Commuter Corner: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Citi Bikes, The Art of the Brick at Discovery Times Square

Events and things to do in New York City in November 2013

The Main Event

Kick off the holidays with America’s favorite parade. That’s right, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes over Manhattan on November 28. But instead of watching the Charlie Brown float chase the football balloon from your couch, why not see the action in person? Though grandstand seating is not open to the public, you can grab a good spot on the streets along the two-mile route. The parade begins at 9 a.m. at 77th Street and Central Park West before snaking though Columbus Circle, marching along Central Park South, heading down Sixth Avenue, and finally winding up at Herald Square. Viewing is limited between 34th and 38th streets, but arrive early enough (around 6 a.m.) and you’ll have a good shot at snagging a prime place.

Full of Hot Air

For those of you who aren’t early birds — or need to spend the morning preparing the bird — you can still see the iconic floats up close. From 3 to 10 p.m. on November 27, workers will inflate the big balloons, from Spiderman to the humongous turkey. The best part? The general public is welcome to watch. The preparations take place at 79th Street and Columbus Circle, near the Museum of Natural History.

citi bikesPhotograph by Anthony Correia/Shutterstock.com

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Pedal Pushers

In May, thousands of bicycles were unleashed on NYC streets. The new Citi Bike system allows commuters to rent bikes from 600 stations — four of which are near Grand Central, ideal for Valley commuters — as an alternative to crowded subways and car-clogged streets. After purchasing a 24-hour ($10), seven-day ($25), or yearlong ($95) pass, each rider is e-mailed a code; these digits unlock a bike, which can be used wherever he or she wants. The passes are good for unlimited trips, provided the rides last no longer than 30 or 45 minutes (overtime fees can spike up to $13 for every additional 30 minutes). Parking the vehicles can be challenging, as some stations may not have open docks; in this case, riders can take up to 15 minutes locating a new station without incurring extra charges.

Block Party

The Art of the Brick — the newest exhibition at Discovery Times Square — takes a childhood toy to new heights. Artist Nathan Sawaya built more than 100 life-sized statues made entirely of LEGO blocks. The 3-D pieces depict different subjects, including the Statue of Liberty, a dinosaur skeleton, and human figures in a variety of postures. The show is the largest display of LEGO art in the world. Through Jan. 5. $22. Check www.discoverytsx.com or www.brickartist.com for more info.

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