Amtrak Takes You to the Best Thanksgiving Parades

Celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday with some of the best parades across the country. Our extensive rail network takes customers to more than 500 destinations, so we’re bound to be headed where you want to go. This Thanksgiving, grab your loved ones and enjoy a family vacation to some of these great parade cities:

New York City

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a 94-year-old American tradition that is televised nationally. This parade is worth making the trek, and if you do you can expect Snoopy, Hello Kitty and Spiderman balloons to entertain kids of all ages. Also, be sure to check out some Amtrak rider recommendations for best sights in the Big Apple.

Suggested Routes: Take the Acela Express or Northeast Regional  just to name a few of the many.

Philadelphia

The Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade, which winds around the City of Brotherly Love and features canned food drives along the route, also happens to be the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the country. While you’re in town, check out historical sites and try to settle the battle of best cheesesteak once and for all.

Suggested Routes: Acela Express, Keystone Service and Northeast Regional

Chicago

This year the Windy City’s Uncle Dan’s Thanksgiving Parade will feature some of the country’s best marching bands, giant inflatable balloons and surprise performances. Grab a selfie with Santa and Mrs. Claus, or admire the precision of equestrian units as they prance along the Magnificent Mile. If parading leaves you hungry, take some time to see if you’re a fan of deep dish Chicago-style pizza and stop by some local attractions.

Suggested Routes: Michigan, Hiawatha and Lincoln Services

San Diego

Soak in the California sunshine while watching over 100 parade participants strut their stuff at the family-friendly Mother Goose Parade. It’s one of largest public parades in California with more than 400,000 spectators along Magnolia, Main and Second Streets in El Cajon, Calif. Its hosted on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, which gives you the chance to make a quick day trip to the festivities and still eat at home on Thursday! Or you can use the rest of your trip to check out the beaches or stop by some locally-recommended food spots.

Suggested Route: Pacific Surfliner

St. Louis

Meet us in St. Louis for the 33rd annual Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade featuring over 130 parade participants, including helium balloons, animals and marching bands from across the city. After the parade, head to The Magic House, one of the city’s first interactive children’s museums, or for the 21 and over crowd, head to Schlafy Bottleworks which offers up seasonal flavors like pumpkin ale in their tasting room, along with brewery tours.

Suggested Routes: Illinois Service, Missouri River Runner and Texas Eagle

Go ahead, get your parade on. Make this Thanksgiving one to remember by exploring a great American city with Amtrak.