Moms deserve the world! From a whitewater rafting family adventure to cooking classes at The Culinary Institute of America to vibrant flower festivals, New York has something special for every mom and maternal figure in your life. Read on for some unique ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in the Empire State. 

For the outdoorsy one

A family of five sitting on an overlook on Big Crow MountainCredit: @megan9141215818 on Instagram

Does your mom love to spend time in nature? Treat her to a day among New York’s millions of acres of outdoor wonder. For moms who appreciate a good hike and even better views, traverse some of the country’s greatest terrain! Take in more than 14,000 acres of scenic beauty at the “Grand Canyon of the East,” admire 19 waterfalls on a hike through Watkins Glen State Park, or stroll through Catskill Mountain views along the Catskill Scenic Trail. The Minna Anthony Nature Center found at Wellesley Island State Park in Fineview is hosting a Mother’s Day event that includes an early hike followed by a complimentary yoga class and relaxing chair massage from River Wellness in Clayton. A paddling paradise awaits for moms who love to spend time on the water. Experience the New York City skyline from a new perspective with a Skyline Kayak Tour, or rent from Kayak Shak and paddle out on sparkling Saratoga Lake. Pump up the tires and surprise mom with a bike trip. Stunning waterside vistas and historic towns await along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, and Buffalo’s Canalside offers rentals, a lively atmosphere, and great views of the Erie Canal. 

For the adventurous one

WildPlay Jones BeachCredit: @rmdragon on Instagram

Take Mother’s Day to new heights (literally) with an adrenaline adventure! Race down Class IV rapids with Adirondack River Outfitters on the Hudson or Black River Gorges. Experienced whitewater rafters may want to give the Moose River adventure a try; it’s one of the wildest in the Northeast. Zoom along the 700-foot oceanside zipline (pictured) at WildPlay Jones Beach or climb through more than 100 aerial adventure games and face the 40-foot What’s to Fear Jump. Does mom have a need for speed? Let her become a race car driver for the day at Watkins Glen International’s Drive the Glen days, where the 3.4-mile Grand Prix circuit is open to the public!

For the plant lover

Rows of pink cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic GardensCredit: @maginnyc on Instagram

Does mom have a green thumb? The Albany Tulip Festival (free) takes place each year at Washington Park on Mother’s Day weekend and showcases more than 140,000 tulips alongside two stages with live entertainment, food vendors, and more. From May 10-19, Rochester holds its annual Lilac Festival (free) at Highland Park, featuring the largest collection of lilacs in North America, music, art, food, races, and more. Celebrate mom on May 11 at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens at the One-Stop, Mom Shop (included in regular admission), where you can sip on a Mom-osa, shop from local artists and vendors, grab a bite to eat, and let her pick out a new plant to add to the collection. Revel in the blooming beauty of cherry blossoms and other spring flowers at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Weekends in Bloom (April 27- May 12, free with admission). There will be casual, pop-up music and dance performances, morning programming for kids and families, garden tours, and more. Bring mom to the flowers at Old Westbury Gardens for a Mother’s Day celebration (included in regular admission), where you’ll take a tour of the house and blooming gardens, and a lavender plant to take home. 

For the history buff

Children dressed in historical clothing play in front of the Genesee Country Village & MuseumCredit: @judymcadoopelton.fireside on Instagram

Got a mom who’s obsessed with history? These events are sure to create some monumental memories that’ll last a lifetime. Spend the day at the Genesee Country Village and Museum in Mumford, the largest living history museum in New York State. On Mother’s Day, moms get free admission and the village will be showcasing what life was like for 19th-century mothers. Explore the historic homes, kitchens, and heirloom gardens, and be sure to stop for a 19th-century pastry from the D.B. Munger & Co. Confectionery. Step back into the Victorian era at the Historic Museum in Palmyra, once known as the “Queen of Erie Canal towns.” Snag tickets for the historic Mother’s Day Brunch on May 11, which includes an exclusive tour of the general store and Phelps family home as well as a decadent brunch served in the family parlors. 

For the artsy one

Corning Museum of GlassCredit: Corning Museum of Glass

Is your mom always crafting and creating? Bring her to a one-of-a-kind arts and crafts experience at the Corning Museum of Glass. Grab tickets to explore the museum, home to the world’s largest collection of contemporary and historical glass. Afterward, make your own Mother’s Day-themed glass tile or suncatcher at Mother’s Day Fusing ($26/person, offered April 29 - May 12). If painting is more your style, head to the Oneida County Historical Society for a Historical Sip and Paint ($45/person) on May 11. Follow along with your guide while you paint your own version of the Verona Beach Lighthouse from Oneida Lake. 

For the jokester

Interior of the National Comedy Center

Give mom the gift of laughter this Mother’s Day at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown! Crack all the jokes as you make your way through more than 50 interactive exhibits like Comedy Karaoke, Make a Meme, Hologram Theater, and The Johnny Carson Immersive Experience. Let the good times roll and grab dual admission tickets to the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, celebrating the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz with original costumes, props, awards, and recreations of the I Love Lucy sets. 

