Top of the morning, New Yorkers! 🍀
Are you feeling lucky? That might just be because St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow! All across the city, bars, restaurants, and neighborhood pubs are gearing up to celebrate the joyous holiday with lively parades, flowing pints of Guinness, and plenty of Irish music and dancing.
As far as places to be on St. Patrick’s Day, New York City is a great choice. From the iconic New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade marching up Fifth Avenue, to packed pubs and sea-of-green crowds across the boroughs, the city comes alive in true St. Patty’s Day spirit.
But with all the fun going on, the city has put in some new transit measures to ensure that travel is as safe and efficient as it is fun, according to a recent press release by the MTA.
Here are all of the transit changes and updates to know about for Tuesday, February 17th.
🚆 Extra LIRR and Metro-North Trains to Manhattan
To help parade-goers travel into Manhattan, the MTA is adding additional service on both regional railroads.
🚄 Long Island Rail Road Extra Service
The Long Island Rail Road will run additional trains to bring riders into Manhattan.
Extra westbound trains will operate on:
- Babylon Branch – 2 additional trains
- Ronkonkoma Branch – 2 additional trains
All of these trains will stop at Grand Central Madison, which places riders just a short walk from the parade’s starting point.
🚄 Metro-North Extra Service
The Metro-North Railroad will also add service to Grand Central Terminal.
East of Hudson Lines (Hudson, Harlem, New Haven):
- 4 extra inbound trains to Manhattan
- 2 extra outbound trains after the parade
West of Hudson Lines (Pascack Valley and Port Jervis):
- 1 additional train on each line
Metro-North says it will monitor crowds in the afternoon and add trains as needed to handle the post-parade rush.
🇮🇪 When and Where the Parade Takes Place
The annual New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins Tuesday, March 17th at 11 am
- Route: Fifth Avenue
- Start: East 44th Street
- End: East 79th Street
- Spectators: Around 2 million people
- Marchers: Roughly 150,000 participants
First held in 1762, it’s widely considered the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world.
Because of the massive crowds, public transit—especially the subway and regional rail—remains the easiest way to reach the parade route.
🚊 Best Subway Lines to Reach the Parade
The easiest way to reach the parade route by subway is the Lexington Avenue Line.
Key subway options include:
- 4, 5, 6 trains – run along Lexington Avenue near the full parade route
- E or F trains – stop at 5 Av–53 St
- N, R, W trains – stop at Lexington Av–59 St
- B, D, F, M trains – stop at 42 St–Bryant Park or 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center
From these stations, it’s only a short walk to Fifth Avenue.
Temporary Subway Access Changes
Due to parade crowd control, some entrances will close:
- The stairs to the N, R, W station at 5 Av–59 St on the west side of Fifth Avenue
- The entrance at the southeast corner of Fifth Avenue and 60th Street
Riders should follow posted signs and staff directions.
🚌 Bus Reroutes Across Manhattan
Because the parade runs up Fifth Avenue for more than 30 blocks, many bus routes will be temporarily rerouted.
Routes expected to be impacted include:
- M1
- M2
- M3
- M4
- M5
- M31
- M50
- M55
- M57
- M66
- M72
- M79 SBS
- Q32
- Most Manhattan express buses
Riders should check real-time updates using the MTA App or TrainTime before heading out.
🍀 Follow the Shamrocks on the Subway
To celebrate the holiday, the MTA is even adding special shamrock-themed symbols on signage along the Lexington Avenue subway line. These festive markers will help guide parade-goers to the stations closest to the route.
📋 Plan Ahead Before You Go
If you’re planning to watch the parade or join the celebrations, the MTA recommends checking service updates ahead of time. Use the MTA App or TrainTime for real-time schedules, service alerts, and route changes.
With millions expected to attend the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, planning your trip in advance will help you spend less time navigating crowds—and more time enjoying the festivities.
So throw on your green, grab your friends, and get ready to celebrate! 🍻🍀