I want to take my children to the Thanksgiving Parade this year but we've never been before. Is there street parking anywhere or is it better to get the subway? And where is a good place to watch? Do you need to be there at 8?
So many questions!
When we went once, we showed up mid-parade, watched right near our subway stop, and still saw plenty
I've never been to the parade, but I absolutely recommend you NOT drive. Parking will be very difficult, far away, and expensive. I'd recommend taking the bus or the el. Most people are pretty good about giving up seats to kids who obviously need the safety of a seat on the bus. if you go to transitchicago.com, and click on the RTA trip planner, you can put in your starting and ending locations and it will tell you the best way to get there by bus or el (or a combination).
Have fun!
--C.
R., first of all, welcome to Chicago! I've never been to the Thanksgiving parade, but with any of those events, I think you'd be best off taking public transportation particularly the subway which would not be affected by re-routes like the busses. We used to go through downtown around noon time to visit my family on the south side, and the parade was already done so you probably would need to be there by 8 AM. You might check out the city's web site under special events to get more ideas. Good luck and happy Thanksgiving!
S.
If you really need to drive, plan on using the Grant/Millenium Park garages. They are close by and cheaper. Also plan on using a route that avoids the loop to get you to/from(i.e., either Lake Shore Drive or Lower Wacker). That being said, the OPs are all correct that public transport may be easier depending on where you live.
The Parade starts south of Congress at 8 a.m. and the beginning of the Parade gets to the TV zone (usually State and Lake) at precisely 8:30 a.m. for the TV broadcast. If you plan on trying to watch just South of Lake St., you don't need to be there until 8:30. The crowds are usually less down by Jackson, however, so you would need to be there closer to 8. All of this is presuming you "have" to see every single unit, which depending on how old your kids are, probably isn't necessary. All the "big" acts are spread throughout the parade to make for good TV viewing (i.e., bands, "stars", big balloons, etc.). Santa is at the end, of course.
If you want to extend the morning, the German Holiday market at the Daley Plaza opens special that morning.
It's a fun day -- but dress warmly and bring snacks!
