If kissing the Blarney Stone is out of reach this year, not to worry – green beer and shamrocks can still be in your future. We’ve rounded up six great stateside destinations to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Take a quick weekend getaway* to these popular locales:
- Chicago – median trip cost is $643**
Chicago’s celebrations take place on Saturday, March 14. With a huge parade, pub crawls, 5Ks, and even the tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green (with 45 lbs of vegetable dye), you can’t go wrong. It’s one of the favorites, with flight searches increasing by 32% around St. Patrick’s Day.
- Savannah – median trip cost is $944**
If a warmer celebration is what you have in mind, March is a great time to visit Savannah; it also saw a 32% increase in flight searches around St. Patrick’s Day. Its festival, the Tara Feis Irish Celebration in Emmet Park, is said to be a feast for the eyes, ears and palate. But a Southern St. Paddy’s is the most expensive destination on our list.
- San Francisco – median trip cost is $588**
San Francisco’s celebration options are endless. Its annual parade on March 14 begins at the corner of Market and Second Streets where more than 100 colorful floats, Irish step dancers and marching bands will wind their way to Civic Center Plaza. If you’re craving a boiled dinner afterward, the food trucks will be there to provide Irish-inspired food and drinks to all.
- New York City – median trip cost is $720**
New York City brings its Luck of the Irish to a whole new level. Its St. Patrick’s Day parade began in 1762, and is older (and bigger) than any other celebration in the nation. It starts at 44th Street and continues up to 79th, so you can buy a ticket and watch the marching bands in the 64th Street grandstand, or grab a Guinness at the nearest pub and practice your Irish brogue. This parade happens on Tuesday, March 17, making it the perfect excuse to extend your weekend getaway.
- Boston – median trip cost is $695**
What’s more Irish (and festive) than Boston’s South Boston neighborhood? Also known as Southie, the city’s parade festivities begin at Broadway Station, and navigate the entire neighborhood with colorful floats, marching bands, Irish step dancers, and policemen. Just don’t ask Bostonians to say “park the car.”
- Dublin, Ohio – median trip cost is $566**
Dublin, Ohio (a suburb of Columbus) has a big name to live up to, but for this city, Irish is an attitude, all year round. Dublin pulls out all the stops in its “Greenest and Grandest” parade on March 14, filled with bands, leprechauns, floats and all things Irish. After the parade, make sure to shop for some Celtic imports and try the Irish Potato Chowder in its Historic District.
If you’re lucky enough to visit one of these destinations, drop us a line or post a parade picture on our Facebook page.
*For travel dates of 3.13.15 to 3.15.15 and search dates from 1.1.15 to 2.11.15.
**Trip defined as round-trip airfare and two nights hotel. Rates are not guaranteed and may not be available at time of booking.
