March 17 marks one of our favorite holidays to celebrate with friends and family: Saint Patrick’s Day! Put on your favorite green accessories, grab some friends, and ride with C&J Bus Lines to New York City for a weekend of Irish festivities. With so many things to do, it can be hard to choose which St. Patrick’s Day activities to attend. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of events and attractions that are worth your time (and trip to NYC).
Cheer on the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Iconic for being the oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the entire world, this procession down Fifth Avenue draws huge crowds of revelers. Watch as bagpipers, Irish step dancers, and marching bands wow the crowds with their skills. This year, the parade will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 16. Plan to arrive in plenty of time before the start to get a good view. It’s a fantastic way to kick off St. Patrick’s Day weekend and support the nearly 150,000 people who march each year. View the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade route.
Warm Up With an Irish Feast
What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with a delicious, traditional Irish meal and a pint of beer at an Irish pub? Doc Watson’s, located conveniently close to the parade route, has drool-worthy Irish stew, shepherd’s pie, and plenty of Guinness to wash it all down. They even have live music for the holiday! If you’re in search of some quiet after all the noise from the parade, head to Trinity Pub. This cozy Irish bar will transport you across the Atlantic Ocean with its authentic decorations and menu. These outstanding Irish pubs truly have something for everyone.
Visit New York’s oldest Irish Pub
McSorley’s Old Ale House is the oldest ‘Irish’ tavern in NYC. Take a step back in time when you enter this pub where old photos and newspaper clippings line the walls, the floors are still covered in sawdust, and the bartenders are still rough, Irish, and capable of carrying massive amounts of foaming beer mugs. The house brews are still just two varieties – light and dark, both equally delicious.
Explore Irish History
Spend an afternoon at the Merchant’s House Museum, which was once home to early Irish immigrants. Visitors can walk through the historic building and see original furniture, clothes, and learn about the lives of the Tredwell family and their servants. You can also take a guided tour through the Lower East Side Tenement Museum to hear the stories of the Irish immigrant families that once lived in the building. We definitely recommend purchasing advance tickets for these popular museums!
Irish Arts Center
Every year on St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish Arts Center has a free open house for the public! It’s a great way for you and your family to see Irish music and dance performances, drink tea and enjoy soda bread, and do fun arts and crafts. This year, the open house will take place a week before St. Patrick’s Day on March 10th, so if you’re trying to avoid crowds of celebrators, this is a perfect alternative.
Whether you’re planning on cheering on the marching bands at the parade or checking out some of the great Irish pubs around the city, there is no shortage of St. Patrick’s Day activities in the Big Apple. Use our interactive map of NYC to help plan your trip! C&J Bus Lines will make getting there – and back again – a breeze. Our comfortable coaches, WiFi, amenities, and convenient drop-off at Port Authority in New York City make the trip easy and fun for the whole family!
Book your trip to New York City with C&J today!
