Category: Family & Pets

A Mother's Day in New York

By aliciak
updated 3 months ago

Like so many other holidays, Mother's Day has been commercialized and Hallmarkized to the nth degree, and all of us kids find ourselves swimming in a sea of generic cards, traditional bouquets of flowers, or long brunch lines. As far as I know, my mom, a teacher, won't be coming to New York this Mother's Day, what with it being on a "school night" and all. But, if she were, I'd be sure to take her off the beaten New York City path, away from most of the restaurant swarms and pampering spa packages. She does, however, like flowers, but that is where all the run-of-the-mill Mother's Day ideas cease to be relevant. Is your mom in town May 11? Do you want to do something extra-special and unique this year? Walk with me.

Aimlessly Wander

Aimlessly wandering around the streets of New York without a clear destination is a favorite pastime of mine. Why not take mom along? Take a break from schedules, reservations, and finite plans and be wowed by the nooks and crannies of the city. Like Henry David Thoreau once said, “It is a great art to saunter.” (I am a nerd and have a t-shirt that says the same thing!) Here are my recommendations for specific neighborhoods where you are bound to discover a new restaurant, a dusty mom-and-pop antique store, or just a spectacular view.

West Village: lower Manhattan is not part of the logical grid of numbered streets, which means it’s easy to get lost, to lose one’s sense of direction entirely, and best of all, to be surprised by what you may find. Start on Bleecker Street and 6th Avenue, and then make a turn here and there when you come across a narrow diagonal street.
Tribeca: although it has become full of posh loft apartments and upscale dining options, Tribeca is steeped in historical buildings, bumpy cobblestone roads, and eclectic finds like Tribeca Treats and ole-timey Soda Shop.
Hudson River Park: this park stretches 5 miles up Manhattan’s west side and has paved walking paths the entire way. Take in the sunset over the Hudson, or some gaming fun at Chelsea Piers, but steer clear of the loungey, glitzy bowling alleys! They are too scarily-cool and attract the B&T set.

Salt Marsh Nature Center

East 33rd Street and Avenue U Brooklyn, NY 11234

My parents are the outdoorsy, hiking types, so a Mother’s Day Marsh Walk is pretty much the perfect “gift” for my mom on her special day. Join fellow kids and moms for a guided walk at 1pm, where you will learn all about how animal mommies care for their babies. Awww!

I know what you’re thinking, a marsh walk in Brooklyn? The neighborhood of Marine Park is a far cry from urbanity, and the nature center is like every other you’ve been to on a field trip. I will never forget the first time I biked up to it and said aloud, “I can’t believe I’m in Brooklyn!”

Bateaux New York - Group Reservations

62 Chelsea Piers Suite 200 A, New York, NY 10011

One of the best ways to really see Manhattan is from afar, preferably on a swanky cruise ship. Well, you’re in luck! Bateaux New Yorks holds its annual Mother’s Day lunch cruise for $61.90 per person. Included is an elaborate buffet, fine wines, live jazz pianist, and of course, the many sights as you boat along. Come on, you know you’re curious!

Martha thinks you should MAKE brunch

Yep, if you really want to wow mom, you will cook up Martha Stewart’s elaborate brunch menu. Whenever my parents come to New York and stay with me, I concoct complicated dishes aimed to impress, but it’s also a nice change from the hustle and bustle of the city’s weekends scene. I usually head out to the nearest deli with flowers, pick out some fresh blooms, and recreate a calming dining atmosphere. Your dining companions will leave New York with memories of home-cooked meals, hopefully good ones at that.