By Melissa Kaufman

As days become longer amid the blossoming assortments of vibrant flowers, the Spring and Easter season is underway, with pastel colors, bunnies and Easter eggs making their anticipated return. Whether it is dyeing eggs, baking sweet treats, posing for photos or enjoying a meal with the Bunny, Easter in Hunterdon County is sure to please the taste buds and preferences of most with many offerings returning this year, after a brief hiatus last year when many restrictions were in place. Prepare your Easter baskets, bonnets and festive holiday attire and celebrate the season while enjoying exciting egg hunts, hearty meals, sweet treats and many other plentiful holiday options at some of these favorite and/or exclusive Hunterdon County spots.

Easter Egg Hunts & Bunny Meet & Greets

As one of the most anticipated and exciting activities of the Easter season, many area locations are once again offering outdoor Easter Egg Hunts for all to enjoy. Whether indoors or outdoors, many locations throughout the county are offering exclusive photo or meet and greet opportunities with Easter’s favorite bunny during the Egg Hunts! Some do require reservations, so be sure to check for the latest updates & requirements and to reserve your spot. Don festive holiday attire, pose with the Bunny and hunt for Easter eggs to commemorate the 2021 Easter season with family & friends at some of these area locations:

NOTE: Be sure to check each location’s website, social media pages, or call before heading over or schedule in advance, as offerings and schedules are subject to change.

Schaefer Farms Spring Easter Egg Hunt

When: Saturday, March 27 & Sunday, March 28; Friday, April 2 & Saturday, April 3, 11am-3pm, each day

Where: Schaefer Farms, 1051 County Rd 523, Flemington

Hop on over to Schaefer Farms and delight in their annual Spring Easter Egg Hunt! For $12 per egg hunter and $8 per adult, enjoy a hayride to the egg hunting fields, where hunters will search for 10 candy-filled eggs, plus the chance to find the golden egg and win a prize! Also plan to visit with the Easter Bunny, himself and visit with all the farm animals on-site!

Enjoy a day outside on the farm, while celebrating the season and holiday and be sure to stop by the Farm to Fork Food Truck from 10am-3pm, to fuel up after a day of hunting and exploring the farm.

East Amwell Township Easter Egg Hunt

When: Saturday, March 27, 11am-12pm

Where: Clawson Park, 1055 Old York Road, Ringoes (be sure to confirm location via website or by phone)

Open to children in grades 5 or below, bring along your own basket and prepare for hunt for eggs on the park grounds! Also be sure to bring along canned or dried food donations to help those in need. Be sure to check the township website for latest updates and information: https://www.eastamwelltownship.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=2132

Clinton Township Spring Easter Egg Event

When: Saturday, March 27 at 10am

Where: Bundt Park, 8 Red Schoolhouse Road, Lebanon

Offered at $5, for toddlers through children up to third grade and for residents of Clinton Township only, enjoy a DJ, wagon parade and contest (decorate your own wagon and enter to win a prize!), egg hunt – be sure to bring along your own basket and follow the Easter Bunny to the hunt area for prizes & goodies! Visit the township page for the latest updates and information: http://www.clintontwpnj.com/index.aspx?page=32&recordid=457&returnURL=%2findex.aspx%3fpage%3d1

Easter Egg Hunt at Ort Farms

When: Saturday, April 3 at 10am-3pm (schedule is still being fine-turned, be sure to check the event’s Facebook page for the latest information and updates

Where: Ort Farms, 25 Bartley Road, Long Valley

Specific details regarding the Easter Egg Hunt are slated to be released soon and will include various events in addition to a classic Easter Egg Hunt! Prepare your baskets and get ready to hunt!

High Bridge Borough Easter Bunny Procession & Easter Basket Contest

When: Saturday, March 27 at 6pm (Easter Bunny Procession) Sunday, April 3 (Easter Basket Contest winners announced, basket photos to be submitted via email by midnight, April 2)

Where: Event route for the Easter Bunny Procession is to be announced. Check the borough website for the latest updates, route and information as it becomes available: https://highbridge.org/news-events/events/

Follow along and enjoy a Procession featuring the Easter Bunny, himself. The route is still to be determined and will be posted via website once set. Also, dress your Easter baskets to the nines and submit up to three photos of the basket with your name, address and phone number to events@highbridge.org no later than midnight, April 2 for the chance to win one of three prizes!

