Mother's Day 2026 is Sunday, May 10, which means you've got a few weeks to plan something she'll love.
Whether you're in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or anywhere in between, the best thing you can do for your mom this Mother's Day is give her an experience she'd never book for herself. We're talking Mother's Day gifts that make her feel celebrated, not just remembered.
Giftory has 5,000+ experiences across the top US cities. This guide breaks down the best things to do on Mother's Day near you, city by city, so you can stop Googling and start booking.
Things to Do on Mother's Day in New York City
New York City turns up for Mother's Day in the best way. Mom can spend the morning on the water, the afternoon in a class, and the evening watching the skyline light up - all without leaving the five boroughs.
- Brunch cruise on the Hudson: mimosas, views of the Manhattan skyline, and zero cooking required. This is the NYC Mother's Day move.
- Helicopter tour over Manhattan: if she's never seen the city from above, this is the year. Bucket list, guaranteed.
- Cooking class in the city: Italian, Japanese, French pastry — NYC's culinary scene means there's a class for every taste.
- Pottery class in Brooklyn: creative, social, and she gets to take home something she made herself.
- Afternoon tea experience: elegant, indulgent, and exactly the kind of thing she'd never organize for herself.
- Spa day experience: from World Spa to Spa Castle NYC, there are lots of great choices across the five boroughs.
→ Explore all NYC Mother's Day gifts
Things to Do on Mother's Day in Los Angeles
LA is made for Mother's Day. The weather alone justifies being outdoors, and the experiences available across the city make it almost impossible to go wrong.
- Malibu wine tasting: spectacular vineyard views, memorable pours, and the kind of afternoon she'll still be talking about at Christmas.
- Griffith Observatory and picnic: classic LA, iconic views of the Hollywood sign and the Pacific. Pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it.
- Sunset sailing along the coast: Pacific Ocean views from a sailboat. Hard to beat.
- A beautiful spa day: there's no better place in the country to be completely pampered.
- Food tour through a local LA neighborhood: from Koreatown to Silver Lake, LA's food scene is endlessly explorable.
- Hot air balloon ride over Temecula: one of California's most beautiful experiences, a short drive from LA.
→ Explore all LA Mother's Day gifts
Things to Do on Mother's Day in Chicago
Chicago's lakefront, celebrated dining scene, and iconic architecture make it one of the country's best cities for a Mother's Day experience. Here's what works best:
- Architecture river cruise: Chicago's river tours are legendary, and doing one on Mother's Day with a cocktail in hand is a brilliant call.
- Deep dish pizza-making class: yes, this exists, and yes, it's as fun as it sounds.
- Lake Michigan brunch cruise: the lake views on a clear May morning are hard to beat.
- Cooking class in the West Loop: the restaurant capital of the Midwest has the cooking schools to match.
- Spa day near the Magnificent Mile: Chicago has some seriously impressive wellness options.
→ Explore all Chicago Mother's Day gifts
Things to Do on Mother's Day in Miami
Miami in May is peak season - warm, vibrant, and full of energy. The city's Latin culture and coastal setting make for some of the country's most memorable Mother's Day experiences.
- Sunset cruise along Biscayne Bay or heli tour over it: golden hour on the water is hard to top anywhere in the US - take a sunset cruise or opt for a private speed boat tour. Fancy seeing everything from above? There are some great helicopter tours to take Mom on to see the city from a new angle.
- South Beach spa day: luxury wellness options abound in Miami, from boutique retreats to full resort spas.
- Miami food tour: explore Little Havana, Wynwood, or South Beach's culinary gems.
- Cuban or Latin cuisine cooking class: uniquely Miami, uniquely memorable.
- Wine tasting & cocktail experience: Miami's bar scene translates beautifully into guided tasting experiences.
→ Explore all Miami Mother's Day gifts
Things to Do on Mother's Day in Houston
Houston is seriously underrated as an experience-gift city. The restaurant scene rivals any major US market, and the experiences available through Giftory reflect that.
- Private chef dinner at home: Houston's culinary talent is top-tier; bring it to her.
- Texas BBQ cooking class: uniquely Texan, massively fun.
- Spa day in the Galleria area: Houston's spa scene punches above its weight, and the Galleria has the strongest concentration of options.
- Wine and food pairing experience: the city's sommelier talent is seriously underrated.
- Hot air balloon ride over the Texas Hill Country: a peaceful, beautiful side of Texas.
- Creative classes: for more creative moms, opt for a sip & sculpt creative workshop and let mom create her masterpiece to cherish.
→ Explore all Houston Mother's Day gifts
Things to Do on Mother's Day in Dallas
Big city energy, Southern warmth, and a booming food scene - Dallas has everything you need for an unforgettable Mother's Day.
- Upscale cooking class in Uptown Dallas: the city's best culinary talent, a two-person table, and a dish she made with her own hands.
- Luxury spa day: Dallas's spa scene is seriously impressive, from the Ritz-Carlton to the Joule, the options are top-tier.
- Wine tasting in the Grapevine wine country: yes, Texas wine is a real thing, and it's excellent.
- Hot air balloon ride at sunrise: the Hill Country at dawn is one of the most peaceful views in Texas.
