For the past 89 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has captivated children of all ages and — with Santa taking up the rear of the cavalcade — also signaled the official start of New York’s Christmas Season. Viewed by an estimated 3.5 million New Yorkers, plus an additional 50 million people at home, the parade begins at 77th St. and Central Park West, proceeds south to 59th St., where it turns east toward Sixth Ave. for the triumphant march down to 34th St. at Herald Square. If you want to catch the festivities in person, the best locations are — for early birds — from 75th St. to 59th St. on Central Park West, between 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sixth Ave. between 34th and 38th Sts. and the area right in front of Macy’s are pretty much closed off for use by television camera crews. If you are looking for special access for spectators with special needs, contact Healing Arts Initiative at 212-284-4100 or atoutreach@hainyc.org. The best fun of all, however, might come the evening before, when the big balloons are inflated on Central Park West. Head over to the inflation areas surrounding the American Museum of Natural History at 79th St. and Columbus Ave. between 3 & 10 p.m. on Nov. 25.