NYC & Ridgefield CT over Thanksgiving -- need advice

[schuh]

Hi,

My family (including my sons, ages 10 & 12) are going to spend Thanksgiving with my stepsister, who lives in Ridgefield, Connecticut. I'm trying to plan logistics of the trip but I'm clueless.

I have always wanted to take my kids to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Would it be practical to go back & forth from Ridgefield to NYC on Thanksgiving? If so, any advice on the logistics of doing this?

Or are we better off going into NYC on Wednesday or Friday? Is "Black Friday" as nuts in NYC as it is everywhere else?

Thanks!

[ktg0930]

I don't know where Ridgefield is in CT, so I can't comment on that. If it's on the Metro North, then taking the train would be easy on Thanksgiving, other than the holiday schedule and fewer trains.

Your kids might enjoy the blowing up of the balloons around the Museum of Natural History on Wednesday evening. It's been a while since I went to the event, but I remember it being fun.

I know they set up bleachers along Central Park West for parade watching, but I don't know how early you might have to get there to get a spot, or if they might be reserved for VIPs. I used to live on the Upper West Side and usually ended up going for a run in Central Park during the parade and enjoyed being able to see some of the balloons and hear the bands during my run.

[bobmark226]

Ridgefield is actually part of Danbury, and there is train service from there. Complete info here:

http://as0.mta.info/mnr/stations/station_detail.cfm?key=280

Driving in very early Thursday is far preferable to dealing with either Wednesday or Friday in or out of Manhattan. It's nightmarish on both days, first with people heading home for the holiday, and on Friday with shoppers. There isn't much trafffic to speak of on Tursday, but you'll have to find parking on the upper West Side and walk over to the parade. Yes, that Friday is monstrous in New York. I wouldn't dream of going shopping that day.

If you're taking a cooler along for the weekend, remember a food visit to nearby Stew Leonards, more to gape than shop at the enormity of it all. And there is a handy TJ's at exit 2B off 684/84, which is the major road closest to Ridgefield.

HTH, and if you've got more questions, feel free to PM me.

Bob

[karen w]

I live just north of Ridgefield, CT and Danbury, CT. As Bob mentioned, your best bet is to take the train. Brewster, N.Y. is a short drive from Ridgefield and you could get the train straight into the city from there. That is how we usually do it during the holiday season. Otherwise finding parking this time of year is a b*tch! I live about 10 min. from Stew Leonards, but unfortunately will be out of town over Thanksgiving. However, if you have any questions, feel free to ask or PM me as well.

Karen