How New York City Will Celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2008

New York City is the place for unique celebrations year round, the city where revelries go well beyond the famous Times Square countdown over the New Year. Saint Patrick's Day 2008 preparations are underway so the city can host the official St. Patrick's Day parade and round up local and national Irish bands to entertain the crowds at area bars.

If you're heading to the Big Apple for Saint Patrick's Day in 2008, make your way to any of these fun events and attractions:

Saint Patrick's Day Celebration at Maggie's Place
21 E. 47^th Street, New York
If you need a place to eat before the festivities begin in the city, head to Maggie's for the St. Patrick's Day Breakfast served at 8 a.m. It's a great starting point before heading off to the parade, and is located within walking distance of most of the key events of the day. If you choose to stop in for dinner instead, enjoy a prix-fixe dinner for just $27.95; call (212) 753-5757 for more information.

The Solemn Pontifical Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral
Start off the official celebration at 8:30 a.m. on the corner of 50^th Street and Ffith Avenue. The Cathedral will be open for services on Monday morning, and it's also the place where the official Parade will be reviewed by the His Eminence Cardinal Edward Eagen, Archbishop of New York.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City
Even though there are over 100 parades taking place over the city for St. Patrick's Day, the official event takes place on Monday, March 17 at 11 a.m. this year. It starts at 44^th Street and Fifth Avenue. Tommy Smyth, the 2008 Grand Marshal will be joined by the former grand Marshals of 2003 - 2007 who will march up 5^th Avenue with over 150,000 other participants. This is the parade that will also be televised on NBC, so if you don't make your way through traffic on St. Paddy's Day, be sure to tune in for the live broadcast at a nearby screen. Find out more at the official website of the New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade.

Saint Patrick's Day Celebration at Stout NYC
133 West 33^rd Street, New York
The name says it all, but you'll find more than just beer and great food at this popular pub and eatery. The bar stays open until 4 a.m. each day, and is one of the biggest pubs in the city with a lounge area, extra-long bar, and multi-level seating. Private rooms are also available if you choose to throw your own bash; otherwise, there's plenty of entertainment and specials to enjoy throughout this busy venue. Call (212) 629-6191 for more information.

St. Patrick's Day at Lunasa Bar
126 First Avenue, New York
Head to this hip and modern Irish bar, designed with strong Celtic influences and boasting its very own beer garden. Time Out, New York has named this venue 'The future of Celtic pubs', a new establishment that promises plenty of unique entertainment, menu specials, and signature drinks. Call (212) 228-8580 for more information.

Saint Patrick's Day Celebration at Paddy McGuire's
27 3^rd Avenue, New York
One of the city's most popular venues for classic Irish pub fare, this is your place to sit back and relax with a pint of Guinness. It's one of New York's oldest ale houses, and stays open from 11 a.m. - 4 a.m. every day. The doors of the pub are from Ireland, and the bar is covered in nothing but Irish décor. Claiming to be one of Grammercy's best, this is one spot that's sure to fill up fast; call (212) 473-8407 for more information.

From Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral to a pint of Guinness at an area pub, there's no shortage of fun and activities in New York City. Head to any of these top spots for a unique and (somewhat) memorable celebration.