The best cities in the U.S. to celebrate St. Paddy's Day!
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day has been a time-honored tradition since the 1600’s, when the Christian church established a Feast Day honoring St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland.
On March 17th every year people around the world have taken up the festivities and the celebrations continue to get bigger and better. All across the United States cities throw elaborate parties, parades, and festivals with that “Luck o’ the Irish” theme. Read on for the top 10 cities that have become the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the U.S.
Where to Find the Best Places to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
The purpose of St. Paddy’s Day is to celebrate the heritage and culture of the Irish. This is demonstrated by the “wearing of the green”, the use of the lucky shamrock (Saint Patrick used the shamrock as a symbol of the holy trinity), and playing traditional Irish music.
Now, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival! These U.S. cities not only maintain the tradition of St. Patrick’s Day, but they go above and beyond with their festivities.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is one of the best places in the United States to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This historic city has a rich Irish heritage that dates back to one of the biggest waves of Irish immigration during the Great Famine in the mid-1800’s. This resulted in thousands of Irish people fleeing their homeland to escape poverty and starvation, and many of them ended up settling in Boston. Nowadays, Boston’s residents take pride in honouring their roots with a day full of festivities and celebrations.
One of the biggest events on St. Patrick’s Day in Boston is the annual parade. Just like in Dublin, the parade features marching bands, Irish dance groups, and local police or fire brigade delegations. To see the parade, you can walk or take a free shuttle from the city centre to the neighbourhood of South Boston, also known as Southie.
In addition to the parade, there are a number of other events and activities taking place around the city to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, such as live music performances, traditional Irish dance performances, and plenty of opportunities to sample Irish food and drink of course! In fact, many of the city’s Irish pubs and restaurants offer special menus and events, making it a great time to experience the best of Boston’s Irish culture.
If you plan on visiting Boston for St Patrick’s day, make sure to stay in the city centre, near the city hall, like at the Club Quarters Hotel or Hyatt Centric. From there you can easily visit the city, chill at the Boston Common Park, grab food at the Faneuil Hall, walk to TD Garden for a Basket or NHL match, or grab a pint at one of the main Irish pubs on Union St.
Contributed by Jenny of Tales from the Lens
New York City, New York
Every year in New York City since 1762 NYC has hosted a huge St. Patrick’s parade to honor St. Patrick, and the event is, without a doubt, one of the best parades you will get to see! On top of that, it is one of the best free things to do in NYC if you happen to be visiting on St. Paddy’s Day!
The parade begins at 11 am and marches up Fifth Avenue. The exact location where you will first see the parade is at East 44th Street, and it will end at East 79th street.
The parade is full of approximately 150,000 volunteers, including Irish dancers and bagpipe players that all put on an amazingly choreographed show, all while the locals dress up in green or Irish attire to celebrate together.
This parade is a spectacular event in New York City that raises the energy and gets all the locals out to celebrate the day. In fact, around two million people come to spectate this famous Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in New York. After the parade ends, the spectators disperse into pubs to continue the festivities.
A hotel nearby to the parade start is the EVEN hotel which is in a great location as it is nearby to popular attractions, including Bryant Park, Times Square, and The Empire State Building.
Contributed by Sam of Find Love and Travel
Savannah, Georgia
In historic Savannah the Irish were among the first settlers in the area and therefore Irish roots run deep. The city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities are over 200 years old with visitors far and wide coming to celebrate their heritage. Authentic Irish pubs are abundant here and this is their time to shine!
The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Savannah is hands down the largest parade in the southeast. Beginning just after the celebration of Mass at the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, the parade winds up and down the streets of the historic district and lasts about four hours. The parade started in 1813 and now over 400,000 visitors flock to see the parade, floats, and marching bands.
Along with the parade the city celebrates St. Patrick’s Day throughout the entire weekend, beginning with the tradition of dying the water in the iconic fountain in Forsyth Park a rich green. Live music floods the streets following the parade and is plentiful at the historic waterfront on River Street. The city loosens its “to-go cup” laws and travelers can enjoy a cold cup of green beer (among other and better cocktails) while meandering in and out of shops around the historic district.
