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Boston's Best Family-Friendly Activities For St. Patrick's Day 2014

When it comes to St. Patrick's Day, there is nowhere on the East Coast for families to celebrate like Boston. Sure, the holiday is recognized in the United States with a lot of beer and adult revelry, but that does not mean children cannot enjoy it also. From the best and biggest celebrations in the city to parent/child art activities, kids will have a blast in Boston on St. Patrick's Day. In fact, few celebrations are not family friendly. Just watch out for the pub crawls filling the streets.
St. Patrick's Day Parade
(File Photo)

South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade
W. Broadway to Dorchester St.
South Boston, MA 02127
www.southbostonparade.org

Date: March 16, 2014 at 1 p.m.

While parents want to keep a close eye on their kids at this crowded parade, it is the place to be on St. Patrick's Day. With all of the fun and fanfare of most holiday parades, kids will find it fascinating, though it might be a good idea to put earplugs on skittish little ones. There are plenty of vendors lining the route so the 600,000 to one million people that come out each year are fed.

Related: Boston's Best Family Friendly Dining (With Adult Appeal)

Irish Heritage Trail
(Photo Credit: Boston Irish Tourism Association)

Boston Irish Heritage Trail
Boston Common Visitor Information Center
139 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 536-4100 ext. 888
www.irishmassachusetts.com

Date: March 17, 2014 at 2 p.m.

Families can take the opportunity to learn about Boston's extensive Irish history by booking a tour with the Boston Irish Tourism Association. The tour takes one-and-a-half hours, covering 300 years of Irish heritage in Boston. Stops include the statute of J.F.K., the Irish Famine Memorial and the Boston Massacre Memorial. Tour participants will learn just what these and several other landmarks have to do with being Irish in Boston. Because this is the St. Patrick's Day tour, tickets should be booked in advanced, though they can be purchased at the Visitor's Information Center on the day of if there are still tickets available.

Faneuil Hall
Faneuil Hall and the surrounding marketplace (credit: Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau)

Faneuil Hall Marketplace
1 Faneuil Hall Square
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 635-3105
www.faneuilhallmarketplace.org

Date: March 17, 2014

Southie is not the only place where Boston residents and visitors can get a taste of the Emerald Isle. The street performers and various businesses in and around the Faneuil Hall Marketplace are always up for a celebration. Kids may catch a glimpse of the be-skirted Kilted Colin and his noisy bagpipes. Every year, the square fills with the sound of Irish music and the energy of Irish dancing. Feel free to join in or just watch. Either way, it is great fun for the family.

Related: Boston's Best Family-Friendly Breakfast And Brunch Spots

South Boston Boys and Girls Club
(Photo from South Boston Boys and Girls Club)

2014 St. Patty's Day Road Race
South Boston Boys and Girls Club
230 W. 6th St.
South Boston, MA 02127
(617) 994-4700
www.bgcb.org/2013-st-patricks-day-road-race

Date: March 16, 2014 at 11 a.m.

Organizations like the Boys and Girls Club cannot exist without community support. This St. Patrick's Day, families can lend that support by coming out and watching or running in the annual road race. The race is a 5K, so anyone in the family who is fit enough to run just over three miles can participate. Feel free to wear green or even a few festive articles of clothing and accessories. This is a fun race more than a competitive race. Food and drink will be provided.

Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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