My son graduated from Grinnell and we live on the East Coast. Travel was the only down side and at times it was a very big downside and this was pre- Covid. One trip took 23 hrs, flight cancellations, delays and waiting for the shuttle to Grinnell. The school is very good about helping students with travel issues and lots of families will take in kids for the holidays. Son never came home for Thanksgiving, not worth the travel hassle, but did come home for a week of fall break. Winter break is also long, between 5 and 6 weeks.
With that said, he had a fantastic experience, got into his 1st choice graduate school. He also got better aid from Grinnell then Hamilton and did not like Oberlin because the social justice was too in your face (saying a lot coming from a Grinnellian).
A decent number of NYC students attend Grinnell. I would suggest asking the coach or the admissions office if they could arrange for your parents to speak with a current student or family. Grinnell is a special place and college is a great time to experience a new location as well as Iowa nice.