An Inspired Mother’s Day

Pamper mom with a day of personalized activities that go way beyond breakfast in bed

BY EMILY HEIDT

Mother’s Day 2023 falls on Sunday, May 14. If you don’t have that date circled on your calendar, take a minute to do it now. (We won’t judge if you forgot.) Planning the perfect day for the perfect mom takes time, which is why we’re here to help you make the day a little more special and personal for her. We aren’t talking store-bought gifts or last-minute brunch reservations at the Omni Mount Washington or The Old Salt, though neither of those options are bad ideas; we’re talking about spending quality time together in unique places around the Granite State. Whether you choose a date at a local tearoom, a scenic tour around Woodstock or the Isles of Shoals, or even a cozy paint night in, our curated activity list goes beyond a vase of sunflowers to make sure mom feels loved and celebrated this year.

For the tea lover

Each of these tearoom experiences offer a whimsical escape from day-to-day life, and a step into a “Chronicles of Narnia” wardrobe meets “Pride and Prejudice” afternoon high tea that will lead to an abundance of relaxation and pampering. (Don’t forget your fascinator — pinkies up!)

Étagère

114B Rte. 101A, Amherst (603) 417-3121 sipshopsoak.com

The Silver Fountain Inn & Tea Parlor 103 Silver St., Dover (603) 750-4200 silverfountain.com

The Cozy Tea Cart 104A Rte. 13, Brookline (603) 249-9111 thecozyteacart.com

Fezziwig’s Food and Fountain 112 State St., Portsmouth (603) 501-0023 fezziwigs.shopsettings.com

For the chef

Whether your mom wants to try her hand at learning how to make pasta, or she’d rather sheet-pan meals for the family, each of these cooking classes and their expert chefs will have her feeling like Julia Child by the end of the day. (Check out their websites for virtual class options if you’d prefer to stay home!)

The Culinary Playground

16 Manning St., Suite 105, Derry (603) 339-1664 culinary-playground.com

Williams-Sonoma

9 Via Toscana, Suite 620, Salem (351) 277-6136 williams-sonoma.com

Liz Barbour’s Creative Feast Hollis (603) 321-5011 thecreativefeast.com

For the garden lover

For a bit of outdoor relaxation, visit one of the state’s public gardens, each offering inspiration (maybe for mom’s own garden, or just to delight in) and time for a much-needed pause among natural beauty.

Petals in the Pines

126 Baptist Rd., Canterbury (603) 783-0220 petalsinthepines.com

Fuller Gardens

10 Willow Ave., North Hampton (603) 964-5414 fullergardens.org

For the cozy homebody

No need to take mom out to have fun. An indoor picnic? An evening spent sipping wine and painting?

A game or craft night? These local companies will help you create Polaroid-worthy memories in the comfort of your own living room.

Seacoast Picnic Co.

Portsmouth • (603) 809-9437 seacoastpicnic.com

Boho Pop-up Picnic

Bedford • bohopopuppicnic.com

Muse Paintbar

42 Hanover St., Manchester, (888) 607-6873 • musepaintbar.com

AR Workshop

875 Elm St., Manchester (603) 573-9662 • arworkshop.com

Brainstorm Puzzle Co.

Dover • wearebrainstorm.com

Tarbin Gardens

321 Salisbury Rd., Franklin (603) 934-3518 tarbingardens.com

Kirkwood Gardens

900 Route 3, Holderness (603) 968-7194 nhnature.org

Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves

For the adventurer

From island walking tours, to brewery or birding tours, to tours through the mountains or through an arcade, there are endless Granite State adventure opportunities to scratch mom’s every camaraderie-plus-exploration-tour itch.

Funspot

579 Endicott St. North, Laconia (603) 366-4377 funspotnh.com

Isles of Shoals Steamship Company

315 Market St., Portsmouth (603) 431-5500 islesofshoals.com

Scenic RailRiders

188 Sewalls Falls Rd., Concord (603) 931-1700 scenicrailriders.com

Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves

1712 Lost River Rd., North Woodstock (603) 745-8031 lostrivergorge.com

Mother’s Day Weekend Calendar

Alpine Adventures

41 Main St., Lincoln (603) 745-9911 alpinezipline.com

The Savory Lane (978) 912-0444 thesavorylane.com

Mother’s Day Flowers

A beautiful bouqet of flowers is a tried and true Mother’s Day gift, one that will surely bring your mom some much-needed joy.

Cymbidium Floral

141 Water St., Exeter (603) 772-1300 cymbidiumfloral.com

Apotheca Flowers

24C Main St., Goffstown (603) 497-4940 apothecaflowershoppe.com

Jacques Flower Shop and Garden Center

712 Mast Rd., Manchester (603) 625-5155 jacquesflowers.com

Prescott’s Florist

23 Veterans Sq., Laconia (603) 524-7945 prescottsflorist.com

Mountain Roots Farm

4123 Main St., Bethlehem (603) 686-0296 mountainrootsfarm.org

Ruthie’s Flower Shop

328 White Mountain Hwy., Conway (603) 447-8878 ruthiesflowershop.com

There are plenty of great things to eat and do during Mother’s Day weekend, including special brunches at local wineries, craft fairs and a whole lot more. Check out our website at nhmagazine.com for more tips on where to visit and brunch with mom, as well as local gift ideas that she will love.

In Full Bloom: Floral Still Life & Garden, March 24-August 31

This art exhibit captures the spring season through bright, airy paintings of flourishing flowers, great gardens and lush landscapes. It showcases a collection of floral and garden paintings from artists including Emil Carlsen, Dines Carlsen, Benjamin Champney and more. Free. New Hampshire Antique Co-op, 323 Elm St., Milford. nhantiquecoop.com

Amherst Garden Club Plant Sale, May 13

This year includes an abundance of vendors with veggies, herbs, hanging pots, houseplants, garden ornaments, used garden books and magazines, container pots — a one-stop kick-off for your gardening season. Something for everyone. Kids can also pot a flowering plant for their special mom. Free. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wilkins School, 80 Boston Post Rd., Amherst. amherstgardenclub.org

Mother’s Day Craft Festival, May 13-14

More than 75 juried craftsmen and craftswomen from all over New England will display and sell their American-made works, including stained glass, original watercolors, photography, pottery, carved wildlife, folk art, hand-crafted soaps, country wood, quilts, doll clothes, jewelry, floral design and more. Free. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hampton Falls Town Common, 4 Lincoln Ave., Hampton Falls. castleberryfairs.com

Sunday Jazz Brunch: Nadia Washington Quartet, May 14

Bop over to Jimmy’s for coffee, cocktails and mimosas, and culinary delights, plus generous helpings of culture and great conversation. The menu includes scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, Jimmy’s salad, a prime rib carving station and more. Times vary. $65. Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth. jimmysoncongress.com

Mother’s Day High Tea Brunch & Wine Pairing, May 14

This Mother’s Day High Tea Brunch & Wine Pairing is an experience to share with mom, sisters, friends and the wine lovers in your life. The event includes the following items per guest: a cup of hot tea, a pre-set four-course high tea-inspired brunch and a preselected flight of four wines samples (must be 21+). $59. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Averill House Vineyard, 21 Averill Rd., Brookline. averillhousevineyard.com

Mother’s Day Brunch, May 14

Celebrate mom on the M/S Mount Washington’s first cruise of the season. Brunch features a grand buffet, cruise, entertainment and a flower for mom. Prices vary. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mount Washington Cruises, 211 Lakeside Ave., Laconia. cruisenh.com