Thinking of a short honeymoon in NYC/Hamptons over Thanksgiving weekend. Flying in from the SE; any advice for seeing the T-day parade and then some quiet relaxation in the Hamptons? Looking for suggestions on accommodations, transportation between destinations, etc. Would like the 4 nights accommodations to stay under $1200. Thanks for any help!

If you can, see about flying into to LGA and out of ISP (Islip) airport from the Hamptons. Since you'll probably want a car in the Hamptons, price renting one in Manhattan to drive out to Hamptons.

I would consider the Blakely hotel in NYC (blakelyhotelny.com) which is $390 plus tax and A Butler's Manor in Southampton which can be had for ~$200/night plus tax.

By the way, Ny'ers refer to it as the May's Day Parade as if it has nothing to do with Thanksgiving.

It's called the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. More info
http://www.theinsider.com/nyc/fun/3thanks.htm

The Renaissance hotel has a restaurant (Foley's Fish House) that has a good view of the parade. They serve breakfast but I think it's pricey and may only be included in some hotel packages but you could check. I also think the Novotel has some rooms with view of the parade.

It's called the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. More info

No one calls it by its proper name except announcers who are paid to do it.

It is like saying 6th Avenue instead of Avenue of the Americas or saying I am taking the Lex which is the IRT Lexington Avenue 4,5, 0r 6 train.

The best way to see the parade is on TV.

All of the acts performs for the TV cameras/VIP grandstand in Herald Square (in front of Macy's). Unless you're very close to there (which you need to be by 6 am) you won;t see much of the show. We live on the upper west side and go watch the beginning of the parade (from the park behind the museum of Natural History (79th & Central Park West), then go home to see the acts perform on TV.

If you're in NYC the night before definitely go to the park behind the Museum to see the balloons blown up.