Whether you don't have an Irish bone in your body or grew up on The Emerald Isle, everyone is at least a little bit Irish on St. Patrick's Day. There are countless celebrations of the March 17 holiday throughout the United States and one of the best is the St. Patrick's Day Parade through Washington D.C., which kicks off its 41st year on March 11 in 2012.

In addition to the parade, it simply would not be St. Patrick's Day without a smaller-scale celebration as well, and a dinner cruise in Washington, D.C., is a great way to do so. You and your fellow revelers can hop aboard the Odyssey to enjoy an experience like no other. In addition to delicious, fresh-prepared cuisine, everyone on board will be treated to a beautiful view of our nation's capital.

Although a dinner cruise is a great way to end the day, it all starts with the parade. The first marchers step off at noon and go down the city's famous Constitution Avenue, which separates the National Mall from the Federal Triangle. With such a central location, the parade route passes a long list of famous landmarks including the National Gallery of Art, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Constitution Gardens.

Though the route is impressive a lot depends on where you are watching the parade from, and few places are better than the grandstands. Not only will these seats give you a birds-eye view of the procession, but they are located next to the judges' booth so you'll get to see every performance and float at its best.

The Washington D.C. St. Patrick's Day Parade has changed a lot since its first year in 1971. Back then, it traveled down Massachusetts Avenue, but three years after its inception it moved its route to the current location. Although this year's lineup is not entirely set, if previous incarnations are any indication those in the audience will be treated to everything from pipe bands to military police to marching bands.

The only thing better than celebrating St. Patrick's Day is doing so in one of the best cities in the country, and being in the audience for the parade, along with the dinner cruise afterward, will certainly provide an experience to remember.