If you are looking for the best place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend, head east of the Mississippi River, a new report finds.
The report by personal-finance website WalletHub evaluated 200 large U.S. cities based on 15 criteria and determined that 16 of the top 20 places are east of the mighty river. Boston ranks No. 1, followed consecutively by Chicago and Savannah, Georgia.
“There are several cities that are great destinations for an unforgettable St. Patrick’s Day celebration,” WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe says. “Boston is the top spot with its rich tapestry of traditions including a historic parade dating back to 1724 and a wide range of Irish pubs and restaurants.”
The 15 criteria that determined the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day included parades, the holiday’s historic significance locally, the proportion of Irish population, the density of Irish pubs and restaurants, beer prices, hotel affordability, crime rates and DUI-related fatalities.
Chicago dies its river green and has a big parade and “an impressive density of Irish establishments that underscore the city’s commitment to honoring this cherished holiday,” Happe says. “Savannah captivates with its charming Southern hospitality and boasts a festive atmosphere highlighted by a lively parade and a plethora of bars per capita.”
Reno, Nevada, ranks No. 4, and two other of the states’ cities — No. 16 Henderson and No. 18 Las Vegas — are in the Top 20. The only other city west of the Mississippi River in the Top 20 is Santa Rosa, California.
Here are some other report findings:
*No. 6 New York City has the highest number of Irish pubs per capita — 29 times more than Nashville, the city with the lowest number per capita. New York also has one of the lowest numbers of DUI-related fatalities per capita — 60 times less than McAllen, Texas, the city with the highest number.
*No. 11 Naperville, Illinois, has the highest share of Irish population — 73 times greater than Hialeah, Florida, the city with the lowest share. Naperville also has the lowest violent-crime rate — 47 times lower than Memphis, the city with the highest rate.
*Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has the lowest average beer price — 1 1/2 times less expensive than Anchorage, Alaska, the city with the highest average price.