Galleries, drinks, restaurants, cruises — the possibilities for Mother’s Day in the Big Apple are endless.
When was the last time you called your mother? If you can’t remember, here’s a Pro Tip: Give her a ring! (She’ll love it.) And, while we should all celebrate Mom each and every day, there are a few days during the year when you’ll definitely want to show mom you care, including birthdays, anniversaries, the holidays, and, of course, Mother’s Day. Yep, though it feels like Christmas was just a few short weeks ago, the day set aside for mothers everywhere is right around the corner, and if you’re hoping to give Mom an experiential gift this year, there’s no better place to go than New York City. From museums and restaurants to the incredible skyline, massive parks, and more, the only problem you’ll have with planning Mother’s Day activities in New York City is fitting them all into one day. (Oh and making those darn dinner reservations!) There are 8 million people living in the Big Apple — and countless more will be trekking in for the big day — so we figured it’d be a good idea to put together this short list of some of our favorite things to do for Mother’s Day in NYC. Check them all out below!
The High Line – Both a nonprofit organization and a public park on the West Side of Manhattan, there’s no cooler stroll to take while you’re in town than on The High Line. Built on a historic, elevated rail line, you can saunter through lush gardens, see art, take in a street performance, enjoy delicious food, and show Mom a unique perspective of New York City. Plus, while you’re in the area, you can pop into one of the many art galleries in the West Side neighborhoods!
Central Park – No Mother’s Day trip to the city would be complete without a stop at Manhattan’s biggest and most famous green space, Central Park. Whether you plan to partake in one of the park’s slew of activities, check out the various statues and monuments, go to the Central Park Zoo, or rent a bicycle, Mom is sure to love the outdoor time spent with the family.
The Strand – Since 1927, the Strand Book Store has been supplying Manhattan’s Greenwich Village with books, records, and other media by the mile — literally! (The famous tagline is “18 Miles of Books.”) Today, the shop has over 2.5 million used, new, and rare books, an ever-changing array of literary gifts, and pretty much everything in-between. Even if you don’t take Mom here for the holiday, this is a great place to visit and snag her a fun and personal present.
If Mom is all about shopping, skip the crowds on Fifth Avenue and head down to the neighborhood of SoHo, where you’ll find plenty of chic boutiques, designer brand stores, outlets, and more. Plus, the neighborhood is also home to a ton of great restaurants, bars, and cafes, so once you get tired of shopping — or rather, once you run out of room in your bags — you can pop in for a refreshing drink and a snack.
If Mom is into art or history, there are plenty of incredible museums to visit while you’re in town for Mother’s Day, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the MoMa, the Guggenheim, the Tenement Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, the Whitney, and many, many more. For family fun, the American Museum of Natural History is a surefire hit — everyone loves dinosaur bones and planetariums!
If you’re hoping to see some incredible views of the city’s skyline lit up at night, the Mother’s Day Signature Dinner Cruise is your best bet. As you sail along the East and Hudson Rivers, you, Mom, and the whole family will enjoy an unforgettable evening complete with a holiday buffet, classic cocktails, and, of course, New York’s most breathtaking views. There’s also plenty of dancing to be done in the climate-controlled interior, or just relax and soak in the night from the outdoor decks. If you’re looking for another excellent cruise option during the day, the New York Mother’s Day Signature Afternoon Brunch Pier 61 can’t be beat. Embark on a similar route along the Hudson and East Rivers while you drink, dance, and dine the day away — while still being able to make those dinner reservations you, er, definitely are going to remember to book!