Put a reminder on your calendar for May 9 because before you know it, Mother’s Day will be here. For many moms, it’s a welcome day of pampering and acknowledgment, flowers and homemade cards. Traditionally, it’s an opportunity for a delicious brunch, but the DC area (and beyond) offers so many more ways to celebrate: tours of historic homes, champagne toasts and even a flying circus act. Here are 11 ways to celebrate Mom on her big day.
Practicing Ikebana at H St. Farms
Instead of handing mom a simple bouquet this Mother's Day, sign her up for this class where she can relax over the meditating practice of Ikebana. Mom will learn about the history of this Japanese art form while learning how to structure simple, elegant arrangements.
Cost: $35-45
When: May 9, 1-2 p.m.
Where: H St. Farms (Rooftop), 910 Bladensburg Rd. NE, H Street Corridor
Online: eventbrite.com
A Private Showing at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Let Mom skip meal prep on her big day and take her for dinner and a movie. Mom will feel like the star she is when you roll out the red carpet at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema with a private screening of her favorite film. For $150, you can rent a screening room at either the Woodbridge or Loudoun location and choose from dozens of classic films for your big event. Get ready to indulge in endless buckets of popcorn and their classic milkshakes (yes, they do have adult versions!). Note: there is a minimum food purchase of $150 for private screening events.
Cost: $150
When: By appointment
Where: Woodbridge: 15200 Potomac Town Place, Woodbridge, VA; Loudoun: 20575 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn VA,
Online: drafthouse.com
Weekend at Mount Vernon
George Washington is often called the father of our nation, so spend Mother’s Day with the mother of our country, Martha Washington – or at least at the place she called home. Tour the house where they lived and entertained in a spectacular aqua-colored room that doesn’t look a day older than its 200-plus years. Meander through the property’s well-kept and blooming gardens. There are plenty of places for that perfect family photo op, too.
Cost: $28/adult, $15/child age 6-11, free/child 5 & younger
When: Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
Online: mountvernon.org
Take Flight with The Flying Circus
Let's be honest, there are plenty of days when mom feels like the ringmaster of her very own circus. That's why Mother's Day is the perfect time to celebrate her daily juggling and nimble acrobatics. The Flying Circus, the airborne show that takes place every Sun. from May-Oct. in Warrenton, VA, is celebrating mom with a special flower drop on Mother's Day. And if you're celebrating a daredevil, you can sign mom up for a biplane ride before or after the show.
Cost: $15/adults, $7/children 5-12, free/under 5
When: May 9, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Flying Circus Aerodrome, 5114 Ritchie Rd., Bealeton, VA 22712
Online: flyingcircusairshow.com
Champs at the Mansion on O Street
Keep the history buff happy with chocolate, champagne and a tour of the quirky Mansion on O Street. After indulging in a bit of bubbly, tour the mansion, made of five interconnected townhouses, more than 100 rooms and 70 secret doors. It dates to 1892, and the rooms offer varying architectural, artistic and design periods, ranging from the Victorian Age to Art Deco.
Cost: $40/person
When: May 9, 11 a.m.
Where: 2020 O St., NW
Online: omansion.com
Tourat Darnall’s Chance House Museu
One more for the history lover, this location is fitting for moms because its goal is to show what colonial life was like for former owner Lettice Lee and the other women who lived there. Youngsters can have a chance to fight for independence during a hands-on program and pretend to be part of a spy mission for Washington (there he is again!).
Cost: $5/adult, $2/child ages 5-18, free/child ages 4 and younger, $4/senior
When: Sat.-Sun., noon-4 p.m.
Where: 14800 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro
Online: pgparks.com/3055/Darnalls-Chance-House-Museum
Weekend at Clark’s Elioak Farm
Recently reopened for the season, this farm offers a cow train, pony rides and a chance to pet farm animals. Plus, there are the Enchanted Forest attractions, which features larger-than-life features of classic fairytales. For instance, there’s the Cinderella pumpkin coach, Mother Goose, Papa Bear and the Old Woman’s Shoe, to name a few. Don’t forget to wish a happy Mother’s Day to all the new animal moms on the farm!
Cost: $8/person ages 12 months & up
Hours: Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City
Online: clarklandfarm.com
Tour Rippon Lodge
Tour at all Prince William County’s historic sites Hang onto your historian and take mom on a tour of the county’s many notable sites. For instance, take a guided tour of Rippon Lodge (15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge; $5/adult, $3/active military), built in 1747. Besides the house, there are walking trails and formal gardens. Or head to Lucasville School (10516 Godwin Drive, Manassas), a reconstructed one-room schoolhouse that interprets post-Civil War African American education in the county. Cost: Free for mothers and children under 6 When: May 11-12, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Online: pwcgov.org
Virtual Tea with Green Spring Gardens
This year, Green Spring Gardens will be hosting their Mother's Day tea virtually, but you can still stroll the gardens when you pick up your take-home tea box. Take mom to this historic property for a chance to take a family stroll through the gardens, which include a greenhouse and wooded stream valley. Before you go, grab mom's tea box and pour her a cup to enjoy at home while she logs on to Green Spring Gardens' Bringing Up Baby lecture, an entertaining and fun look at some of the absurd baby advice mothers have been given over the years.
Cost: $12/lecture, $24/tea box, free/ground tours
When: May 9, 2 p.m. for the lecture & tea; dawn-dusk for Green Spring Gardens grounds
Where: 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria
Online: fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring
Mother’s Day Cruise Aboard the Odyssey
Depending on the time of day, take a two- or two-and-a-half-hour cruise along the Potomac River, seeing historic DC landmarks from the water. All three cruises have live music and dancing. The brunch buffet includes choices such as smoked salmon and build-you-own Belgian waffle, while the lunch menu offers prime rib, salmon and a dessert station. The dinner cruise offers a plated menu featuring lobster soup, jumbo lump crab cakes, braised beef short rib and a salted caramel cake with dark chocolate ganache.
Cost: $99.90/children; $109.90/adults
When: May 9
Where: 600 Water St., SW
Online: odysseycruises.com
Breakfast Boards at Bluemont Vineyards
For get basic brunch. Bluemont Vineyards is creating family-style breakfast boards little fingers can help themselves to. Loudoun Valley serves as a scenic backdrop while you enjoy breakfast and wine service. Established in 2007, the vineyard has seven varietals of grapes and produces an average of 6,500 cases of wine each year. Note: Reservations are required.
Cost: $20/person
When: May 8-9, 11 a.m.-noon
Where: 18755 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont, VA
Online: bluemontvineyard.com
—Meghan Yudes Meyers an Stephanie Kanowitz
featured photo: Pexels
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