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.

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

People swinging and climbing on a ropes course through fall foliage at Wildplay ThacherCredit: @wildplaythacher 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. Get up into the trees to tackle obstacles and zoom down ziplines at WildPlay Elements Park (opening for the season on May 9, 2026) at John Boyd Thacher State Park. 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 8-17, 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 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, and check out our Mother’s Day Floral Arrangement Workshop.

Celebrate spring blooms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Weekends in Bloom (May 10, 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 Sycamore Hill Gardens in Marcellus for a Mother’s Day Garden Tour, where you’ll take a self-guided stroll on the lawns and paths through 40+ acres of vibrant gardens. 

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. Savor treats at a Mother's Day Brunch and 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 Pre-Mother’s Day Brunch on Saturday, May 9, 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 ($28/person, offered April 27- May 10). In Buffalo, the Martin House is offering a new way to experience this Frank Lloyd Wright architectural treasure on May 9 with a meditative guided tour and an all-levels yoga practice followed by tea, lemonade and a snack.

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. 

For the foodie

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

Impress mom with a unique dining experience. On May 9, join the NYK Cafe for a special Mother’s Day Edition of their classic Chef’s Table class or Mother's Day Brunch on May 10. Spoil mom with fine dining at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park at one of the five student-run restaurants, or combine creativity and cooking at one of their Saturday classes exploring artisan breads, Mediterranean cuisine, and more. On May 10, treat mom to a cheesy dining experience with cider to pair with every bite at Mother's Day Raclette for Lunch at South Hill Cider in Ithaca or sip and celebrate mom at 20 Deep Winery in Honeoye Falls featuring live music, local food and drinks, and activities.

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 mimosa and bloody mary bar, 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 botanical mixology, 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 enjoy free admission and get the chance to meet sloths, wolves, sugar gliders, toucans, penguins, alligators, kangaroos, and more. Head to the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester for Mother’s Day Brunch, featuring assorted sweet and savory foods, and admission to the zoo is included with your ticket. After your belly is full, make unforgettable memories with mom when you feed a giraffe together, or book an elephant or rhino encounter. 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! Relax on the rails from May 10-11 with the Arcade and Attica Railroad for a Mother’s Day Brunch Train Ride ($40-$48/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 ($32.42-$76.60/person) on Mother’s Day and admire the dazzling “Queen of American Lakes” alongside a glass of champagne and decadent brunch. All aboard the Canandaigua Lady on May 10 for a cruise along the sparkling finger lake on this 19th century steamboat replica and an authentic double-decker paddle wheeler.

Share your photos across the state of New York this Mother's Day on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) with #ILoveNY and #iSpyNY and tag us on Facebook!