St. Patrick’s Day Travel Ideas

St. Patrick’s Day is much celebrated, but few know what exactly they’re stomping up and down the streets celebrating. Here’s a history lesson: Back in the 4th Century in Roman Britain, there was a saint born on March 17 named Patrick. At age 16, Patrick was kidnapped and taken to Ireland to be a slave. After escaping his captors, he made his way back home. Years later, after becoming a bishop, he traveled back to Ireland to teach the Irish people about the Christian doctrine. Saint Patrick was held in high regard in the Irish Church, and his birthdate became an internationally celebrated holiday in his honor.

So now that you know what you’re toasting to, let the green beer, four leaf clovers, and kegs and eggs begin. Here are our top seven places to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day.

Scranton, Pennsylvania
Home to the infamous Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, Scranton surprisingly draws in close to 150,000 attendees for its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The day starts with mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral and is followed by one of the country’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parades, complete with bagpipes, floats, dancers, and musicians.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade was back in 1771, and is said to be one of the oldest on record. Today, more than 500,000 watch the parade and then continue the celebrations in the pubs of South Philly and Old Town.

Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is known throughout the South as the place to party for St. Patrick’s Day. Local organizers dye every fountain in town and every beer they can find green; and 400,000 watch the three-hour parade that has been said to be one of the largest St. Paddy’s Day parades in the United States.

Chicago, Illinois
Where else do they pour green vegetable dye into the river to celebrate one giant green parade? Get to the Loop area to watch as they pour the dye into the Chicago River at 10:45 a.m. and find a primo spot for the parade that starts at noon. This is a good option for families, but bring a snack, as the procession can last a few hours.

Sydney, Australia
Looking for somewhere warm and exotic to celebrate Saint Patrick? Jet over to Australia, where all those with the luck of the Irish flock to the streets of Sydney to celebrate their Irish-Australian heritage.

Boston, Massachusetts
Boston already shows its Irish pride with the Celtics, but for St. Patrick’s Day its has many activities for those who want to celebrate their heritage … or for those who just want to celebrate. For people who like history, take a tour of the Irish Heritage Trail that explores more than 300 years of the Irish history in Boston. The parade brings in 600,000 viewers and loops through South Boston filling the air with the sound of bagpipes. They also hold an Irish Film Festival, and you can find lots of celebrating at famous Irish pubs like The Black Rose and The Burren. Plus, Boston has more Irish pubs than any city besides those in Ireland, so who wouldn’t want to celebrate here?

Dublin, Ireland
Ireland’s capital of Dublin is without a doubt the top place to spend March 17. St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin is like Mardi Gras in New Orleans; parties last for days, and the parade brings out Ireland’s best marching bands and pageant companies. Also, don’t miss the walking tours that lead you in the footsteps of Saint Patrick, past many ancient sites from history, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Jamaica: Once You Go You Know

Nicknamed the Land of Wood and Water, Jamaica is a top Caribbean destination for sun and sand. But there’s more beyond the beach. The island is made up largely of limestone, some of which has dissolved over time to create famous networks of underground rivers and caves. Because of these natural aquifers, the water is safe to drink. (We promise! Even cruise ships fill their drinking water here.) So whether you’re planning a honeymoon or just a fun getaway, this primer on Jamaica travel will get you started.

When to Go
Jamaica’s high season is December 15th through April 15th, meaning that the weather is optimal but also that it’s hard to find good deals. If you can, travel outside of peak season for hotel-room prices that are sliced in half. Locals say not to worry about hurricane season (and there’s always travel insurance), but if you plan to visit in, say, the middle of June, realize that even though the temperatures are in the mid-80s, the humidity can be high. It’s certainly not a reason to skip the great deals, and the ice-cold Red Stripe beers will help.

Areas of Jamaica
Many nice towns, such as Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, are situated along the northern coast. Other tourist areas include Negril, Port Royal, and Kingston, Jamaica’s capital and home to one million people. The only two airports on the island are in Kingston and Montego Bay, so if you’re not staying in those cities, it can be a few hours’ drive to your destination.

Montego Bay: Montego Bay has everything from golf and water activities to shopping and nightlife. The North Coast Highway, near the Montego Bay airport, is called the “Elegant Corridor” in reference to the multitude of five-star resorts that line that section of road.

Ocho Rios: Ocho Rios, two hours east of Montego Bay, has the most attractions in one area. These include Mystic Mountain, Dunn’s River Falls, and Dolphin Cove (see the next page for our rundown on the island’s attractions).

Negril: Close to an hour and a half from the airport in Montego Bay, Negril lies on the far west end of the island. This area is laid back and known for its cliff diving and sunsets.

Kingston/Port Royal: Kingston is the seventh-largest natural port in the world, so this area is busy with large cruise ships and cargo ships.

Places to Stay
Jamaica’s largest industry is tourism, and it is most known for all-inclusive resorts and hotels, which means great deals can be found. Ask a handful of married couples, and you’re sure to find at least one that had their honeymoon in Jamaica. Well-known couples’ resorts include the Sandals properties and Half Moon Resort near Montego Bay. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience where the staff will treat you like family, skip the big resorts and select a smaller inn or hotel like the Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, where Marilyn Monroe honeymooned, or Round Hill Hotel and Villas, near Montego Bay, which were designed by Ralph Lauren.

