As Mother’s Day draws closer, you’re probably wondering how you could ever possibly find a gift awesome enough for the woman who gave you life. Maybe all it takes to make your mom happy is a hug (or a phone call—ahem!), but we know you can do better than that. If your mom is someone who already has everything, why not gift her with quality time and an experience this year? Whether you want to stay local or book a tour while traveling this list offers something for everyone. No matter what you choose, you’re sure to find a perfectly unique gift to celebrate your perfectly unique mom.
For the outdoorsy mom
If you have an active mom whose idea of the perfect day is spending it outside, there’s no better way to show her you love her than getting out and exploring the great outdoors together on Mother’s Day. What you do depends on her interests—try one of these activities:
- Pack a picnic lunch and take your mom on a self-guided hike
- Be a tourist in your own hometown by on a guided bike tour
- Spend an afternoon on the water with a whale watching excursion
- Catch some thrills on a whitewater rafting trip
- Get a bird’s eye view of nature during a guided helicopter experience
For the history-buff mom
Does your mom love all things old and historical? This Mother’s Day, indulge her love of the past with an experience that explores ancient times. History comes in many forms—these ideas can help you find the perfect activity:
- Grab tickets to explore a magnificent old castle and the history behind its construction
- Play tourist by taking a guided day tour of an ancient city
- Indulge her inner bookworm with admission to a historic library and access to centuries-old books
- Get transported back to prehistoric times with tickets to a natural history museum
- Witness the colorful and traditional performance of the changing of the guards
For the foodie mom
If your mom loves trying different cuisines, a foodie excursion is the perfect way to spend Mother’s Day. From one-on-one culinary experiences to sampling some favorite local dishes, these activities are sure to satisfy her taste buds:
- Book a private class for a lesson in healthy (and delicious) eating
- Cook outside of your comfort zone by whipping up a regional dish you’ve never made
- Eat your way through town on a city-wide walking food tour
- Pedal (and eat!) your heart out on a foodie bicycle tour
- Sample some delectable dishes created by Michelin-starred chefs
For the chill mom
Maybe all your mom wants for Mother’s Day is a day of relaxation. After all, who doesn’t love a little pampering? Whether it’s a massage, chocolate, or champagne (or all three!), these indulgent ideas will make her swoon:
- Take a chocolate and pastries tour and sample some confections from the world’s best chocolatiers
- Enjoy some free-flowing mimosas on a champagne brunch cruise
- Revitalize your mind with an indulgent day at the spa
- Feel your stress melt away with a one-hour Thai massage
- Indulge in a gourmet dinner, complete with wine pairing
For the wine-loving mom
If your mom is a lover of reds, whites, and rosés, it’s only fair that you treat her to a Mother’s Day full of all her favorite wines. Whether it’s a part-time hobby or she’s a full-fledged connoisseur, these activities are the perfect way to celebrate:
- Learn the basics from a sommelier at a beginner’s wine tasting class
- Sample some regional wine and cheese on a guided bicycle tour
- Gather some friends for a small-group winery tour
- Indulge in a full-day winery and lunch tour, complete with private chauffeur
- Learn how to make your own wine from a professional expert
For the city-chic mom
Is exploring a new city your mom’s ideas of an awesome day? Whether you’re looking for a whirlwind tour of the top tourist attractions or want to take a deep-dive into one or two experiences, these activities can help you plan the perfect city-inspired Mother’s Day:
- See the city and its attractions all lit up on a nighttime bus tour
- Explore the top attractions at your own pace with a hop-on, hop-off bus ticket
- Let a local expert show you around on a private city tour
- Explore your favorite attractions with skip-the-line early admission tickets
- Get a spooky look into the city’s past on a guided ghost tour
For the artsy mom
If your mom has an artistic side, she’d love nothing more than sharing her passion (and her day!) with you. Whether you share her talent or not, these artsy experiences are a fun way to get creative on Mother’s Day:
- Follow along with a brush and a glass of wine at paint and sip art class
- Create your own ceramics in an artist-led workshop
- Learn the history and meaning behind urban art on a guided graffiti street tour
- Spend more time at your favorite art gallery with skip-the-line admission
- Spin the wheel and create your own masterpiece in a professionally led pottery class
For the music-loving mom
If a love of music runs through your mom’s veins, a music-inspired experience is the perfect way to spend Mother’s Day with her. Whether she wants to take a music lesson or catch a live show of her favorite band, these activities will have you jamming out:
- Learn to play a traditional instrument in a small-group class
- Get an insider’s look at today’s music scene on a live music crawl
- Explore the story of one of the most successful bands of all time at The Beatles story experience
- Spend a night on the town with dinner and a concert
- Get a taste of different cultures and their music at a musical instrument museum
Sure, a phone call and a bouquet of roses are nice, but creating memories is better, don’t you think? Celebrate this Mother’s Day with an experience you mom will never forget. PlacePass has excursions and activities for all types of moms—and we bet you’ll have a blast, too.