6 Destinations to Take Your Mom for Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and if you’re still scratching your head wondering what to do, the good news is that we’ve put together a list of places to go that are sure to make this special day even more perfect for your mom! We also recognize that every mother is unique, so we included destinations that will entice a diverse and varying range of moms.

For the Artsy Mom: The Getty Museum in Los Angeles, CA

Visit the J. Paul Getty Museum and take a look at the beautiful paintings, gardens, and architecture of this Los Angeles landmark. Artists featured at the Getty include the classics: Monet, Dali, and Da Vinci, but you can also find artistic artifacts from hundreds of years ago. For example, there is an ample collection of 17th-century furniture, paintings, plates, and teacups that were used during the reign of King Louis XIV. If your mom loves art, she’ll no doubt get lost in the centuries worth of paintings, tapestries, and photographs.

This is also a great way of vacationing in California on a budget: On top of booking a HomeExchange, admission to the Getty is completely free, meaning that you can use the money you saved to grab a meal at one of the restaurants on-site.

For the Nerdy Mom: The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, IL

If your mom is always fiddling around with the latest digital doodad or spending her time leafing through science magazines, she’d most likely want to spend her special day in Chicago exploring the The Museum of Science and Industry. Visit their Science Storms exhibit and watch your mom become a literal force of nature as she controls a 40-foot-tall tornado, try out their virtual reality spacewalk, and check out the museum’s flight simulator. Your nerdy, science-obsessed mom will appreciate spending hours with the family learning something new.

For the Outdoorsy Mom: The Narrows in Zion National Park, UT

If your mom loves the great outdoors, why not treat her to a family hike? Set out for an adventure in Utah and trek through The Narrows. May is the start of the hiking season for The Narrows, so now is the perfect time to explore this trail and take in the sight of millions of years of eroded rock walls.

The Narrows has two hikes that can be completed: One for people looking for a shorter hike, and another for explorers that want a longer, potentially two-day trip. There’s the bottom-up hike from the Temple of Sinawava to Big Springs, which is about five miles and shouldn’t take more than a few hours to complete. For those that would like more of a challenge, try out the Chamberlain’s Ranch back to the Temple of Sinawava, a top-down hike that can take up to ten hours, so be prepared to make this an overnight adventure!

For the Foodie Mom: New Orleans, LA

If your mom loves trying out new, diverse food, make your way down south and get a taste of the Big Easy. Here, you’ll find all types of cuisines such as soul food, Creole food, and Cajun cooking. Whether you’re familiar with “N’awlins” food or a newcomer, be prepared for big portions and even bigger flavors! Your mom will love sinking her teeth into gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, a seafood boil, crawfish Etouffee, and much more. Just make sure you remind your mother (and yourself) to leave room for a dessert of beignets with powdered sugar or bananas foster!

For the History Buff Mom: Boston, MA

If your mom can’t turn off History Channel documentaries and can recite obscure historical facts, then treat her to a vacation in Boston, Massachusetts, a city that once stood as one of the epicenters of the American Revolutionary War. Here, your mom can explore the Beantown’s past through the Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile walk that takes tourists to over 15 historic sites.

After your tour, make sure to swing by Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, which served as a meeting place for patriots to vent their frustrations with Britain. This was also the spot where the infamous Boston Massacre took place, in which British soldiers fired on angry Boston residents, resulting in the deaths of five civilian men. You can then take your mom to relive American history by visiting the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum to learn more about one of the most famous acts of rebellion in American history.

For the Mom with a Green Thumb: Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York, New York

If your mom loves spending her days in the garden, then surprise her with a trip to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Your mom will love walking amongst the flowerbeds and herb gardens, trying to spot turtles and koi fish in the ponds, and learning about new and unfamiliar plants. Of course, all of the beautiful flora means that you and your mom have to use this as an opportunity to take some photos for Instagram. Pose for pictures near some roses or take a selfie with the cherry blossom trees currently in bloom.

No matter what type of mom you have, you’ll no doubt make her feel special by treating her to a trip catered just for her. Of course, we know that we couldn’t possibly come up with the perfect trip for every mom out there, but we hope this is a useful guide to help you get started on planning an amazing Mother’s Day celebration!