Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11, and there are lots of ways to celebrate the special women in your life! Whether your kids plan to make you breakfast in bed or if you’re going out to brunch, you can still plan a fun weekend activity.
Kid-oriented activities are fine the other 364 days of the year, so make sure that on Mother’s Day you get to do something that you want to do! While children may prefer a day at the arcade over time spent at a garden, this is your day mama, so get everyone dressed up in their colorful spring clothes and go frolic outside (if that’s your thing). One of my favorite Mother’s Days was one we spent at Wave Hill in the Bronx, but there are plenty of other beautiful local gardens, from NJ Botanical Garden to Rutgers Gardens to Grounds for Sculpture to choose from.
My other favorite thing to do on Mother’s Day, when it’s feasible, is a spa day (okay, spa hour). At Alchemy Mind & Body, they have outdoor hydrotherapy tubs that you can soak in before or after your treatment (now that is a Mother’s Day dream come true!). The Spa and Salon at Golden Nugget Atlantic City is offering the Mom’s Sweet Serenity Package, which includes a warm citrus massage followed by a brightening facial, and the Bahama Mama Manicure & Pedicure.
Treat your family to a staycation, like at the ultra-luxe Pendry at Natirar. Hike nature trails, book a service at the spa, sit for high tea, or take a cooking class at Ninety Acres. Cape May is never a bad idea and one of my favorite things to do there is railbiking with the fam. Or plan afternoon tea at a lovely tea room in NJ.
Here are some other great ways you can spend the day dedicated to you!
May 8-11
Mizuho Americas Open
Liberty National Golf Club, Jersey City
Thursday – Sunday
Golf fans can watch as pros from the LPGA, plus 24 of the top junior golfers, compete on the course. There are opportunities for you to volunteer on the course or behind the scenes.
May 9-10
Kelly Clarkson
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City
The Grammy Award-winning singer and talk show host hits the stage in AC.
May 9-11
Mother’s Day Wine Trail
Throughout New Jersey
There are dozens of wineries and vineyards through the Garden State Wine Growers Association that will have events with tastings, food and live music.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
NJPAC, Newark
For the past 26 years, this has been a Mother’s Day Weekend tradition. Each performance is a slightly different mix of African American cultural heritage set to spirituals, song-sermons, gospel and holy blues.
May 10
May Blooms Sip & Shop Vendor Market
Garden State Distillery, Toms River
This free local craft and vendor market – in time for Mother’s Day gift-giving – brings together local makers, artisans and small businesses where you can shop for one-of-a-kind items while sipping craft drinks.
Mother’s Day Carriage Rides
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Go back in time at this gem where you’ll be pulled around the pasture in a horse-drawn carriage.
Azalea Festival
Sayen Gardens, Hamilton Twp.
The annual Mother’s Day weekend event includes a magnificent display of over 250,000 flowering bulbs, dogwoods, azaleas and rhododendrons, which you can see as you do some vendor shopping, order from food trucks, listen to live music, and take a tour inside the Sayen House. Mothers can head inside the house for free family portraits.
Gardens of Cape May Tour
Cape May
During the self-guided tour, you’ll visit two private homes, the Colonial House and the Emlen Physick Estate. At Emlen you can walk through the gardens of the Victorian estate and museum, shop from local vendors, talk with Rutgers master gardeners, and have some free wine courtesy of Cape May Winery.
Downtown Hopewell Mocktail Crawl
Downtown Hopewell
Hit 15 different businesses that will be serving alcohol-free drinks as you shop local.
Brunch & Bingo
Inn of Cape May
Compete for prizes during bingo, check out the fashion show by Lace Silhouettes/Cotton Company, and have a breakfast buffet.
Mothers’ Day Crafts & Collectibles Show
Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May
Shop for – or with – your mom from a selection of handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts at this outdoor crafts & collectibles show. You can also purchase a ticket to the Garden Tours of Cape May and enjoy a wine tasting on the grounds. Live music will be played by C. Lynne Smith.
Mother’s Day Planting Make n’ Take
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Young gardeners will pot and decorate a flower (or herb) pot, and make a handmade card, as a gift for their mom or grandmom.
