The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place not in Ireland but in America. "Records show that a St. Patrick’s Day parade was held on March 17, 1601 in a Spanish colony in what is now St. Augustine, Florida.

Shamrocks, green clothing and a trip to a pub for a pint of Guinness. The bold may even put on a "Kiss me, I'm Irish" shirt (Or "Kiss me, I'm Iowish," for the Raygun fans). For many of us, St. Patrick's Day boils down to the tropes.

There are certain things every traveler should experience at least once—incredible views of the Grand Canyon, cherry blossoms in D.C., and St. Patrick’s Day in New York City. My fiancé and I checked that last one off our bucket list last year,