Help! Need Macy's Parade Information

[jmay127]

My ds's high school band is playing in the Macy's parade. The cost to go with them was way too high. But our ds really wants us to eat Thanksgiving with him at his hotel though it's 40.00 a head & our 9 y/o ds will not even remotely eat that much. We have been on the fence about going on our own but really want to go if we can keep costs down. We figured we would drive and maybe stay in NJ near our ds's hotel in Meadowlands & take a bus or train over. We really do not know that much about the area. I've been to NYC back in the early 80's but we took a train in from CT with a relative & just went for the day (relative is now deceased). Not sure of hotels, safe areas, if the buses and trains offer service on Thanksgiving Day to get to NYC for the parade.

Anyway, any help and/or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[summerrluvv]

I would try hotwire or priceline for a room since they are typically $$$$$$ for that weekend.

They run more trains during that time so you should have no problem taking the train in.

The best part of the parade is the night before when they blow up the balloons on the upper west side (or maybe it's east). You can walk around and look at them. Have fun!!

 

[czycropper]

You may want to check out on hotels.com the Hilton in Newark which is right next to the train station - I heard that they have some good deals. You can hop on to a train and be in the City in about 15 minutes.

We're thinking of going to see the parade but since we live in NJ we'll just drive to Newark and take the train!

 

[prncess674]

$40 per person for Thanksgiving dinner in the city is quite a steal. NYC is expensive and getting a Thanksgiving Day dinner reservation could be a challenge. Do you have flights booked yet?

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

$40 is very reasonable for a holiday in NYC so I would go for it.

There is a hotel in Weehawken on the waterfront that has ferry service to NYC then free shuttles to various locations. The area is very safe and you will have some of the best views of NYC.

 

[jmay127]

Thanks for all the great information! We haven't booked flights because we are just going to drive. We would be eating Thanksgiving dinner at the hotel where ds & the band are staying at so we just have to reserve through the school & they still have a few openings.

How often do the ferries run or where can I access that information?

Anybody else have some great budget tips for this potential trip? Thanks!

 

[marthachick]

My ds's high school band is playing in the Macy's parade.

What school is this? As a fellow Tarheel, I'll be watching for them! Tell him congrats!!!

 

[funhouse8]

I would try hotwire or priceline for a room since they are typically $$$$$$ for that weekend.

They run more trains during that time so you should have no problem taking the train in.

The best part of the parade is the night before when they blow up the balloons on the upper west side (or maybe it's east). You can walk around and look at them. Have fun!!

I agree about the night before. My kids enjoy this more then the parade. This might help you get around NYC:

http://hopstop.com/
Have fun!

 

[funhouse8]

And thia is fun also...........
http://www1.macys.com/campaign/parade/parade.jsp

 

[jmay127]

Marthachick - thanks for asking. It's the West Johnston High School Band. It has a Benson, NC address but really is in the unincorporated Cleveland area.

Thanks for all the new tips. It really helps. So glad we have such a great community here that is willing to help each other. My NYC knowledge is zilch though I've spent many hours on the internet researching.

The first hand knowledge ya'll are providing is so much better. Just because a site says its great or safe...well, I prefer hearing from someone who has been there and done that.

So thanks again & any more advice would be greatly appreciated.