As vaccines are rolled out and lockdowns are lifted, it’s time to start planning for the next family holiday: Easter, of course! If you’re struggling to think of Easter weekend activities and you happen to based in Canada, the US or Mexico, sit back and relax – we’ve got a couple of ideas for you.
This year, Good Friday falls on the 2nd of April, which means Easter Monday falls on the 5th of April. Make sure you keep those dates in mind when planning your Easter weekend – you wouldn’t want to book your break for the wrong week, a classic Easter weekend mistake. Once you’re sure you’ve got the dates right, the part starts; planning your Easter weekend activities. From hitting the slopes in Canada to cave diving in Cancun, we’ve rounded up the best things to do for the Easter weekend for those of you living in the Americas. (Psst, if you’re looking for things to do for Easter in Europe or the UK, we’ve got a few ideas for you too.)
While all of the things to do on this list may not be open or available just yet, we hope they’ll offer some inspiration – and we’ll be crossing our fingers for a reopening in time for Easter.
Easter weekend activities in Canada
1. Go back in time and visit Medieval Times Canada (Toronto)
For those who’ve been fantasising about royal banquets and jousting tournaments since the first time they saw A Knight’s Tale, this one’s for you. Medieval Times Canada, located in Toronto, is the ideal opportunity to don your finest tunic (or hurry to the nearest fancy dress store to find one), feast on a medieval-inspired banquet, and cheer on your favourite knight as he jousts his way to victory.
But wait, don’t swoon just yet. Just like an actual medieval tournament, the knights will not merely be jousting – they’ll be showing off their other military skills, too. You’ll get to watch them battle it out in a sword fight and show off their skills with a mace. And if all that wasn’t enough for you, the royal falconer and his faithful falcons are also a part of this epic show.
Whether you’re a Toronto local and looking for a way to boost your Easter weekend in Canada staycation or you’re on holiday in the city and on the hunt for fun Easter weekend activities, this insight into the medieval tournament makes for a fun night out for everyone.
2. Discover Whistler Village and Shannon Falls (Just outside of Vancouver)
Escape the hustle and bustle of Vancouver and get back to nature with a trip to the quaint and quiet Whistler Village and the famous Shannon Falls. Fans of the great outdoors will adore this opportunity to get up close and personal with a thundering waterfall and everyone else will appreciate the cute factor of Whistler Village.
As the highest waterfall in British Columbia, Shannon Falls is one spectacular sight. The falls are 335m high – which is roughly the same height as an 80-storey building! Both kids and adults will delight in the deafening sound of the waterfall and the dizzying heights from which the water falls.
Once you’ve had your fill of Shannon Falls, head to Whistler Village. Although Whistler is predominantly known for its ski resort, it’s also a top spot in the summer months. Make yourself comfortable in one of the many restaurants and cafés that line the pedestrian-only streets or continue your outdoor adventure and explore the hiking trails or the mountain biking routes.
Why make this one of your Easter weekend activities? For one thing, the Easter holidays fall within the low season which means fewer fellow tourists to jostle past. And for another, during spring the water levels are higher, which results in a louder and more impressive Shannon Falls. What more reason do you need to book your trip?
3. Test your imagination with Niagara Falls’ Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Oddities, fun facts and the downright shocking are all on offer at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum. Add in Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks and Ripley’s 4D Moving Theatre and no one will miss the Easter egg hunt!
Let’s start with Ripley’s Believe it or Not! museum. Featuring all things weird and wonderful, this interactive museum is a good Easter weekend activity for adults and kids alike. Learn a little about a whole lot and have a whole lot of fun while you’re at it. Some top exhibits include a model of the World’s Tallest Man (who you can measure yourself against!) and a Tibetan skull known as a Kapala, which… well, we won’t ruin the surprise!
The next Ripley’s attraction on the itinerary is a 4D Moving Theatre. Strap in for back-to-back 3D films and prepare to feel, rather than just see, the effects.
Onto Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks: this attraction has something, or rather someone, for everyone. With over 200 waxwork models to browse through and interact with, you and your fellow viewers are sure to have a good time character-spotting.
Enjoy a pass for all three of these fun and ridiculous attractions or pace yourself with a ticket to just one of ‘em to beef out your list of Easter weekend activities.
Top tip for Easter in Canada: Temperatures range between 0℃ and 10℃, so leave your swimming attire at home for this trip. Rain is also fairly likely so don’t forget to pack a raincoat for everyone.
Easter weekend activities in the US
4. Keep things traditional with an Easter egg hunt or an Easter parade
Whether you’re hanging out in New York, San Francisco or Orlando, there are plenty of Easter weekend activities in the US. Create the perfect family Easter weekend itinerary by including both traditional Easter activities, like Easter egg hunts, and more adventurous things to do.
