We are headed up to NYC for Thanksgiving.
No option to stay at a hotel with a view. Grandstand tickets fell through. So we will be in the general public viewing. 5 of us including a 12 & 14 year old.
Advice would be great. Read through all the common sites and only found generic advice - get their early and stake out your spot. Dress warm, bring hot chocolate & snacks. Not the greatest detail.

Best spot seems to be west side of Central Park in the 60s/70s.

Can you bring chairs? Blankets? Is that how people "stake out" their spots?

Are the subways insanely packed? We will be coming in from Brooklyn.

How early is early? 7am? earlier?

Any other experience advice?