NYC’s Best Hotel to Watch Thanksgiving Day Parade (Updated 2025)
Last Updated on January 14, 2025 by Erin Donahue
As someone who had been in New York City for over 10 years, surprisingly I had yet to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! I tend to avoid parades because the streets are closed off, the sidewalks are crowded, and you’re usually standing in the cold for hours.
In 2021, that changed as I had a last-minute opportunity to photograph the parade. In collaboration with the Mandarin Oriental New York, I had exclusive access to their property! Talk about manifesting and hitting the ground running as a photographer since I only quit my 9-5 a few months before. I might be a little biased, but since I got to photograph the parade from this luxury property I’d say this is the best hotel to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade!
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A Birds Eye View
Mandarin Oriental New York
Address: 80 Columbus Circle
I know most people won’t have access like this, but if seeing the parade is on your bucket list, consider splurging on a hotel room instead of being on the ground. To be frank, the Mandarin Oriental is one of the higher-end luxury hotels in New York City, so be prepared to spend a pretty penny (minimum of $2000 a night). Make sure to get your money’s worth and reserve one of the rooms between the 45th through the 52nd floors with a Central Park view. Each of these rooms has floor-to-ceiling windows.
Previously, you could book a regular room and watch the parade from the Mandarin Ballroom on the 36th floor at no extra cost, but when I went to photograph from there it was empty except for one family watching.
This experience was one for the books and a great way to watch the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
On the Ground
Seeing the floats up close on the ground is the main (and probably most lively) way to experience the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade starts at 9:00 a.m., but make sure to secure your spot along the route early (like 7:00 a.m.). The floats start walking from 77th Street and walk down Central Park West, turn and walk along Central Park South, and proceed to finish up walking down 6th Ave until the flagship Macy’s at Herald Square.
Tips for the Best Experience
- Dress warm and bring hot hands hands and feet warmers!
- The best views to secure a spot: Central Park West and Central Park South
- Avoid 34th Street (the official viewing area)
- Be aware of where the street closures are
- Carry your valuables in front of you – pickpocketing is still a thing
- Enjoy your time and cheer everyone on!
- Check out what kind of camera gear you may want to bring with you
To keep up to date with everything I share, follow along on my social media and read up on what camera gear I use when I photograph events such as proposals.
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