A lot of families watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of their Turkey Day customs. You can see it in person, so why watch it on TV?
If you really want to see Snoopy in person, you could watch the parade from the street and fight tourists with photo sticks for hours just to get a glimpse of him. On the other hand, you could watch the floats from the comfort of a well-placed hotel room.
From 77th Street to Columbus Circle, the parade goes south along Central Park West. It then turns east onto Sixth Avenue and continues south until it makes its final stop at the Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street. Some of Manhattan’s most expensive hotels line the road, and the suites on the upper floors are very comfortable, making it a great place to see balloons.
Keep in mind that you can still use points to book some of these hotels, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get a room with a view of the parade route since almost all of them are offering special Thanksgiving Day Parade deals. Find these holiday packages and pay cash if you want to be sure you’ll get a room in a suite or a regular room with a view of the parade. Even if you don’t have a room with a view, these hotels are still in a good spot to enjoy the events on the street.
These eight rooms have great views of the parade, the balloon floats, and other fun things going on.
1. New York Hilton Midtown
There are many parade views from the huge New York Hilton Midtown, which is located on Sixth Avenue between 53rd and 54th streets. It has 47 floors and almost 2,000 rooms.
To have the most luxurious stay, book a room with an Ultimate Corner View on floors 7–18. From that window, you can see the parade go from Central Park to downtown from 54th Street. Then, when the parade goes by the windows that face Sixth Avenue, you can get a closer look. The base award for a basic room at a Hilton Honors hotel starts at 90,000 points per night.
2. 1 Hotel Central Park
At the corner of 58th Street and Sixth Avenue, the eco-friendly 1 Hotel Central Park upscale boutique hotel has great rooms facing Sixth Avenue from which to watch the parade. The Greenhouse Suite is a great choice. It’s a nature-themed 1,200-square-foot escape with two bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. The views from the City or Park (view) rooms are also very good.
You can also book a brunch table at Jams, the hotel restaurant on the ground floor. It has views of the parade and can make a breakfast basket for you to take to your room and eat while watching the parade. An added bonus is that pets are welcome, so your dog can watch the parade from your room as well.
3. Hilton Club The Quin New York
The Hilton Club is fancy and artsy. Hilton Grand Vacations owns The Quin New York, which is in a great spot at the corner of 57th Street and Sixth Avenue, right in the middle of the parade route.
You can book the 850-square-foot patio Premier Suite on the 17th floor. It has glass doors that lead to a 450-square-foot patio that is furnished. Get a great view of Central Park and Sixth Avenue from this height. Inside, there is a beautiful living and eating area, a king-size Duxiana bed with Sferra linens, and a wet room enclosed in glass that has a multijet rainfall shower and a deep-soaking bathtub. There is also a sofa bed in the living room, so kids can stay there for a long time.
In the Hilton Honors program, this hotel only gives out a few regular room rewards.
4. The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park is a Category 8 Marriott hotel that can be redeemed for as little as 85,000 points per night. It is located at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Central Park South, which gives it great views of the parade. Book a Park View Corner Suite and then go to dinner at the on-site restaurant Contour to start your own practice of watching the parade. There will be free hot drinks and “chef delights” in the lobby, and Thanksgiving dinner is served there.
The hotel has a Specialty Suite deal for $25,000 per night that includes Thanksgiving brunch for up to eight people in the Artists’ Gate Suite. This package is great if you don’t mind spending all that money. It also comes with a lot of freebies, like a $250 room credit, treats from Dylan’s Candy Bar rides to and from the airport in the hotel’s Escalade, and a package of quick cameras.
5. Warwick New York
It has been a landmark in New York City for almost 100 years since media mogul William Randolph Hearst built it in 1926. Warwick New York has a location that is almost as impressive as its past. Some of New York City’s most famous places are easy to get to, like Central Park, the Museum of Modern Art, and Times Square. You can also get a great view of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from there.
You can book the 550-square-foot “On the Avenue Suite” or the more than 700-square-foot “Jane Suite,” which is named after the actor Jane Russell. They both face Sixth Avenue and the parade path. You’ll need to call this hotel directly to book a room with a view of the parade road.
6. JW Marriott Essex House New York
The JW Marriott Essex House New York is a famous, high-end, Category 7 Marriott property with award nights starting at 60,000 points. It was built in 1932 and is an example of Art Deco architecture. It’s in the best spot to watch the parade—on the southern end of Central Park, between Seventh and Sixth Streets.
The hotel’s Central Park room Collection has a variety of room types, and many of them have terraces with great views of the parade. Each suite has a king-size bed with a pillow top, a marble shower, and a separate desk. Please keep in mind that the hotel’s website states that “Parade-View rooms and suites are not available online and must be booked through our Thanksgiving Team.”
7. Residence Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square
The Residence Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square has views of the show that are not blocked. At 39th Street and Sixth Avenue is this family-friendly all-suite hotel, a Category 5 Marriott property that can be booked for as little as 35,000 points per night. The suites have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, so there is plenty of room for everyone. The suites also have eye-level views of the balloons. Each room has its own living, eating, and kitchen area that faces Sixth Avenue.
FAQ’s
Q1. How can I book a hotel room with a view of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
It is best to book early if you want a room with a view, especially for this famous event. To check for availability and make arrangements, you can call the hotel directly or use their website or booking services.
Q2. Are these rooms significantly more expensive during the Thanksgiving season?
Due to more people wanting to stay in rooms with a view of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade during the holidays, prices may go up. It's a good idea to find out how the hotel sets its prices and book early to get better deals.
Q3. Can I bring guests or family members to watch the parade from my hotel room?
It depends on the hotel's rules and how many rooms they have. It's best to check with the hotel when making plans because some may have limits on how many people can stay in a room.
