The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is one of the most popular parades in the country, watched by millions on TV. But wouldn’t it be great to see it live and in person from New York City?

All you have to do is make your way to NYC and get up at the crack of dawn to get yourself a spot along the parade route, then stand for hours elbow to elbow with a crowd of restless strangers. Want the live experience without the pre-dawn wake-up call? Head to a Manhattan hotel.

As of this posting, Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers on 7th Avenue and 53rd Street still has rooms available along the parade route for November 24th, with standard guestrooms starting at $750 (hey, a tradition like this is going to cost you!). To book a room for the parade, call 212-581-1000and make sure to ask for a room facing 7th Avenue.

The W Times Square also had parade view rooms available, but there’s only one person in the hotel who can handle these specific reservations. Call 212-930-7441 and request to speak with Sherry. (Rumor has it that next year’s parade won’t go by Times Square, so this could be your last chance to see the parade from here.) Check out a few less expensive options over at the Lodging blog.

When the parade has passed you by, take advantage of some of the best shopping in the world on 5th Avenue, or head down to Chinatown for something a little more unique. Other holiday favorites in the city include visits to Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.

Photo courtesy Sheraton New York

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade route for 2012 no longer includes Times Square, and the Times Square hotels are up in arms, fuming that they’ll lose millions of dollars.

Macy's Parade route map

The current route (including for the 2011 parade) comes down Central Park West, past Columbus Circle and then passes through 7th Avenue and Times Square before ending up at Macy’s Herald Square.

The new route (marked in blue on the map) takes the parade down 6th Avenue instead of 7th Avenue.

According to Mike Stengel, the area vice president for Marriott hotels, the route change is going to cause them to lose 2 to 3 million dollars at their two Times Square hotels  - Marriott Marquis Times Square and the Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square.

The parade allows the hotels to charge premium rates and 2-3 days minimum stays during the Thanksgiving weekend.

There are nearly 7000 hotel rooms where people gather to watch the parade go by. Without the parade, the demand for Thanksgiving weekend rooms will be lukewarm in Times Square.

The demand will shift to hotels that offer a view on the new route, like The Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park, which has rooms overlooking Sixth Ave.

Stengel also tells DNAInfo that the lack of images of Times Square in the parade would cause tourists to stay away from the Big Apple and create a downturn in tourism.

The organizer of a Thanksgiving weekend Dental Convention that is expecting 58,000 attendees says many of his dentists won’t come now because their hotels will no longer have views of the parade.

The Times Square Alliance isn’t taking things lying down, and they organized a protest – by Spider-Man, Snoopy, Mr. Potato Head and other cartoon characters, to force Macy’s to put Times Square back on the route.

Macy's protest by Times Square Alliance Cartoon Squad

They’ve even organized a poll on Crain’s New York to send the message to Macy’s.

Photos – Macy’s, Times Square Alliance

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You can be one of the million people brave enough to be in Times Square watching the ball drop on New Year’s Eve, or you can be one of the 100 million who’ll be watching it on tv, safely parked in your couch.

Or… you could be one of the few smart ones who’ll be in Times Square and watch the ball drop live and in person, but from a comfortable viewing perch up in a hotel.

New Year's Eve in Times Square, New York

These are the few hotels in Times Square that have a clear view of the ball, and some that are even going out of their way with NYE packages and specials.

Crowne Plaza Times Square: NYE package for 2 includes a luxurious room, a bottle of champagne, party favors, free welcome amenity and 2 spots in a special viewing area to watch the Times Square Ball Drop live.

Renaissance New York: Distance from ball drop – 0 miles. Hard to beat that. They don’t have an NYE package per se, but the rooms that do have a ball drop view (may not be available) are worth a lot more than any package deal.

Casablanca Hotel: Package includes a champagne toast on the roof to watch the extravaganza unfold below. Also includes a bottle of Italian wine, free breakfast buffet, and a dinner party (with open bar) for 2 on Dec 31 at the hotel’s restaurant and a wine and cheese reception before that.

DoubleTree Guest Suites: Package includes suite plus overnight parking, breakfast and a bottle of champagne delivered on Dec 31. Two day minimum stay (Dec 30-31) required.

Marriott Marquis Times Square: Hard to talk about Times Square and New Year’s Eve celebrations without mentioning this hotel, since they do have a view of the ball drop and their NYE party is one of the hottest tickets in town. For more details, call 212-704-8747.

Hampton Inn Manhattan (Times Square North): One of the closest hotels to the ball drop. They don’t have an NYE package, but if there’s a possibility for scoring a relatively cheap room in Times Square for New Year’s eve, then it has got to be at this hotel.

Photo credit – Countdown Entertainment, LLC (courtesy Times Square Alliance)

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Watching the Waterford Crystal Ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve is a drop in the bucket list for people from all over the world. The dream-come-true event should be celebrated in luxury as only The Plaza hotel can provide. Ring in the New Year staying at one of New York’s best 5-star hotels.

Situated in the heart of Manhattan on the southern end of Central park and just blocks from Times Square, The Plaza and its timeless elegance welcomes guests into opulence at the entrance.

A New Year’s weekend set in luxury is available at one of a select room types from the Plaza King with a street view or inside courtyard view, but even with this quaint room, none of the splendor is spared. As with all of the guest rooms a The Plaza, even the Sherle Wagner faucets are plated in 24-carat gold. It is extravagance at its finest in New York City near Times Square.

A glimpse into the King Plaza room at The Plaza Hotel, New York

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