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Easter Holiday in NYC: Great Ideas from the Discount Detective
Spending Easter holiday in New York City? You’re in luck! If not, make
plans to do so! Why? You’ll find a vast array of cheap, discounted and free holiday fun. April showcases New York City bursting with cheerful spring flowers, brightly colored clothing, church bells pealing, delicious meals, and hymns wafting in the air. It’s the time to walk, stroll, and enjoy all that the outdoors has to offer. New York City has no shortage of Easter holiday fun. The temperature is more comfortable for spending time outside. So, let’s venture outdoors!
ANNUAL EASTER PARADE
On Easter Sunday, walk in or gawk at the Annual Easter Parade beginning at 10:00 am and running until 4:00 pm. This tradition dates back to the 1800s and the Civil War days when society ladies and gentlemen would parade their new Easter outfits after attending church. You’ll see unusual paraders with VERY unique bonnets stroll along Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th Streets. You will also enjoy seeing a myriad of pets in their Easter finest. There is always plenty of entertainment, beautiful floral displays, and, of course the Easter bunny! The best part is that it’s all FREE. It’s the perfect way to spend your Easter holiday!
TIP: The best place to watch is the area around St. Patrick's Cathedral.
EASTER EGG HUNTS AND FESTIVALS
Easter Fun Fest
Sunday, April 24, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Trinity Wall Street, Broadway at Wall Street
FREE
Trinity Wall Street celebrates Easter with scavenger and egg hunts, a puppet parade, a visit from the Easter Bunny, plus lots of other family fun. Click here for more details
Meet the Easter Bunny and Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 24, 2011
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Stuyvesant Town Oval
Between 16th and 18th Streets and Avenues A & B
elephone: 212-598-5296
The free festivities start with an Easter Egg hunt (two hunts; one for ages 3-5 and the other for ages 6+) through two playgrounds. Following this fun, all children will return back to the Stuyvesant Town Oval to meet the Easter Bunny! Finally, the Easter Bunny will distribute chocolate bunnies to all the making this a wonderful Easter holiday celebration.
Upper West Side Easter Egg Hunt
April 16, 2011
10:30 AM - 12:00 Noon
The North Lawn of Riverside Park
North-West corner of 79th Street and Riverside Drive
Join a fun-filled morning of egg hunting and decorating, crafts and face-painting. Kids ages 0-10 will collect as many eggs as they can and turn them in for some sweet surprises. This event is free and open to the community.
Click here for details.
Holiday Easter Eggs at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Date: Sunday, April 24, 2011
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
212 West 83rd Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues
212 721-1223
Price: $10 (museum admission) for children and adults.
Participate in a paper Easter egg scavenger hunt, create your own colorful Easter egg collage, and design a beautiful sparkle Easter egg.
CHERRY BLOSSOMS
April is official cherry blossom season in New York City. To celebrate these beautiful flowers and your Easter holiday, head to the The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. It’s worth the trip. Or, venture to the The Brooklyn Botanical Garden for a fine display of cherry blossoms and the Japanese tradition of Hanami, viewing the beautiful blossoms as they come to life. Did you know that The Brooklyn Botanical Garden has the largest collection of cherry trees anywhere, with the exception of Japan? Yup, it’s true. You can also view a beautiful display of cherry blossoms lining the footpath along the Central Park reservoir. While you’re there, take in the the Central Park Zoo.
CONEY ISLAND
Coney Island is a great place to enjoy great rides, a stroll on
the boardwalk, the original Nathan’s hotdog stand, a romp in the ocean. Coney Island has undergone a complete renovation. Think you’ve been on the biggest roller coaster? Think again. The Cyclone roller coaster, built in 1927, is one of the nation's oldest wooden coasters still in operation. It includes an 85-foot, 60 degree drop. My son and husband took a ride (yes, I was too chicken to go) and turned green. They LOVED it and bought a T-shirt to prove they met the challenge. Located directly on the beach, Coney Island also has a huge assortment of rides with special ones perfect for young children. You’ll also find the Brooklyn Cyclones ballpark, a minor league baseball team.
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION IN CENTRAL PARK
2011 date and time to be announced
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Come celebrate Earth Day at the Bandshell, the historic concert grounds in the heart of Central Park. Pack a picnic and bring a blanket and enjoy live performances, planting and mulching projects, tree care demonstrations, environmental education, and crafts with recycled materials. More details to come! Free, and for all ages! For more information, please visit www.centralparknyc.org/earthday or call (212) 860-1370.
NEW YORK AQUARIUM
New York City boasts one of the best aquariums in the United States. With the lovely spring weather, the New York Aquarium is a perfect option for the family, couples or just about anybody during Easter holiday! Click the link for hidden discount options, great visitor tips, and details to make your visit a perfect one.
TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL
Tribeca Film Festival April 20 – May 1, 2011 Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff founded the Tribeca Film Festival in 2001 following the attacks on the World Trade Center, New York City to stimulate economic revitalization of the lower Manhattan. The festival showcases hundreds of films premieres, often with the director or a cast member available for questions and insights. It’s an incredible opportunity not to be missed. Take advantage of the many free events,family events suitable for kids under 8 years old, and the Family Street Festival on May 1. The all-day festivities are filled with entertaining performances, activities, local merchants, a free (ticketed) screening of Snowmen, and much more.
TIP: Subscribe to my My Blog and Daily Deal for discount options to the Tribeca Film Festival.
WALKING TOURS
Easter holiday is the perfect time for a walking tour. You can enjoy the sunshine while soaking up New York City’s history and lots of fascinating information. There is an almost unlimited supply of FREE and discounted tours from which to choose. Click here for my extensive list and tips.
TRAVELING WITH KIDS?
If you are traveling with children, check out my best tips for keeping crankiness to a minimum! I guarantee that there is AT LEAST one tip that will help you during any day in New York City. Click here and scroll down to the very bottom of the page.
