easter in new york city

you may be able to buy a metrocard at the airport -- sometimes newsstands and bodegas and such will sell them, so it's possible that the La Guardia installation of Hudson News or whatever might.

but you can also pay in exact change, no bills. so just pack 8 quarters, and you're good.

in terms of easter, i don't know. it's usually pretty quiet, in terms of local holidays. there's a parade in the afternoon in the usual spot on 5th. people wear ridiculous hats. attending easter mass at one of the bigger churches in town (St. John the Divine, Abyssinian Baptist, St. Patrick's etc.) might be interesting, if you swing that way. but it's nowhere near what you see at Christmas, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's day, etc.

Yeah, Easter is usually a low key event here. Most, if not all, businesses will be open, but I don't know of any special events.

There's an Easter parade but I don't think that's anything to write home about. Basically it's any ordinary weekend.

I agree with 2 and 3 -- it's a pretty secular city. If you're looking for particular events, check out the free NY Press or another magazine -- Time Out NY or New York magazine.

I think some of the attractions on coney island open for easter weekend. If you are into it, and the weather is good, it'll be a good chance to see coney without the summer crowds.