Things to Do
No matter where you stay, Jamaica has plenty of activities if you can tear yourselves away from the white-sand beaches and clear-blue ocean. If you don’t get a rental car, then your front desk can always set-up tours or an escort if you want to explore off the property.

Rose Hall Great House (Montego Bay): If you love ghost stories, or maybe the idea of even seeing a ghost, then take time to visit the Great House at Rose Hall. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Annie Palmer, who is fondly now called the “White Witch,” married John Palmer, the owner of the great house and all the land below it. The story goes that Annie killed John as well as her next two husbands, along with slave lovers, and now haunts the house. How’s that for a love story?

Dunn’s River Falls (Ocho Rios): Step outside of your norm and climb 600 feet up Jamaica’s famous Dunn’s River Falls. Climbing tours start from the water (via boat) or from the parking lot. Groups of around 15 people make a human chain and then walk up the rocks of the waterfall. It is a terrifying and exhilarating experience. Be sure to take sandals with good tread or rent water shoes.

Bamboo Rafting on the Martha Brae River (Montego Bay): One of 85 bamboo raft guides will take you on leisurely three-mile ride down the bright teal Martha Brae River. The color comes from the limestone minerals mixing with the water, and it almost looks fake. You can wear regular clothes and take your camera, as there are no rapids on this river. The ride normally lasts 20 to 45 minutes, and the only way to get wet is if you hop off the raft on purpose. The guides are knowledgeable about local plants, trees, and animals and will tell you tidbits about the area…whether the stories are true or not is up to you to decide.

Greenwood Great House (Greenwood): This magnificent hillside house is home to one of the largest antiques museums in the Caribbean. In the 1660’s, the Barrett family came to Jamaica from London, and the Honorable Richard Barrett built this house in the 1800s as a place to entertain family and guests. Now Bob and Ann Betton own the house and have strived to keep it as authentic as possible. Around 70 percent of the house is original, and it has been open for tours since 1976. Bob and Ann actually do live in the house and have raised children there.

Catamaran Cruise (Anywhere): Plenty of tour operators, like Island Routes, offer an escape to the ocean on a catamaran cruise. Choose a day tour full of snorkeling and even activities like Dunn’s River Falls, or go for a sunset cruise and watch the vibrant colors slip below the horizon. The cruise staff makes it a fun experience with music and appetizers.

Glistening Waters (Falmouth): Self-proclaimed as “Jamaica’s only natural nighttime attraction,” the luminous Glistening Waters are hard to believe unless you see it. This scientific phenomenon happens in only three places around the world. Take a boat ride that starts from the marina at sunset, and then once the sun is gone, watch as the minerals in the water start to literally light up and glisten. The weather during the day does affect the brightness, so call ahead to make sure tours are still on before driving over.

Appleton Rum Tour (Kingston): The Appleton Estate has been creating rum since 1749. Tours of the estate give an insider-look into how rum is made. Guests are able to sample the sugar cane and rum at different steps in the process.

Bob Marley Museum (Kingston): Ask any local who their idol is and 99.9 percent will likely say Bob Marley, a Rastafarian and famous Reggae musician. Visit the museum dedicated to his life achievements and full of artifacts, memorabilia, writings, and photos.

Places to Eat
Jamaica has plenty of places to eat, but here are some great places to stop in if they are along your route.

Tastee or Juici Patties (Multiple Locations): Jamaicans claim that as a country they eat more three million “patties” a day, and the population is only 2.8 million. So if Jamaica has a national “fast food” it’s definitely a spicy beef patty. Patties can also come with chicken, veggies, lobster, or shrimp.

Scotchies (Montego Bay and Ocho Rios) or Boston Jerk Centre (Portland): Every visitor to Jamaica must try jerk something, whether it is jerk chicken, jerk pork, or jerk fish. Boston Restaurant in the Portland Parish is well known because this area is supposedly the birthplace of jerk. Scotchies has three locations along the north coast and is a favorite of many locals.

Chill Out Hut Beach & Grill (Long Bay): Want to have a great meal with a picture-perfect view of the beach and ocean? Then head to the Chill Out Hut and sit in old rum barrels while you soak it all in. We’d recommend the jerk barbecue chicken with a side of Red Stripe, but basically all of their food from ackee and codfish to chicken parmesan is great.

Miss T’s Kitchen (Ocho Rios): If you’re looking to experience authentic Jamaican food, then head to downtown Ocho Rios. Chefs Jerkie, Shelly Ann, and Miss T use fresh ingredients from local farmers to create favorites like ox tail, Jamaican jerk pork/chicken, and curry goat.

Rick’s Café (Negril): This restaurant on the western side of the island is known for its magnificent sunsets, and the food is great, too.

Devons House (Kingston): This property was built by Jamaica’s first black millionaire, George Stiebel, but besides the history, their ice cream is legendary. People drive three hours from Montego Bay just to take the tour and get some of this frozen goodness.