Macys Parade Route 2009
 

I am visiting NY for this first time and want to see the Thanksgiving parade. There is a new route and would like to go somewhere out of the elements to watch it. Office space/ store/ restraunt / hotel......any advice?

It is Thanksgiving - so offices and stores will be closed. You can find hotel rooms that overlook the route - although they may all be gone - but expect to spend a fortune for one.

And any restaurant overlooking it (haven;t heard of change of route - so don;t know what places) would also charge a fortune for seats with a view.

Considering the fact that there'll be mobs lining the streets along the parade route, I can't think of a single restaurant that would offer you a view of the parade!

I did see it in person once. Won't do it again.

The problem is that Macy's has put large sections of bleachers all along the route, and then blocked them off for their privileged few. So, if you're not a Macy's employee, or supplier, or one of their big customers, your chances of seeing it well are limited to standing (3 to 4 hours) among a pushing crowd.

It's for this reason that I will not buy anything at Macy's.

The route of the parade may (probably will be) changed because of the new pedestrian mall on Broadway. The parade will be rerouted to go down 7th then 6th Avenue instead of Broadway. As several posters have said, it's not very likely you'll be able to get a seat at a restaurant with a view. The Olive Garden in Times Square does have windows overlooking the parade from the 2nd floor. But because it's Thanksgiving Day and most restaurants and stores along the parade route will be closed, I don't think it's a viable option to find indoor viewing.

Macys does put some bleachers along Central Park South and around Columbus Circle (and of course near the store), but not along most of the parade route.