Basic Info Itinerary Inclusions & Price How to Register and Pay Terms, Deposit & Cancellation Optional Tours Optional Tour Registration FAQ

2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City
November 19 – 23, 2023

Congratulations on becoming a part of The Saluting America’s Band Directors’ project!
Register with Grueninger Music Tours for your trip to the The 97th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and join your fellow band directors in this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Non-Marchers Tentative Itinerary

Note: All times are Eastern Standard Times (EST) New York City

DAY 1: Sunday, November 19, 2023

Private group check-in at hotel
All marchers must arrive by 4:00 p.m.
Dinner (on own) prior to band rehearsal
Non-marchers free to acquaint themselves with hotel and surrounding area
- Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
  811 7^th Ave
  New York, NY 10019

DAY 2: Monday, November 20, 2023

Buffet breakfast at nearby restaurant within walking distance
Morning at leisure for individual pursuits
Optional tours available – listed at end of itinerary
Lunch on own
Afternoon tour with marchers – lower Manhattan including financial district and World Trade Center
Visit National September 11 Memorial and Museum
Group photo in Times Square
Dinner (included)

DAY 3: Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Buffet breakfast at nearby restaurant within walking distance
Morning at leisure for individual pursuits
Optional tours available – listed at end of itinerary
Lunch on own
Reserved seats to Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
Visit Top of the Rock Observation Deck
Return to hotel
Private “Thanksgiving Dinner” Banquet at Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

DAY 4: Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Buffet breakfast at nearby restaurant within walking distance
Morning at leisure for individual pursuits
Optional tours available – listed at end of itinerary
Lunch on own
Afternoon at leisure
Optional Broadway matinee shows available – listed at end of itinerary
Dinner on own
Evening at leisure – early to bed

DAY 5: Thur sday, November 23, 2023

Box breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 97^th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade steps off
11:00 a.m. – Hotel checkout for those not extending their stay
Arrive home with great memories from New York City

Inclusions & Pricing

Lodging at a full-service New York City Times Square hotel
Daily buffet breakfast
Three Box Lunches (marchers only)
Special Dinner event on Monday, November 20th
Private Thanksgiving Dinner banquet in hotel on Tuesday, November 21st
City Tour Lower Manhattan
Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
Reserved seats to the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
Admission to The Top Of The Rock Observation Deck
Group Photo in Times Square (marchers only)
Ground transportation to events
Music arrangement and direction for the parade
Commemorative parade blazer, pants and tie
A portion of the Marchers’ trip fee goes toward the operation of the event (performance fees, administration costs, rehearsals, etc)

The Non-Marcher package will include the same inclusions as the Marchers’ Package excluding the following:

Music Rehearsals. Optional tours will be available for purchase during the rehearsals
Three Box Lunches
Group Photo

Number of occupants in room:	1	2	3	4
MARCHER	$3,649	$2,999	$2,759	$2,649

NON-MARCHER	$3,359	$2,709	$2,469	$2,359
CHILDREN (ages 3-9)		$ 949	$ 949	$ 949

Package pricing details

The term “occupant” is defined as a marcher or a non-marcher age 10 and older (not including children age 3-9). Count up the number of people staying in your room that are buying marcher or guest packages (any combination of marchers and guests). That total is the number of room occupants and determines the type of rooming package to select.

Important notes:

If you pay by credit or debit card, a 3% fee will be added, as that is what the banks charge our tour company. ACH and eCheck payments along with personal checks mailed to GMT will not incur a fee.
Package prices do not include transportation costs to or from New York City.
Because of the transportation logistics involved in getting marchers to all events in a timely manner, all packages include hotel accommodations.

How to Register and Pay

Important Notes – Please read BEFORE you Register:

The trip code to use for the 2023 trip is macy23sabd.
You must register with the same email address that you have been using to receive emails from the Saluting America’s Band Directors (SABD) project.
All marchers must create and register with their own account even if you are sharing a room with another marcher. Non-marching companions staying in the same room as a marcher can be registered and paid under the marcher’s account.
Non-Marchers staying in their own room (i.e., not sharing a room with a Marcher) should register separately using their own email address, one registration per additional room. Please do not include them on a Marcher’s account.

Create your GMT trip account for the 2023 trip

First-time users: If this is your first time using the GMT registration system, create a new account. Click on the red Register/Login button on the How to Register and Pay website page. This should put you on the page to create a new account. Enter your SABD Marcher email address and password; you will be sent an email with a link to confirm your email address. Once you have confirmed your email address, you will be able to register for the trip by clicking on Register for another trip. Go to Step 2 in these instructions.

Users with a 2022 Rose Parade trip account: Important: If you changed your email address for the Macy’s trip, GMT has already changed your old email address to your new one. You should be able to log in with the same password as before.