Easter is widely celebrated in the US so you’ll have your pick of Easter parades to see and Easter egg hunts to join. Some of the best Easter parades include the Fifth Avenue Easter Parade in New York City, Easter on Parade in Richmond and the Easter Parade in Atlantic City. Unfortunately it remains to be seen whether the Easter parades and public Easter egg hunts will go ahead. Good thing thing you put on your own fantastic Easter egg hunt at home with a range of treats from your local grocery store!
5. Have a whale of a time at SeaWorld Orlando
It may still a little too chilly for some beachy Easter weekend activities, but it’s never too early to visit the aquarium. A trip to SeaWorld Orlando is one of the best Easter weekend activities we can think of in Florida.
This world-renowned attraction is a children’s favourite thanks to its combination of rollercoasters and animal interactions. Hop on a few rides, see a few seals, jump on another rollercoaster, learn about eels. By the end of the day, you’ll all be tuckered out!
SeaWorld Orlando is a good pick for parents on the lookout for Easter Break activities that are both fun and educational. So if you’re keen to combine a lesson about coral reefs and tidal pools with some rip-roaring rollercoaster fun, I think we’ve found your family’s Easter Break activity.
6. Ride out the Easter Break at Coney Island’s Luna Park in New York
You could hang around New York this Easter, you’ll certainly find plenty of Easter weekend activities. But will that something be an amusement park with 28 different rides, one of which has been called ‘The Mother of American rollercoaster culture’?
If you’re spending this Easter in New York and that’s caught your attention, you’ll be pleased to know that the amusement park in question is Coney Island’s Luna Park. Just a 30-minute drive from Lower Manhattan, Luna Park is a capital way to soup up your 2020 Easter Break. And if you were on the hunt for Easter ideas for kids, consider the search done!
Both New York locals and visitors to the city will have a grand old time tumbling on rides and relaxing on carousels. The only question you’ll be left with is: when can you go again?
7. Geek out at the Exploratorium in San Francisco
If you’re desperately trying to show your 10-year-old that science can be fun, here is your proof. The Exploratorium in San Francisco is an interactive kids’ paradise and the antidote for anyone who thinks museums are boring.
Featuring more than 650 exhibits that span topics like art, science and human perception, the Exploratorium is an awesome Easter weekend activity for families. From learning about what the inside of a storm looks like to peering at eggs through a microscope, there’s no shortage of knowledge and fun ways to absorb it here.
So, enjoy the usual Easter egg hunt and a good dose of chocolate, but add a visit to this fascinating museum too.
Easter weekend activities in Mexico
8. Live out your tropical dreams at Xplor Park in Cancun
Shake things up a bit with a trip to the all-entertaining Xplor Park in Playa del Carmen this Easter.
With ziplining, cave exploring, swimming and river rafting on the agenda, Xplor Park is the perfect Easter weekend activity for kids. Outdoor, adventure-loving adults will also delight in the many different zipline options and the abundant opportunities to relax in the sun.
Worried about the weather? Fear not. In April, Mexico’s temperatures average out at a pleasant 26° Celsius. So you can work on your tan while you’re mastering river rafting and conquering ziplines without getting chilly.
9. Aqua-int yourself with the Museum Punta Nizuc in Cancun
If you’re looking for something a little different to do while you’re spending Easter in Mexico, this is just the thing: Cancun’s jaw-dropping underwater Museum Punta Nizuc.
Quietly existing just 4m beneath the ocean’s surface is a beautiful collection of sculptures. The project was established by English sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor in 2009. Each sculpture is made of specialised minerals which are designed to help coral life.
You can enjoy this one-of-a-kind attraction by snorkel tour or glass-bottomed boat tour, or both!
10. Monkey around in Akumal
If you’re spending your Easter weekend in picturesque Akumal, add this jungle tour to your Easter weekend activities agenda.
The Akumal Monkey Sanctuary is a special and interactive way to teach kids and adults alike about Mexico’s animals. Engage with spider monkeys and other animals native to Mexico and then head off to the breath-taking Río Sagrado cenote.
Once you arrive, have a dunk in the natural pool and appreciate your beautiful surroundings, including epic rock formations, and thank yourself for choosing this as your Easter weekend activity!
Top tip for Easter in Mexico: Prepare for balmy temperatures and a longer Easter if you’re going to be in Mexico for the April long weekend. Easter in Mexico is celebrated slightly differently than the usual long weekend, with two weeks being devoted to the celebration of this holiday. Most schools and businesses will close over this two-week period and it’s one of the country’s busiest holiday periods of the year.
