9 cities for a great St. Patrick’s Day
Put on something green because these cities host the best St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country.
9. Kansas City, MO
Morning parades take over Kansas City for St. Patrick’s Day with colorful floats and marching bands. After the parade, grab a green beer at one of the bars around town or join the Kansas City Irish Center for a day of Irish dancing and live music from local Irish musicians. Since the city’s earliest days, Celtic culture has had strong roots in the area.
8. Savannah, GA
While most places celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the holiday itself or maybe a few days on the weekend, Savannah’s festivities last all month long. For this reason, March is the one of the most popular times to visit. The St. Patrick’s Day Festival is City Market’s biggest event. There’s plenty of time to find special gifts, visit one of the River Street’s Irish pubs or restaurants, and listen to the bands playing at stages throughout downtown.
7. New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is famous for parades and St. Patrick’s Day is no different. In fact, three parades take place around the holiday in addition to two block parties, making for one of the biggest celebrations of the year. In a unique tradition, marchers toss Irish stew ingredients to eager crowd members. Potatoes, cabbage, onions, and carrots fly into the hands of parade-goers much like beads on Mardi Gras.
6. Seattle, WA
Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is one of the city’s best parades. The celebration takes shape in the form of Irish dancing, bagpipe performances, and live bands. But there’s more than just the parade. Seattle also hosts an Irish festival around the holiday. Plus, the Pacific Northwest’s March weather makes the city a perfect setting to kick back in a cozy Irish pub later in the evening.
5. Cleveland, OH
St. Patrick’s Day in Cleveland is not only a celebration of Irish heritage but also an example of the citizens’ spirit. For this holiday, even pets get involved in the festivities. Pet owners love to bring their dogs, sporting their best green outfits, to the parade. For humans, bars and restaurants around downtown embrace Irish traditions, offering beer and classic food favorites.
4. New York, NY
Witness the country’s oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York, a tradition started over a decade before the Declaration of Independence was signed. The procession marches along Fifth Avenue past the beautiful St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Beyond the parade, there’s tons of fun in the form of live music, stand-up comedy, and parties at the many Irish pubs and restaurants. All around the city, green fills the scene.
3. Boston, MA
Annually, the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade traverses through South Boston, the city’s largest Irish neighborhood. From live music to decorated floats, there’s plenty of Irish good cheer around. Visit the House of Blues to see one of the annual Boston-native Dropkick Murphys shows or take a guided walking tour of the Irish Heritage Trail which presents more than 200 years of the city’s Irish history.
2. Philadelphia, PA
Since 1771, before the U.S. was even founded, Philadelphia has been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Be a part of the 200-plus-year tradition and watch the St. Patrick’s Day parade as it marches through downtown. This is the perfect chance to dress up in green and share in the buzz around the city. After the parade, check out some live music or grab food at one of the Irish restaurants along the route.
1. Chicago, IL
Every year, merrymakers flock to the Chicago Loop to witness the Chicago River’s transformation into its famous vibrant green. But that’s just the beginning. At Grant Park, catch a glimpse of the St. Patrick’s Day parade as it marches through the city. Or farther south, celebrate with the South Side Irish Parade near Hyde Park. After the parade, congregate at one of the many Irish restaurants or pubs that can be found in Chicago’s lively neighborhoods.
Which of these cities is best for you? MapTitan helps you find the places you’ll love to live both on St. Patrick’s Day and throughout the year, based on what’s important to you.
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