Travel expert reveals best tips for watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC - while giving a behind-the-scenes look at the new floats

A travel expert has revealed her top tips for having the 'best viewing experience' at the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the new floats and balloons to watch out for this year.  

The 2023 celebration will kick off at 8:30 a.m. in New York City on Thursday and feature 31 floats, 25 balloons, 11 marching bands, and performances from over a dozen stars, including Cher and Jon Batiste.

Today anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker will host the broadcast event, which will air on NBC and livestream on Peacock on Thanksgiving Day for those who are tuning in at home.  

Ahead of the parade, the travel website The Points Guy enlisted an expert to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at some of the new floats while offering advice for attendees. 

Macy's will be debuting six new floats this year: Camp Snoopy, the Good Burger Mobile, Igniting Memories, Mutant Mayhem, the Palace of Sweets, and the Deliciously Delectable World of Wonka.

'Some are themed after famous movies and TV shows like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Good Burger, and others are collaborations with well-known brands like Brach's,' the travel guru explains in the video. 

'Keep an eye out for the Willy Wonka float with a cotton candy tree and 592,000 pieces of prop candy in illuminated jars,' she advises. 

'Also the Solo Stove float will look like an actual camping site floating down the parade route.'

The Points Guy's video features footage of the new floats sitting inside the Macy's Parade Studio in New Jersey, where the set pieces, balloons, and costumes are housed. 

'There will also be seven new balloons featured in the parade: Beagle Scout Snoopy, Kung Fu Panda's Po, Leo the lizard, Monkey D. Luffy, the Pillsbury Doughboy, Blue Cat and Chugs, and Uncle Dan,' she adds. 

The Points Guy staffer also offered three recommendations for the millions of people who will be watching the spectacle in person.  

The 2.5-mile parade route will begin at West 77th Street and Central Park West at 8:30 a.m. and will end at Macy's flagship store at Herald Square at 12 p.m. 

The expert advises lining up 'super early' to score the best vantage points.

'For certain spots around the parade route, from Central Park West and Macy's home base at 34th Street and Sixth Avenue, this means getting there anywhere from 4-7 a.m. depending on the spot,' she explains. 

She also suggests checking out the balloon inflation the night before the parade, especially if you can't make the event the next day.  

'At West 72nd Street and Central Park West, you can follow a path of balloons being inflated with helium beginning at 12 p.m.,' she says. 

The expert's final tip is to 'dress warmly and bring something to keep you occupied' while you wait for the parade to start.  

'Since the route is two and a half miles long, the lead marchers don't reach Macy's until about 9:40 a.m.,' she notes. 

'This means you'll have some idle time before you can start watching the spectacle.'