- Food tour through Deep Ellum or Bishop Arts: two of Dallas's most interesting neighborhoods to taste your way through.
→ Explore all Dallas Mother's Day gifts
Things to Do on Mother's Day in San Francisco
San Francisco's iconic waterfront, acclaimed food scene, and surrounding wine country make it one of the best cities in America for a Mother's Day experience.
- Bay cruise with Golden Gate views: this is the quintessential SF experience and it never gets old.
- Napa or Sonoma wine tasting: just an hour from the city, and one of the world's great wine experiences.
- Dungeness crab and seafood food tour at the Ferry Building: unmistakably SF.
- Cooking class - California cuisine or Japanese-inspired: the Bay Area's best flavors, one afternoon.
- Hot air balloon over Napa Valley: arguably the best balloon experience in the US.
→ Explore all San Francisco Mother's Day gifts
Things to Do on Mother's Day in Boston
Boston in May is beautiful, and the city's history, food scene, and waterfront set the stage for a special Mother's Day.
- Harbor dinner cruise: Boston's waterfront at sunset is one of the country's most underrated views.
- Clam chowder and seafood food tour: iconic, delicious, unmistakably Boston.
- Cooking class in the South End: the neighborhood's culinary personality in one afternoon.
- Luxury spa day in Back Bay: Boston's wellness scene goes harder than most people expect.
- Wine tasting in the Seaport District: one of Boston's most dynamic neighborhoods to spend the afternoon.
→ Explore all Boston Mother's Day gifts
Things to Do on Mother's Day in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is not just for bachelor parties. The city's top-tier restaurants, spa facilities, and unique experiences make it a legitimately excellent place to celebrate Mother's Day, whether she lives there or you're taking her for a weekend trip.
- Helicopter tour over the Strip at sunset: genuinely breathtaking.
- Michelin-starred dining experience: Vegas's culinary scene is a serious player.
- Resort spa day at a Strip hotel: the city's spa facilities are among the most impressive in the country.
- Hot air balloon ride over the desert: a completely different side of Vegas.
- Cooking or cocktail class at a celebrity restaurant: a side of the Strip she hasn't seen before.
→ Explore all Las Vegas Mother's Day gifts
Things to Do on Mother's Day in Washington DC
DC does Mother's Day beautifully - the cherry blossoms are behind us, but the city's cultural depth, great restaurants, and riverfront make it perfect for a memorable day.
- Potomac River dinner cruise: the monuments lit up from the water, a cocktail in hand, and nothing to cook.
- Georgetown food tour: one of America's most charming neighborhoods, full of great stops.
- Cooking class - international cuisine: DC's food scene is seriously good.
- Luxury spa day in Georgetown or Capitol Hill: two of the best pockets of the city for pampering.
- Wine tasting in Northern Virginia wine country: an easy and beautiful day trip.
- Bike tour of the monuments: DIY the route or join a guided ride - one of the best ways to actually see DC.
→ Explore all Washington DC Mother's Day gifts
More Cities — Find Mother's Day Activities Near You
Not in one of the cities above? Giftory has Mother's Day experience gifts available across 40+ US cities. Here are more locations to explore:
- Phoenix, AZ — hot air balloon rides over the Sonoran Desert are incredible
- Denver, CO — mountain experiences, craft food tours, and spa days
- Atlanta, GA — a booming food scene and Southern hospitality at its finest
- Nashville, TN — farm-to-table cooking classes, bourbon experiences, and more
- Portland, OR — food tours, creative workshops, and Pacific Northwest wine country
- Seattle, WA — Pike Place food tours, Puget Sound sailing, and iconic views
- Orlando, FL — boat tours, spa days, and culinary experiences beyond the theme parks
- Tampa, FL — waterfront cruises and Tampa Bay's excellent food scene
- Austin, TX — cooking classes, live music experiences, and Hill Country wine tours
- San Diego, CA — sailing, coastal food tours, and Baja-inspired cooking classes
Browse our full Mother's Day gifts collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are fun things to do on Mother's Day near me? The best Mother's Day activities near you depend on your city, but popular options across the US include brunch cruises, cooking classes, spa days, food tours, wine tastings, hot air balloon rides, and creative workshops like pottery or painting. Giftory has curated experience gifts in 40+ US cities - browse by location to find what's available near you.
Is Mother's Day 2026 on May 10? Yes — Mother's Day 2026 in the United States falls on Sunday, May 10. It's always celebrated on the second Sunday of May in the US.
What can I do on Mother's Day at home? If staying home is the preference, great at-home Mother's Day options include a private chef experience (a professional comes to her kitchen), a virtual cooking or cocktail class, or an online creative workshop. All are available through Giftory with instant digital delivery.
What are last-minute things to do on Mother's Day? For last-minute Mother's Day activities, Giftory's experience gift vouchers are delivered instantly by email - even on the day itself. Choose from spa days, cooking classes, food tours, sailing experiences, and more. Every voucher is personalized and she books when it suits her.
Whatever city she calls home, she deserves a Mother's Day she'll remember. Browse all Mother's Day gift ideas and experiences, or go straight to your city's page to find something she'll love. Mother's Day 2026 is May 10. You've got this!