Celebrating Mother’s Day

There are many events, venues, and brunches that are sure to be packed for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 12. And because likely all she wants is to spend quality time together, here are some unique ideas how to spend Mother’s Day with the special women in your life—things that don’t have to require fighting the crowds and making a reservation.

Have a picnic in the park
Pick up Eli’s BBQ and take it to one of my favorite parks in the city, Alms Park, a Cincinnati Park located in Columbia Tusculum. Don’t live nearby or can’t make the trip to the city? Do similarly with your local park and a great local restaurant close by!

Free admission at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Celebrate Mother’s Day with the special women in your life by going to the zoo, where there are plenty of moms, too! Moms can take advantage of free admission at the Cincinnati Zoo on Sunday, May 12.

Take in Butterflies of Ecuador at Cincinnati Parks Krohn Conservatory
With the butterfly show happening until June 16, skip the crowd on Mother’s Day and instead buy tickets to give to the mother(s) in your life for a future date. (Click here for a $1 off coupon.) Tip: This means spending more than just Mother’s Day with Mom, which she will love. You’re welcome.

Satisfy your green thumb
Visit a local farmers’ market together to get fresh produce and flowers. (As there aren’t many markets on Sundays and Hyde Park is typically closed for the holiday, you’ll likely need to go the Saturday before.) If Mom likes to garden, plan a trip to one of Cincinnati’s many great nurseries to pick up flowers or vegetables and help her plant them! For plants and classes, check out FERN’s website (please note that they are closed on Sundays). For more Cincinnati farmers’ markets, click here.

Imbibe in local beverages
Head to Vinoklet Winery in Colerain Township or Valley Vineyards in Morrow to take in the sights and sips of a local vineyard. Is Mom not into wine? Check out a brewery instead! Some ideas are Brink Brewing Co., Municipal Brew Works, Narrow Path Brewing Co., and West Side Brewing. Click here for a more complete brewery guide.

Check out Asian Food Fest
One of the best food festivals of the year is the weekend of May 11–12 at Smale Riverfront Park. While I personally recommend Ono Grindz Spam Musubi and Loco Moco (plus anything from Bamboo Kitchen, Lang Thang Group, Red Sesame, SEA Cuisine, and Saigon Subs), with 25+ vendors there will be no shortage of great fare. My advice? Go with a small group and try as many things as you can. Menu items range from $2–6.

Go horseback riding
For a unique way to spend time with Mom on Mother’s Day, check out one of the many places where you can go horseback riding in Cincinnati.

Pour your own candle at the Candle Lab
Buy Mom a gift card to pour your own candles together. There are plenty of places nearby in Over-the-Rhine to grab a bite to eat (I suggest Quan Hapa, Pontiac BBQ, and Kaze), so make an afternoon or evening of it!

Pamper yourselves
Enjoy a mimosa and a blowout (I personally recommend Zephyr Blowout & Salon in Oakley, but check out this list). Not feeling a new ‘do? Treat yourselves to a manicure and pedicure at a local salon. My favorites are Spruce Nail Shop in OTR and Dream Salon & Spa in Hyde Park. Check out Yelp for a comprehensive list of nail salons in Cincinnati. Tip: schedule an appointment. Also note: A number of places are not open on Sundays, so this would mean making an appointment for a future date.

Additional ideas: Visit the American Sign Museum, Cincinnati Art Museum, or Contemporary Arts Center; take a tour at New Riff Distilling; enjoy a beverage and food on a nice outdoor patio like Queen City Radio; or buy tickets for a Wine & Canvas event. Tip: Skip the crowds altogether and give a coupon or certificate to Mom on Mother’s Day. Use your certificate for the museum, horseback riding, or the butterfly show at a later date.

If you are unable to make it out to any of these places, I recommend stopping by a nursery to buy flowers to deliver to Mom along with a certificate for either Candle Lab or the butterfly show. For more events and goings on in Cincinnati the next couple of weekends, be sure to check out This Weekend, which are published each Thursday!

Don’t forget that you can also shop local for a gift!