| If you'd like to join the Americans in one of their | | | | York is chilly at this time of year. |
| biggest celebrations of the year, book a hostel in | | | | The parade has in recent years departed from its old |
| New York for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. | | | | route along Broadway and now follows a course |
| Thanksgiving is a festival held by US citizens | | | | from 77th Street and Central Park West to Macy's |
| traditionally to show their gratitude for the harvest, | | | | at 34th Street and 6th Ave. |
| so book some cheap accommodation in the Big Apple | | | | From the sidewalk you'll be able to witness the floats |
| and experience the festivities for yourself. | | | | and giant balloons bearing famous faces from the |
| Every year, the city's most prestigious department | | | | world of film and cartoon, as well as clowns who |
| store - Macy's - puts on a parade to celebrate | | | | entertain the thousands of spectators who turn out |
| Thanksgiving. The event dates back to the 1920s | | | | to see and take part in the celebrations. |
| when the first immigrants to America who were | | | | School and college marching bands also form part of |
| taken on as staff at the shop displayed a European | | | | the parade, providing music as they walk through the |
| way of partying through the streets to mark the | | | | streets. |
| occasion. | | | | After the festivities have finished - usually around |
| The tradition has lasted through the ages, getting | | | | midday - many of the citizens will return home to |
| more and more popular, so book a break to New | | | | prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, which |
| York to coincide with the parade, which gets bigger | | | | centres around a large roasted turkey. You can |
| and better every year. | | | | sample an authentic meal for yourself at one of the |
| Held on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on the fourth | | | | Big Apple's many eateries. |
| Sunday in November, the parade begins in the | | | | And before you think about flying home, don't forget |
| morning at 09:00 local time. However, crowds start | | | | to explore the wider city and call in at famous |
| to line the streets from 06:30, so make sure you find | | | | attractions such as the Empire State Building, Statue |
| a spot early - and don't forget a jumper as New | | | | of Liberty and Central Park. |