If you are in town on Wed evening before Thanksgiving, you can go see them blow up the floats, which is pretty neat. Still a bit crowded but less so than the actual parade.

We were there a couple of years ago. We actually were trying to avoid the parade and ended up getting a great/easy view. We were trying to cross the park before the parade route and ended up at the parade start. It was great - we saw a bunch of the floats, Santa, etc - got up super close and there weren't big crowds. We only stayed about 20 min but it was nice to "see" the parade without staking out a place and committing the day to it.

Anonymous wrote:We are considering this - anyone else do this for TDay?

Any suggestions for a hotel where we could have brunch and see the parade?

Kids 11,9 and 6......

If you want a hotel room along the parade route you are probably looking at $400/night for the room. One good hotel is the Holiday Inn Express in Times Square. Another is the Marriott in Times Square. We have done the parade many times and we like being outside better than inside. People do get there fairly early. We never did 6. always got there between 7 and 7:30. We usually did Central Park West. Not quite as crazy as it is closer to Times Square or Macy's where the parade ends.

be prepared. It can be cold so bring hot chocolate and food. We also used to bring blankets.

We like thanksgiving in NY- the city overall is rather quiet. Of course.... The parade is a different story. We may go this year, but getting there at 6:00AM does not sound appealing to me.

If you want to see the parade you need to be along the parade route by about 6 am. It's great fun to do. I'd suggest that you pack food to eat while you wait and watch.

We are considering this - anyone else do this for TDay?

Any suggestions for a hotel where we could have brunch and see the parade?

Kids 11,9 and 6......