St. Patrick's Day in New York!

No other city in the United States quite compares to St. Patrick's Day in New York. The city is alive with St. Patty's Day fever, and if you are fortunate enough to visit New York during this festive holiday, there are a few places you should be aware of when planning your trip. Today, the parade goes up 5th Avenue from 44th to 79th streets, passing St. Patrick's Cathedral and the American Irish Historical Society at 83rd Street. Although it does not allow floats, cars, or other exhibits, over 150,000 people march every year. This year, the parade will take place on Saturday, March 16th, at 11 a.m. on 5th Avenue near 44th street. (Please note: the parade usually is held on the 17th, except for when the 17th falls on a Sunday, which is the case in 2013.) The parade ends at 79th street, around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Those who have never experienced St. Patrick's Day in New York should also take note that the official grandstands are located between 62nd and 64th streets, and this area is accessible only with tickets. However, if you wake up early and get a spot close to the grandstands, you may be able to witness the marchers performing for the judges. Also, be aware that the crowd is usually the most chaotic around St. Paul's Cathedral. The parade's website also advises sitting on the steps of the Metropolitcan Museum of Art for an excellent view of the action. 2. For those who would rather celebrate St. Patrick's Day in New York in a quieter (and perhaps more intellectual) manner, visit the Tenement Museum in the Lower East Side. As far as New York City attractions, this is one of the city's best kept secrets. At the Tenement Museum, you can pay homage to the thousands of Irish who flocked to the United States during the potato famine. There are several different types of tours offered by the Museum, so it is important to do some research and decide which one most appeals to you. The tours are given by knowledgeable and entertaining history buffs. In the Moore Family Tour, guests get to visit the home of a pair of Irish-Catholic immigrants and get a glimpse into the struggles they faced as Irish immigrants in America. Please note: March is an ideal time to visit the Tenement Museum, as the building remains true to its origins and offers no air conditioning. The tour can be very uncomfortable during the hot and humid months of the summer, or during the colder months of the winter. 3. For those who love Irish music, go to Landsdowne Roade (at 599 10th Avenue, between 43rd and 44th street), which offers a traditional and lively Irish Sing-a-Long. Admission for this event is free, and it begins at 8 pm. 4. For an old-fashioned pub crawl, experience the official Pub crawl. This runs all day from 11 am to 1 am and is considered the world's largest pub crawl. Take advantage of $1 [10 oz] select domestic draft beers, $2 select domestic bottled beers, $3 well drinks, and $4 Irish whiskeys before 9pm. You can access the full list of participating venues at pubcrawls.com/nycregistration. PubCrawls staff members will help you through the registration process. 5. For those who love table tennis, SPiN New York (48 E. 23rd St.) hosts a free "St. Patrick's Madness Brawl" tournament of three-on-three ping pong, which begins at 7 pm. Contestants can sign up in teams of three to compete, or they can come alone. The event's coordinators will match up all participants. Register early by emailing [email protected].