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.
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 12. Get tickets for Zach Theater’s The Prom, Ballet Austin’s Sleeping Beauty, or see Mama Mia on the lake at Mozart’s. You could also have a three-course feast at Alamo Draft House while enjoying Mama Mia.
— Enjoy a Family Brunch or Tea. Have a slow afternoon at the Driskill Hotel’s Mother’s Day Grand Tea, or a Mommy and Me Patio Picnic at Mozart’s. There are also special brunches at Aba, Yamas, and TLC, a cozy, casual brunch at The Local, and a buffet brunch at The Fairmont. 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, Quince Lakehouse, or the County Line. Or soak in the stunning views of Lake Travis at The Oasis. Check out more places to dine by the water here.
— 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, 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 (they have a mommy and me gardening hour here), or Mayfield Preserve. Browse the art collection at the Blanton or celebrate all things Texas at the Bullock. UMLAUF is hosting a free Family Day on Sunday with plenty of activities.
What To Do With Your Kids:
— Go to a kid-focused show. For a performance that’s great for the little ones, check out: Disney On Ice Presents: Magic in the Stars, or Hideout Theater’s Those Meddling Kids. Or, get paranormal with the Metaphysical Mom Ghost Investigation at Scottish Rite Theater.
— Be playful. Indigo Play invites families in on Sunday where kids can play while moms/parents can put their feet up for a free chair massage and mimosa. At Punch Bowl Social, Moms can enjoy games like ping pong, skeeball, karaoke, and bowling, as well as live Jazz, brunch, and mimosas. Moms skate for free with the purchase of children’s admission on Sunday at Playland Skate Center.
— 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 Succulents for Beginners class at Succulent Native. Plus, the Neill-Cochran House Museum is hosting a Sunday Funday with Pop-Up Cards!
— Make a splash. Everyone loves a little fun in the sun. Spend a day at Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures, Volente Beach, or a local water park like Typhoon Texas! 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. You can also order in advance from Central Maret for their Mother’s Day Meals and Mimosa Kits, Uchiko for sweets to go, and Bakery Lorraine for a petite bouquet of flowers and macaroons.
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.
- Take a spa day. Get a massage, facial, pedicure, or whatever your heart desires. Viva Day Spa, AWAY Spa at the W, milk + honey, Fairmont Spa, Spa by JW Marriot, Miraval, Lake Austin Spa Resort, and Hiatus Spa and Retreat, among many others, can hook you up with maximum relaxation.
- See a movie. Go see a grown-up movie, get a beer or a cocktail, and settle in for a show at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema or one of the many drive-in theatres in the area.
- Curl up with a book. Pop by a local bookshop like BookPeople or Black Pearl Books to find just the right literary escape and curl up into a great reading nook. Check out our favorite bookstores in Austin here.
- Get your own presents. A little shopping on your own to buy exactly what you want? Yes, please. Browse the many stores at the Domain Northside or the Hill Country Galleria.
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!
