NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade 2014

One of the largest St. Paddy’s Day parades in the country (and probably the world), the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade, is not to be missed and the 2014 edition is right around the corner. If you are planning to be in the city on March 17, you will want to make sure to take in a portion of the parade at some point on Monday The parade will begin at 11 a.m. on 44th Street and make its way north on 5th Avenue all the way up to 79th Street. If you choose to attend, you’ll be one of the more than two million spectators that will line the avenue and cheers on the 150,000 or so marchers. There are tons of bands, firefighters, police officers, emigrant societies and social and cultural clubs that are represented in the parade and they will all appreciate your support. While you are in the area, use your New York Attractions Pass to check out the Empire State Building and other popular destinations in the area. Started by homesick Irish enlisted soldiers from the British army in 1762, the 2014 edition of the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place under the supervision of Grand Marshal Jack Ahern of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 3. The parade is one of the most popular annual events in the city, so you will want to make sure to leave some time for travel delays and plan to get there early for a good spot in order to really take advantage of the day. In addition to the day itself, and besides all the sights that are available to see with the New York Attractions Pass, there’s also the Amazing New York Scavenger Hunt on the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day. The hunt will kick off at Libation at 37 Ludlow Street and run from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Participants in the hunt will travel around the city while relying on a series of clues that lead to physical and mental challenges throughout NYC. The hunt also combines some obstacle course elements and all hunters should expect a few bar challenges along the way. (In order to participate, you will need a smart phone that is equipped with an app called ScanQuest. According to a review of the hunt: “Gather some pals and sign up as a group, or enter solo and let the organizers introduce you to some new friends; the winners take home gift baskets, and every participant who completes the hunt gets a free beer.” The Saturday before the hunt and St. Patrick’s Day, the Whole Foods Bowery Culinary Center at 95 East Houston Street in the Lower East Side is hosting a Real Irish Cooking workshop. Make and then dine on a traditional Irish lunch, including beef-and-Guinness stew, Dublin-style parsnip colcannon and raisin sweet cake. Yum! To view all the top New York Attractions for adults, kids and people of all ages, check out Smart Destinations’ New York Explorer Pass and Go Select New York Pass!