Top 5 Things to Do for St. Patrick's Day in Las Vegas

How a Catholic holy day turned into one of America's favorite party days is a long story, but it's no secret that St. Patrick's Day is widely celebrated in Las Vegas. Here are my picks for the Top 5 Things to Do for St. Patrick's Day in Las Vegas:

Top 5 Things to Do for St. Patrick's Day in Las Vegas #1: Party at O'Sheas

Located on the Strip between the Imperial Palace and Flamingo hotels, O'Sheas Casino regularly features a 24-hour Happy Hour, beer pong table games, psychic readings, and tattoo salon. Every year, O'Sheas throws a free block party on St. Patrick's Day, making it one of the biggest celebrations in Las Vegas.

Hosted this year by Peepshow star Holly Madison, O'Sheas' St. Patrick's Day block party features live entertainment and games like cornhole, hot dog eating contest, and green shots contests. Of course, green beer will also be sold for $3. And if you enter the Beer Pong Tournament during the St. Patrick's Day block party, you could win an official World Series of Beer Pong (WSOBP) table. For a sneak peak about what to expect, watch this YouTube video posted by Casino Guide Blogs.

Easily one of the most affordable party places on the Las Vegas Strip, I highly recommend checking out O'Sheas' block party for first time visitors on St. Patrick's Day.

Top 5 Things to Do for St. Patrick's Day in Las Vegas #2: Hit the Pubs

Las Vegas has a plethora of Irish pubs to choose from, and naturally all of them as well as other establishments offer St. Patrick's Day parties and specials. If you want to celebrate off the Strip, I recommend going to either Hennessey's Tavern or Fado's Irish Pub.

Hennessey's Tavern is located in downtown Las Vegas at the Fremont Street Experience. Offering comfortable seating, an intimate atmosphere, and traditional Irish fare, Hennessey's Tavern always delivers a good time. They have an outdoor patio, so I fully expect the party to spill outside on St. Patrick's Day. Hennessey's will also validate tickets from the Fremont Street parking garage so you don't have to pay for parking.

Fado's Irish Pub and Restaurant is located at 9470 Eastern Ave south of I-215 on the corner of East Richmar Avenue. They celebrate St. Patrick's Day for several days, and doors open at 8a.m. on March 17 for "Kegs and Eggs". Fado's St. Patrick's Day party is billed as the largest outdoor party off the Strip. Partygoers who arrive before 2p.m. will avoid the $15 cover charge.

For more information on Las Vegas restaurants celebrating St. Patrick's Day, check out this article by AC Contributor Lori Wilk.

Top 5 Things to Do for St. Patrick's Day in Las Vegas #3: Attend Festivals & Parades

If you're looking for more traditional, family-friendly entertainment, head down to Henderson for the annual Sons of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival. This year's parade will be held on Saturday, March 13 at 10am along the Water Street District. Families can enjoy live entertainment, carnival rides, a car show, and a children's coloring contest.

Also on March 13, the Montelago Village Resort at Lake Las Vegas will host a Brews Best Village Beer Fest from 2p.m. to 8p.m. Tickets are $25 each, and all proceeds go to benefit New Vista Community, a nonprofit organization servicing disabled individuals. Hotel packages for the event are also available.

Top 5 Things to Do for St. Patrick's Day in Las Vegas #4: Go Golfing

What's St. Patrick's Day without a little golf? Celebrate the power of green with tee time at the J.W. Marriott in Summerlin. The resort has an exclusive partnership with nearby TPC golf course, a PGA tour facility. For approximately $350 a night, a golf package includes deluxe room accommodations and two rounds of golf for each night stayed.

Afterwards, head inside the hotel and visit J.C. Wooloughan Irish Pub to continue the St. Patrick's Day celebration. Described as "Las Vegas' first bona fide Irish pub, brought over brick and mortar from the Emerald Isle," J.C. Woouloughan celebrates St. Patrick's Day with specials running from Friday, March 12 thru Wednesday, March 17.

Top 5 Things to Do for St. Patrick's Day in Las Vegas #5: Do Something Different

If you have little ones and are looking for something completely different to do for St. Patrick's Day, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District will host several Storytime hours throughout the city. Geared towards kids ages 0 - 11, the storytime events also include music and crafts to help educate the children about the holiday. For exact locations and times, visit the library district's website.

If you'd rather enjoy a day outdoors than inside a pub, Summerlin Trails Park will host a St. Patrick's Day 5K Run on Saturday, March 13 at 8a.m. Don your green shoes and green running attire and "cheer your Laddie or Lass across the finish line". Entry fees are $20 per person for prior sales and $25 per person on the day of the event.

Top 5 Things to Do for St. Patrick's Day in Las Vegas: Final Thoughts

Whether you are looking to party hard or take it easy, there are plenty of things to do in Las Vegas for St. Patrick's Day. May the luck of the Irish be wit' ye!

Sources:

Personal experience

St. Patrick's Day Events, Las Vegas Review Journal

Caroline Fontein, Vegas does St. Patrick's Day, Vegas.com

O'Sheas Casino, Harrahs.com

St. Patrick's Day Block Party, Facebook.com

Archive for the 'O'Sheas' Category, Pulse of Las Vegas Blog

CasinoGuideBlogs, Beer Pong in O'Sheas Casino, YouTube.com

CasinoGuideBlogs, St. Patrick's Day Party on the Strip, YouTube.com

Hennessey's Tavern, Hennessey's Las Vegas

St. Patrick's Day 2010, Fado's Irish Pub and Restaurant

Lori Wilk, Restaurants Celebrating St Patrick's Day in Vegas, Associated Content

St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, HendersonLive.com

Brews Best Village Beer Fest -- March 13th, Montelago Village Resort

Brews Best Village Beer Fest Package, Montelago Village Resort

Golf Packages, J.W. Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa

TPC Las Vegas, J.W. Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa

J.C. Wooloughan Irish Pub Gears Up for St. Patrick's Day, PR Newswire

Events, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

St. Patrick's Day 5K Run, LasVegasNow.com