Mother's Day Events for New York City Moms

What to do on Mother's Day is always a little tricky. If you are like me, you may be of two minds about what you really want to do for Mother's Day. On the one hand, perhaps unrealistically, you'd love to spend an idealized day with your family sharing a sense of togetherness with your children who are acting like little angels just to make you happy on your special day. On the other hand, perhaps secretly, what you'd really love is to spend a day alone doing the types of things you enjoy, but have been replaced with kid activities...art, culture, strolling in pretty gardens...

In this post I've gathered up some events that I hope will be a happy compromise; family activities that are a bit more mom-centric, but have room for kids to be real kids. And if the kids don't cooperate...maybe you can send them off with dad.

Mother's Day at Wave Hill
Princess for a day. Savvy New Yorkers think of Wave Hill like their personal country estate conveniently located in the Bronx. With a mansion, beautiful 28 acres of gardens and family programs every weekend, you can easily spend an entire day relaxing and enjoying nature. For Mother's Day Wave Hill offers a special brunch made with organic produce from a local farm held in a room with 16 ft ceilings, wood paneling and French windows and doors looking out onto (your) grounds. While you are there take part in a family art project or just roam with the kids through the extensive gardens and woods.

Brunch is $25 plus admission to grounds. Project is free. Reservations required for brunch: 718.549.3200 x395 or by emailing wavehillcafe@greatperformances.com Wave Hill provides free van service between the front gate and the Metro-North Railroad Riverdale station and the terminus of the #1 subway train at West 242nd Street. Parking is available for a fee. See site for details about these events and Wave Hill.

Peter and the Wolf Family Concert in Central Park
Sunday, May 10, 2009, 1:30 p.m.
Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park
FREE

Enjoy some kid-friendly classical music. For Mother's Day, the Parks Department is presenting a free performance of Peter & the Wolf, conducted by George Stelluto and narrated by Isaac Mizrahi. Members of the Vienna Philharmonic will be performing in the orchestra. Families are invited o bring their instruments and play along. After the concert enjoy any of the many delights of Central Park.

Socrates Sculpture Park State Fair
Long Island City, Queens
Sunday, May 10, 2-6pm
FREE

If you've never been to Socrates Sculpture Park, it's worth a visit. Even if the giant outdoor sculptures don't inspire you, they are frequently interactive and have places for kids to climb and hide or move or make noise with. The park is along the East River and nice spot for playing, picnicking or just relaxing. On Mother's Day, Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City is opening a new exhibition of outdoor sculptures on the theme of the State Fair and celebrating with "interactive urban games" and music.

Maelstrom on the Roof of the Met
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Suggested Donation

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has recently opened it's new outdoor sculpture exhibit, Roxy Paine on the Roof: Maelstrom which consists of a 130 foot long by 45 foot wide beautiful shiny, tendril-y, mass of stainless steel reminiscent of tree roots or blood vessels. The piece has been getting lots of rave reviews for its beauty as well the wonderful views of the New York City from the roof of the Met. Beverage and sandwich service are served on the roof as well, which makes it a great pit stop for a longer visit to the Museum or a great Mother's Day destination in and of itself if you don't think your kids can handle an actual indoor museum visit.

We already wrote about the Affordable Art Fair and lots of other great Mother's Day Weekend events in our previous post too. So make sure to check those out. And if you're looking for that day alone, have dad check our weekend events post for lots of ideas that will keep the kids busy while you do your own thing. And have a Happy Mother's Day!