Where to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

More than 34 million Americans are of Irish descent—more than seven times Ireland’s population—and the number skyrockets on St. Patrick’s Day when everyone feels a little Irish. Grab your best kilt and high-step it over to one of the top celebrations in the country.

Blarney in Beantown

Every 1 in 5 Boston locals is of Irish descent, so you can't help but get a dose of local cheer when the City of Champions celebrates St. Patrick's Day.

The fact that more than 20 percent of Beantown’s population hails from Irish ancestry makes staying in Boston one of the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Head to Broadway Station in South Boston and settle in to watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. High-kicking step dancers, Irish and American marching bands and elaborate floats are just some of what you’ll see. Afterwards, join the crowds in neighborhood pubs to sip a pint and sing along to live Irish bands.

Windy City, Emerald Water

Travel to Chicago to see the river turn green in the early hours of the holiday morning.

If you decide to book a stay in Chicago, you'll want to get out of bed early on St. Patrick's Day weekend. Saturday morning kicks off with some Irish magic as 40 pounds of environmentally friendly vegetable dye tumble into the Chicago River, turning it emerald green for five hours. Head to Columbus Drive for one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades, then round out the afternoon with the St. Patrick’s Festival at the Irish American Heritage Center for music, dancing and food.

Big Parade in the Big Apple

Visit the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City and become part of a celebration that's been partying it up since 1762.

Love a long parade? Then you’ll find the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade well worth the trip. It’s the largest in the country, and it takes nearly six hours to complete. It’s also the oldest—first taking place on March 17, 1762. If you leave your New York City accommodations early enough that morning, you can fill up ahead of time at McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon with a Kegs ‘n Eggs breakfast buffet that includes mimosas and draft beer.

St. Paddy's in Savannah

Warmer temperatures make Savannah, Georgia an ideal place to drink green beer.

Escape winter’s chill and head south for St. Patrick’s Day. Daytime temperatures in the 70s make it ideal for overnighting in Savannah where you can catch the three-day River Street St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. Meander along the riverfront where you’ll find live entertainment, dance zones, food courts and traditional green beer. Enjoy the nation’s second-largest parade, with more than four hours of dancers, pipers and floats. The parade kicks off with the Greening of the Fountain at Forsyth Park.

St. Louis Shenanigans

St. Louis knows how to put on a good party with a big parade, pubs and traditional Irish food.

Head to the Dogtown neighborhood in St. Louis to experience an organic and traditional St. Paddy’s Day. The Ancient Order of Hibernians parade features Irish dancers, drum and pipe bands, and local Irish-American clans marching under family crests. Before you head back to your St. Louis hotel, head to the local pubs—Pat’s Bar & Grill and Seamus McDaniels are favorites—or eat corned beef and cabbage at St. James the Greater Church.