There's nothing quite like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Watching those giant balloons float past you is a core memory I want my kids to have. It really feels like the start of the holiday season.
But let's be real. Standing outside on Sixth Avenue at 6 a.m. in freezing weather, shoulder to shoulder with thousands of people, is not my ideal way to start the day.
A few years ago, I figured out the secret to actually enjoying it: booking a hotel room with a view of the parade.
Why a parade-view room is worth it
Picture this. Room service coffee and breakfast, warm blankets, your kids in their pajamas and a private window overlooking the parade. No fighting for a spot on the curb. No bathroom emergencies with nowhere to go. When the last float goes by, you're already warm, fed and ready to enjoy the rest of your holiday.
It's the ultimate parent hack. You get the whole experience without the logistical nightmare.
Why these rooms are hard to book
Securing these rooms is surprisingly complicated, and it takes a totally different kind of planning.
Only certain rooms have a view. The parade travels along Central Park West and Sixth Avenue toward Macy's Herald Square, so only rooms that face the route will do.
Policies vary by hotel. Not every hotel along the route handles these rooms the same way. Some require prepaid, nonrefundable rates. Others are more flexible. I keep track of which is which.
They book up far in advance. For a parade-view room, you really need to book about a year ahead.
How to get a room for next year
This year's parade is a big one. Macy's is calling it the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! Parade-view rooms for this year are long gone, but if watching it from a cozy hotel room has been on your family's bucket list, now is the time to get on the list for next year. I keep a waiting list for parade-view rooms, and it opens in January.
PSST: Thanksgiving week in New York is busy all over the city, not just along the parade route. If you're planning a longer holiday trip, I can help with the rest too: Broadway tickets, dinner reservations and things to do with the kids.
Want a spot on my parade-room waiting list? Book a 30-minute call with me here or email me at Virginia@travelwithvirginia.com.
