The Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is a must-see, bucket list experience everyone must witness at least once. Watching the world-famous parade march through the city streets is a quintessential New York experience that is a thrill to see in person! The BEST way to experience the parade magic is to take a view from a parade-view hotel room at New York Hilton Midtown. Here, you can have the ultimate, unobstructed view of the Thanksgiving Parade action from the comfort of your room, it’s a magical bucket list experience you will never forget. Read on to discover the hotel’s incredible parade view rooms and why this hotel is the perfect stay for your NYC Thanksgiving celebration.
WATCHING THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE IN NYC
While most Americans watch the parade from their living rooms—often while preparing Thanksgiving meals or together with family—around 3.5 million people gather along the streets of New York to witness the festivities firsthand.
How to get the best view from the street? Truthfully – the front-row seats do not come easy. First, you need to understand that this is an event where there are no tickets, and unfortunately, there is no way to purchase a seat or spot along the parade route. The bleacher seats you see on TV are reserved for Macy’s employees, VIPs, and guests.
You can watch the parade from the sidewalks along the route path. However, this requires a (super!) early wake-up call. For the best view, you must arrive by 6 am on the chilly sidewalk to claim your spot. Don’t forget to wear (multiple) layers, bring snacks to curb hunger, and keep your eyes out for public restrooms! It’s not easy, but it can be done!
ROOM WITH A VIEW – NEW YORK HILTON MIDTOWN PARADE VIEW ROOMS
Hoping to experience the parade up close without dealing with the early wake-up call, packed crowds, or unpredictable weather? There’s a perfect solution! Watch the parade from your hotel room at New York Hilton Midtown. The hotel is famous for its Parade view rooms, allowing guests to enjoy the magic of the parade from the comfort of a warm, cozy room with spectacular views.
New York Hilton Midtown is located on 54th Street and 6th Avenue, DIRECTLY on the Thanksgiving Day Parade route. No need to worry about the temperature or weather, and no need to deal with the crowds, traffic, or street closures! The hotel’s location provides the absolute premier vantage point for the festivities. Stay warm while in comfortable guest rooms with a jaw-dropping view of the world-famous balloons, floats, and bands that march directly below on 6th Avenue.
VIEW OPTIONS – NEW YORK HILTON MIDTOWN
New York Hilton Midtown offers a variety of Thanksgiving packages with partial, passing, or full views of the parade. The lower the floor, the more direct view of the balloons. The higher the floor, the room will have a more topical view. Here is a visual map of the room views:
Good to Know: The balloons typically float around 10-15 feet from the street, depending on weather conditions. The room view seen in the above photos was a “Low Floor Deluxe View” room on the 6th floor. Information on the package pricing can be found HERE.
THE PERFECT VIEW – NEW YORK HILTON MIDTOWN
We loved experiencing the parade from the comfort of our room. With the parade commentary on the TV, we had a complete description of each float and a breathtaking sky-high view of the entire event. There was no need to venture out for food – we relaxed in our room and enjoyed a delicious breakfast delivered right to our door. It was incredibly convenient! Honestly, there’s no better way to watch the parade.
Make it a whole trip of fun! New York Hilton Midtown offers exciting pre-parade events and activities for guests – be sure to visit their website for more details. If you are in NYC the day before the parade, visit the Balloon Inflation Celebration to see the balloons being inflated. The event occurs at the American Museum of Natural History and is FREE and open to the public. It is an unforgettable experience you won’t want to miss. Be sure to check out our tips here.
HOTEL CONVENIENCES
More than just a spectacular view! New York Hilton Midtown provides stylish, modern accommodations and a range of convenient amenities right on-site. With excellent Wi-Fi, a spacious fitness center, and tasty dining options, it’s ideal for both business trips and leisure getaways. Here are some standout features:
- For business travelers: The hotel boasts the largest conference space in the city.
- Prime central location: Just steps from Times Square and Central Park (details below!).
- State-of-the-art fitness center: Equipped with the latest workout gear.
- Quiet, insulated rooms: Enjoy restful sleep undisturbed by the city noise.
- Herb N’ Kitchen: A casual onsite eatery offering grab-and-go meals. A perfect stop for a quick dinner, coffee, bottled water, or snacks to fuel your city adventures.
- Two onsite bars: Great for unwinding after a busy day.
- In-room spa and salon treatments: Relax and pamper yourself without leaving your room.
- Daily concierge service: Ready to assist with your NYC adventure plans.
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION
Proximity is key, and New York Hilton Midtown has one of the best locations in the city. While the hotel is perfectly located along the Thanksgiving Day parade route, it is also convenient to so much more.
New York Hilton Midtown offers an unbeatable location, just minutes from some of Midtown’s most iconic attractions. The MoMA is located just down the street, as is the famous Rockefeller Ice Rink. Central Park is also just five blocks to the north and easily accessible for hotel visitors.
With Carnegie Hall, Times Square, Radio City Music Hall’s Rockettes, and many Broadway theaters all within walking distance, this hotel places you at the heart of the action (no cab or subway ride needed!). New York Hilton Midtown truly provides the perfect base for an unforgettable New York City adventure, no matter the season.
Ready to book? Hurry! Parade view rooms are quite popular and book up in advance. See current availability here.
New York Hilton Midtown Hotel
1335 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
More information and to book a room HERE
Happy Thanksgiving!