Arriving: airports, stations and the bridges
If you fly into John F. Kennedy International Airport, the AirTrain connects every terminal to Jamaica Station in about 15 minutes, where you can pick up the Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station or the E train into Midtown; allow 60 to 90 minutes door to door. Newark Liberty International has its own AirTrain link to Newark Liberty International Airport Station for NJ Transit trains into Penn Station. LaGuardia has no rail connection, so the Q70 bus to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue is the cheapest way to reach the subway, and taxis from LaGuardia to Midtown run roughly 30 to 50 minutes depending on traffic.
On Thanksgiving Day itself, road traffic into Manhattan is lighter than on the Wednesday evening before, which is the genuine crunch. The George Washington Bridge, the Lincoln Tunnel and the Queens–Midtown Tunnel all move more freely on 26 November, though closures around the parade route in Midtown can push cabs into long detours. Amtrak and NJ Transit both run holiday schedules, so confirm your train before you travel. If you are arriving by car, book a garage space in advance; street parking near Midtown is effectively impossible that week.
The parade morning: what closes and what runs
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade travels down Central Park West from West 77th Street, turns onto Sixth Avenue at Columbus Circle and continues to 34th Street. Streets along that route close early in the morning, and the closures ripple outward for several blocks. On the Upper West Side, Central Park West and Columbus Avenue become pedestrian territory; in Midtown, Sixth Avenue from 59th to 34th Street shuts entirely. The official parade organisers publish exact timings and the full closure map each autumn, so check the official site closer to the date rather than relying on a plan made in summer.
The subway is your friend that morning. The A, B, C, D and 1 trains all serve Columbus Circle, and the B, D, F and M run under Sixth Avenue, giving you several ways to reach the route without touching a road. Expect crowds at 59th Street–Columbus Circle and 42nd Street–Bryant Park from early morning, and note that some station entrances close for crowd control. If you are staying in Midtown, walking is often faster than any vehicle before 11am. I would book a hotel within walking distance of the route rather than plan a cross-town journey.
Getting around the rest of the week
The days either side of Thanksgiving are the busiest of the year for Manhattan's roads, particularly the Friday and Saturday, when visitors combine shopping with sightseeing. The subway runs a normal weekday schedule on those days and remains the quickest way between neighbourhoods: the Lexington Avenue line (4, 5, 6) for the Upper East Side and Grand Central, the Broadway line (N, Q, R, W) for SoHo and Times Square, and the Eighth Avenue line (A, C, E) for Chelsea and the West Village. A contactless bank card or phone works at every turnstile, so there is no need to queue for a MetroCard.
Cabs are plentiful but slow between 34th and 59th Streets during the holiday weekend, and rideshare surcharges spike after dark. For short hops in Lower Manhattan — SoHo to the West Village, or the Financial District to Battery Park — walking beats both. The Staten Island Ferry remains free and runs from Whitehall Terminal, and the NYC Ferry routes along the East River are a practical alternative to the subway for Brooklyn and Queens connections. If you want a simple base, I would book near Grand Central or Herald Square, where multiple lines converge within a few blocks.
Where to stay, and what to skip
For parade access, the Upper West Side around 72nd to 86th Streets puts you a short walk from Central Park West, and the 1, 2 and 3 trains connect you to Midtown in minutes. Midtown around Bryant Park and 42nd Street suits anyone combining the parade with shopping and theatre, with Grand Central and Times Square within walking distance. Lower Manhattan around Fulton Street offers quieter nights and easy access to the Brooklyn Bridge and the Staten Island Ferry, though you will travel north for the parade. Rates across all three areas rise sharply for the Thanksgiving weekend, so reserve early.
Skip the hop-on hop-off buses during the holiday weekend; the parade closures and shopping traffic make them a poor use of time, and you will see more on foot. Skip renting a car if you are staying in Manhattan — garages charge premium holiday rates and you will not need it. Also skip trying to reach Rockefeller Center by taxi on the Friday; the subway to 47–50 Rockefeller Plaza is far quicker. Book a hotel close to a subway entrance with more than one line, and your week will run far more smoothly than any road-based plan.
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Questions
When is Thanksgiving in 2026?
Thanksgiving Day falls on Thursday 26 November 2026. It is a nationwide public holiday in the United States, so expect banks, some offices and a number of smaller businesses to close, while most Manhattan restaurants and shops stay open on reduced hours.
Does the subway run on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes. The New York City subway runs on a holiday schedule on 26 November, with normal service on most lines but fewer trains at peak times. The A, B, C, D and 1 trains serve Columbus Circle, and the B, D, F and M run under Sixth Avenue near the parade route.
How do I get from JFK to Midtown?
Take the AirTrain from your terminal to Jamaica Station, roughly 15 minutes, then the Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station or the E train into Midtown. Allow 60 to 90 minutes in total. Taxis are available but slower during the holiday period.
Is the Staten Island Ferry free?
Yes, the Staten Island Ferry is free and departs from Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan. It is a practical and popular option during the holiday weekend, offering harbour views without the cost of a sightseeing cruise. Check the official site for schedule details.
Should I rent a car in Manhattan?
No. Parking is expensive and limited, holiday traffic is heavy either side of Thanksgiving Day, and the subway reaches everywhere you are likely to visit. If you are driving in from elsewhere, book a garage space in advance rather than hunting for street parking.
Which neighbourhood should I book for the parade?
The Upper West Side between 72nd and 86th Streets puts you within walking distance of Central Park West, where the parade begins. Midtown around Bryant Park and 42nd Street also works well if you want shopping and theatre nearby.
Are shops open on Thanksgiving Day?
Most shops are closed or run reduced hours on 26 November itself, though some convenience stores and pharmacies remain open. The following day is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, so plan for crowds in Midtown and around Herald Square.
How far in advance should I book a hotel?
Book as early as you can. Thanksgiving week is one of the highest-demand periods in Manhattan, and rates in Midtown and the Upper West Side climb sharply. Reserving several months ahead gives you the widest choice of rooms near a subway station.