St. Patricks Day Info (Chicago, Cleveland: where to stay, how much, hotel)

[Reau482]

Have never been and would love to go - need suggestions on where to stay. Midlevel or above hotel near the parade and bar scene. Any suggestions?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Reau482

Have never been and would love to go - need suggestions on where to stay. Midlevel or above hotel near the parade and bar scene. Any suggestions?

Which parade are you going to? The downtown parade or the South Side parade?

[Reau482]

The downtown parade.

[NSH]

The downtown parade will run the Saturday before St Patricks day down Columbus drive through grant park. I would recommend staying at the Hotel Monaco on Wabash or Hard Rock Hotel on Michigan, both are walking distance and there is an Irish Bar called Emerald Loop right across the street from the Monaco.

HOWEVER, if you wish to party like a Chicagoan, also make plans to visit the south side irish parade on the next day (Sunday before St. Patrick's Day). The parade runs down Western Ave from 103rd st to 115th st, every other establishment on the west side of the street is an Irish pub. Do not drive there! You will end up drunk. Most Irish pubs downtown or on the north side will run a charter bus (complete with keg) down to the parade route. If you do not drink the east side of the street has been designated as the family side, so you can also bring kids.

This parade has taken the world stage since 2001. Mostly thanks to the Chicago Fire Department. the CFD went to New York to help out after the World Trade Center. After spending a few weeks with FDNY and all the other fire departments throughout the US. The CFD invited everyone out to Chicago to join them at the South Side Irish Parade. FDNY, Cleveland, San Francisco, Dayton, and Boston all came and marched. Then after they marched every bar on Western was packed with folks from fire departments all over the united states with this look of amazement of how much fun they were having on a sunday afternoon in March. All of those departments have come back with a bigger and bigger representation every year since.

[Reau482]

WOW - I had no idea, it looks like we have to go to both parades! We are moving to Chicago area and trying to get find our way around. Sounds like lots of fun. Family in California wants to come join us! We will finally be living somewhere that they want to come visit! We have tons of points at Holiday Inn - is there a HI or Crown Plaza convenient to all of this??

[Reau482]

I just sent your entire post to my brother who wants to come out for the fun, thanks so much for the info!

[NSH]

Heres what you can expect at the South Side Irish parade


also check the organization website periodically for updates
http://southsideirishparade.org/

If you are planning on doing both parades I would recommend staying at any of the downtown Holiday Inn's (none are close to the parade but cabs are everywhere) Then try to find a bar running a charter to the South Side. The Hotel you choose may be able to help you out with finding a local establishment running a charter. The charter will probably cost you $30 bucks or so per person for a breakfast and beer and a bus ride, but well worth it, especially if you are not familiar with the area.

I will post info if i run across anything closer to the day

[Reau482]

YIKES! I had no idea it was that big, can't wait, looks like fun. We are moving from MS and really miss the New Orleans atmosphere. This looks like fun!

[dontcallmeshirley]

What day is it going to be celebrated? I know it is different than the actual day (something to do with the Catholic church), right?

What will you be doing that day?

[Avengerfire]

Real Chicagoans celebrate the whole week around St. Patrick's Day.