Click on the red Register/Login button on the How to Register and Pay website page. This should put you on the page to create a new account. Click on the button to Log in. Enter your login and password. If you forgot your password, you can click on Forgot Password on the login screen and you will be sent an email to reset it. Once logged in, if you registered for the Rose Parade trip, you will be sent into that screen. If on a laptop or desktop: click on Other Trips in the menu at the top right of the display. If on a cell phone or iPad: click on the menu bars at the top left of the display (three horizontal bars), and then click on Other Trips. Finally, click on Register for another trip. Go to Step 2 in these instructions.

Not sure if you have an account or not? If you aren’t sure if you have an account or not, try logging in with your email address; if you don’t have an account, you will get an authentication failure screen because the system doesn’t know that email address. On the other hand, if you try to register with an email that is already associated with a GMT account, you will be told that the email address is already taken.

Once you access your account, you will be able to login to the account as often as you like, make package selections, make payments, come back later to make changes or more payments, etc.

Register for the new trip – Enter the code macy23sabd for the Saluting America’s Band Directors 2023 Macy’s trip.
Add passenger names registering with you –The system will next ask you “Who’s Going On This Trip?” and prompt you to enter “passenger” names for the trip (including the Marcher’s name). If you registered for the 2022 Rose Parade trip, your name will already be listed and you can simply click it to add yourself onto the 2023 Macy’s trip. Please do not enter the names of Non-Marchers unless they are sharing your room. Non-Marchers in their own room will register separately. Once you have added all of the room occupants registering on your trip account, you can click on Proceed. If you aren’t sure of all the names yet, you can add them later.
Provide missing information for all passengers (required before you can make any payments)– The system will next bring up a screen with the names of all passengers that you entered. You will then need to provide the missing information for each passenger by clicking on the red Add Missing Info button. The system will allow you to make initial choices for required information, and then come back later to edit and make changes by clicking on the small pencil icon. So, don’t be afraid to make an initial choice, even for insurance – you can always change it later!

Important: You must provide Missing Info for each person registered with you before your payment timeline will appear and you can pay for anyone.

The system will first prompt you to enter the passenger’s personal information such as address, cellphone, and birthdate. Please note that birthdates are needed for electronically signing some documents. International cell phone numbers can be entered by typing “+” followed by the country code and number. If you added yourself from the 2022 Rose Parade trip, your personal information is already filled in for you and you won’t be prompted to add that; however, you can edit this later if needed. Click on Save when done editing.

Choose a package– The system will next prompt you to “Choose a Package” for the passenger based on the number of room occupants. Decide on single, double, triple, or quad occupancy and choose a package. Count up the number of people staying in your room that are buying packages (any combination of Marchers and Non-Marchers not including children age 3-9). That total is the number of room occupants and determines the type of rooming package to select. Note that children ten and older should also purchase packages. Packages for children age 3-9 may also be selected at a fixed price of $949 per child. Click on Save when done.

Please make sure that the Marcher and all Non-Marchers select the same type of room occupancy (double, triple, or quad). It is assumed that all Non-Marchers and children registered on a Marcher’s trip account will share the same room.

If you have Non-Marcher guests that want a room by themselves (i.e. not sharing it with the Marcher), please register them separately using their own email address, one registration per additional room. Please do not include them on your registration account.

Select Add-Ons you wish to purchase– The system will next prompt you to select any available “Add-Ons” you wish to purchase. There are options available for hotel stays before or after the trip. Click Save when done.
Fill out the trip questionnaire– The system will next prompt you to fill out a “Trip Questionnaire”. If you will be sharing a room with other Marchers, enter their name(s) into the provided type-in field so that we know to put you in the same room. E.g., “rooming with Marcher Sue Jones”.

In addition, if you want to have a room near other Marchers or Non-Marching friends, or relatives, type their names in this field, e.g. “close to friend John Smith” or “close to Marcher Jerry Blake.” We will do our best to accommodate these requests but we cannot guarantee specific room locations. Note that you do not need to enter into this field the names of Non-Marchers or children sharing your room if we already have their names from your registration record. If this field is not applicable to you, just type “N/A”. Click on Proceed when done.

Select travel protection insurance – The system will next prompt you to select travel protection insurance for your trip. SABD and GMT strongly encourage you to consider purchasing this for your trip, especially the Enhanced Protection option that includes Cancel for any Reason (CFAR) coverage. Please note that the Enhanced Protection/CFAR will cover you for 75% of your non-refundable payments even if you decide to cancel your trip because of uncertainty due to Covid-19. The added cost of insurance will be shown to you and added to your total amount due as part of your first deposit payment. The Standard Protection coverage from TripMate costs about 4.5% of your package price and the Enhanced Protection coverage costs about 7%. Click on Save when done.

