tips for the Macy's parade (New York, York: hotel, home, neighborhood)
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Hi, we'll be coming with the kids for the Macy's parade - we will be first timers.
What are your best tips for us to make it through the day and have some fun?
Which street, areas are good to view from ? What happens if we are late ( some say arrive by 600am) ? Should we drive or take subway/buses ?
Any help would be nice - would like to make this a memorable experience for the whole family.
As a first-time in NYC, and coming with small children, you need to be well-prepared WAY-AHEAD-OF-TIME. You do not specify if you already have a hotel, in what area are you staying? The people here need for you to give them vast information, in order for them to give you the kind of answers that will help you navigate the system. NYC can be a very-frightening city for first-timers. You need to be aware in what neighborhood you will be staying, this is VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!
I do not recommend that you go into the SUBWAY system. Take buses or taxis. Please, we are here to help you, give us more information, specifically, what places you will be visiting, how long will you be here. And how old are the children? And watch your little ones very carefully......and above all: Avoid any confrontation with any one.......New Yorkers walk very fast, talk very fast, and eat while walking. Sometimes, they can be very rude. This is a big city, with millions of people.......watch your wallet.......
Hi, we'll be coming with the kids for the Macy's parade - we will be first timers.
What are your best tips for us to make it through the day and have some fun?
Which street, areas are good to view from ? What happens if we are late ( some say arrive by 600am) ? Should we drive or take subway/buses ?
Any help would be nice - would like to make this a memorable experience for the whole family.
Welcome! Come knowing what to expect, and you'll have a blast.
If you've traveled to other cities before and used their metro systems, you'll have no problem with our subway. I mean, it's a little dirtier, but it's not confusing if you're familiar with subways/metros.
Google Maps is your friend! Make sure you get a good international cell phone plan so you can easily navigate around. It should account for route changes/subway service changes the day of the parade. Google will tell you if it's faster to take the subway or a taxi. Download the car service app Uber and it will save you the hassle of having to tell your driver where you're going.
It's going to be very cold. Hopefully you're from the part of Australia with a winter, because it's rough being outside alllll day in the cold. Dress very warm, lots of layers, etc.
It's going to be insanely crowded. Hopefully your kids are not too young and they won't be wandering off getting lost. You're going to be in a sea of other people who are not New Yorkers and have no idea where they're going or what normal NY etiquette is. Do not underestimate the crowds. Just go with it. You're here for a unique experience, right? It'll be unique.
Be very mindful of bathroom needs. Don't over hydrate. Don't drink too much coffee or tea. Any time you find a place with a bathroom, use it, even if you don't really need to go at the time (e.g. Starbucks, your hotel, a restaurant). You're going to be outside in a crowd of people in the cold with no bathrooms. Prepare yourself for that.
Anyway, I'm sure you're going to have a great time and make great memories with your family! It will be a totally unique experience that you can talk about forever. Come prepared for an intense day, and you'll be great.
Not necessarily. It could be 60 degrees, it could be 20 degrees. Keep an eye on the forecast a couple of days before your arrival and that should give you a pretty accurate picture of temperatures for your visit.
As a first-time in NYC, and coming with small children, you need to be well-prepared WAY-AHEAD-OF-TIME. You do not specify if you already have a hotel, in what area are you staying? The people here need for you to give them vast information, in order for them to give you the kind of answers that will help you navigate the system. NYC can be a very-frightening city for first-timers. You need to be aware in what neighborhood you will be staying, this is VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!
I do not recommend that you go into the SUBWAY system. Take buses or taxis. Please, we are here to help you, give us more information, specifically, what places you will be visiting, how long will you be here. And how old are the children? And watch your little ones very carefully......and above all: Avoid any confrontation with any one.......New Yorkers walk very fast, talk very fast, and eat while walking. Sometimes, they can be very rude. This is a big city, with millions of people.......watch your wallet.......
Thank for your response. I am from Oz but have been based in the US for more than 10 years. recently moved to northern Jersey and work in Manhattan. We've been to Manhattan and Brooklyn Queens numerous times to have 'fun' so were know our way around etc... just trying to work out how to do the parade right. we were considering driving. our kids are 8 and 10. if we don't use a car we would have to use buses from where we are.
Thanks again.
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