Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

We decided to travel to New York City over Thanksgiving.  Our primary focus was the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, but as it was the kid's first time to the Big Apple, we had to visit a couple of landmarks as well.

After a wonderfully traffic-free drive, we stopped at Liberty State Park to ride the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.

Here's Mike and Judith as we wait at the ferry terminal for our boat.

 

We didn't get off at Ellis Island this time.  We'll save it for a different trip.

 From the ferry.

 Climbing lots of stairs inside the base.

 Inside Liberty's base we saw the old torch and walked through the museum.

 The 7 year old couldn't pass up the chance to be a freedom booger.

Despite the bored looks on their faces as they lean against Lady Liberty's toes, the kids really enjoyed listening to the kid friendly audio guides.

 Usually it's Mike and I who are lagging behind to read the informational plaques in museums as the kids rush through, but this time we had to wait for the kids to finish each number on their audio guide.  Here, Judith is listening to the guide while gazing at the infrastructure of the statue.

 On the outside of the base:

 From the boat:

After our time at the Statue of Liberty, we headed into the city.  We got settled at our hotel and then ventured out for the Inflation Celebration!  There was a HUGE crowd, but the line that snaked back and forth through a maze of ropes for blocks was orderly and moved quickly.  

 The balloons were all inflated and held down with nets.  Here the kids pose with Sponge Bob Squarepants.

 The iconic Macy's stars that lead and close the parade.

 Ezra especially loved the Snoopy and Woodstock balloons as he as been obsessed with Peanuts this year.

 We walked 1.5 miles from our hotel to the Museum of Natural History (where the balloons were), so by 10pm, the kids were ready for their first cab ride back to the hotel.  Cab rides in New York--pretty exciting stuff!