For more detailed description and policy information, click HERE Please enter code F560S for the Standard Coverage plan and F560E for the Enhanced Coverage (CFAR) plan.

IMPORTANT: If you selected a travel protection insurance option, you should pay your premium amount at the time of registration. The Suggested Amount on the Make a Payment screen will be the $250 first deposit payment plus the travel protection premium. Note that until your travel protection premium is paid and your deposit credit is applied, the system will show your travel protection insurance is inactive.

If you select the Enhanced Protection/CFAR extended coverage option: For all Marchers and Non-Marchers, your 20-day window to pay your travel protection premium starts when you make your first deposit payment to GMT. Thus, it’s recommended to make your first payment cover at least your premium so that it’s activated right away. If you selected the CFAR plan and later change your mind, you have 14 days from your first deposit payment to cancel it.

Enter medical information– The system will next prompt you to optionally enter any medical information you would like us to be aware of, e.g. allergies, dietary restrictions medical/mobility needs and medical contacts. If a person in your party has food allergies or gluten sensitivity, please make sure to tell us this information so the hotel can make accommodations for you for breakfasts and the banquet. Click Save when done.
Digitally sign documents– The system will next prompt the passenger to read and digitally sign three documents. Please read the documents, enter the required information and click Agree for each one.

- Deposit and Cancellation Policies
- General Participation Agreement
- Release of Liability Hold Harmless Agreement

Provide emergency contacts– Before proceeding further, it would be a good idea to provide emergency contact(s) for your trip. Click Save when done.You are welcome to make a payment at registration time if you choose, or you can login at a later date and make additional payments. You are also welcome to pay your amounts due in multiple installments, by any payment method. This may make it easier for you to budget for your trip!
Make your first payment – Once you provide all required information for each passenger, the system will automatically direct you to the Setup Payment Methods page. This is where you will set up one or more ways to pay for your trip (Payment Sources). You can pay either by credit card(s), direct bank transfer(s), or personal check. If paying by credit card, a 3% non-refundable bank convenience fee will be added to your bill. If paying by direct bank transfer, no fees will be added. You can set up a bank transfer in two ways: a quick way if the system knows about your bank already, and a manual way in which you set up a verification procedure using your bank routing and account numbers.

You will then be directed to the Make a Payment page. If paying by credit card or bank transfer, you can select from two amounts to pay:

- the Suggested Amount (the total amount due now for all trip registrants), or
- a Custom amount

For example, if you simply want to pay your marcher travel protection insurance premium (e.g. $xxx), select the Custom Amount option and type in $xxx next to the marcher’s name. Similarly, if you simply want to pay your $250 October 8th payment, type in $250. Then click on the Pay button. Your credit card or your bank draft will be processed. Your payment will be reflected on your account dashboard page and you will be emailed a receipt.

HINT: if you are on either the Setup Payment Methods page or the Make a Payment page and you want to back out to review your account, simply click on the Jump Back to Trip link at the top of the page.

If paying by personal check (rather than a direct bank transfer from your account), please make out the check and mail to:

Grueninger Music Tours
9011 N. Meridian Street, Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46260-558
(317) 581-1122
(800) 225-9919

Please put the name of the marcher and SABD in the memo portion of the check. Once Grueninger Music Tours receives your check, your account will be credited.

Payment timeline– Once you provide all required missing information for each passenger, payment information will be displayed in your account Dashboard page. If you click on the View Payment Timeline button, you will see your payment timeline with amounts due and dates for each person registered on your trip account. If you click on the small “<" by each amount, it will break down the fees per occupant. If you think the amount you owe looks incorrect or have questions before paying, please contact Grueninger Music Tours to discuss (see below).

For questions about registration, please call or email Grueninger Music Tours at:

Grueninger Music Tours
(317) 581-1122
(800) 225-9919
[email protected]

Terms, Deposit & Cancellation

Terms and Conditions

IMPORTANT: GMT and SABD strongly encourage you to consider purchasing travel insurance to protect yourself and your investment. In particular, travel insurance with Cancel for any Reason (“CFAR”) coverage may allow you to cancel up to 48 hours before the trip for any reason whatsoever and may provide a refund of up to 75% of your non-refundable expenditures, even for reasons related to pandemics like COVID-19 (e.g. unwillingness to travel due to the virus).

You are free to choose any travel insurance carrier you want.

GMT is offering travel protection insurance from TripMate when you register for your trip. Two plans are being offered and information can be found HERE. For more detailed description and policy information click HERE. Please enter code F560S for the Standard Coverage plan and F560E for the Enhanced Coverage (CFAR) plan.

The Standard Coverage plan can be purchased at any time prior to final payment. The Enhanced Plan (CFAR) must be purchased within 20 days of the date of your initial deposit payment to GMT. If you purchase the CFAR plan but later change your mind, you have 14 days from the date of your initial deposit payment to cancel it.