Stay in the heart of the festivities on River Street at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront. This is a great central location for a walking tour of Savannah. Be sure to see the highlights of Savannah such as beautiful Forsyth Park, the historic Savannah Theatre, Chippewa Square where Forrest Gump was filmed, and the Savannah City Market.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has been officially named the best U.S. city to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Due to Chicago’s sizeable Irish diaspora and strong St Patrick’s Day traditions, the residents of Chi-Town sure know how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style! St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago is absolutely magical and needs to be experienced.
Every year Chicago has a fantastic St. Patrick’s Day Parade, complete with floats, Irish dancers, The Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band and Irish flags galore. Plus the Chicago River is dyed emerald green! Chicagoans sure know how to paint the town… green! This is one of the most unique ways St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated globally so make sure to get to the Chicago Riverwalk early for a good spot to see it. In the evening, head to one of the many Irish pubs in town for a good knees up!
In addition to enjoying the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, make sure to spend some time checking out what else Chicago has to offer – there are so many great things to do in Chicago! From visiting the lakeside beaches to the iconic Cloud Gate at Millennium Park, taking a boat out on Lake Michigan and checking out the view from the top of The Willis Tower – you’ll be spoiled for choice!
For accommodation, stay in downtown close to Michigan Avenue ‘The Magnificent Mile’ where all the action is. The Gwen is a really nice hotel in a convenient location.
Contributed by Catrina of 24 Hours Layover
Honolulu, Hawaii
Every year, the streets of downtown Honolulu come alive with the sights and sounds of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade! From marching bands to military groups and those proudly representing their heritage, it’s an event not to be missed.
Whether you’re Irish or not, grab your green attire and leprechaun spirit and join in the fun. Afterward, Honolulu has a variety of Irish pubs, such as Irish Rose Saloon, Kelley O’Neil’s, and Ferguson’s, to keep the party going.
While the “rainbow state” may be known for its almost daily rainbow appearances, there are no pots of gold at the end of the colored spectrums.
In March, the average Oahu temperature is 82F or 28C. With warm weather, you can enjoy many activities during your stay. Suggestions include climbing Diamond Head Crater, a Hanauma Bay snorkel outing, or heading to the north shore to practice your surfing skills.
The adventures are endless on this Hawaiian island and may come down to budget, length of stay, and whether you have a rental car. Even without a vehicle, Oahu has an excellent transit system, which is inexpensive, efficient, and offers routes around the whole island.
While staying in Waikiki is expensive, selecting accommodation away from the beach can save you money. Located on Lewers Street, the Coconut Waikiki Hotel offers a quiet stay within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and Waikiki Beach.
Contributed by Karen of Forever Karen
Key West, Florida
Where else should you spend a weekend of festivities than in Florida’s top party town, Key West? Known for its gorgeous beaches, the island of Key West also knows how to celebrate the Luck of the Irish with parades, food, music, and dancing!
Several bars and restaurants in Key West offer an over-the-top Irish menu through St. Patrick’s Day weekend featuring Irish foods such as corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, Guinness Irish stew, and fish and chips. Live Irish bands can be heard up and down Duval Street and the historic waterfront wharf, and costumes are encouraged throughout the weekend festivities.
By far the main event in Key West is the St. Patrick’s Day Bar Stroll. Celebrating its 45th year, ten bars participate in this bar-hopping event. The stroll was once a race (which is never a good idea when chugging drinks), but has been slowed to a more favorable pace. Even though the bar lineup changes yearly, the ending is always at the Schooner Wharf Bar at the waterfront.
Of course, spending a day in Key West isn’t complete without celebrating the sunset at Mallory Square. Other great places to check out are the historic Hemingway House, the Key West Lighthouse, and taking that iconic photo at the Southernmost Point Buoy!
Spend a weekend unwinding after the festivities at the oldest hotel in Key West, the Eden House. Just a short walk to Duval Street in the historic Old Town, this inn is an affordable yet lush place to relax in the middle of paradise.
Denver, Colorado
It may surprise you that Denver, Colorado has an active Irish community. During the Silver Boom in the late 1800s, Irish immigrants came and settled in the mountain town of Leadville, known then as the Little Ireland of Colorado. When the mines dried up, those immigrants went to Denver. So, if you’re looking for a fun place to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day, that’s where you go!
Start the day in downtown Denver at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Watch the floats roll-by and enjoy the dancing and music by live bands. You’re sure to spot a few local celebrities too. Stay at the Oxford Hotel in LoDo and the parade will pass by the front door.
