10+ Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in New York: Parades, Pubs, and More!

 

There are certain things every traveler should experience at least once—incredible views of the Grand Canyon, cherry blossoms in D.C., and St. Patrick’s Day in New York City. My fiancé and I checked that last one off our bucket list last year, and let’s just say, one visit wasn’t enough to take in all that NYC has to offer for this celebration of Irish culture. 

From the historic parade marching down 5th Avenue to lively Irish pubs serving up Guinness and whiskey floats, this green-hued celebration is unlike any other. Here’s a look at some incredible things to do when celebrating St. Paddy’s in NYC. 

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A Brief History of St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day was once a religious feast day in honor of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. This significant figure in Irish history is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. 

 

 

Today, St. Patrick’s Day is a worldwide celebration of Irish heritage. And with its huge Irish population, NYC offers one of the biggest celebrations in the United States. 

 

The Legendary NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade

As one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade celebrations, New York City’s parade is hard to miss! The first parade celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in New York City passed through the streets on March 17th, 1762, just 14 days before the Declaration of Independence was signed. It was a time to celebrate Irish culture, wear green, and sing Irish songs, things that had been banned in Ireland. 

 

 

NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade Route

Today, the parade route starts at 5th Avenue and 44th Street at 11 am on March 17. It passes St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 50th Street and continues down the avenue to 79th Street,

 

 

The earliest parade was made up of Irish military members and ex-Irish patriots, but these days the parade is run by the registered NY state charity St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Inc. For people visiting New York the weekend after March 17th, don’t miss the White Plains St. Patrick’s Day Parade or Greenwich Village St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 

 

DON’T MISS! 8 Best St. Patrick’s Day Festivals in USA

 

Enjoy Irish Whiskey Floats

Not into green beer? Lotte New York Palace serves Guinness Irish Whiskey floats for the month of March. Enjoy a blend of Jameson Irish whiskey and Guinness stout, all atop three scoops of Bailey’s Irish ice cream!

 

 

Get Out of the City on a St. Patrick’s Day Cruise

Set out on a cruise around New York City to celebrate. Enjoy Irish music, an open bar, and views of Manhattan from a yacht! Or take a more kid-friendly version by including the Statue of Liberty and carolers at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

 

 

Enjoy a Comedy Club 

Comedy clubs make a great date night any time of year, but this St. Patrick’s Day theme is the perfect way to celebrate. Get some chuckles at The Stand or The Grisly Pear. 

 

 

Stop by Loreley Beer Garden for a Drink 

All week long, leading up to St. Paddy’s Day, Loreley Beer Garden offers green margaritas (topped with the cutest green ducks!), Guinness pints and Jameson Irish coffee. Stop in for the seasonal decor and atmosphere to get in the mood for upcoming festivities!

 

 

Enjoy 40 Shades of Green

Another opportunity for live Irish music is 40 Shades of Green, which will be on March 16 this year, with up to 50+ performers! This six-hour event is hosted by the non-profit organization, The New York Irish Center, and includes Irish song and dance, Broadway singers, Irish tenors, and a Celtic Cabaret! 

 

 

Attend A Huge St. Patrick’s Day Party

St. Paddy’s on Stone Street is considered one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the city. This celebration occurs in the Stone Street Historic District in Manhattan – not far from Wall Street and located in the heart of the Financial District. Enjoy live music from Irish bands and a DJ, Irish food specials, and celebratory drinks!

 

 

[ctt template=”8″ link=”zWB3f” via=”no” ]There are so many ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in New York City, from parades and pub crawls to live music and comedy shows! [/ctt]

 

Take Part in an Irish Pub Crawl

The Irish are known to love a good drink. While pub crawls might not appeal to families, they are a great time for friends and lovers. Some of the better-known pub crawls are the Kiss Me! I’m Irish NYC St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl and Lower East Side New York Saint Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl. 

 

 

Not into bar crawls? Stop by one of New York’s best Irish bars for a shot of whiskey or a pint of Guinness. Try McSorley’s Old Ale House in East Village, Peter McManus in Chelsea, or The Dead Rabbit in FiDi. SPIN in NYC also hosts events that include games like ping pong, dancing, and an open bar. 

 

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in New York City with Kids

St. Paddy’s Day is a booze-centric holiday, and many events are not considered kid-friendly. However, that doesn’t mean that your kids have to miss out on celebrating Irish heritage entirely. 

 

 

Stop by the St. Patrick’s Day parade, learn about Irish culture through music, dance, and exhibits at the Irish Arts Center, or walk through the historic Merchant’s House Museum. Then, enjoy the cultural exhibitions and events at the American Irish Historical Center.

 

 

DON’T MISS! Exploring Celtic Gardens in Galway with Kids

 

When You Go

 

 

Where to Stay in New York City, NY

For cozy lodgings, try Staypineapple, An Artful Hotel. This budget-friendly hotel sits in midtown New York, minutes from Madison Square Garden. Key features include colorful, funky-styled rooms and a convenient cafe with snacks and beverages. 

Tempo by Hilton sits in Times Square, less than 15 minutes from Central Park, 10 minutes from the Rockefeller Center, and just a minute from a subway station. There’s a grab-and-go cafe for easy snacks or breakfast, plus an onsite restaurant. 

Stay in modern rooms at Hyatt Centric Times Square New York, some with views of the balcony from the city! Enjoy in-room dining, a rooftop bar, or a snack at the onsite cafe. And make your stay more convenient with laundry or concierge services. 

Or use this map to find the location where you’d like to stay!

 

Traveling to NYC from Los Angeles

Several airlines offer flights from Los Angeles to NYC, including Spirit, Alaska, American, United, Delta, and JetBlue. Angelenos can fly into John F. Kennedy International Airport, Long Island MacArthur Airport, Westchester County Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport, with direct flights taking around 5.5 hours. 

An excellent discount site for rental cars and flights is Booking! We’ve literally saved hundreds using it.

WayAway is a flight search engine that looks for the best deals for destinations you’re visiting with the possibility of earning cash back on your purchases. Have you tried them yet? If not, give them a spin and see how much money you’ll save on flights.

 

 

To get discounts on tours in the area, we recommend Get Your Guide or Viator (which offers 51% off last-minute tours!).

 

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