While GMT and SABD encourage the purchase of travel insurance, any specific questions regarding coverage need to be addressed directly with the insurance company as we are not insurance experts.

NOTE: New York state residents cannot be sold a travel insurance plan that includes CFAR coverage. Non-US residents cannot be sold either insurance plan.

Payment Schedule for Marchers and Non-Marchers packages

A $250 payment per person is due to Grueninger Music Tours (GMT) by October 8, 2022
A $250 payment per person is due to GMT by November 19, 2022
A $500 payment per person is due to GMT by January 19, 2023
A $500 payment per person is due to GMT by March 19, 2023
A $500 payment per person is due to GMT by May 19, 2023
A $500 payment per person is due to GMT by July 19, 2023
The final balance for all room occupants is due to GMT by September 19, 2023

Please understand that the above payments go towards the cost of the rooming package selected, and are NOT additional costs.

Please be aware that GMT has payment requirements to our hotel, transportation company, attractions and meal venues. Therefore it is very important we receive your payments on time.

While the overall payment schedule above indicates the deadlines by which payments must be received, a number of our directors have expressed interest in paying for the trip in more installments rather than just the dates shown. GMT’s registration system allows you to implement a payment plan that works for you, as long as it meets the overall primary payment deadlines above. This may help you budget for the trip.

Following is one example of a possible multiple payment schedule you might adopt:

Pay $250 monthly beginning October 8th with the last payment on September 19, 2023.

Individual Marcher or Non-Marcher (aka Traveler) Cancellation Schedule

In the event a traveler cancels his or her participation from the date of the first deposit payment through January 18, 2023, all payments except for $250 per person will be refunded.
In the event a traveler cancels his or her participation from January 19, 2023 through April 18, 2023, all payments except for $500 per person will be refunded.
In the event a traveler cancels his or her participation from April 19, 2023 through July 18, 2023, all payments except for $750 per person will be refunded.
In the event a traveler cancels his or her participation from July 19, 2023 through August 18, 2023, all payments except for $1,000 per person will be refunded.
In the event a traveler cancels his or her participation from August 19, 2023 through September 18, 2023, all payments except for $2,000 per person will be refunded.
There is no refund for a traveler cancellation received September 19, 2023 or thereafter.
Please note, convenience fees charged when using a credit or debit card or ACH or eCheck as a form of payment will not be refunded.
Any cancellations made within 90 days of the original payment will be refunded (if applicable) to that same form of payment. Cancellations made after 90 days may be refunded (if applicable) by check no matter what form of payment was used originally.
Travel Protection is available and highly recommended to protect your investment. Details can be found on the registration pages.

Other:

Any individual additions within 45 days prior to departure will be assessed a $50 late charge and will be based on availability in addition to prevailing rates from vendors.
Name changes are accepted without penalty up to 45 days before departure, unless otherwise determined by airline or vendor agreement. From 45 to 14 days before departure, there will be a name change charge assessed, currently $50/person, in addition to any applicable airline or vendor fees. No name changes are accepted within 14 days of departure.
Late payments/deposits and required forms are charged a daily service fee of $15.00 per occurrence, per late day. For a maximum late charge of $210.00.
Any expedited services such as FedEx charges, wire transfer fees assessed by banks and vendors, expedited printing and shipping charges will be passed along to the individual.
NOTICE OF TRANSPORTATION FUEL SURCHARGE: ALL FUEL SURCHARGES IMPOSED BY AIRLINES AND/OR MOTORCOACH COMPANIES IN EXCESS OF THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRICES CONTRACTED FOR THE SABD ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL TRAVELER. Grueninger Music Tours normally receives notice of fuel surcharge increases between 60 and 30 days prior to the start of a tour and we will notify the individual immediately when/if these charges are imposed.

Optional Tours

November 20, Monday, 2023

CENTRAL PARK WALKING TOUR

Departure Time: 10:00 a.m.
Duration: 2 Hours
Departure Point: Tour begins at Central Park
$45.00 per person – Gratuity for guide not included
10 guest minimum
25 guest maximum

The 843 acres that make-up Central Park include wooded glades, bridges, ponds, long meadows and hilly fields, and all of it built by human hands! Learn about Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, the architects who blueprinted the park. Visit The Dakota – John Lennon’s home and the site of his tragic murder. Pay respects at Strawberry Fields. See Bethesda Fountain and the newly renovated Bethesda Terrace. Snap pictures of the Alice in Wonderland Statue by the Boat Pond. Enjoy the Central Park Zoo (from the movie Madagascar!) and conclude the tour on fabulous Fifth Avenue by the world-famous Plaza Hotel.