Alba Vineyard Adult Easter Egg Hunt 

When: Saturday, April 3 & Sunday, April 4, reservations are required – three seatings: Noon, 2pm, 4pm (tables for 2-6 people) Time slots are 1 hour 45 minutes each, timeliness is strongly encouraged to be COVID-19 compliant.

Where: Alba Vineyard, 269 Riegelsville Warren Glen Road, Village of Finesville, Milford

Open to those 21 and over ONLY, partake in an adult egg hunt in the vineyard! As the vineyard states, “Why should kids have all the fun?!” Enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt in the vineyard, adult-style! Purchase a wine flight and earn the chance to hunt for eggs and search for a numbered egg (1 egg per-person) corresponding with a prize (corkscrew, wine glass, wine discount) Reservations are required and can be made via Open Table.

Payment is required upon check-in and the purchase of a wine flight is required to participate and are available as Classic – $22 per person, Reserve $32 per person, or Gold Club Only at a 50% discount. Fuel up while enjoying a wine flight and purchase Charcuterie offered at $16 per person and enjoy meats, cheeses, mixed Italian olives and crackers, or choose Small Bites offered at $20 per person, comprised of mini-charcuterie cups, roasted tomato & grilled cheese, and more.

Visit the vineyard’s website for the latest information, details and to make reservation.

Miscellaneous Easter Events/Community Celebrations:

Beyond traditional Easter egg hunts and bunny photos (some of these below also offer bunny photos!), many communities throughout the county are also offering unique and versatile events and celebrations to commemorate the Easter and Spring season. Whether it is a virtual baking session, an in-person food fest, holiday painting session, train ride with the Bunny, or other creative activities, the festivities are plentiful and are sure to satiate appetites and provide enjoyable opportunities to suit many interests.

Easter Bunny Express at The Black River & Western Railroad

When: Saturday, March 27 at 10am, 12pm & 2pm, Sunday, March 28, at 10am, 12pm & 2pm & Saturday, April 2, at 10am, 12pm & 2pm

Where: Departs from Flemington Station, 80 Stangl Road, Flemington

Offered at $19.99 per person (over age 12) and $14.99 (children 3-11) and free for children under 3, seated on an adult’s lap, celebrate the holiday on an exciting train ride through the towns of Flemington and Ringoes! While aboard, enjoy visits with Peter Cottontail for a brief photo opportunity, as well as an Easter egg hunt at Ringoes picnic grove! Be sure to bring your own bag or container for egg collection. Reserve online via website, as space is limited.

Paint Party Farm Take-Home Easter Kits

When: The 14 Take-Home Easter kits for crafting are available now for pre-order and can be picked up Monday, March 22-Saturday, March 27. Reserve a kit through commenting on Facebook or by emailing: paintypartyfarm@gmail.com.

The Spring Take Home Kits in partnership with East Amwell PTO are to be ordered by Friday, March 19 and can also be picked up Monday, March 22-Saturday, March 27.

Where: Pickup the kits at Paint Party Farm (Located at Pastime Farm), 24 Rosemont Ringoes Road, Ringoes

Flex your creativity and inner artist and check out Paint Party Farm’s Facebook page to review the specifics of each of the 14 Easter Kits they offer. Each of the 14 kits are available for either $22 or $25, depending on the kit and come with all necessary supplies. Options include: a 16” standing bunny kit, 18×12 Wooden Hatching Chick, 22×15 Easter Egg Truck, 22×16 Hip Hop Bunny Kit, and many other kit options. Pre-order online via social media or email and either pay in advance or at pickup.

Additionally, Paint Party Farm and East Amwell Township PTO have teamed up for Spring Take Home Kits! Craft a masterpiece while supporting the local school district, as each kit is available for $28, with $5 to be donated to the PTO and includes all items necessary to craft.

Wake up & fuel up with the Bunny for breakfast or brunch and enjoy festive holiday favorites such as waffles, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, ham and other delectable goodies and savory bites at some of these establishments & pop-ups throughout the county:

Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn Easter Brunch

When: Sunday, April 4, Brunch offered 10am-1pm, reservations are required.