Since the parade doesn’t provide food or drink, you’ll probably be hungry and thirsty when it ends. Head to one of the many Denver sports bars or local Irish Pubs for a bite and a green beer. Grab a traditional shepherd’s pie or some bangers and mash at Scruffy Murphy’s Irish Pub near Coors Field.
Or admire the rooftop view at the Irish Rover which also has six large TVs for sports fans. Many think of Nallen’s Irish Pub as the center for the Denver Irish community. Check out their more cultural offerings like concerts and dance performances. One thing is for certain, there will be no shortage of green beverages wherever you celebrate!
Contributed by Denise of Chef Denise
Palm Springs, California
Ready to exchange cold winter days for warm sunny weather? Consider celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in gorgeous Palm Springs, where you can always count on warm sunny days! Plus, the city is filled with plenty of things to do and is great for those looking to get festive for the holiday.
For example, a few days before St Patrick’s Day the city always hosts a Shamrock 5k & Lil’ Leprechaun Dash. This is a great option for those who are passionate about running or those who are just looking to get a little exercise before indulging in some delicious food!
Alternatively, if you happen to be a tennis fan, consider going to the Indian Wells Masters 1000 event. The two-week event overlaps with St. Patrick’s day and allows visitors to witness the world’s best players from mere feet away.
And for places to stay, check out Los Arboles Hotel. This hotel is located just a few minutes away from downtown and allows guests to take a swim while enjoying beautiful mountain views, dine at their in-house restaurant, or simply unwind in their comfy room.
Ultimately, Palm Springs is a great destination to visit for St Patrick’s Day, especially for those looking to get away and soak up some sun!
Contributed by Kristin of Global Travel Escapades
Seattle, Washington
Seattle knows how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day – not only do they hold events on the day of the holiday, but they start hosting activities two weeks before. For example, you can attend or participate in the Irish Soda Bread Festival, where judges will determine who has the best recipe for this traditional food.
The weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, you can head to Lake Union to learn the history of St. Patrick himself and even see a reenactment of when pirates brought him to Ireland.
If you like to run or just be competitive with your friends, you will want to attend the St. Patrick’s Day Dash on Sunday, March 12th. You’ll start at the Seattle Center and go on a loop of the city (which may be one of the few times you can see the city without traffic). After that, freshen up and head downtown to grab your spot at the infamous St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 1 PM.
Once that’s over, it’s time to hit the dozens of pubs in the area to celebrate the holiday. Kells Irish Restaurant and Bar and Finn MacCool’s are some of the more festive bars in the city. When you’re ready to call it a day, Hotel Five by Staypineapple is an excellent base for the holiday as well as any Seattle day trips you may venture on later.
Contributed by Marissa of Postcards to Seattle
Washington D.C.
Washington DC is famously multicultural, with celebrations from all around the world happening all year round. St. Paddy’s Day is certainly no different! Don your green and join a classic Shamrock Pub Crawl or pick from a wide variety of Irish bars for drink specials and festive fun. Some of the classic choices include The Dubliner or Kelly’s Irish Times, which are both by Union Station near Capitol Hill.
There are plenty of pretty streets to wander and ecplore the architecture in the Eastern Market and Capitol Hill area so you can enjoy some downtime between pints. Beyond the bars, you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with some cultural events and activities around DC. Head to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for a bit of history: this is the oldest church in DC and has been open since 1794!
You can also celebrate Irish heritage and history in DC by visiting the White House, which was designed by Irish immigrant and architect James Hoban. And, as with many East Coast cities on St. Patrick’s Day, there is of course a parade to enjoy downtown where you’ll be surrounded by other revelers.
Want to really get into the Irish spirit? Head to the only Guinness brewery in the US, located just outside of DC near Baltimore, MD, and enjoy tons of fun festivities for the holiday. This is one of the best day trips from DC that you won’t want to miss!
If you’re visiting DC specifically for St. Patrick’s Day, consider staying at The Phoenix Park Hotel, which is upstairs from The Dubliner so you can enjoy the celebrations with folks from all over the world. Sláinte!
Contributed by Amanda of Hey! East Coast USA
No matter which one of these U.S. cities you decide to visit for St. Paddy’s Day, you are bound to have a great time. Don your greenest attire, pin a lucky shamrock on your lapel, and celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick with thousands of others. May the luck of the Irish be with you! Sláinte!
Happy Travels!
2 thoughts on “The 10 Best U.S. Cities to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day”