The 2022 Parade route map.
Here is some information on the route that the Parade goes through each Thanksgiving.
History[]
Original Route (1924-1945)[]
The Parade originally started from 145th Street in Harlem and ended at Herald Square, making a 6-mile (9.7 km) route.
Starting in 1928, the balloons were inflated in the area of 110th Street and Amsterdam Avenue near St. John the Divine Cathedral. The Parade proceeded south on Amsterdam Avenue to 106th Street and turned east. At Columbus Avenue, the balloons had to be lowered to go under the IRT Ninth Avenue Line. Past the tracks, the Parade proceeded through 106th Street to Central Park West and turned south to terminate at the Macy's department store.
Classic Route (1946-2008)[]
After the parade resumed following World War II, the route was shortened to a two and a half mile march in order to correspond with the new NBC television recording set. Now the route started at 77th Street and Central Park West, and would go on through Columbus Circle, Broadway, Times Square and Herald Square. This route stayed untouched until 2008.
Third Route (2009-2011)[]
In 2008, it was announced that a new route would be established starting in the 2009 Parade. From 77th Street and Central Park West, the route went south along Central Park to Columbus Circle, then east along Central Park South (59th Street). The Parade would then make a right turn at 7th Avenue and go south to Times Square. At 42nd Street, the parade turned left and went east, then at 6th Avenue turned right again at Bryant Park. Heading south on 6th Avenue, the Parade turned right at 34th Street (at Herald Square) and proceeded west to the terminating point at 7th Avenue. The new route eliminated Broadway completely, which the Parade had traveled down for decades. The route change was made in order to provide more space for the Parade, more viewing space for spectators, and in conjunction with New York City's plan to turn Broadway into a pedestrian-only plaza at Times Square.
Current Route (2012–2019, 2021-present)[]
In 2012, the route was altered again. The Parade now turns directly from 59th Street to 6th Avenue, eliminating Seventh Avenue and Times Square altogether. Almost every year since then, the Parade has traveled down through this current route.
Reimagined Route (2020)[]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Parade was scaled down to ensure safety for participants and to comply with the then-current CDC guidelines. One of these changes included having the traditional 2.5-mile Parade route be scrapped in favor of a much shorter route consisting of only a one-block stretch at 34th Street near Macy's flagship department store, where spectators would not be permitted to attend. Following the 2020 procession, the route was restored to its traditional 2.5-mile stretch along 77th Street through 34th Street.