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METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART – A PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR

Departure Time: 10:00 a.m.
Duration: 1 Hour tour / unlimited post tour exploration
Departure Point: Tour begins at Museum
$50 per person – Gratuity for docent not included
15 guest minimum
25 guest maximum

Museum Highlights: An Introduction to The Met Collection
Discover works of art that highlight the diversity and breadth of the Museum’s collection, which spans more than 5,000 years.

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PRIVATE FOOD ON FOOT GUIDED TOUR IN HELL’S KITCHEN

Departure Time: 10:30 a.m.
Duration: 2 Hours
Departure Point: Sheraton Times Square
$70 per person / includes $20.00 script per person – Gratuity for guide not included
10 guest minimum
50 guest maximum

On Food On Foot Tour in Hell‘s Kitchen, you’ll visit a real non-tourist New York City neighborhood, while stopping at places where the people who live there eat. The tour is a quality fresh food eating tour and not the standard sampling tour. You’ll choose what you like at every stop. You will not only see and feel the real New York, but you’ll mingle and hang out with others from your group. Because you choose what you like, all stops are a surprise, and Food on Foot knows from years of tours that it’s much more fun that way. The tour replaces a meal. And because Food on Foot cares about your whole trip, or your eating as a local, they will help out with unbiased restaurant recommendations, if you like, to help you eat great and save money for the rest of your stay. The slogan is “Eat Like A New Yorker!”

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NYC TV & MOVIE MOTORCOACH TOUR

Departure Time: 11:00 a.m.
Duration: 2.5 Hours
Departure Point: Sheraton Times Square
$59 per person – Gratuity for guide not included
25 guest minimum
50 guest maximum

NYC TV & Movie Tour leads you to New York City’s best filming locations! On this guided sightseeing bus tour you get to see over 60 NYC locations featured in your favorite TV shows and movies. Get a taste for the magic that makes this city the greatest city in the world while learning about the film industry’s best-kept secrets.

This tour travels through much of Manhattan while highlighting the specific TV and movie locations that are the tour’s focus. As a result, families and friends often find this experience an ideal way to tour the city! While the NYC movie tour does not visit such Manhattan landmarks as the Statue of Liberty or Empire State Building, you will be visiting neighborhoods such as Greenwich Village, Chelsea, SoHo, and Tribeca.

So sit back and relax as your tour guide leads you through the most filmed city in the world, all from the comfort of a bus with AC in the summer and heat in the winter. Follow in the footsteps of your favorite characters when you hop off at different NYC locations throughout your tour.

What Will You See On This Tour?

Visit your favorite Friends at the iconic apartment location
Stop by the famous arch at Washington Square Park, a location featured in Girls, The Mindy Project, Glee, Someone Great, and When Harry Met Sally.
Check in to the popular hotels as seen in American Hustle, Ocean’s 8, and Home Alone 2
Snap a photo with your sidekick ghouls at the iconic firehouse as seen in the Ghostbusters
Discover the origins of the ‘Original Soupman’ and other locations as seen in Seinfeld
Sitcom fanatic? Embrace your inner sarcasm and laugh your way to sites as seen in The Office and Modern Family
Dive into the drama and see locations featured in Homeland and This Is Us
Drive past locations from new seasons of Succession, including The Pierre Hotel and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel
See new NYC spots featured in The Stand-In, The Goldfinch, Homeland, Tom and Jerry, Hawkeye, The Flight Attendant, The Sun Is Also A Star, Hustlers, and more!

Optional Tours depart from various locations. Exact instructions will be shared approximately two weeks prior to the tour. If your tour is not departing from the hotel, you will have a GMT travel director help you travel to the meeting location/departure point. The travel director will either walk with you, take you on the subway or take you on a local bus. Any costs associated with the public transportation used, will be the responsibility of the tour member. Public transportation is roughly $3 per person, per direction. You may also to meet the group at the Departure Point.

November 21, Tuesday, 2023

BEST OF NEW YORK CRUISE

Departure Time: 9:15 a.m.
Duration: 2.5 Hours – Sails at 10:00 a.m.
Departure Point: Pier 83
$47.00 per adult (Child rates available upon request – ages 3-12)

The only sightseeing cruise that completely circles Manhattan. See all of NYC’s landmarks from temperature-controlled indoor seats or our huge outdoor deck.

During this 2 hour and 30 minute cruise, you’ll cruise along all three NYC rivers, pass under 20 bridges, see over 130 of the city’s most iconic landmarks including the Manhattan skyline, Little Island, Hudson Yards, One World Trade Center, Brooklyn Bridge and downtown Brooklyn, Yankee Stadium, the George Washington Bridge and, of course, an up close look at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island!

A knowledgeable tour guide tells the story of New York City as you journey around the full island and enjoy the best sightseeing experience NYC has to offer!

