Hi! Went to college and spent former working life in NYC. Now live in DC with family (2 kids age 5 and 8). Planning to spend the night before Thanksgiving '08 in NYC to go see balloons inflate in CPW (do they still do that?) and watch the parade on Thursday. After that we will head to family in NJ for Thanksgiving dinner.

I booked the Empire on quickbooks with 2 double beds for around $400. I have read some negative things here- but I couldn't find many options in the Upper West Side area for that price range. I am thinking we will watch the parade somewhere in the 70's- so it would be convenient to have a hotel up there. I can still cancel if I come up with anything better.

I also need suggestions for a fun dinner, where we can make a reservation, for that night.

Any thoughts on the whole plan would be appreciated...

Yes, they still inflate the night before. Take a look at this site. It might answer a lot of your questions.
http://www.nyctourist.com/macys_menu.htm

When my kids were little, we had the good fortune twice to view the parade upclose, but indoors (once from an apt and once from a showroom). It is a great experience for kids, but keep in mind that it's rain or shine and although it's unlikely, one year it snowed. So, at the very least, have warm clothes. Also, young children can get tired after awhile while waiting for their favorite float in very crowded conditions. Don't mean to rain on your parade (sorry I couldn't resist that), but it's better to know what you're in for.

There are plenty of restaurants near the inflating area a block away on Columbus Ave. Two that come to mind are Ocean Grill and Isabella's.

it's unlikely, one year it snowed

And last year, it was almost hot -- definitely no more than a sweater weather.

dmlove - that's true; I almost melted while roasting the turkey! (We don't have ac in my bldg after Oct 15th).

But, usually it's cool and frequently windy (remember the problems and accidents with the balloons because of the winds). My point was just that you need to be prepared for anything outdoors that time of year with young kids.

cpg, I hope you don't think I was being argumentative -- definitely not. I was just trying to inform the OP that they should be prepared for anything, weather-wise. (BTW, we were there about 15+ years ago for the parade. It was so cold that everyone else -- 8 people -- other than my son (then 6 or 7) and I went inside. We waited and waited and waited some more for the Sonic the Hedgehog float that never arrived --why? Because the wind carried it into a lightpost, where it promptly deflated!)

I have not been recently, but I hear the balloon inflation the night before has become a real zoo and is a crush of people. You can get a double double at the Excelsior Hotel which is a better location for the blow up for $359 plus tax or ~$410 total.

You might want to see what the T'giving day breakfast at the Renaissance hotel in Times Square costs. The Novotel also has T'giving packages and some of their rooms have views of the parade.

dmlove - not at all! I think after last week's drama in the lounge, all fodorites must be required to use emoticons at all times to reveal their tone. The only problem is that I don't know how to access them. lol.

The only problem is that I don't know how to access them. lol.

Me either -- except for plain old smily face. What happened in the lounge last week?

A few people were jumping down each other's throats - reading intent in postings that's not really there. And a few people gave their farewells to the lounge. I'm serious about the emoticons - sometimes that winking face let's you know that the OP is really kidding.

Here are the emoticons

http://www.fodors.com/forums/smileys/