By: Meg Atteberry
If you’re feeling lucky these days that should come as no surprise. With winter winding down and the luck of the Irish on the horizon there are plenty of outdoor activities you can enjoy this St. Patrick’s Day. Get outside and soak up the spring celebrations with a variety of fun-filled things to do that the whole family will enjoy.
Go on a Bike Ride
Pump up your tires and hit the road with a fun-filled day out riding. Mountain biking season is in full swing for many warmer parts of the US, making it an ideal time to hit the trails if you’re into riding in the dirt.
Snow still covering the landscape? Then take advantage of a sunny spring day and ride around town. You don’t have to be deep in nature to enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors. Plan a bike ride to an Irish bakery in town. Or go on an urban adventure through a new neighborhood.
Either way, plan to bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen so you can maximize your ride time. Stop and listen to the birds. Enjoy tulips blooming in a local park, or ride to your favorite view.
Check Out a Parade
St Patty’s Day Parades are a time-honored tradition. Let’s face it, getting outside and being social is the perfect way to shake off the winter blues and welcome the season of green. Attend a local parade or head to a new area and see how they celebrate the lucky season. Check out Irish heritage festivals with live music, dancing displays, and food tastings.
Hike Somewhere Green
Instead of wearing green this St Patrick’s Day, opt to get outside and hike somewhere green instead. Tropical locales like Hawaii and Florida are bursting with greenery, while some of the more mild-weather states are starting to see more greenery popping up after a long, cold winter.
Getting out to hike in the fresh air can make you feel a bit more alive as well. Can’t find anywhere green? Then plan a day poking around your local botanical gardens. Their greenhouses are packed with exotic plant life that celebrates the season all year long!
Or Wear Green Where it’s Red
The American Southwest is the perfect place to get away this time of year. With warming temps, but milder crowds than the busy summer months, the desert makes for the perfect outdoor getaway this St Patty’s Day. And the best part? Green really pops in the red desert landscape, so you’ll feel extra festive if you sport a green hiking outfit amongst sandstone giants.
Create a Celtic Maze
Get into your Irish heritage by creating your own Celtic maze in your backyard. These straight or spiral designs made of rock are plopped into the landscape to create a pattern you can walk through. Be as complex or simple as you’d like, then walk your maze just as the ancient Celtics did. Just don’t create mazes on public lands since disrupting the natural landscape can be harmful to plants, animals, and other visitors.
Plan a Shamrock Hunt
Get friends and family together and go for a 4-leaf clover hunt. A perfect activity for young children, you can have everyone over for a festive day of being outdoors and searching for 4-leaf clovers - or shamrocks - in clove patches. Plan a potluck so there are plenty of tasty treats themed in green to add to the celebration.
Getting outside for St Patrick's Day is a great way to feel the festive spring air. With the thawing of winter, there’s no better way to get outside than to wear your favorite green shirt and celebrate the luck of the Irish.
About the Author: Meg Atteberry
Meg ditched the 9-5 world as an architect in pursuit of adventure. Now a freelance writer for the outdoor industry, she’s made it her life’s work to inspire others to say “yes” to adventure. From the remote wilderness areas of Colorado, to exploring a foreign country, Meg specializes in off-beat destinations for the intrepid soul. You can find her in the backcountry searching for the perfect camp spot in her home of Colorado.
