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Looking for things to do in NYC on Easter Sunday?
Many NYC holiday weekends have a lot of adult geared activities – Halloween, St Patrick’s Day, and Christmas, for example.
However, Easter brings a lot of family and kid-friendly festivities, meaning it is a great place to bring the whole family for a spring break trip to NYC.
This guide is filled with inspiration for things to do for Easter in New York.
Whether you want to splash out on an indulgent brunch or find free Easter activities, there are tons of Easter day events in NYC to enjoy.
Things to Do for Easter in New York
Listed below are things to do in NYC during Easter weekend.
Since Easter is a holiday, you may see accommodation prices increase so book early to avoid disappointment.
And if you’re visiting NYC on a budget, this guide can help.
Some of the suggestions are indoor activities, others are outdoor attractions so pack accordingly.
Spring weather in NYC can be finicky, but if you get caught in the rain, this guide will be super helpful.
We’ve specifically included Easter-focused events for all the family, aside from the boozy Sunday brunch!
What to Do During Easter Weekend in NYC
Easter Parade in NYC
The Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival is the ultimate Easter Sunday event in NYC.
It dates back to the 1870s and is firmly embedded in NYC culture.
It begins in the morning and starts at 49th Street and 5th Ave and marches north to 57th Street, but don’t let the short distance fool you.
It’s less of a march and more of a stroll – and it lasts for around 6 hours.
You can watch from the sidelines, but you’ll want to take part in the most famous of all the Easter activities in NYC.
Anyone can join in, providing they complete the only and very important requirement: dress the part; the more flamboyant, the better.
However, if you don’t have time to create an outfit worthy of walking down New York Fashion Week, you can be in this NYC parade as long as you have an Easter bonnet.
While any hat is technically a bonnet, an Easter bonnet is big, loud, and colorful – the more attention it grabs, the better.
Take a Cruise
You can choose an Easter brunch cruise or an Easter egg hunt cruise.
Both depart from Pier 36 (299 South St) and will have Easter bunny photo ops and amazing NYC skyline views.
If you’re not too fussed about the Easter aspect, consider the very popular cruise which can be booked through Viator and GetYourGuide.
St Patrick’s Cathedral Easter Mass
Even if you aren’t catholic, attending Easter Sunday mass at the 200+-year-old Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic St Patrick’s Cathedral (5th Ave between 50th/51st St) is one of the wonderfully historical things to do on Easter in NYC.
If attending Mass isn’t your thing, you can also do a self-guided or guided tour of the stunning building.
St Patrick’s Cathedral is centrally located near the biggest shops and Manhattan attractions.
One of NYC’s hidden gems lies beneath St Patrick’s Cathedral, its catacombs, which you can visit with this guided tour, by candlelight!
Find the Best Blooms
When you visit for Easter in NYC, you’ll see the most gorgeous blooms everywhere you look, but if you have your heart set on something specific, our cherry bloom guide will tell you when flowers will bloom and which parks you’ll find them in.
The guide reveals where to find the best blooms in many of NYC’s boroughs including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
Walk Around the High Line
Take advantage of the spring weather during Easter and pair your activities with walking around some of NYC’s famous spots, like the High Line.
Springtime makes it the perfect time to take in the fresh air and stunning views of the place, which is built on a former elevated railway track running along Manhattan’s West Side.
You’ll find lush gardens, art installations, and outdoor seating areas for visitors to relax in the area.
If you prefer to do this by tour, here’s a 2-hour High Line Chelsea, and Meatpacking walking tour, which includes a tour of Chelsea Market, where you can pick up some seasonal produce.
The High Line skirts the Chelsea neighborhood, which is a nice location for accommodation.
Check out the Selina Chelsea hotel for rates at Expedia, Hotels, and Booking.
Visit New York’s Botanical Garden
New York’s Botanical Garden is an attraction that’s perfect for anyone looking for something different while they’re celebrating Easter in NYC.
Every year, from late February to early May, the place hosts the Orchid Show to celebrate the beauty of orchids, so you’ll definitely be able to catch the show during your visit.
The show features thousands of orchids in all shapes and colors, displayed in unique installations as well as hands-on and educational activities for visitors.
This pass gives you access to all of the gardens.
Where Go for Easter Egg Hunts in NYC
You can’t take a family trip to NYC and not go on an Easter egg hunt when there are so many options all over the city!
They all have a unique flair, but no matter which you choose, you’ll leave NYC with an Easter bunny photo and a basket full of colorful eggs.
Read this guide for more fun NYC spring activities.
NYSoM Easter Eggstravaganza
The NYSoM Easter Eggstravaganza lives up to its name with crafts and activities around Ester.
Families can also expect an appearance by the Easter bunny, giveaways, and face painting.
It is one of the most popular free easter egg hunts in Manhattan.
Children’s Museum Of Manhattan
The Children’s Museum Of Manhattan’s (212 West 83rd Street) Annual Easter Scavenger Hunt is a staple for family-friendly easter activities.
They also have other activities, such as arts and crafts and musical performances.
