Jaunted

· Queens
Although numerous parades will march through New York's boroughs on May 31, the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade deems itself the largest in the nation. For more M-Day festivities, head to NYC's Intrepid, which will hold Fleet Week events May 26 to June 1. The parade starts at 2pm.

· Washington, D.C.
There's probably no better place to honor the military than the nation's capital. The marchers in the capital's parade will include decorated service men and women, Medal of Honor winners and, uh, Gary Sinise, a.k.a. Lt. Dan. It goes down May 31 at 2pm, but get there early to grab a spot where you can actually see Sinise.

· Simpsonville, South Carolina
Simpsonville marks Memorial Day with Freedom Weekend Aloft, a four-day festival that honors soldiers and hot-air balloons. What the two have in common is anyone's guess, but it means you can watch the parade, then go for a ride in a balloon; you can expect at least one balloon to sport the stars and stripes. Fest activities happen May 26 to 31.

· Ironton, Ohio
Ironton boats having the nation's oldest continuously held Memorial Day parade, marking its 142nd this year. More than 1,800 marchers turn out for the yearly tradition. If you can get yourself to Ironton, the parade steps off at 10am.

· Chicago
Chicago boasts one of the nation's largest parades, and this is a city that loves its parades, so it's absolutely worthwhile. The May 29 noontime parade will feature the usual participants: marching bands, drum and bugle corps and veterans groups. But it's preceded by a wreath-laying ceremony at Daley Plaza's Eternal Flame at 11am.

Related Stories:
· Three Memorial Day Trips for Getting a Dose of Culture [Jaunted]
· Sweet Perks and Free Films for Volunteering at Telluride's Mountainfilm Fest [Jaunted]

[Photo: National Memorial Day Parade, Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade]