Regardless of religious beliefs, Easter festivities can be fun for all in the family – especially in a city like New York!
From the Battery to the Bronx, a few interesting events are going to make it a great way to spend the weekend with the family.
Here are the highlights of what to watch out for this weekend:
Barnyard Easter Egg Hunt
Floral Park, Queens
On April 15, take the kids to meet Whiskers the Bunny at the Queen’s County Farm Museum in Floral Park. There’ll be egg tossing, egg rolling, the famous Easter Egg hunt, plus “bunny hop” dancing, and the obligatory hayride.
Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival
Fifth Avenue (49th – 57th Streets), New York
Spanning 10 blocks, the Easter Day Parade in New York City has been a city tradition since the Civil War. The parade (April 16) is free to visit and is unique for the various bizarre, outlandish, and creative hats that are worn by attendees — a practice that was born in the 1800s, when upper-class ladies used to flaunt their high-fashion headgear after Easter church services. Be prepared for big crowds, and leave the car at home.
Evergreens Cemetery’s Easter Eggstravaganza
Bushwick Avenue, Brooklyn
While a cemetery might not be the most likeliest of locations for a kids event, Evergreens is perched on scenic rolling hills and covered in greenery and is just the perfect location for an Easter egg hunt. On the afternoon of April 15, there are activities for the whole family, including an exciting appearance by the Easter Bunny (around 2-3pm) himself. There’s also a petting zoo, which is sure to have plenty of cute and cuddly bunnies to enthrall the kids.
Skate with the Easter Bunny
600, Fifth Avenue, New York
Kids will love the opportunity to skate along with the Easter Bunny at The Rink at New York’s famous Rockefeller Center on Easter Sunday. Why not plan an Easter brunch experience in one of the nearby restaurants as well? Kids will be happy to dig into some food after all that skating, and parents can enjoy a few mimosas to celebrate the day.
Easter Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Fifth Avenue, New York
The towering St. Patrick’s Cathedral is undoubtedly one of New York’s most famous landmarks – and the perfect place to celebrate Easter. The Easter Sunday mass is world famous, and truly a sight to behold – although due to immense demand, the 10:15 mass is ticketed only.
Easter Day at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
West 83rd Street, New York
Easter-themed events occur at CMOM every year (all with an educational twist), and this year is no exception. The main highlight will be the much-anticipated Annual Museum-Wide easter Egg Hunt on April 15-16, which is sure to make little ones scurry about with enthusiasm.
If you like the idea of spending Easter in Manhattan, it’s not too late to find some last-minute cheap flights to New York!