Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from the street is free; there is no official ticket required to stand along the route.
Free viewing
- You can arrive early and claim a sidewalk spot along the parade route at no charge.
- Many families just pay for transportation, food, and souvenirs, which can add up to roughly $100–$200 for a family of four for the day, depending on how you travel and what you buy.
Paid viewing options
- Indoor viewing parties at restaurants and venues with food and drinks typically start around $300 per person and can go up to $1,000 or more for premium locations.
- Some hotels and travel companies sell parade-view packages that include hotel rooms and special access, sometimes running into the thousands of dollars per person.
If you just want to see the parade in person, plan on it being free but budget for travel, food, and extras; if you want a seated or indoor “VIP” experience, expect several hundred dollars per person.