May 10-11
Asbury Park Spring Bazaar
Grand Arcade at Convention Hall, Asbury Park – Saturday and Sunday
The Asbury Hotel, Asbury Park – Sunday only
The weekend will feature shopping, arts & crafts and music to celebrate Mother’s Day. Activities include shopping, a photo wall, a flower bouquet bar, Mother’s Day brunch at Seahorse, food and drinks at Asbury Oyster Bar, face painting and workshops.
Season Opening of Doo Wop Museum
Doo Wop Experience Museum, Wildwood
One of the best pop culture museums in the U.S., as voted by USAToday readers, will reopen for the season during Mother’s Day weekend, with its nostalgic displays, giant neon signs, Tiffany lamps and jukebox.
Resin Cheese Board Workshop
The Bloomin Cottage, Phillipsburg
Make a resin cheese board designed like the ocean at a workshop. Every mom will get a flower and a crystal to take home.
Mother’s Day Open Swim
Five Star Swim School
Saturday: Cherry Hill, East Hanover
Sunday: Deptford, East Brunswick, Eatontown, Edison, Galloway, Princeton
Families can swim together in the heated pool for an hour, with mom having fun for free.
Mother’s Day Revolutionary Weekend
Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
Celebrate the inspiring, trailblazing women who played vital roles during the Revolutionary War – from flag makers to camp followers to an American prisoner-of-war. Weekend highlights include the new Banners of Liberty exhibit, a Mother’s Day card craft, a make-your-own pincushion activity, a talk on The Baroness von Riesdesel, a performance by Elizabeth Freeman, and a pen-and-ink sketch of Continental Army soldiers and campers. Moms get a free carnation on Sunday.
Mother’s Day Celebration
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
The celebration includes the Furry Friends “Mommy & Me” Dance Party, a Mother’s Day craft, and a sticker giveaway. You can reserve a spot at the Mother’s Day Dine with Elmo & Friends.
May 11
Mother’s Day Express
Woodstown Central Railroad, Woodstown
Take an old-fashioned train ride, where you’ll travel 18 miles round-trip between South Woodstown and Mannington, traveling over Salem County’s first railroad line that dates back to 1863. You can sit in coach or the caboose, and opt for a Continental brunch or Charcuterie BYOB.
Mother’s Day Pamper & Bloom Spa Mixer
Angela Branch Skin Care, Elizabeth
During this wellness brunch, the relaxing spa-inspired atmosphere will include chair massages, mini facials, manicures, custom mocktails and mimosas, gift bags, giveaways, and women-owned vendors. Every mom will get a curated gift bag.
George Wallace’s Mother’s Day Celebration
NJPAC, Newark
Celebrate mom — and all the special ladies in your life — at one of two shows with the comedy legend.
Mother’s Day Jewelry Making Party
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
You and the kids can design a necklace, bracelet, earrings or keychain together using colorful beads, charms and accessories.
Plant & Sip Terrarium Workshop
Fern & Fossil in Newark
Spend Mother’s Day designing your own succulent and crystal ornament.
Sussex County Miners Mother’s Day Barnyard Brunch
Skylands Stadium, Augusta
Before the Minor League Baseball team takes the field against the Trois-Rivières Aigles, have a pre-game brunch at the stadium’s newest restaurant, The Barnyard. After the game, kids can run the bases and get autographs from their favorite team members.
Moms Climb Lighthouse & World War II Tower
Cape May Lighthouse and World War II Tower, Cape May
Climb the 199 steps up the original, cast-iron spiral stairway to the top of the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse and see a beautiful view of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean, Cape May Point State Park, and Cape May Point Borough. You can also climb the World War II Tower to see the sixth-floor spotting gallery. You’ll see a Wall of Honor that pays tribute to local residents who served during World War II.
Spring Pop-Up Shop
Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, Galloway
During brunch, families can enjoy a photo booth and a pop-up flower shop powered by Absecon Bloom. There will also be a curated selection of handmade goods who will offer items for last-minute Mother’s Day gifts.
Mother’s Day at The Track
Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport
Free activities include admission to the track for moms, clowns, face painting, pony rides and a bounce house in the picnic area.
May 17
Zen and Petals Mother’s Day Retreat
Van Saun Park, Paramus
Mothers and mother figures will be treated to some much-needed TLC with a free yoga class and flower arranging workshop.
- Jennifer Amato contributed to this story.
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