Mother's Day In NYC: Where To Celebrate

NEW YORK, NY – We owe our lives to our mothers — literally. So, the least you can do is sift through New York City’s overwhelming choice of things to do and find her something special for Mother’s Day this Sunday. Patch can help.

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Have brunch at Queens Botanical Garden

The Queens Botanical Garden is a self-described urban oasis where people, plants and cultures are celebrated through inspiring gardens, innovative educational programs and demonstrations of environmental stewardship. Mothers everywhere are invited to a farm-to-table brunch, catered by Bartleby & Sage with hot dishes from an Italian Market menu, muffins, scones, fair-trade coffees, teas and other treats. The garden’s Mother’s Day brunch includes a complimentary glass of wine for adults and organic milk and apple juice for children. There will also be a cash bar.

Brunch will be served at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets for members is $50 for adults and $28 for children. The cost for nonmembers is $55 for adults and $30 for children.

Visit the Central Park Zoo

The Central Park Zoo will host a family party to celebrate moms both animal and human. Attendees will meet the moms and their babies who live in the attraction, go on a scavenger hunt, make treats and participate in Mother’s Day-themed arts and crafts. It costs $75, which includes admission for one adult and one child.

Get a massage

The last thing moms should be on Mother’s Day is stressed. This year, Massage Envy — a national massage therapy and wellness chain — is offering a Mother’s Day special at all of its locations, with a number of spots right here in the Big Apple. Clients can purchase a $125 gift card, which provides a free 60-minute facial or a 30-minute massage upgrade. Details are available on the Massage Envy website.

Explore the Children’s Museum

Mothers with younger children can visit the Children’s Museum Manhattan, located at the Tisch Building at 212 West 83rd St., to create Mother’s Day pillows using uniquely shaped fabrics, markers and stuffing. Children can turn their creations into a special thank-you to mom with a hidden message inside the pillow. The event, held from 11 a.m. to noon, is open to children at least 6 years of age. Signup is required due to limited space and will be available at 10 a.m. in the museum lobby. Participation is free with admission.

Go on a city-wide scavenger hunt

A city-wide scavenger hunt, presented by POGO Events, offers a series of clues to lead “hunters” around New York City while performing physical and mental challenges along the way. The three-hour hunt has a special focus on mothers. It starts at 1:30 p.m. and tickets cost $39 and can be purchased on the hunt’s Eventbrite page.

Participants will meet at Slattery's Midtown Pub, located at 8 E 36th St., and are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes, work in teams and bring a MetroCard. One member of the team should have a smartphone and download the app ScanQuest, through which the hunt is run, before arriving to the event.

Sip mimosas on the Hudson River

Free-flowing mimosas and sangria, a bountiful brunch buffet and a live jazz band are among the ways moms can celebrate this Mother’s Day. Hornblower New York has planned a two-hour Mother’s Day brunch cruise with a smart-casual dress code. The cruise sails from Pier 40, rain or shine, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Boarding is at noon. Ticket purchase is available online.

Image via Pixabay