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RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL TOUR WITH ROCKETTE MEET & GREET

Departure Time: 9:30 a.m.
Duration: 1 Hour
Departure Point: Radio City Tour Entrance on 50th Street between 5th and 6th Ave
$39 per person – Gratuity for guide not included
10 guest minimum
33 guest maximum

On this guided tour you will explore Radio City Music Hall, nicknamed the Showplace of the Nation, to discover the home of the Grammys and MTV Music Awards. Radio City Music Hall is an iconic part of American pop culture, and this tour pays tribute to the legends that have appeared on its stage. Located at Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan, the stage might be graced with the presence of A-listers such as Bon Jovi, Steve Harvey and Janet Jackson in any given week. Follow in their footsteps and go behind the scenes, through the Stage Door. Explore the venue’s extravagant Art Deco interior, and view the celebrity guest book to see the signatures of all the greats that have walked through Radio City’s doors. On this tour, you will learn all the secrets of the Great Stage, and you will also have the chance to meet a world-famous Rockette.

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METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART – A PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR

Departure Time: 10:00 a.m.
Duration: 1 Hour tour / unlimited post tour exploration
Departure Point: Tour begins at the Museum
$50 per person – Gratuity for docent not included
15 guest minimum
25 guest maximum

Museum Highlights: An Introduction to The Met Collection
Discover works of art that highlight the diversity and breadth of the Museum’s collection, which spans more than 5,000 years.

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LITTLE ITALY AND CHINATOWN

Departure Time: 10:00 a.m.
Duration: 2 Hours
Departure Point: Little Italy
$45.00 per person – Gratuity for guide not included
10 guest minimum
25 guest maximum

“Do you Dim Sum? Or do you roll-y with the cannoli?”

You have not seen NYC until you’ve walked through Chinatown, the most New-Yorky of neighborhoods. A working class outlier, surrounded by luxury shops and expensive high rises. This is an ethnic enclave created by the Chinese community, for the Chinese community . . . and everyone else.

Understand how the most populous Chinatown in America held onto its authenticity and roots, through displacement, gentrification and a global pandemic.

In contrast, right across Canal Street is an ethnic tourist Disneyland, Little Italy. Although this used to be a haven for the Italian communities in NYC, now it’s a stretch of souvenir shops and mediocre restaurants. However, some amazing eats can still be discovered.

Let your guide lead the way to the authentic foodie finds off Mulberry Street.

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BROOKLYN BRIDGE & DUMBO

Departure Time: 10:00 a.m.
Duration: 2 Hours
Departure Point: Tour begins at the Brooklyn Bridge
$45.00 per person – Gratuity for guide not included
10 guest minimum
25 guest maximum

In only two hours, you’ll appreciate why this stone and steel crossing changed the face of NYC and the world. Constructed before the age of electricity, the building of the Brooklyn Bridge killed its designer, crippled the Chief Engineer and was finally completed by a woman in the early 1880s! Amazing! We’ll also make sure you get the best selfies as you stroll over the East River.

Once in Brooklyn you’ll see why the waterfront neighborhood of DUMBO – Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass – is a destination for in-the-know tourists and New Yorkers alike. You will discover cool cookie cafes, artisanal food markets, legendary pizzerias, warehouses converted into sky high condominiums and the most famous photo op in the five boroughs. You need to snap that pic!

November 22, Wednesday, 2023

HARLEM & UPTOWN WITH GOSPEL SERVICE & SERMON

Departure Time: 10:00 a.m.
Duration: 2 Hours
Departure Point: Harlem
$45 per person – Gratuity for guide not included
10 guest minimum
25 guest maximum

“You must take the A train, to get to Sugar Hill, way up in Harlem” – Ella Fitzgerald

100 years since the original Harlem Renaissance, come see why Uptown is swinging again! Immaculately restored brownstones, local art galleries, soulful churches and spectacular Southern food make Harlem a historically happening place. Your guide will walk with you and explain Harlem’s long and colorful past, and point out notable sites of African-American cultural and historical importance, including locations that were indelible to the long march for civil rights. Your guide will also discuss the rapid gentrification occurring in Harlem today, and the importance of supporting local Mom and Pop shops so that Harlem keeps its significant and independent identity.

If you would like to visit a local church to experience a gospel service and sermon, the request can be accommodated on Wednesday mornings. Please let us know when booking your tour.

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NYC TV & MOVIE MOTORCOACH TOUR

Departure Time: 11:00 a.m.
Duration: 2.5 Hours
Departure Point: Sheraton Times Square
$59 per person – Gratuity for guide not included
25 guest minimum
50 guest maximum

What Will You See On This Tour?

