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St. Patrick's Day, New York City - The Empire State Building and other city landmarks honor St. Patrick with an emerald light show.

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St. Patrick's Day Parade - Children from the Irish Dancing and Music Association of North America perform as they march in the parade along Fifth Avenue.

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Stars, stripes, and spires -

Marchers and flags frame the landmark St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue.

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Scarves and gloves - Officers from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention show their bilateral colors during the parade.

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Marching in time -

A lively brass band marches down Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

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Irish boots, Irish roots - Standing on Fifth Avenue during a pause in the parade, a member of the FDNY Pipes and Drums celebrates Ireland's most celebrated patron saint in his own inimitable way.

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Shamrock smile -

A young New Yorker displays his affection for the Emerald Isle on St. Patrick's Day.

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Lining up on Fifth Avenue -

The annual parade honors the patron saint of Ireland. It was held for the first time on March 17, 1762, this 14 years before the Declaration of Independence.

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Trooping the light fantastic -

The specially-adorned bandleader marches ahead of his troop on a St. Patrick's Day afternoon.

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Badges of honor - A man wears a sweater covered in Irish-themed pins as he stands with thousands of spectators on Fifth Avenue during the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.

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In tune - A piper plays in front of a patriotic mural to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

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Irish for the day -

A young woman daubed with green shamrocks is feeling lucky on St. Patrick's Day. The parade is one of the city's greatest traditions.

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An age-old tradition - According to nycstpatricksparade.org, the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1762 was comprised of a band of homesick Irish ex-patriots and Irish military members serving with the British Army stationed in New York.

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Green scene - The mid-18th century was a time when the wearing of green was a sign of Irish pride, but was banned in Ireland.

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Irish patriotism among American immigrants - Common bond: the 1762 parade provided Irish immigrants in New York with an opportunity to express their patriotism in exactly the same way they do today.

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Grandstand view - An onlooker with a window seat avoids the crowds as the parade passes below.

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St. Patrick's Cathedral -

The parade is reviewed from the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral by the Archbishop of New York. The cathedral is a noted visitor attraction in its own right.

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Raise your glasses in Irish pubs -

The iconic drink to celebrate St. Patrick's Day is Guinness. But other Gaelic thirst-quenchers, including Smithwicks red ale and Kilkenny cream ale, are also popular.

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The perfect pint -

The Perfect Pint pub, located near the parade route, has 30 beers on tap—including plenty of Irish options. Sláinte!

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The oldest tavern in NYC - Pictured is Historic McSorley's Old Ale House. This landmark tavern, established in Manhattan's East Village in 1854, claims to be the Big Apple's oldest pub.

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An appetite for all things Irish -

The Tír na nÓg Irish Pub & Restaurant serves traditional Gaelic fare such as Irish sausage, shepherd's pie, and chicken pot pie.

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Green to go -

Try a green bagel with cream cheese, a New York City St. Patrick's Day specialty. Add some smoked salmon for the full tri-color! 

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Gaelic distillery -

The Fáilte Irish Whiskey Bar (fáilte is Gaelic for "welcome") on Second Avenue has 25 different Irish whiskies available.

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Fun Irish and green drink recipes -

For St. Patrick's Day, the bar concocts a special green whiskey for partygoers.

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A traditional pick-me-up - For a more traditional drink, ask for Fáilte's rich creamy Irish coffee—a perfect St. Paddy's Day pick-me-up!

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A dedicated spectator -

This parade-goer sports an impressive green beard to go with his leprechaun-themed attire, and it looks real! 

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Where ruffians once ruled -

Hell's Kitchen was once a bastion of poor and working class Irish Americans, and a hotbed of organized crime. Now gentrified, this is still a fascinating neighborhood to explore, which is best achieved by joining a guided tour.

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Merchant's House Museum -

New York's only preserved 19th-century home once teemed with Irish immigrant staff. A guided tour of the building reveals the highlights and hardships they experienced.

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Celebration and commemoration -

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum at One World Trade Center glows green for St. Patrick's Day.

See also: Mind-blowing facts you didn't know about St. Patrick's Day.

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