Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Getty Images, Courtesy of Home to Go.
A new study has revealed the top cities in the US for St. Patrick’s Day value vacations.
HomeToGo, the marketplace with the world’s largest selection of vacation rentals, has revealed the most in-demand yet value-packed St. Patrick’s Day destinations across the US, using exclusive search and price data.
For travelers who want to experience superb celebrations without packing their passport, HomeToGo has identified the pot of gold for festive trips, featuring 15 US locations ranked by affordability and popularity.
“At HomeToGo, we’ve observed a notable increase in US travelers searching for stays in Ireland around St. Patrick’s Day, with Galway, Cork, and Kinsale experiencing year-on-year uplifts of +176%, +174% and +122%, respectively — indicating a wide-spread desire to join in on the festivities,” said Eleanor Moody, Travel Expert and Spokesperson at HomeToGo.
“For American travelers prioritizing keeping costs low and spirits high, we’ve ranked the top destinations for celebrating closer to home, without making or paying for the transatlantic trek. From epic parades to time-honored traditions, this guide gives US residents a map of the top spots in which to join in on value-packed St. Patrick’s Day fun.”
Here’s a look at the top 10 most affordable and popular US destinations for St. Patrick’s Day:
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- New York City, New York
- Hot Springs, Arkansas
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Chicago, Illinois
- Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Boston, Massachusetts
From the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City to the ‘World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade’ in Hot Springs, Arkansas, HomeToGo’s curated guide aims to assist travelers in finding the perfect blend of a holiday hotspot and budget-friendly stay.
Here’s a glimpse of what travelers can expect in the top five destinations:
1. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Home to one of the oldest parades in the country, Milwaukee’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade dates back to 1843. Visitors to this lakeside Midwest city for the shamrock-studded holiday can expect a high-energy spectacle with over 100 entertainers, including Irish dancers, pipe and drum corps, and even Irish wolfhounds.
2. New York City, New York
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One of the largest and most iconic celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day in the US is found in New York City, where Fifth Avenue transforms into a sea of green with 150,000 marchers and a crowd of two million spectators cheering them on. Green-clad travelers can be part of an electric atmosphere amid epic skyline views at every turn.
3. Hot Springs, Arkansas
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Hot Springs offers an unexpected surprise in its green-themed festivities, offering the opposite of a large spectacle claiming the “World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.” At just 98 feet long, this celebration packs in more fun per square foot than any other with wildly decorated floats, celebrity guests, and an atmosphere that’s anything but small.
4. St. Louis, Missouri
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St. Louis hosts a cardio-filled pre-game to its festivities, beginning with a St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run before rolling into the city’s main parade. The weekend event wraps up with an after-party at Ballpark Village, but the festivities don’t stop there—on Monday, March 17, the celebrations move to Dogtown, a traditionally Irish neighborhood of St. Louis.
5. Scranton, Pennsylvania
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An unexpected yet bustling destination for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Scranton hosts a parade with over 12,000 participants, attracting 150,000 spectators. Offering something for all ages, families can take part in St. Patrick's Day storytime at the library, while those looking to toast to the occasion in a more traditional way can try “Jigs & Swigs,” an Irish dance class in a brewery.
The full list of the top 15 destinations, destination descriptions, and an interactive map can be found here.