The best things to do for Easter in NYC

This parade is all about the hats—lavishly decorated, from the exquisite to the outlandish. Anyone is welcome to join, just show up near St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 10am on Easter Sunday (March 31, 2024) to watch or saunter with the group up Fifth Avenue. The tradition dates back to the 1870s, so you might even see some participants in period costumes. But the highlight is the elaborate bonnets, some of which are truly over-the-top. 

All revelers are welcome. The only requirement is a bonnet, the more whimsical the better.

Brunch is competitive in New York City any time of year, and interest ticks up even higher on holidays. On Easter Sunday in particular, which falls on April 9 this year, demand for mimosas, bloody Marys, eggs Benedict and all manner of pancakes soars higher than rooftop bars. It's a good time to plan ahead, is all, and these restaurants are receiving some of the best Easter brunch offerings in NYC this year. 

Hop aboard a City Cruises experience for a festive meal on the water. Easter brunches is available on Sunday, March 31. 

During the brunch, expect a 2.5-hour cruise aboard New York’s European-inspired, glass-enclosed vessel on the Bateaux New York Easter Premier Plus Brunch Cruise. Taste specialty wines, sip unlimited mimosas, dine on a gourmet with table service, and enjoy live DJ entertainment to kick off the special morning. 

Easter brings with it the seasonal reopening of La Barca Cantina, the beloved floating Mexican restaurant on a three-story yacht on the Hudson River—New York's only destination of its kind.

On March 31, the on-boat eatery located at Pier 81 at 41st Street and 12th Avenue will kick off the 2024 season with a special Easter brunch featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet complete with specialty cocktails. 

All-inclusive adult tickets cost $99 while kids will be able to join for $59 each. You can purchase boarding passes right here. 

The Easter fun lasts all week during The Great East Midtown Easter Egg Hunt. From March 23 to 30, kids under 12 can visit businesses throughout East Midtown to hunt for Easter eggs. 

How it works: Each participating business will have candy-stuffed eggs hidden at their location beginning Saturday, March 23 for kids to look for on a first-come, first-served basis. Each location will also have one golden egg hidden, which is redeemable for an extra special prize for the hunter and their parents. To make sure kids all over the city have the chance to participate all week long, kids are kindly asked to hunt one egg per location.

The event's hosted for the first time by the East Midtown Partnership, a business improvement district. Here's the full list of participating businesses.

With their vibrant colors, delicate ruffles, and dramatic shapes, orchids love to show off their looks. This spring, the New York Botanical Garden is giving the divas of the plant world their moment in the spotlight as part of “The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion.”

Three up-and-coming designers created massive installations inspired by these fashionable flowers. In one, you'll see orchids turned into avant-garde clothing. Another features a regal orchid queen. The final section draws upon AI to create anthropomorphic creatures who don floral outfits. Florals in Fashion is on view from February 17 through April 21 at NYBG in the Bronx; adult tickets cost $35.