Wanderlust: Macy’s Annual Thanksgiving Parade

Millions from all over the world lined the streets of Midtown Manhattan in New York City early Thursday morning to secure great spots for the 85th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. The parade began promptly at 9:00 am on Central Park West at West 77th Street and traveled south. Then, it veered left to go east onto Central Park South, and then headed down Sixth and Seventh avenues. The parade hit 42nd street and made its way to 34th Street, heading to its final destination, the Macy’s Herald Square flagship.

 

 

Needless to say, the action takes place at street level, but there are those that would rather watch the parade from  a comfortable and warm hotel room offering the best views. These rooms are so in-demand and come at insanely overpriced nightly rates. If you plan on joining the Thanksgiving festivities without having to battle the crowd, here are your top 10 hotel options:

1. Mandarin Oriental New York

80 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023

212-805-8800

2. Doubletree Guest Suites Time Square

1568 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

800-222-TREE (8733)

3. New York Marriott Marquis

1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

212-765-7676

4. Park Central New York

870 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019

800-346-1359

5. Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel

2 Times Square 714 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10036

212-765-7676

6. Wellington Hotel New York City

871 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019

800-652-1212

7. Sheraton Manhattan Hotel

790 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019

212-581-3300

8. Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers

811 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019

212-581-1000

9. The Michaelangelo New York

152 West 51st St., New York, NY 10019

800-237-0990; 212-765-0505

10. Trump International Hotel and Tower

1 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023

888-703-6559

It is business as usual for the restaurants located in these streets and offices in buildings along the route opened its doors for their employees and their families. Time Warner Center in Columbus Circle is one of the structures that offered a prime high-perched spot for viewing.

Post Processed with Instagram for iPhone

Of course, no Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is complete without treating the crowd with celebrity appearances. This year, Avril Lavigne, Cee Lo Green, Cobra Starship, Neil Diamond and Mary J Blige were among the stars that performed. Scotty McCreery from American Idol reportedly botched his Thanksgiving parade performance with a lip sync slipup. Daniel Radcliffe, on the other hand, was phenomenal, singing and dancing a selection from his Broadway musical, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

He is only signed to play his character in this musical until December – Um and I are hoping to catch the show before the year ends.