How to Attend the Largest St. Patrick's Day Parade

The largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the United States is held in Chicago. It started more than 50 years ago and more than two million people watch it. A parade queen is announced every year about one month prior to the event. Follow these steps to attend the parade.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Read all about the Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade by going to its website. It starts on Balbo and Columbus and runs north on Columbus Drive.

2. Know that Chicago always holds its St. Patrick's Day parade on the Saturday before the actual holiday. That way families can come without having to take the kids out of school for the day.

3. Get there early to watch the dyeing of the Chicago River. The river is usually dyed green at 10:45 a.m., with the parade following at noon. The best place to watch the dyeing is from the upper level bridges at Columbus Drive or Michigan Avenue.

4. Take public transportation. The blue, red, brown, green and orange lines will all get you there. Check the Chicago Transit Authority website for schedules. You can also take the Metra or the bus.

5. Drive in if you dare, but know that parking can be difficult to find. Map out your route before you go and park anywhere you can find a spot. The price to park ranges from $5 to $20.

6. Book a hotel, if needed. Any hotel near the Grant Park area will get you close to the festivities.

7. Contact the parade committee if you have any questions. Call [phone].

Tips & Warnings

• Plan lots of extra time for getting to the festivities.

Resources

• Official Website of the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade
• Chicago Transit Authority