10 places to celebrate
St. Patrick's Day in the USA

There are plenty of epic annual parades across the country, but the New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade is a real showstopper. Dating back to 1762, it is now one of the biggest events of its kind in the world, with over 150,000 participants and about 2 million spectators lining the route along 5th Avenue.

Get to the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 44th Street by 11 am to watch the show from the very beginning and be ready to spend the next five or six hours celebrating with the crowd — or sneak into one of many Irish-themed pubs before the huge wave of people does the same.

Address
5th Ave & W 44th St, New York, NY 10036

McSorley's Old Ale House in New York's East Village is a great destination for history buffs looking for a unique spot to celebrate the feast day of St. Patrick. Opened its doors in 1854, this pub is known as the oldest Irish saloon in the country, so be ready to step back in time and enjoy its old-fashioned charm.

McSorley's only serves two kinds of ale, light and dark, making your choice extremely easy. Instead of looking at the menu, you can marvel at vintage art and memorabilia, including old handcuffs of Harry Houdini, who used to be a regular at the bar.

Address
15 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

If you are into Irish beer, why not visit the only Guinness brewery in America? The Guinness Open Gate Brewery, situated on the site of the historic distillery 10 miles from downtown Baltimore, is a sister location to Dublin's original brewery. You can go there to learn about the iconic stout and grab a pint of beer all around the year, but in March, it offers something special.

During its month-long St. Patrick's Day celebration, especially on March 17, you can experience limited-edition holiday beer releases, try traditional Irish dishes, and enjoy live music and traditional Irish activities.

Address
5001 Washington Blvd, Halethorpe, MD 21227

Over 20% of Boston's population claim family origins in the Emerald Isle, so this city boasts a huge celebration of St. Patrick's Day each year. Besides the parade, one of the most beloved events is an annual live performance of Dropkick Murphys, Boston's own legendary Celtic punk band.

Every year, they take a break from their busy touring schedule to come home and play an epic concert. You can catch the show on March 17 at Fenway's new MGM Music Hall — or at least enjoy a live stream of this performance.

Address
2 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA 02215

If you happen to be in Texas in mid-March, head to San Antonio to watch the magical transformation of the San Antonio River. Every year since 1968, it has been ceremoniously dyed green with 25 gallons of eco-friendly fluorescent dye, dispersing behind a barge that carries a bagpiper.

In 2023, the river will be dyed on March 17 and 18, so you can enjoy the show either on Friday to accurately celebrate St. Patrick's Day or on Saturday, when the annual River Parade will take place, offering plenty of Celtic-inspired entertainment.

Address
849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205

March is Irish-American Heritage Month, so why not celebrate St. Patrick's Day by walking in the footsteps of Irish immigrants and their descendants along Boston's Irish Heritage Trail? You will journey through nearly 300 years of the Irish experience in the city and learn about Irish-American artists, veterans, and politicians and their impact on Boston and the country as a whole.

The route, passing through Downtown Boston and Back Bay, is about three miles long and has 20 stops at important historical landmarks telling the story of one of the state's largest ethnic communities.

Address
Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110

One of the most famous Irish pubs in the country, McGillin's Olde Ale House, is among those places where you can not only drink festive green beer but also soak up the genuine Irish atmosphere. This tavern in Philadelphia opened its doors in the home of an Irish immigrant in 1860, the same year Abraham Lincoln was elected, and has seen many historical events.

Today, the pub remains extremely popular with locals and tourists alike and houses probably the best St. Patrick's parties in the city. On March 17, it opens as early as 10 am and offers a great list of authentic Irish drinks and food specials.

Address
1310 Drury St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

As St. Patrick's Day is a religious holiday, there is nothing wrong with the idea of visiting the majestic church named after this saint. The stunning towering St. Patrick's Cathedral, which opened its doors in 1879 in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, is one of NYC's most beautiful architectural landmarks and the largest Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral in North America.

Get there on March 17 to see the Archbishop of New York reviewing the parade from the steps of St. Patrick's or just to admire its interior with the gorgeous high altar and colorful stained-glass windows.

Address
5th Ave, New York, NY 10022

Suppose you are not in the mood for big celebrations. In that case, you can easily avoid crowds and pay tribute to Saint Patrick by exploring the catacombs underneath the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in the Nolita neighborhood of Lower Manhattan.

Take a tour of New York's catacombs to learn about the city's past, discover the final resting place of famous New Yorkers, and get a unique experience of walking through the cold crypts by candlelight, as they would have back in 1815 when the basilica was built.

Address
263 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

Although O'Neill is a tiny city with less than 4,000 residents, it proudly claims itself 'Nebraska's Irish Capital.' Moreover, it houses the world's largest shamrock, which is painted on concrete at the town's main intersection. The giant shamrock is not only O'Neill's biggest tourist attraction but also the centerpiece of the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Due to high traffic, this famous landmark needs to be refreshed from time to time, and on March 17, you have a chance to see the painting of the shamrock. It gets a fresh coat of paint every year just before O'Neill's grand parade and other festive activities you can take part in.

Address
101-117 S 4th St, O'Neill, NE 68763