At 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 27, the 99th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will unofficially kick off the 2025 holiday season. This year's highly anticipated attractions include five new balloons—Mario, Pac-Man, Shrek's Onion Carriage, Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear, and KPop Demon Hunters' Derpy Tiger—and seven new floats, including tributes to Labubus, Legos, and Stranger Things. Wicked star Cynthia Erivo will kick off the proceedings, and celebrity performed include Busta Rhymes, Ciara, Foreigner, Lil Jon, Shaggy, Teyana Taylor, and EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI (best known as the voices of HUNTR/X in KPop Demon Hunters).
The parade will be broadcast and live-streamed on NBC and Peacock, respectively, spreading the celebration all over the world. On Wednesday, November 26, the balloon inflation at the American Museum of Natural History offers a behind-the-scenes look. It used to take place late at night, but will now take place between 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. At any time of day, many New Yorkers consider the balloon inflation a Thanksgiving tradition in its own right.
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Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route (https://www.macys.com/s/parade/route/)
On parade day, live viewing spots will line Central Park West and Sixth Avenue. The balloons will launch at West 77th Street and travel down Central Park West to Columbus Circle, turn onto Central Park South, and continue down Sixth Avenue to 34th Street, where the parade concludes in front of Macy's in Herald Square. Be prepared for street closures in Midtown, as NYPD enforces traffic restrictions throughout the morning.
While there is a chance of rain on Wednesday night, it is forecasted to have cleared up in time for the parade on Thanksgiving morning. However, certain residential buildings along the parade route offer the ultimate perk—front-row views from the comfort of home. From the starting line on the Upper West Side to the final hurrah in Herald Square, these buildings provide a warm and intimate way to experience the joy of the parade.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as seen from an apartment in The Hollingsworth (Greystar)
Condo and co-op listings on the parade route
Hayden House (CityRealty)
While located just north of the parade route proper, Hayden House directly overlooks the American Museum of Natural History all year round, offering direct views of the balloon inflation the day before Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving morning, floats and bands line up near the building to take their place in the parade.
Hayden House, #6A (Compass)
With an address between the balloon inflation and the start of the parade, residents of The San Remo have a front-row seat to all the events of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Central Park views, impressively scaled floor plans, and prewar details appeal all year round.
All images of The Dakota via Sotheby's International Realty
The Dakota is home to some spooky stories both fictional and not, and it's fair to describe its views of Central Park and iconic Upper West Side architecture as scary beautiful. As Halloween gives way to Thanksgiving, it is in a prime position on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route—one memorable scene in biopic Maestro shows a Snoopy balloon passing Leonard Bernstein's apartment in the building.
The Dakota, #33 (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
All images of The Majestic via Brown Harris Stevens
All season long, the two Art Deco towers of The Majestic have looked out on the changing colors of Central Park foliage. At the unofficial start of the holiday season, they enjoy bird's-eye views of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The Majestic, #9H (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
All images of The Prasada via Compass
As the parade makes its way south, The Prasada's formal entrance and dramatic facade make for a pleasing backdrop as the balloons and floats pass by on television. However, oversized windows in Central Park-facing units mean certain viewers don't even need to turn on their TVs to see the parade.
15 Central Park West (Robert A.M. Stern Architects)
In the years since the residents-only restaurant at 15 Central Park West opened, it has become a gathering spot for parade viewing on Thanksgiving morning. But residents facing Central Park West don't even have to change out of their pajamas to enjoy the action.
15 Central Park West, #12C
$26,800,000
Central Park West | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, Unknown Baths | 3,347 ft2
15 Central Park West, #12C (ENGEL & VOLKERS NEW YORK CITY)
As the parade route turns from Central Park West onto Central Park South, 220 Central Park South is well situated at the heart of it. Its soaring height, oversized windows, and vistas of Central Park and Columbus Circle allow for excellent views without obstruction from its supertall neighbors.
220 Central Park South, #62
$87,500,000
Midtown West | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, Unknown Baths | 6,000 ft2
220 Central Park South, #62 (Modlin Group LLC)
All images of 200 Central Park South via Corcoran
In an increasingly architectural adventurous section of Midtown West, 200 Central Park South continues to stand out for its broadly curved facade. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow for incredible light and views all year long, and easy parade viewing on Thanksgiving morning.
