As a north-south thoroughfare, Dorchester Avenue ("Dot Ave") connects downtown Boston with its southern suburbs. Starting near Boston's South Station, Dot Ave continues alongside the Four Point Channel until it reaches into neighborhoods such as Dorchester, Savin Hill, and Fields Corner. As you go south on Dot Ave, you will notice the number of café's and stores on either side of you. Further down you even run into parts of Southie, Boston's large Irish-American neighborhood which attracts thousands of visitors every year for the famous Saint Patrick's Day Parade. For quicker access to the varying attractions on Dot Ave, you can always use the MBTA Red line, which travels parallel to the lengthy road.