am - 12:00pm

Philadelphia is the Oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade starting in 1920 ~ the first New York Parade was in 1924 and it was called..... (anyone) yes..... Macy’s Day Parade.

Last year I went to the Philadelphia Parade and thought that it was a lot of fun, easy to find parking and got you in the spirit of the Holidays.

If you go you have to checkout the Campbell’s Winter Wonderland Tent, which is a sampling a tent for all Campbell products (warm soup and hot coco) and you receive coupons for products and leave with a gift from IKEA.

Best Places to Watch the Parade
1) The #1 place to watch is at the parade's finish at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

2) The south side of Eakins Oval (in front of the Art Museum) is also recommended. Campbell's Soup sponsors a tent there where there's hot food, warm drinks and entertainment for kids.

3) Other locations along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, like Logan Circle, are also good bets.

4) You can also watch the parade begin at 20th and Market and then take a shortcut on foot heading north on 20th Street five blocks to the Parkway and catch the parade again as it goes by.

Parade Details

2010 Thanksgiving Parades!

Tips for Best Viewing Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City Parade Hot line: 212-494-4495

Wednesday, November 24th
If you are super ambitious you can go into New York and watch the Balloons inflate near the American Museum of Natural History at 77th Street and Central Park West

Parade Route

The parade starts at 77th Street and Central Park West
Heads South down Central Park West until it reaches Columbus Circle at 59th Street
Turns East at Columbus Circle along Central Park South
Turns South at 7th Avenue, continues along 7th Avenue through Times Square until 42nd Street At 42nd Street the route turns East on 42nd street for 1 block until 6th Ave.
Turns South onto 6th Avenue AND continues south on 6th Avenue to finish in front of Macy’s in Herald Square at 34th Street

I found a couple of sites that gave great tips and information and appreciate those who know what they are talking about going into unknown territory to have a nice day!

Everyone recommends to get there early. Parade Start time is 9:00 am and if you have small children and want to get up front it’s recommended to get there 2 hours earlier (really earlier but up to you), which with small children can be an issue. However, Traveling Mamas say that people are pretty festive and they don’t usually mind if your child scoots up to the front. The best part of the parade for a child visually are the balloons and they can't be missed.

Dress or bring layers, yes it's a nice day in the suburbs, but NY has huge sun blocks called skyscrapers and it can get cold if you are in the shade. Tip bring a cinch sack easy to fold, string straps that can fold up and fit in your pocket and it expands so if you need to remove a layer you have somewhere to carry it!

Favorite viewing area is along Central Park West, couple of sites recommend between 66th and 77th Streets because it’s by Central park and there is a playground right across the park entrance from Tavern on the Green.

No folding Chairs allowed