Visit your favorite Friends at the iconic apartment location
Stop by the famous arch at Washington Square Park, a location featured in Girls, The Mindy Project, Glee, Someone Great, and When Harry Met Sally.
Check in to the popular hotels as seen in American Hustle, Ocean’s 8, and Home Alone 2
Snap a photo with your sidekick ghouls at the iconic firehouse as seen in the Ghostbusters
Discover the origins of the ‘Original Soupman’ and other locations as seen in Seinfeld
Sitcom fanatic? Embrace your inner sarcasm and laugh your way to sites as seen in The Office and Modern Family
Dive into the drama and see locations featured in Homeland and This Is Us
Drive past locations from new seasons of Succession, including The Pierre Hotel and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel
See new NYC spots featured in The Stand-In, The Goldfinch, Homeland, Tom and Jerry, Hawkeye, The Flight Attendant, The Sun Is Also A Star, Hustlers, and more!

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GOURMET NY TASTING FOOD HALL EVENT DELUXE WITH A PRIZE FOR EVERYONE (THEATER DISTRICT LOCATION)

Departure Time: 11:00 a.m.
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Departure Point: Sheraton Times Square
$48 per person / includes $20. 00 script per person – Gratuity for guide not included
20 guest minimum
120 guest maximum

Imagine walking into an indoor food festival in the middle of New York with hundreds of high-quality gourmet choices of international foods from New York City, curated by local chefs and restaurants, and choosing whatever you like. Food On Foot Tours has created the perfect New York experience for your group with the Gourmet New York Tasting. The Gourmet NY Tasting includes guaranteed seating for your group at a leading food hall near the hotel, scrip to be used by you at any of about fifteen vendors, a host to engage with your group and a game show style prize extravaganza where everyone wins. Choose what you like from the many real New York vendors. Sharing with your friends and family is part of the fun, and many guests do just that. You don’t have to, but you can split your order among vendors. Be part of a fun and great tasting event. Cash bar is available too. Book your space today. Seating is limited.

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BALLOON INFLATION

Departure Time: 12:00 a.m.
Duration: Up to six hours
Departure Point: West 72^nd St. & Columbus Ave
Free

The balloon inflation will take place on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, from noon to 6 p.m. Spectators may enter the queue at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. Large backpacks, coolers, alcoholic beverages, chairs and umbrellas are expressly prohibited, and participants will be screened prior to entering the viewing route. Once screened, spectators will enter the inflation viewing area at West 72nd Street and Central Park West. The balloon viewing path winds around the American Museum of Natural History. Spectators exit the viewing area at West 82nd Street and Central Park West.

Any Day

HOP-ON, HOP-OFF NEW YORK DAY BUS TOUR

Duration: 1.5 Hours
Cost TBA

Hop on NYC sightseeing tours and take a journey through The City That Never Sleeps. Dive in and explore with flexible tours, which allow you to hop on and hop off the bus as much as you like. Explore New York City from 10+ different stops, conveniently located close to major landmarks and attractions.

You’ll have plenty of time to discover New York at your own pace, with buses scheduled to arrive at stops regularly. Hop off to snap the perfect photo, or stay to explore for hours – the bus tours offer you the freedom to sightsee at your own pace. You can also choose between 1-, 2- or 3-day tickets, giving you plenty of time to check out iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge, and stroll through the city’s bustling neighborhoods to uncover hidden gems and find your own favorites.

Discover the sights of NYC with Big Bus Tours. Our bus tour routes will introduce you to the city’s most famous landmarks and attractions, with pre-recorded commentary given by our expert virtual guides. Explore must-see sights such as the Empire State Building, Times Square, One World Trade Center and more.

BLUE ROUTE
10:00am First Bus
4:00pm Last Bus

Explore Uptown on the blue route. Discover famous Big Apple sweet spots, like Museum Mile, Grand Central Terminal, Central Park and the Upper East Side. Every bus features pre-recorded commentary, available in English and Spanish.

RED ROUTE
9:00am First Bus
5:00pm Last Bus

Seeing all the major New York sights is exciting and easy with Big Bus Tours. Simply hop on our red route to explore Downtown Manhattan. Every bus features pre-recorded commentary!

Broadway Matinees

November 22

SOME LIKE IT HOT

2:00 p.m. – Shubert Theater
100 seats
Balcony
$74 per ticket
Purchase By: October 2, 2023

HAMILTON

1:00 p.m. – Richard Rogers Theater
75 seats
Rear Mezzanine
$149.00 per ticket
Purchase By: October 2, 2023

SIX

2:00 p.m. – Lena Horne Theater
100 seats
Mezzanine Center and Sides
$69 per ticket
Purchase By: October 2, 2023

ALADDIN

2:00 p.m. – New Amsterdam Theater
59 seats
Rear Balcony
$109.50
16 seats
Front Balcony
$129.00 per ticket
Purchase By: October 12, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

I had signed up for the 2022 Rose Parade trip, and when I logged into my account, all I see is that trip, not the 2023 Macy’s trip. How do I find the new trip to register?

