Your Guide to Westchester’s St. Patrick’s Day Parades

0

Spring’s just on the horizon, and with even a few warm days under our belts, it’s hard for most people not to feel the Luck of the Irish.

If my quarter-Irish heritage didn’t inspire me to look forward to Paddy’s Day growing up, having mostly-Irish babies sure did. We’re also proud family members of members of the NYPD & NY Sanitation Department, which makes the big show in NYC a yearly event for us. Though we got to march with our fam last year, this year we’re keeping it local and checking out our town’s celebration. 

Here are several great St. Patrick’s Day parades to enjoy , and a couple of local spots to check out after to keep the good spirits going. You’re sure to find céad míle fáilte at any of these!

White Plains March 11th, Noon

The city celebrates its 20th year hosting the parade. The route marches down the always-festive Mamaroneck Avenue, so your best parking bet is likely one of the several public parking garages.

White Plains is well known for its wide array of tasty spots to grab a post-parade bite, but for a family-focused group, hop off the route itself and over to Westchester Burger on Westchester Ave.

Peekskill March 11th, 3pm

This is Peekskill’s 28th year hosting the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Marchers start on First Street, and will make their way down Main Street to Brown Street. There is a grandstand on Park and James, where bands will be performing.

You’ll find lots of choices for restaurants in downtown Peekskill, but check out The Quiet Man Public House on North Division Street for a taste of Ireland’s finest.

Sleepy Hollow March 12th, 1:30 PM

My hometown hero is sure to be a happening time in a historical setting. It’s a good chance to get acquainted with the Tarrytowns as the route starts on Main St in Tarrytown and makes its way to Beekman Ave in Sleepy Hollow.

Cute shops & spots to eat abound, but allow me to recommend Bridge View Tavern. It offers quite possibly the world’s best burger, good parking and – obviously – bridge views.

 

Northern Westchester-Putnam   (Mahopac) March 12th, 1:45pm

Celebrate at the 3rd largest parade in New York State, celebrating its 41st year! The parade takes place along Route 6 in Mahopac, and features lots of local talent.

Yonkers March 18th, 1PM 

If you can’t get to the big celebration in NYC, the McLean Ave parade in Yonkers has just as much Irish pride to go around. The literal borderline between Yonkers & the Bronx is a taste of the Emerald Isle right in our backyard, and the festive feeling is palpable. A pro tip – with little ones in tow, stick closer to the beginning of the parade route, where it is typically much less crowded.

Of course McLean Ave has Irish bars to spare, but allow me to suggest heading just a few blocks back in to Yonkers for a bite. Burke’s Bar & Grill is my former neighborhood haunt and if it’s tasty Irish treats you’re after, you’ll find what you’re looking for and then some. (The “some” being a holiday appropriate meal without the parade-route revelry chaos.)

Pearl River March 19th, 1:30PM

Over the river and through the Tapp to one of our area’s best little towns for the 55th – 55th, you guys! – annual Rockland St Patrick’s Day parade.  Pearl River is another community rich in Irish pride and an excellent choice for celebration. 

Again, there’s no shortage of Irish bars in this ‘hood, but pleasepleaseplease don’t skip Defiant Brewery if you can. It’s local brewery boasting delicious BBQ, plenty of space and the friendliest staff around; I don’t think I need to say anything else about it.

Well, except of course, slainte! 

 

Previous articleThe Westchester Mom’s Guide to March
Next articleNational Nutrition Month: Prebiotics & Probiotics for You and Your Family!
Christina
Christina Halpin is a Mama of two rabble rousers, based out of Sleepy Hollow. Raised in Yonkers, Christina received her Masters in Media at The New School & completed her undergrad at Manhattanville College (where she was voted part of the "Loudest DJ" team on WMVL radio two years running.) A fan of discovering local eateries, home cooking, and somewhat misguided home improvement projects, she works full-time in Ecommerce for Fullbeauty.com, and has previously blogged for LoHud Food. She enjoys oversharing on the internet and listening to way more true crime podcasts than is probably reasonable. Also, with as much black as she wears (and the fact that she is a self-admitted a retired emo kid,) the irony of making her home in Westchester's Halloween Town is not lost on her. Catch her on Instagram & Twitter @teenstered .