What's that crowd-pleasing Mother's Day activity that will make you happy and give you some new family memories? We've compiled a "cheat sheet" for five different types of Puget Sound mamas, with emphasis on taking advantage of some of the great Mom's Day deals out there.
(Find many more ideas to rock Mother's Day on our calendar.)
1. Garden/Artsy Mom
- Combine plant-buying and a lovely walk by heading to Shoreline’s Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, which has its annual plant sale Mother’s Day weekend. Pick out some easy-to-grow plants or seeds (try these edible flowers) and then have a family gardening hour.
- Head to Federal Way to the remarkable garden of PowellsWood for its Mother's Day event. Explore the grounds and relax in the garden room where tea, scones, lemonade and cookies will be available for purchase. Sunday,May 11, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Take artsy moms to the Seattle Art Museum's amazing Miró: The Experience of Seeing exhibit; (which ends May 26). Moms can also get 20 percent off a new membership during Mother’s Day weekend. May 10-11.
- Enjoy brunch and gallery-browsing at the Tacoma Art Museum (free mimosa for Mom); don't miss exhibitions such as Camille Patha’s A Punch of Color. You can also meet the artist. Sunday, May 11. $25-$30 for brunch.
- At Bellevue Botanical Garden’s annual Mother’s Day Social, families are treated to entertainment and refreshments, and to a chance to stroll the garden’s spectacular grounds in full spring bloom. Free, but donations are encouraged. Sunday, May 11, 1–4 p.m.
- W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory in Tacoma holds a second-Sunday concert series that falls on Mother’s Day. Wander the grounds and listen to live jazz music by Tom Brooks Trio, which will be performed inside the conservatory, but audible outside. Wright Park, Tacoma. $3, children under 11 free. Sunday, May 11, 1–2:30 p.m.
2. Foodie Mom
- If your sitter is available during the day, take off to Woodinville for a Mother’s Day Special at Matthews Cellars. All mothers will receive a complimentary tasting on their special day. Sunday, May 11, noon –6 p.m.
- You can also taste wine (even stay overnight) at one of these other Woodinville wineries.
- Head to a Ballard's huge and wonderful Sunday market (10 a.m.–3 p.m.) for gourmet quick eats and a chance to buy all the quirky produce you like (kohlrabi and rhubarb, anyone?). Stop by Café Besalu for a croissant first. West Seattle (10 a.m.– 2 p.m.) also has an excellent Sunday market.
- For a taste of foodie heaven that will please everyone, sample our region's burgeoning gourmet ice cream scene. At Full Tilt (four locations in Seattle), you can get artisanal ice cream, as well as beer, pinball, and vintage video games.
3. Nature Mom
- Enjoy some old-fashioned farm fun at five different Sammamish Valley farms over Mother's Day weekend, including Dr. Maze's Farm in Redmond, which will offer hayrides, demos and classes, a human sundial, a lavender labyrinth, farm animals, and a Singing Chicken Show (!). May 10 and 11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $6, includes a hayride.
- If a family hike and kite fly is your Mother's Day dream come true here's our nine secret urban hikes we love, and eight best parks to fly a kite.
- At the venerable Mom & Me at Woodland Park Zoo festival, admission for moms is half off, and everyone will enjoy the live entertainment, keeper talks about maternal care, bounce houses, crafts and face painting. Don't miss the new cheetah exhibit! Saturday, May 10, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Hit the trails with your brood at IslandWood, on Bainbridge Island, which is offering a lovely nature program about wild mothers, as well as a Mother's Day tea. Sunday, May 11, 1-4 p.m. $10-$20.
Moms also get half-price admission to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium the day before Mother's Day. Saturday, May 10.
4. Active Mom
- If your idea of a magnificent Mother’s Day is to whip out a 5K race before most moms have had their latte in bed, sign up for the Run Like a Mother race at Magnuson Park in Seattle. Kids can also do a one-mile race. $15/kids under 12; $45/moms. Sunday, May 11, kids race starts at 8:30 a.m.; moms race 9 a.m.
- The Kirkland Half-Marathon and 5K is also held on Mother’s Day, starting and ending at Juanita Beach park. $40-$45/5k; $75/half-marathon, depending on registration date. Kids dash free. Sunday, May 11; races start at 7 a.m.
- For two-wheeling fun, take advantage of Bicycle Sunday on Lake Washington Boulevard in Seattle — a four-mile stretch closed off to cars. Free. Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
5. Play Mom
If your idea of a good time is to do what thrills the kids, then you’re in luck: almost every kids’ institution in the Sound offers some type of Mother’s Day discount to sweeten the deal for you.
- The Children’s Museum Seattle offers free admission for any mom who accompanies a child of 10 or younger. Make Mother’s Day paper lilies, listen to Mother’s Day story time, and more. Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m.– 6 p.m.
- Take a scenic 65-minute ride on a vintage train from Snoqualmie to North Bend this weekend — mothers ride free with a paying child of any age (grandmas, we’re looking at you). Train ride $10–$18, younger than 2 free; depot admission free. Saturday and Sunday, May 10–11.
- Speaking of trains, for a scenery-packed steam train adventure, ride the rails at Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad. Sunday, May 11. $18–$43.
(Find many more ideas to rock Mother's Day on our calendar.)