Where: Lambertville Station Restaurant & Inn, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville

Join Lambertville Station Restaurant for scenic views and a relaxing Easter Brunch with family and friends from 10am-1pm. Enjoy flavorful options including: Three Cheese Omelet, Ham & Eggs, French Toast Combo, Classic Eggs Benedict and many more, including a Children’s Brunch option. Prices vary according to entrée selection. Reservations are required and can be made online.

Mountain View Chalet Easter Brunch

When: Sunday, April 4, 10am-1:30pm, reservations are strongly encouraged due to limiting seating capacity and can be made via phone, as well as takeout orders: (908) 735-4660

Where: Mountain View Chalet, 154 Route 173, Asbury

Enjoy a filling Easter Brunch at Mountain View Chalet with options including Avocado Toast, Beet Salad, as well as soup du jour, entrees include breakfast favorites such as Nutella French Toast, Stuffed Pancakes, Homemade Waffles, Vegetable Frittata, Lox Bagel and more, as well as lunch options such as Veal Milanese, Chicken Francaise and Baked Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese. A kid’s menu will also be available and includes Eggs any style, Waffles, Pancakes, Mac ‘n Cheese and Chicken Tenders. Add a dose of sweetness to brunch with Fresh Fruit and Pastries of the Day.

Easter Sunday Dinner:

Commemorate the holiday with a relaxing and flavorful evening meal amongst family and friends while dining at one of these establishments, opt to take-out a prepared meal to be enjoyed from the comfort of home or even pick up seasonal, local ingredients to prepare your own holiday meal from scratch. Whichever route you choose, at these county locations, the result is sure to be a flavorful and bountiful one, leaving bellies full and satisfied:

Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn Easter Dinner

When: Sunday, April 4, Dinner offered 2-8pm, reservations are required

Where: Lambertville Station Restaurant & Inn, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville

Join Lambertville Station Restaurant for scenic views and a relaxing Easter Dinner with family and friends from 4-. Enjoy flavorful options including: French Onion Soup, Lobster & Crab Bisque, Caesar and other salad options, Roasted Rack of Lamb, Honey Glazed Ham, Wild Mushroom Wellington, Lancaster Chicken and numerous others. Select entrees can also be customized to meet dietary preferences, such as gluten-free. Prices vary according to entrée selection. Reservations are required and can be made online.

Mountain View Chalet Easter Dinner

When: Sunday, April 4, 2-6:30pm, reservations are strongly encouraged due to limiting seating capacity and can be made via phone, as well as takeout orders: (908) 735-4660

Where: Mountain View Chalet, 154 Route 173, Asbury

Enjoy a filling Easter Dinner at Mountain View Chalet and delight in appetizers such as Clams Casino, Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms, Vegetable Thai Spring Rolls and more, soup du jour, as well as a Classic Caesar & Chalet Salad, and main entrees, such as Cappellini Villabella, Crispy Roasted Half Duckling, Grilled or Blackened Salmon, Filet Mignon and many more. Indulge a sweet tooth with desserts (available as whole or slices) including Cheesecake, Raspberry Crumb Cheesecake, Carrot Cake, Double Chocolate Mousse Cake and more. A kid’s menu is also available and offers Chicken Tenders and Mac ‘n Cheese.

The Olde Mill Inn & Grain House Restaurant Easter Dinner (Dine-In & Take-Out)

When: Sunday, April 4, 11:30am-6pm, for reservations call: (908 )221-1150; Easter Take-Out Dinner orders must be placed by 3pm on Wednesday, March 31 and picked up on Sunday, April 4 between 12 and 3pm.

Where: The Olde Mill Inn & Grain House Restaurant, 225 Route 202, Basking Ridge

Reserve a table and enjoy a full, prix-fixe Easter Dinner for $62, plus tax & gratuity per person or $25 per child (ages 4-11). Offerings include: a Classic Canape Plate comprised of mini Maryland crab cakes, smoke salmon toast and numerous others; Family Style Salad for the Table, Choice of Entrée which includes Braised Lamb Shank, Scallops, Applewood Smoked Ham and more, plus Family Style Sides for the Table. End the evening on a sweet note with dessert: a Family Style Warm Cobbler served with Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream!

Also available is a full Easter dinner meal as a small package serving 4-6 people ($169.99) or a large package serving 8-12 people ($269.99). Both packages include: choice of salads, entrées, pasta, vegetable, starch, rolls & butter and dessert. Additional offerings can be added to each package for an additional fee.