St Patrick's day activities in Boston & Chicago
 

Honolulu is not exactly a hot spot for the wearing of the green, so imagine my glee when I realized we'll be in Chicago on St Paddy's day and in Boston over the same weekend.

Talk about luck o' the Irish!

Can anyone steer me to good places to have fun? Especially ones where a 17 year old can come too?
%%- Lucy %%-

The main event in Boston is of course the St. Patrick's Day parade in Southie. Normally it's held on the Sundy on-or-before the holiday, but just for you they're having it on the 20th this year:

http://www.saintpatricksdayparade.com/boston/boston.htm

Other events:

http://www.saintpatricksdayparade.co...0Events%202001

Plan ahead for next year - one of the best 3/17 celebrations in the country is in Savannah, GA.

Chicago has 2 parades, one downtown and one on the Southside (a traditionally Irish area). The Southside parade is the 13th and is fun but can get raucous in the neighborhood pubs afterwards. The City parade is on the 12th as is the dying of the Chicago River. If you aren't here over the weekend-stop in at any Irish pub on St. Patty's day-there are tons throughout the city. (Fado in River North is a great one if you are staying near Mi. Ave or in the Loop or the Hidden Shamrock in Lincoln Park). It's guaranteed to be festive.

http://chicagostpatsparade.com/
http://www.southsideirishparade.org/

As a long time attendee (20+ years) of the south side parade in Chicago as my 'uncle' lived in the neighborhood and threw huge parties afterwards. I can say that it is one of my favorite parades, and I still look forward to going every year to catch up with people I've known since childhood, even though I often only see them once a year now. It is a very popular parade for both adults and children (however, the pubs do get a bit out of control after the parade from what I've seen). In typical south side fashion I guess, I've never been to the downtown parade, so I have no idea what goes on there ;)

A word of warning though, don't expect to find parking within a mile of the parade if you attempt to drive down there, it won't happen, and this is a residential area so there isn't a whole lot of parking options.

Thanks so much for all the links and advice! We'll be in Chicago only on the 17th, and will be staying at the City Suites, so maybe we'll try the Hidden Shamrock in Lincoln Park. If we can find it...

And I'm so happy to hear they are holding the parade late for us in Boston! If I promise to bring some sunshine from Honolulu with me, will someone give a tip on a good spot for viewing the parade?

I inherited a great dark green coat recently. Is this fate or what??

Thanks for the info as I'll be in Chgo on the 12th and 13th and thought I'd miss another St Paddy's day in the Windy City.

lcuy- just don't wear anything orange- ANYTHING.

The Chicago down town parade is boring compared to The South Side Irish Parade. Downtown is for Richie Daley and the rest of the crooked politicians.The South Side is for the real the Irish people in Chicago and anyone else who is out for a good time.

ttt

ttt