You don’t have to blow a hole in your budget in order to have a blast with your entire clan on St. Patrick’s Day. There are a slew of family-friendly events being held across the country this weekend to celebrate the Irish in all of us. And the best part—most are free to attend, including:
Chicago: For more than four decades, the city of Chicago has been honoring St. Patrick by coloring the town green. On Saturday, March 16th, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers will head out in boats to dye the Chicago River green prior to the kick-off of the Windy City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. The color transformation is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. and can be best viewed from the East side of the bridge at Columbus Drive or upper and lower Wacker Drive between Columbus and Lake Shore Drive. This is a new location due to construction taking place this year. Meanwhile, the massive parade kicks off at noon at Balbo and Columbus. The parade units will proceed north on Columbus Drive and the viewing stand will be located in front of Buckingham Fountain.
New York: The Big Apple claims to host the world’s oldest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. If you plan to attend, be prepared for a lot of company. Tens of thousands of residents and tourists will be lining 5th Avenue on Saturday, March 16th. For those traveling into town for the event, consider staying near the heart of the action. The Hotel at Times Square, in Midtown Manhattan, is located just a few blocks from the Irish Art Center and the parade route. This month, rooms at the hotel are going for less than $100 per night. The price includes a continental breakfast and Wi-Fi. In addition, children 13 years old and younger stay for free.