Get a preview of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade the day before, with an expedition to see the balloons come to life. A tradition since 1927, the giant balloons—featuring beloved pop culture characters—are slowly inflated in the streets around the American Museum of Natural History, at Columbus Avenue and West 77th Street. Nets and sandbags are used to keep them from escaping during the night.

Balloon Inflation Details: November 27, 2013 from 3pm-10pm. The balloons begin to come to life around 4:30-5pm and the last admission to the balloon inflation area is at 9:15pm.

Here is the details and more information for the Macy's Balloon Inflation Area: