Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations for RVers
The Best Places to Celebrate
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You may be pinched. Your beer is green. Suddenly people are interested in clovers and it’s (probably) the only time of year that you use the word, “leprechaun.” St. Patrick’s Day for millions of people around the world is a day to honor Irish heritage.
Originally, the holiday celebrated Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland from the fifth century who brought Christianity to Ireland. In the modern era, it has evolved to celebrate Irish culture and in the United States, the major role Irish immigrants played in the rise of our nation.
To commemorate this day, many cities around the country have proper St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Folks congregate to enjoy the parades, dancing, and plenty of traditional Irish food and drink. With springtime coming into focus, St. Patrick’s Day is a great time to hop in the RV and celebrate a little differently. You can find a campground near the city and find your way downtown to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Here’s where to go.
Chicago, Illinois
The Chicago area is a prime hotspot for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The city dyes the Chicago River green and millions of spectators come to view one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country. Even if you don’t want to brave the traffic or hail a cab or get an Uber to make it into downtown, there’s plenty to do around the city.
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One of the favorite alternatives to the massive parade downtown is the St. Patrick Festival at the Irish American Heritage Center on the city’s north side. On top of all the food and drink, you’ll find tons of exhibits that showcase Irish immigrant history and culture. This is a great option for groups with kids as well.
You may think a trip to a huge city like Chicago sounds crazy in an RV, but there are actually more than 20 suitable camping options within a reasonable distance from downtown. In fact, some campgrounds are near public transit stations, making getting into the city affordable and easy.
Savannah, Georgia
Believe it or not, Savannah, Georgia is the major St. Patrick’s Day hub in the southern United States. The town boasts a three-day-long celebration to mark the occasion, featuring the second-largest parade in the country. Somewhat like the lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City to mark the start of Christmastime, Savannah residents gather for the yearly ‘greening of the fountain’ at Forsyth Park to kick off the festivities.
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One of the best parts of celebrating St. Patty’s Day in Savannah is the weather. Pack your t-shirts and get into that spring feel while you enjoy consistent temperatures in the 70’s. Savannah is also a coastal city with tons of beach fun to be had nearby. With more than a dozen great RV camping options within 25 miles of town, your trip to Savannah for St. Patrick’s Day will be both comfortable and convenient.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
If you’re looking for something on a smaller scale for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration, take a look into Hot Springs, Arkansas. An unconventional choice on the surface, the small town of fewer than 40,000 residents puts on a particularly amusing parade. Famous for being the shortest parade route in the world (less than 100 feet), the short St. Patty’s stroll features a dazzling array of participants and performers.
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After all the fun downtown, visitors will love the beautiful natural resources of the area. Just north of town, you can head to Hot Springs National Park for plenty of forested hiking and an opportunity to take a dip in some of the thermal spring water at the historic bathhouses. There are also more than 20 RV parks within a short driving distance of downtown so get those reservations quickly for a prime spot.
Dublin, Ohio
The Columbus, Ohio suburb of Dublin really leans into its name for St. Patrick’s Day. Head on down to the Historic District and listen to the Celtic music thunder through the streets as the anticipation for the parade builds. One tradition that children love, in particular, is the Inflation Celebration where spectators are allowed to watch the massive balloons and floats come alive before their very eyes.
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The holiday celebrations pair very well with a proper RV camping trip to the Dublin area. Within 25 miles, visitors can visit Hayden Falls Park, the Olentangy Indian Caverns, Indian Run Falls, and many more natural areas with plenty of great trails and views. You’ll also have a solid number of camping options suitable for your RV crew nearby.
No matter how you like to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, there are plenty of options to shake up your routine and do something a little different this time around. This springtime holiday is a perfect opportunity to explore a new area with a camping trip in the RV. Load up your suitcase with all of your green clothes and hit the road for a unique St. Patrick’s Day you won’t soon forget.
