Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Often regarded as the most popular parade in New York City, the St. Patrick's Day Parade is not to be missed. The first official St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City was held in 1766 by Irish military men serving in the American colonies. The parade goes up 5th Avenue from 44th to 79th Streets. Despite not allowing floats, autos or exhibits, there are over 150,000 marchers every year.
The Parade will take place on Saturday, March 16, 2013 starting at 11 a.m. on 5th Avenue around 44th Street. The parade takes place on March 17, except when March 17 falls on a Sunday(as it does in 2013), and then it is held on Saturday. Toward the north end of the St. Patrick's Day Parade route are the best viewing spots if you want to avoid the crowds that throng the sidewalks below 59th Street. The Parade ends at 79th Street, around 2 or 3 p.m. Keep in mind that the grandstands are located between 62nd and 64th Streets, so that area is accessible only with a ticket, but if you score a spot close to the grandstands, you might be able to see the marchers performing for the judges. The crowd is densest at St. Patrick's Cathedral and in the area immediately around there and tends to lessen as you move north along the parade route.
