84th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

I'd been planning on going to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade here in NYC for a few months now. It was my first Thanksgiving not spent with my family, but I was determined to experience this New York tradition first hand and of course—take pictures!

My wake-up call was 5:45 am. Left the apartment around 6:30 and got to my planned destination along the parade route, which was Columbus Circle, at 7 am. It was awesome. And I had about 6 other friends joining me so there was a lot of frantic texting back and forth so that we could find each other amid the crowds. Joe from I Still Heart New York found us a great spot along Central Park South/59th Street and 7th Avenue. We had a view of the parade as it passed the top corner of Columbus Circle then moved toward us along 59th Street with the trees of Central Park as a backdrop.

Here are some highlights from the parade:

Spiderman


Hello Kitty!


Jessica Simpson


Stars from Macy's Believe campaign


Parade marchers


Kanye West

Unfortunately, Kanye got a lot of boo's from our section along the parade route.
My friend recorded and posted this video and put it on YouTube. Perez Hilton 
soon found it and posted it on his website! 

And from the day before the parade, the Smurf float set-up on West 81st Street by the Museum of Natural History

Nano billboard

View from 59th Street and 2nd Avenue - where the cars are crazy and the hot bus gas and exhaust fumes will make you go crazy!

I want an orange one.

59th Street

One of the most loveable streets in NY - I will always love 59th Street. It has everything you need - the Queensboro Bridge, Columbus Circle, the Apple Store, the Plaza Hotel and the beginning of Central Park.

I learned today that 59th Street is also called "Lighthouse Way." That's hot I guess.



Oh, and 59th Street has Bloomies as well!! (here: 59 & Lex)

You can get lost

...in all of the shrubbery in New York City.

An area that never makes me feel jaded or too used to this place is the bottom of Central Park at 59th Street. Sometimes, back when I lived on the West side, I'd walk home from work along 59th Street and the walk would always take me hours because I'd get lost in all of the trees and horse-drawn carraiges and stone walls overlooking The Pond. I could never just pass through this area, I had to stop and take pictures of things I couldn't believe I was seeing... and looking back I still can't believe it! Sometimes I feel like I'm looking at a painting by that Ross guy... or maybe one by Edouard Manet, like Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe.

I get a treat once I reach the end of the park and walk into Columbus Circle. My favorite Jamba Juice is located just below the Time Warner Buildings :o)