The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is truly a sight to behold — so it’s no wonder that visitors flock to see it’s fabulous floats. But jostling for a view while braving the chilly November weather is hardly the ideal way to enjoy the spectacle. That’s why hotels along the route are offering packages to allow visitors to watch from the comfort of a hotel room, restaurant, or event space — for a price, of course. If these premium prices aren’t in the budget, many of these hotels are offering rooms without a view for more reasonable rates — so if you are going to brave the crowds on the street, at least you won’t have to travel far. Take a look at which hotels offer prime locales and views.
MANDARIN ORIENTAL
The Mandarin Oriental is the best choice in the city for luxury travelers who want to celebrate Thanksgiving in style. Premier Central Park View rooms and suites on the 43rd to 54th floors have superb parade views through floor-to-ceiling windows, and guests who book the I Love A Parade package can watch from the 6,000-square-foot ballroom.
NEW YORK HILTON MIDTOWN
The Hilton New York boasts a prime location smack-dab in the heart of Manhattan on Sixth Avenue, right along the Macy’s parade route. It is offering a number of Thanksgiving Packages, with viewing options ranging from Partial View to Premium View. A Premium View will cost over $1,000 a night, and rooms with no view start at $299 (but parade proximity means guests can try to snag a spot in front of the building).
WARWICK NEW YORK HOTEL
This 1926-built Warwick Hotel may be just five blocks from Central Park, but it’s Sixth Avenue that is the center of the New York action during the Macy’s parade. Premier Plus Rooms and higher (including Sixth Avenue Suites) all have street views that look out over the parade. But if you can splurge on the two-bedroom Suite of the Stars, the whole family can watch the parade in its near-entirety from the private balcony.
JW MARRIOTT ESSEX HOUSE NEW YORK
The Essex House makes for a great Thanksgiving option for its proximity to Central Park and stunning city views, which look out over the parade’s route down Central Park South. The hotel offers guests two package options — the Buffet Brunch Package, offering views from the hotel’s restaurant, or the Parade-View Room Package.
RESIDENCE INN NEW YORK MANHATTAN/TIMES SQUARE
Its name may brag a Times Square location, but the Residence Inn New York Manhattan/ Times Square is actually a block from the Seventh Avenue hustle and bustle, and actually on the parade route on Sixth. The “home away from home” hotel appeals to families for its spacious rooms, kitchenettes, and, on Thanksgiving, its views of the Macy’s parade. The Prime View Package offers direct views of the parade from floors four through 10.
TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL AND TOWER
Parade-view rooms at the Trump are hard to come by; the coveted rooms and suites with park views usually book a year in advance. If a luxurious atmosphere and top-notch services are a must, then book early — and be ready to drop some serious dollars for this prime location.