Here in New Orleans, we do things differently than the rest of the country. Even the Easter holiday is an excellent excuse for festivities, with family and friends all starting at Hotel Monteleone.
Are you planning to visit our French Quarter hotel this Easter Holiday — before, during, or after? Here are a handful of ways to celebrate Easter with friends and family in New Orleans.
1. Experience an Egg Scramble in Carousel Gardens Amusement Park.
This family-friendly event begins on Saturday, April 1, before Easter, with various Egg Scramble event dates throughout the week. Expect to see an egg hunt, music, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and unlimited Amusement Park rides located in City Park. From Hotel Monteleone’s location, you can hop on the Canal Streetcar and enjoy a nice walk in the park on your way to the egg hunt. And stop for a cup of coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde while you are out there.
2. Watch the Crescent City Classic from Midcity to the French Quarter.
The Crescent City Classic 10K is an Easter weekend tradition in New Orleans that dates back to 1979. Every Saturday before Easter, it draws more than 20,000 to downtown New Orleans.
While the race features plenty of competitive runners worldwide, there is also a fun charitable element to the race. The “Run For It” Program partners with local charities to raise $1 million annually for local programs. Many of the charity runners take a festive approach to their race-day attire — donning colorful tutus and unique costumes.
3. Enjoy an Easter Parade in the French Quarter.
When you stay at our French Quarter hotel, you’ll be in the heart of the action for Easter Sunday. That’s because three groups parade annually through our downtown New Orleans neighborhood.
The Historic French Quarter Easter Parade rolls from Antoine’s Restaurant at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 9, 2023, to St. Louis Cathedral for 11:00 a.m. Mass. Participants typically feature mule-drawn carriages and classic convertible cars, with riders passing out trinkets like stuffed Easter bunnies to children along the parade route.
Later, around 2:00 p.m., the Chris Owens French Quarter Easter Parade starts at the corner of Royal and St. Louis streets two blocks from Hotel Monteleone. Expect a colorful procession of brass bands, dance groups, and more.
Finally, the Gay Easter Parade rolls through the French Quarter around 4:30 p.m. with local members of the LGBT community showing off their Easter Sunday finest.
Brunch at Criollo Restaurant
Every family has Easter traditions, and we would love for you to make our onsite restaurant, Criollo, part of yours. With live Jazz entertainment from 11:30am – 2pm, and 75 cent French 75’s, Criollo offers a perfect opportunity for guests craving an elegant Easter brunch after the parades.Â
Are you craving a hot egg benedict for breakfast? The Crab Cake Benedict is a crowd favorite. It features a Gulf blue crab, poached eggs, and béarnaise sauce for a hearty meal that can’t be beaten. Other New Orleans-inspired breakfast choices include our Eggs Tchoupitoulas with two basted eggs, boudin blanc, fried green tomato, and buttermilk biscuit, or our New Orleans Beignets with praline sauce and strawberries.
If you prefer the lunch side of brunch, Criollo is a seafood lover’s delight, and the Jumbo Lump Crabcakes or Pan Seared Diver Scallops offer a delicious start to your day.
We hope to see you for brunch at Criollo soon.
Whether you’re spending all of Easter weekend with us or just planning to stop by The Carousel Bar & Lounge for a Bloody Mary during parade breaks, we hope to see you soon! Are you planning to dine at Criollo on Easter Sunday? Be sure to reserve your table today!
