Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

[SwanVT2]

My mom and I want to go this year (bucket list)! Does anyone have any recommendations for a hotel/viewing location? I have been looking into the Warwick or Library Hotel (we previously stayed at the Library Hotel just for visit to NYC and loved it). Thank you!

 

[DL1WDW2]

Save it for next year Big Macys Day Anniversary year.
Too late to plan for this year probably!

But if you can find a room at decent price for this year Grab it.

I will start my search probably Jan 1,2025 for Macys Parade 2025


This year option which is actually way easier & more fun !
Universal Studios has a great Macys Parade updated every year.
Plus the Grinch Wholiday Holiday Grinchmas stage show !
I discovered all of the fun for Holidays Thanksgiving Day 2018 and have returned every I love Grinch more than Mickey !
Include in price and traditional Thanksgiving arrival of Santa on Thanksgiving Day…bless you USO

You should go this year Next year EPIC Universe will OPEN Summer 2025 and crowds will be epiccrazy

 

[NYCgrrl]

Not familiar with that particular hotel- do you mean the Warwick? The Warwick is in midtown around…55 th and maybe 6th Avenue?

No idea if it’s too late to book a hotel but living here I never took time from cooking duties to see the parade on Thanksgiving; instead we’d herd the kids together and on the Wednesday night before, see the balloons get blown up near W. 80 th Street by the Museum of Natural History. Then on Thursday kiddos could watch the parade on TV .
So now you’ve a second less known event to attend if you like

 

[Anthony1971]

As far as viewing anywhere along the route is fine but also how early you are willing to plant yourself there.
As far as hotels… I will give you an area and other options. The hotel you mention is in the center of the crowds if that is what you are looking for that is fine. Also close to Rockefeller center the tree area is empty especially in the mornings. The tree will be there but may have scaffolding. If your looking for less crowds and easily walkable the 30’s going in the direction of 6th ave down 5th, Madison….. low 40s are also fine this side. In the 30s you will find less touristy and more local which the prices of all will reflect. Mid 40s I would steer clear of on that side. 50s are fine as well. Stay clear of anything on 8th 9th ave and beyond. Other options include 20s and lower the subway ride may be worth it but 20s are easily walkable as well. Another cheaper option is NJ right off the path train as this will leave you on 32st right by Macys. The train takes 20-25 minutes with the transfer. I will give you a slight warning… Females alone in NYC are targets for intimidation this is 99.9% harmless just ignore and keep walking. Stay on busy ave and walk down main streets like 42 and 34 between ave and you will see very little. There are things you may not want to see… in general 5th ave, Madison ave, park ave are the least eventful. The side streets in the 30s on that side are decent as well and as I said less touristy decent food is less expensive.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Here is the parade route. It doesn’t include the East side and ends at Macy’s which is on W.34th St. and B’way aka Herald Sq.

https://www.thanksgivingparade.com/thanksgiving-day-parade-tips/#macys-parade-viewing-guide

 

[SwanVT2]

Not familiar with that particular hotel- do you mean the Warwick? The Warwick is in midtown around…55 th and maybe 6th Avenue?

No idea if it’s too late to book a hotel but living here I never took time from cooking duties to see the parade on Thanksgiving; instead we’d herd the kids together and on the Wednesday night before, see the balloons get blown up near W. 80 th Street by the Museum of Natural History. Then on Thursday kiddos could watch the parade on TV .
So now you’ve a second less known event to attend if you like

I really like that idea! I live in VT and my mom is in Maine. Yes, that was a typo (I meant Warwick or Library Hotel). I have the week of Thanksgiving off, so would you suggest we fly down Tuesday, see the balloons blown up instead? I feel like if we go all the way there, we should see the parade, too?

 

[LoveDaisy]

Are you looking for a hotel you can see the parade from your room or just something in the area? I’ve seen the parade from a friends balcony but I’ve never stood on the streets so I’m not sure how early you need to get there or when they start closing down streets.

 

[SwanVT2]

Are you looking for a hotel you can see the parade from your room or just something in the area? I’ve seen the parade from a friends balcony but I’ve never stood on the streets so I’m not sure how early you need to get there or when they start closing down streets.

I have looked and based on the rates I am seeing, 1,000 plus and you have to book three nights, we can’t afford a room that looks out at the parade. So something that is on the route or near the route and where we should stay on the route. Thank you!

 

[NYCgrrl]

I feel like if we go all the way there, we should see the parade, too?

Oh definitely experience the parade from as many angles, aspects and days possible. You are going on vacation- run wild!

 

[AquaDame]

I've wanted to do this for years also, but my worry is we book a hotel on the route just to be given a room that doesn't actually face the street..!

 

[SwanVT2]

I've wanted to do this for years also, but my worry is we book a hotel on the route just to be given a room that doesn't actually face the street..!

Hotels that have rooms with views of the route actually charge special rates for those rooms. From the hotels I have called that have this, they have a 3 night minimum and rooms are easily over 1,000 a night!!

 

[AquaDame]

Hotels that have rooms with views of the route actually charge special rates for those rooms. From the hotels I have called that have this, they have a 3 night minimum and rooms are easily over 1,000 a night!!

Oh that is good to know, thank you! For once in a lifetime still worth it, though I wonder how much higher that rate will be in a few more years when we'd be ready.

 

[mjkacmom]

Hotels that have rooms with views of the route actually charge special rates for those rooms. From the hotels I have called that have this, they have a 3 night minimum and rooms are easily over 1,000 a night!!

I recently stayed at a Boston hotel for $1000 a night, nothing special going on, it was a Friday. NYC parade view? I’d expect higher.

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

We stayed at the Hampton Inn Manhattan on 35th street when we went. It was a pretty short walk to the parade route and reasonably priced considering the holiday. We also went to see the balloon blowup, but it was so crowded we could hardly move.