Town Square Annual Egg Hunt
Bring the kids to an old-fashioned egg hunt at Brooklyn’s Town Square Annual Egg Hunt.
Activities include a snap with the Easter Bunny, arts and crafts, and listening to live music.
Queens Easter Festival
You’ll get not one but two free Easter egg hunts in Queens, NY!
The first is at the Queens Easter Festival, Gantry Park, and the other is in Queensbridge Park.
Both feature carnival games, live entertainment, and age-specific egg hunts.
Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
Hunt for eggs in style on the grounds of 18th-century Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (895 Shore Road, Bronx), where children 12 and under will hunt within the walled gardens.
It’s also one of the places where you can meet the Easter Bunny in NYC.
Easter at The Mount
For a full day of fun, head to Staten Island’s biggest Easter event, Easter at The Mount (6541 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island).
This is where the whole family can join in on the buffet breakfast, hunt for the 3,000+ eggs, and even get a photo with the Easter bunny for the perfect NYC souvenir.
Where to Eat on Easter Sunday in NYC
Brunch in NYC is a sacred weekend ritual throughout the year, but many places go all out for Easter Sunday with prix fixe menus, over-the-top creations, and beautiful decor.
If (for whatever reason) brunch isn’t your thing and you’d prefer to go out for an Easter dinner in NYC, you’re still spoiled for choice, no matter what you’re craving.
Or, for the ultimate foodie experience, why not do both?
Have the ultimate European experience with brunch in a fancy French bakery, dine at a traditional Greek taverna, or stick to American classics with brunch in an exclusive Fifth Ave spot and dinner under the twinkling lights in Central Park.
You can also find more restaurants in our guide to romantic things to do in NYC.
Ladureé Soho
Go all out for a fancy Easter brunch in NYC at Ladureé Soho (398 W Broadway).
This upscale French bakery offers a gourmet brunch complete with a bag of Ladurée Chocolates to take home.
Plant Bar NYC
For a plant-based brunch, try the very photogenic and trendy Plant Bar NYC (1204 Broadway).
It does vegan cocktails so you can sip away guilt-free.
The Polo Bar
Located next door to the Fifth Ave Polo flagship store, The Polo Bar (1 E. 55th St) is generally only open for dinner service but makes an exception for a luxurious Easter Sunday brunch filled with classic American staples.
Aquavit
Aquavit (65 East 55th St) is a two Michelin star Scandinavian restaurant that offers a 3-course annual Smorgasbord feast concluding with their signature colorful Princess Cake.
Tavern on the Green
Tavern on the Green is an iconic NYC eatery located in Central Park (67th Street & Central Park), and its highly rated 4-course dinner menu will please even the fussiest eaters.
For drinks, you can sit around the bar, and for dining, you’ll get views of the courtyard from the conservatory.
Osteria Morini
If you don’t know where to go on Easter Sunday for dinner, look no further than Osteria Morini (218 Lafayette Street).
It’s not just about the food here!
Yes, you’ll get an incredible Italian meal, but you’ll also experience a spectacle as you watch the chef cook in the semi-open kitchen space.
Kellari Tavera
If Easter Sunday dinner has you craving lamb, head to Kellari Tavera (19 W 44th St.), where the authentic Greek menu will include all sorts of delicious classics.
You might even get live music all night long too.
Things to Do During Easter Monday in NYC
The Easter Sunday festivities don’t extend to Monday, but there is one unofficial age-old tradition you’ll love – discounted candy!
While you’ll find bags and bags of discounted sweets in every grocery store, you absolutely have to check out some of New York’s most popular sweet spots for a treat and a souvenir all in one.
Looking to explore more places in the city? Read our ultimate NYC bucket list guide.
Economy Candy
The oldest candy shop in NYC, Economy Candy (108 Rivington Street), has everything you could ever imagine, including all your Easter candy favorites.
Dylan’s Candy Bar
Dylan’s Candy Bar (20 Hudson Yards) is an explosion of color and candy that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a real-life Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.
MarieBelle New York
MarieBelle New York (484 Broome St) is filled with gorgeous chocolate creations.
You can also visit their Cacao Bar for indulgent hot chocolate, coffee, and expertly-made pastries.
Mondel Chocolates
Mondel Chocolates (2913 Broadway) is an NYC institution infamous for its devoted fan, Katherine Hepburn, who said it had “the best in the world”.
Li-Lac Chocolates
Visit Manhattan’s oldest chocolate house, Li-Lac Chocolates (75 Greenwich Ave), where you can get beautiful Easter chocolates that you’ll be tempted not to eat and put on display instead.
Watch the chocolates being made from the window of the Sunset Park, Brooklyn store.
Where to Stay in NYC This Easter
Manhattan
- Pod Times Square for a modern, competitively priced Manhattan hotel in a great location at Expedia, Hotels, and Booking.
- Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center for cheaper rates with good transport options on Expedia, Hotels, and Booking (image below).
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this guide has given you many fun ideas for things to do in New York during Easter.
From NYC Easter events to brunches to hunting for the most elaborate chocolate eggs, you’re sure to have an adventure-filled weekend that the whole family can enjoy.
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