Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from the street is free; you do not need a ticket to stand along the route.
Basic on‑the‑street cost
For most people, the main costs are transportation, food, and maybe a hotel, not admission itself. A news segment that estimated a “full day of enjoyment” for a family of four put the overall out‑of‑pocket cost in roughly the $100–$200 range if you’re just coming in for the morning and going home the same day, mainly for transit, snacks, and incidentals.
VIP viewing and parties
If you want guaranteed views, warmth, seating, and brunch, there are paid indoor viewing parties and restaurant events along the route. Typical hosted parade-view parties in 2025 start around about $299 per person and can go up to $999+ per person at higher‑end venues, with some ultra‑luxury restaurant or jazz‑hall tables at $1,000–$2,500 per person including food and drinks.
Hotel and package options
Some hotels sell special “parade view” rooms or packages, which are significantly more expensive than normal stays and often must be booked far in advance. There are also tour packages (including transportation, hotel, and meal(s)) where recent advertised prices are in the few‑hundred‑dollars‑per‑person range (for example, roughly $445–$600 per person in a group package), depending on room occupancy.
Cost range overview
Way to go| Approximate cost per person (2025)| What you get| Sources
---|---|---|---
Stand on the street| Free, plus your own travel/food| Curbside viewing only| 2
Simple day trip (family style)| Roughly $25–$50 per person (adds to $100–$200
for four)| Transit, snacks, basic day out| 2
Standard viewing party| About $299–$500+ per person| Indoor spot, brunch,
drinks, bathrooms| 3
Premium restaurant/jazz venue| About $1,000–$2,500 per person| Top‑tier view,
upscale brunch, open bar| 5
Tour/hotel package| Roughly $445–$600+ per person| Hotel stay, some meals,
hosted parade experience| 19
So the “cost to go” can be anything from essentially just your travel and food for a free curbside spot, up to thousands of dollars per person for luxury viewing experiences.
