"Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house" is where most Americans go for Thanksgiving Day. However, every year, over 3 million people choose to head into Manhattan instead to get a firsthand glimpse of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, with millions more watching at home. --- The parade is an American cultural icon, and seeing it in person is a quintessential New York travel experience. This Thursday marks the parade's 86th year of ushering in the holiday season. For more information on watching the parade itself from various points along the parade route, watching balloons get blown up the night before, tips for accommodations for spectators with special needs, parade history and more, head over to the parade's website.

Whether you're watching live on the street in Manhattan or in your pajamas from the couch, there's plenty to look forward to in this year's parade. New balloons include Hello Kitty, the Elf on the Shelf, and Papa Smurf, as well as performances from Broadway shows like Nice Work If You Can Get It and Annie. You can also expect appearances by Carly Rae Jepsen and the cast of Sesame Street, among others. As always, the parade closes with Santa Claus on his sleigh, officially starting the Christmas season.

So, if you’ve not made it to see this parade of parades live, put it on your travel bucket list and head to NYC.

The Travel Tramps write regularly about their treks near and far in City Weekly and host the weekly Travel Brigade Radio Show.