For the sports enthusiast

Ice rink surrounded by red stadium seats at Olympic Center and Museum in Lake Placid.Credit: @mustumm on Instagram

Looking to knock Mother’s Day out of the park? Your sports-loving mom is sure to have a blast at the Lake Placid Olympic Legacy Sites. Explore the history of the two-time Winter Olympic Host City through six main exhibits at the Olympic Museum, take a tour of Mt. Van Hoevenberg, skate along the paths of world-class athletes in 1932 Jack Shea Arena or 1980 Herb Brooks Arena at the Olympic Center, and more. If mom loves baseball, take her to its historic hometown of Cooperstown! There you’ll find the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum filled with three floors of exhibits, artifacts, and the Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery. Plus, it’s baseball season! Take mom out to a major or minor league ball game throughout the state. 

For the foodie

A chef teaching a woman and a girl to cookCredit: @cia.foodies on Instagram

Impress mom with a unique dining experience. New York Kitchen in the Finger Lakes is celebrating moms with a Mother’s Day baking class ($165/two people) on May 11, where you’ll bake delicious cherry almond cookies and plum galette. The following day, join the kitchen for Mother’s Day Brunch For a Queen ($80/person) and create the perfect Sunday brunch with your chef instructor. Lemon ricotta pancakes with berry compote, candied maple bacon, and fruit salad are all on the menu, and mom will get a complimentary mimosa. Spoil mom with fine dining at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park at one of the five student-run restaurants. For a hands-on experience, grab tickets for the Mediterranean Cooking Class ($250/person) on May 11, where you’ll explore the flavors from Provence, Southern Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, and North Africa. Sip and celebrate mom at Liberty Vineyards in Sheridan for a Mother’s Day Wine Tasting complete with a free DeBran chocolate truffle. A weekend of gourmet goodness awaits at Catskill Cuisine (May 10-12) at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, where mom can experience an impressive lineup of A-list celebrity chefs like Scott Conant, Marcus Samuelsson, Michael Symon, and more. For something truly special, book a private multi-course Mother’s Day brunch ($59-$129/person) on May 12 with celebrity chefs Anne Burrell and Melba Wilson. 

For the one who likes being pampered

Flames shoot out of a welcoming fire pit inside the great porch at the Wildflower Farms resortCredit: @wildflowerauberge on Instagram

It’s no secret, moms work hard! Give mom the gift of R&R (with or without the family) with an indulgent weekend getaway. Let her unwind at a Victorian castle resort in the mountains at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz for an all-inclusive Mother’s Day Weekend. Alongside daily meals, wellness classes, and an award-winning spa, the weekend is packed with activities, live music, nightly campfires, Tomahawk throwing, archery, arts and crafts, a Mother’s Day Grand Buffet, and more. Treat mom to a weekend of tranquil relaxation among nature at Wildflower Farms Resort (pictured) in Gardiner. One-of-a-kind experiences like a pressed flower pottery class, sound healing sessions, a Mother’s Day brunch, yoga, and more are available throughout Mother’s Day Weekend as well as other on-site amenities including the spa. 

For the animal lover

A family of four gathered around a touch tank while a boy holds a crab at the Long Island Aquarium

Does your mom have a soft side for animal friends? Take her to Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, where she’ll meet sloths, wolves, sugar gliders, toucans, penguins, alligators, kangaroos, and more. Throughout Mother’s Day Weekend, moms get free admission and you may even get to see animal moms with their babies throughout the park. Meet more than 700 animals from tiny poison dart frogs to Amur tigers to baby Eletwins, Yaad and Tukada, at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse. On Mother’s Day, savor a delicious brunch ($18.95-$35.95/person) alongside animal friends, and afterward stroll the grounds (zoo admission is included with brunch ticket). Create treasured memories under the sea at the Long Island Aquarium. On Mother’s Day, enjoy a tasty brunch from the sea star ballroom. Admission to the aquarium is included with your brunch purchase, so be sure to say hi to the sharks, sea lions, and more than 565 species of fish. 

For the one who likes to travel in style

A green and black train with a yellow stripeCredit: @visitoneidacounty on Instagram

Take mom on a trip she’ll never forget! The Adirondack Railroad is hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch Special ($54-$109/person) on May 11-12, where you’ll celebrate mom on a round trip train ride from Utica’s Union Station to Remsen alongside a tasty hand-crafted menu. Relax on the rails from May 11-12 with the Arcade and Attica Railroad for a Mother’s Day Brunch Train Ride ($40-$45/person), and indulge in a delicious meal at the historic Curriers Station. The Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Museum features the state’s largest collection of historic trains and is holding a fun Mother’s Day tour ($10-$15/person) of the grounds. If mom prefers to spend some time out on the water, bring her to the Lake George Steamboat Company’s brunch cruise ($32.44-$76.61/person) on Mother’s Day and admire the dazzling “Queen of American Lakes” alongside a glass of champagne and decadent brunch.  

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