We love you, mamas!  We want your day to be special whether you’re hanging out with your mom, spending time with the kids, celebrating with your friends, or squeezing in some quality alone time. Below you’ll find some of our top suggestions for a perfect-for-you Mother’s Day in Austin.

Giveaway!  Enter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to Alamo Draft House’s ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Mother’s Day Brunch!  One lucky winner will receive two tickets for the Saturday, May 13 Brunch at Alamo’s Mueller location, plus a $50 gift card toward food and beverages.  Check out Do512Family’s Instagram to enter, and for more details.  

Ballet Austin’s Cinderella via The Long Center

What to Do with Your Mom:

— Take her to a show or movie.   Hear the Austin Symphonic Band perform a free Mother’s Day Concert at the Texas State Capitol on Sunday, May 14.  Get tickets for Ballet Austin’s Cinderella, see Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird at Bass Concert Hall, or check out Bollywood in the Park on Friday evening, May 12, in Round Rock. Plus, the Wildflower Center will be hosting a (reservation-only) picnic and live music performances. Alamo Draft House is hosting a Mama Mia brunch and a Wizard of Oz Brunch.  Try their delicious brunch menu and enter here for a chance to win two tickets to The Wizard of Oz Brunch at their Mueller location, plus a $50 gift card toward your food and beverages!

Enjoy a Family Brunch or Tea.  Have a slow afternoon at Brentwood Social’s Mother’s Day Tea.  Z’Tejas is having a Mother’s Day Brunch, and Mom’s meal is on them!  There are also special brunches at Olive + June, The Fairmont, Summer House on Music Lane, Mondola’s Italian Kitchen, William Chris Vineyards, Stella San Jac, Wu Chow, Dean’s Steak House, Corinne, Vixen’s Wedding, Laurel, Olamaie, Acre 41, and Garbo’s.   Check here for more ideas for brunch.

—  Enjoy some water views. Go for a walk together on the Hike & Bike Trail on Lady Bird Lake or enjoy a leisurely ride on the Lone Star Riverboat or Capital Cruises.  Join in the fun at The Rowing Dock’s Paddlepalooza and get your first hour of paddleboarding, kayaking, or canoeing for free.  Dine by the waterside at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, Hula Hut, or the County Line. Or soak in the stunning views of Lake Travis at The Oasis.

— Take her shopping. There are so many fun markets popping up over Mother’s Day weekend. Let Mom pick out her own gift at the Blue Genie May Market, May Market at Hotel San Jose, Foxtrot Market, Eliza Page, or the Mother’s Day Market at Meanwhile Brewing.

— Visit a museum or garden. You can’t beat a stroll through the gardens at UMLAUF, Laguna Gloria or Zilker Botanical Garden, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, or Mayfield Preserve. Browse the art collection at the Blanton or celebrate all things Texas at the Bullock.


via Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures

What To Do With Your Kids:

— Go to a kid-focused show. For a performance that’s great for the little ones, check out The Jungle Book @ Scottish Rite Theatre, or the Rock n’ Roll Playhouse featuring the music of The Beatles for Kids.

— Be playful. Indigo Play invites families in on Sunday where kids can play while Mom puts her feet up for a free chair massage and mimosa. At Punch Bowl Social, Moms can enjoy some games like ping pong, skeeball, karaoke, and bowling, as well as a Bloody Mary Bar.  Moms skate for free on Sunday at Playland Skate Center. UMLAUF is hosting free Family Day on Sunday with plenty of activities.  Or you can do a cupcake-making class together at Toybrary Austin.

— Make keepsakes. Get crafty with the kids and make some memories with creations or art to cherish at Painting with a Twist or Cafe Monet, or join a pot planting party at Succulent Native. Plus, the Neill-Cochran House Museum is hosting a Sunday Funday with Family Painting.  If you have some time to yourself Saturday, check out the Moms Making with Mimosas Workshop at the Arboretum, or pop by a Mommy + Me event at Hearth and Soul (Tuesday, May 9)

— Make a splash. Everyone loves a little fun in the sun. It’s the opening weekend of Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures and local water park, the local water park, Typhoon Texas, is also open!  Or you can take a dip in Barton Springs or Deep Eddy Pool or make reservations for one of the awesome local swimming holes. Click here for an updated list of where to swim within the City of Austin. And check out these spots for beach vibes in the Austin area.

— Go on a picnic. Skip the fuss for a fun, hassle-free day in the park. Pack up some food, a blanket, frisbee, etc. for an easy-going family time. Here’s a list of some of our favorite picnic spots in Austin, and check out the Mother’s Day Picnics and Bouquets at Zilker Botanical Garden.  You can also order in advance from the Steeping room for their to-go Mother’s Day Tea Time Boxes, Uchiko for sweets to go, and Biscuit Packs at Little Ola’s.


via Pexels

What To Do With Some Alone Time

We’re pretty sure you don’t need a lot of ideas when it comes to this rare opportunity. But if you can take a break and have some quiet time to yourself, here are a few suggestions.

Check here for a list of even MORE special events and Mother’s Day brunches.

No matter what you choose to do, we hope you have a very
Happy Mother’s Day!