12 hopping ways to celebrate Easter in metro Atlanta

Best Easter egg hunts in Atlanta

Grab your basket full of eggs, and throw on your best spring attire because Easter is right around the corner.

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Whether you want to snap a picture with the beloved Peter Cottontail, munch on a delicious brunch, or make your way to an unforgettable Sunday morning service, there are plenty of ways to stay busy with your family and friends during the holiday weekend.

Easter Brunch at South City Kitchen

Feast on a tasty meal at South City Kitchen. The restaurants’ chefs will be cooking up a two-course southern brunch for patrons. Come with an empty stomach, because the menu will include a plethora of options, including strawberry citrus-mascarpone French toast, shrimp and geechie boy grits and hanger steak and eggs.

Apr. 21. $35 for adults, $17.50 for children. South City Kitchen Vinings. 1675 Cumberland Parkway SE, Smyrna. 770-435-0700. vinings.southcitykitchen.com.

Easter Service at Stone Mountain Park

Watch the sunrise at Stone Mountain Park as you enjoy one of two simultaneous, inter-denominational Easter services at 7 a.m. This year, the sermon at the top of the mountain will be delivered by former Billboard Top Ten artist Montell Jordan of Victory World Church, and the one on the Memorial Lawn will be led by Rev. Robert Mason of For Eternity Christian Church. A third Easter service will be held at 9 a.m. at the Stone Mountain campground with a message by Dan Parker of the First Baptist Church.

7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Apr. 21. $20 parking fee, free for church vans and buses, $15 for Skyride round-trip, $12 one-way. Stone Mountain Park. 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 800-401-2407. stonemountainpark.com.

Lanier Islands Easter Celebration

Take a day trip or a weekend excursion to Margaritaville at Lanier Islands. From the evening egg hunt and sunrise service to the pony rides and visits with the Easter Bunny, there’s no shortage fun-filled, holiday events taking place at the resort.

Apr. 20-21. Various prices. Lanier Islands, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford. 770-945-8787, lanierislands.com/easter-spring-break.

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Easter Brunch at McCray’s Tavern

Stop by McCray’s Tavern for a delightful brunch at the Midtown, Smyrna or Lawrenceville location. With more than 30 menu items to choose from, including quiche lorraine, glazed ham and prime rib at the carving station and bloody marys galore, the buffet style spread will be serving up hot meals all afternoon.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Apr. 21. $29.95 for adults, $9.95 for children 12 and under. McCray's Tavern Midtown, 1163 West Peachtree St. NE #100, Atlanta. 404-937-6444. McCray's Tavern Lawrenceville, 100 North Perry St., Lawrenceville. 770-407-6754. McCray's Tavern Smyrna, 4500 West Village Place, Smyrna. 678-370-9112. mccraystavern.com.

Sandy Springs Artsapalooza

Hop on over to the weekend-long gathering that features up to 150 painters, photographers, sculptors, glass blowers and jewelers, who are prepared to talk all things art. You can even stick around for demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities available for both kids and adults.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Apr. 20-21. Free admission. 6100 Lake Forrest Drive, Sandy Springs. 770-730-5600, sandyspringsartsapalooza.com.

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Celebrate Easter: A Culture Exploration at Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Make your way to the Children’s Museum of Atlanta for Easter. Visitors will be able to participate in the egg scavenger hunt, learn the Bunny Hop and build their own arts and crafts. The kiddos will also have an opportunity to stick around for theater shows and storytime.

11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Apr. 20-21. $15.95. Children's Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW, Atlanta. 404-659-5437, childrensmuseumatlanta.org.

Trap Kitchen Easter Brunch Pickup

Don’t have time to sit down for breakfast or lunch? Just pick up your food. The Trap Kitchen chefs from Los Angeles will be in Atlanta Easter Sunday serving up their most famous recipes. The pickup location will be revealed the day before the event.

1 p.m.-4 p.m. $30-80. Location to be announced online the day before the event. eventbrite.com.

Easter Arts Market

The market will include more than 20 local vendors who will be on site selling arts, crafts, body care, coffee, candles and more. As you browse the booths, you will be able to devour some bites from Artistic Soul Catering and hear live performances from Kristi Michele and Allen Thomas. And don’t forget to visit the craft table to decorate some eggs.

11. a.m.-5 p.m. Apr. 21. Free admission. East Atlanta Village Farmer's Market, 561 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-919-3619, cfmatl.org/eav.

Easter Brunch and Petting Zoo at The Battery

The Omni Hotel at The Battery is hosting a Southern-inspired brunch that will include build-your-own shrimp and grits, made-to-order waffles and omelets and so much more. Children 12 and under will receive a craft to take home and guests over 21 will be handed a complimentary mimosa on arrival. After you fill your belly, go to the onsite petting zoo to cuddle chicks, lambs, bunnies and goats.

11 a.m-3 p.m. Apr. 21. $40 for adults, $15 for children 5-12, free for children under 4. Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta, 2625 Cir 75 Pkwy SE, Atlanta. 678-567-7327, omnihotels.com.

Natural Egg Dyeing at Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Drop by ABG to learn about plants that contain powerful dyes that create stunning colors. During the interactive session, you will paint three eggs. All ages are welcome, and no registration is required.

10 a.m.-noon. $5-6. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-876-5859, atlantabg.org.

Eggfest 2019

Activities for the entire family will be underway at the Easterfest. There will be bounce houses, inflatable games, pony rides, live music and food vendors including Chick-fil-A. Kids from nursery to 6th grade will also have a chance to fill their baskets with goodies during the egg hunts.

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Apr. 20. Free admission. The Lovett School, 4075 Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta. 404-923-8700, mountparan.com/events/eggfest-2019.

2nd Annual Egg Extravaganza

DeKalb County’s Annual Egg Extravaganza is back for the second year. The event will include vendors, face painting, a bounce house, giveaways, photos with the Easter Bunny and an egg hunt that will be split into six age groups.

2 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. Exchange Park, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur. 404-371-2000, dekalbcountyga.gov.

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