200 Central Park South, #14B
$3,995,000 (-4.9%)
Midtown West | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,700 ft2
200 Central Park South, #14B (Compass)
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All images of The Osborne via Christie's International Real Estate
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a New York City institution and, as one of the city's oldest cooperatives, so is The Osborne. It is well positioned to watch the parade's transition from the Upper West Side to Midtown.
The Osborne, #4B (Compass)
Between its soaring height and address in the middle of Midtown, 1600 Broadway may be what most people think of when they picture a New York City apartment building. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out on the bustling streets, including the parade, below.
1600 Broadway, #PH4C
$4,399,000 (-26.7%)
Midtown West | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, Unknown Baths | 1,629 ft2
1600 Broadway, #PH4C (Keller Williams NYC)
In the wake of the recently passed Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan, several buildings are both eligible for conversion and situated to make the most of front-row parade routes in the coming years. Bryant Park Tower was an early residential entrant in this section of Midtown, and residents of the condos on the upper levels enjoy direct parade views.
Bryant Park Tower, #43J (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Rental listings on the parade route
In a section of soaring glass condos where Central Park meets Columbus Circle, the landmarked rental at 240 Central Park South stands out for its prewar design. The interiors were designed to make the most of light and air, and select units have private terraces and Central Park views to make the most of parade viewing.
From the Listing: Situated right in the heart of Columbus Circle, 240 Central Park South is a true landmark in an unbeatable location. With unrivaled proximity to Central Park, Columbus Circle, and over ten different subway lines, convenience is just one of the buildings many amenities. The building features stunning units, a 24-hour concierge, and a fitness center, as well as several shops, cafes, and an award-winning restaurant. See floor plan and full details here.
ML House is located in one of the busiest sections of Midtown, but it draws inspiration from Bryant Park to integrate botanically inspired textures for a peaceful atmosphere inside the building. Certain units have private balconies, and all apartments have oversized windows to make the most of city and parade views.
6 available listings from $5,095/month
Up to 2 months free rent on a 16-month lease
Between the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the nearby Winter Village at Bryant Park, Atlas New York is well situated to make the most of the holiday season in the city. Residential amenities like a library, lounge, and Sky Terrace are ideal for hosting parade viewing parties, but residents of certain units don't even need to leave home for it.
From the Listing: Atlas New York is your haven at the heart of where its all happening. Neighboring Bryant Park, and all major public transportation, Atlas New York is a 48-story luxury rental building, with a resident only concierge, and exclusive amenities. The building features studio to 2-bedroom apartments, appointed with open kitchens, full-sized stainless steel appliances, Oak wood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, washer/dryers in select homes, and unparalleled views of Manhattan. See floor plan and full details here.
6 available listings from $3,995/month
Up to 1.5 months free rent on a 12-month lease
Hollingsworth (CityRealty)
Hollingsworth is located on Sixth Avenue between West 36th and 37th Streets, close to the end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route. Many units look out onto Sixth Avenue, and base-level retail tenants like Krispy Kreme and Paris Baguette put parade-viewing treats just an elevator ride away.
Hollingsworth, #1518B (Greystar)
From the Listing: Located in the bustling neighborhood of Midtown West right in between Bryant Park and Herald Square. Just a few blocks away from the 1, 2, 3, 7, B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, Q, W, and S subway lines along with the PATH and the LIRR. Next to your new home is a shoppers paradise which includes the Whole Foods, Target, Macy's flagship location, and numerous other retail delights. Just a short distance away is one of NYC's highlights, Bryant Park. See floor plan and full details here.
10 available listings from $3,400/month
1 month free rent on a 12-month lease
Herald Towers (http://www.heraldtowers.com/)
In 1913, this large and finely detailed building overlooking Herald Square was designed by F. M. Andrews and erected as the Hotel McAlpin. Decades later, it is an amenity-rich rental located en route to the parade's conclusion in front of Macy's Herald Square.
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
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