Since you had signed up for the 2022 Rose Parade trip, the system puts you into that trip automatically. Just look to the top of your screen, click on Other Trips, and you will then see a link to Register for Another Trip. (If on a mobile device such as a phone or iPad, look for the menu bars at the top then click on Other Trips.) Click on that link and it should let you register for the new 2023 Macy’s trip using trip code macy23sabd. There are complete instructions on the How to Register and Pay page.

I am rooming with my spouse and our son. I have supplied all of my missing information, but I don’t see how much I owe nor any way to pay my travel protection insurance premium. What should I do?

The system requires you to enter the missing information for everyone registered under your email address before it will show your payment timeline or the Proceed to Payment or Make a Payment buttons. Click on the Add Missing Info buttons to enter the needed information. Also, if you still need to provide emergency contacts, that will also prevent the payment buttons from appearing. After setting up a credit card or bank account, you can then select the Custom Amount option to enter your insurance premium amount and pay it.

I am trying to decide what rooming package to choose. I would be willing to share a room, but I don’t know anyone else going on the trip. Is there a way to find a roommate?

Yes there is. We created a Facebook roommate finder private group which you can join and post something about needing a roommate. Simply go to Facebook and search for “Saluting America’s Band Directors Roommate Finder” or go to our Roommate Finder Facebook Group.

I am trying to estimate the total cost for my trip. Are there other expenses I should expect?

Besides the airfare or other transportation costs to New York City, you will need to pay for transfers to/from one of the airports and a few meals. Breakfast will be provided every day, as well as a Special Dinner event on Monday, November 20th, and a Private Thanksgiving Dinner banquet in the hotel on Tuesday, November 21st. Box Lunches are provided for Marchers on November 20th, 21st and 22nd. Assuming you check out on November 23rd, marchers will have one lunch (post parade) and two dinners (November 19th and 22nd) on your own. Non-Marchers will be responsible for lunches on all days due to many deciding to go sightseeing or shopping on their own.

Can I make payments in installments?

Yes, you may pay in installments. The registration software allows you to make payments of any amount and frequency, and using any payment method. For budgeting purposes, you may find it easier to make several smaller payments over several months. For instance, you could pay $250/month for 11 months rather than $250 in October and November, then $500 every other month starting in January. You might make some payments via credit card and others via bank transfer to save the credit card fee. When you get to the Make a Payment page, select Pay Custom Amount and enter the amount of your installment payment. Then come back later to make additional installment payments.

Will Macy’s Parade tickets be available for purchase for the Non-Marcher packages?

Unfortunately, Macy’s does not set up public bleachers as was done for the Rose Parade® and there are no tickets available for purchase. People watch from the sidelines along the entire parade route. This means that you will need to arrive at your viewing location very early in the morning to secure a spot. We will try to make suggestions about which locations may be best for watching the parade.

I would like to bring my children with me; is this possible?

Yes, add-on packages for children age 3-9 will be available for purchase. Children will be able to attend all events including breakfasts, banquet, and sightseeing at a reduced price. Children will be given seats on the bus and all attractions. However, it is mandatory that there be another adult Non-Marcher traveler accompanying the marcher who will be in charge of the children at all events. Clearly there will be times such as the rehearsals, and the parade itself, when the marcher will be otherwise occupied. We do discourage bringing children younger than three. (Please note that children ten and older will need to purchase a Non-Marcher’s package.)

I am a Marcher sharing a room with a friend or family member who is also a Marcher. Can I register both of us together and pay for us both on one transaction?

No, each Marcher must register separately with their own email address and pay separately even if sharing a room. The reason is that we must store information about each marcher separately based on their own unique email address. There is a type-in field on the Questionnaire for you to enter the marching companion name(s) so that we know to put you in the same room. Note that the same applies to any number of marchers staying together in the same room – you must each register separately and tell us with whom you are rooming.

I am a Marcher sharing a room with a friend or family member who is not a Marcher. Can I register both of us together and pay for us both on one transaction?

Yes, a Marcher and one or more Non-Marching companions can register on the Marcher’s account and pay for everyone on a single transaction using the same payment method. Those companions must be staying in the same room as the marcher. If more flexibility is desired, they can split up payments using different payment methods (see below).

I am a Marcher sharing a room with Non-Marchers. Can we register together and each of us use a separate credit card to pay for our portion of the bill?

Yes, it’s possible for you to set up multiple credit cards and multiple direct bank transfers on the account. You can pay for the Marcher on Credit Card #1 (or Bank #1), then switch the payment source to Credit Card #2 (or Bank #2), and then pay for the Non-Marcher. You can do this for each payment you make. It’s also possible to split payments for the same person using multiple credit cards or direct bank transfers