Treat Mom (or any nurturing member of your family) to a Grand Rapids getaway this Mother’s Day! From Mother’s Day brunches and spa treatments to outdoor adventure, museums, flower shops, gift fairs, and more, there are lots of ways to celebrate the holiday (May 11) and show how much you care. For inspiration, here are some of the best things to do in Grand Rapids this Mother’s Day weekend.

Butcher's Union patio

Grand Rapids has so many bruch and breafast options - surprise Mom or let her pick!

Photo by Courtesy of Butcher's Union

Take Her Out to Brunch

Kick off the weekend with Mother’s Day brunch in Grand Rapids. Try local favorites like Rapid River Stillhouse for a special buffet with “Momosas” or MDRD – perched 27 floors above downtown Grand Rapids –  whose Día de las Madre celebration is inspired by the flavors of Spain. For something different, check out Spruced Studio’s relaxing and elegant Mother’s Day tea event on May 11, complete with fancy teacups, flowers and light bites. For buffet-style brunch, Reds at Thousand Oaks has it all including breakfast, carved beef & ham, salads, side dishes, desserts & more!

If it’s a nice day, take Mom on a picnic. You can pick up all the fixings at the Fulton Street Farmers Market on Saturday, then head to a picnic spot on Sunday. Picnic in downtown’s Ah-Nab-Awen Park for great city views and easy post-picnic access to close-by shops and museums.

Outdoor Activities & Events

If your mom is a nature lover, you’ll find various attractions she’ll love to explore. Wander through the wildflowers at Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens  or the manicured flower gardens at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park  , which is also hosting the Michigan All-State Bonsai Show and several bonsai workshops on Mother’s Day.

Moms who enjoy outdoor adventure will have fun paddle boarding or kayaking in America’s Best River Town, biking the Kent Trails, or taking a special Mother’s Day trip to one of Lake Michigan’s sandy beaches! Other fun Mother’s Day trips accessible from Grand Rapids include Holland, which will be celebrating the final day of its Tulip Time Festival, Grand Haven for a stroll along a picturesque boardwalk and pier, or Rockford, known for its charming downtown and Rogue River Nature Trail.

Peruse Art & Local Museums

If you’re staying in town, snag a Attraction Pass GR, which grants you admission to several of Grand Rapids’ most exciting cultural attractions, including the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives, Grand Rapids Public Museum and more! You can purchase a one-day pass or a three-day pass to keep busy all Mother’s Day weekend.

Pamper Her at a Spa

Is Mom overdue for some pampering? (That’s a rhetorical question, especially if she competed in Saturday’s Amway River Bank Run.) Opt for a relaxing Mother’s Day weekend at one of Grand Rapids’ many day spas, where she can unwind in peace. Maybe she’d like a leisurely facial at Lex Facial Bar and Spa, a meditative mood soak at Woodhouse, some dry salt therapy at Pink Lounge, or a full-day package at Tanaz Spa—she deserves the indulgence!

Make it a Family Day

If Mom wouldn’t dream of a special day without involving the kids, there are plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park is offering half-off admission to mothers on May 11. The West Michigan Whitecaps play a 2pm baseball game and the first 1,000 kids through the gate eat free. The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Craig’s Cruisers and GameTime Fun Park are all open for adventure. John Ball Zoo is also open, and it’s a great day to see the Zoo’s breathtaking Lantern Festival.

Shopping along Monroe Center and the refreshment area

Shop locally at a variety of options throughout Grand Rapids.

Photo by Rashelle Whiteharris for Experience GR

Get Her a Local Gift for Mother’s Day

In Grand Rapids, you can support local shops while seeking out the perfect Mother’s Day gifts. 

Start with fresh flowers, which you can get for pickup or delivery from shops like Ball Park Floral & Gifts and Eastern Floral. Pick out a bouquet of her favorites, or grab a flower arrangement curated for Mother’s Day. Then head to cute gift shops, such as Art of the Table, Commune, Courage & Soar and Rebel, to select a token of your love and a sweet Mother’s Day card in anticipation of the holiday. 

Don’t miss the Mother’s Day Gift Fair at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market on May 12. Shop for unique, handmade gift and artisan items including jewelry, candles, décor, kitchen items and more from 40+ vendors. Sip mimosas, cocktails and n/a options while you select a gift you think Mom will love – or bring her along to pick it out for herself.  

Local artists and vendors will also be displaying their wares at the Roeda Studio Mother’s Day Artist Market on May 10.

Still stumped? Try a gift card for a local spa or restaurant, retail therapy in Uptown, or a trip to Woodland Mall or RiverTown Crossings Mall, where Mom can pick out her own ideal gift before grabbing a bite to eat. There are lots of places to find a great Mother’s Day gift in Grand Rapids! 

Mother’s Day Weekend Getaway to Grand Rapids

Mother’s Day is the one day a year dedicated to the person who does so much for the family day in and day out, so why limit the celebration? Make the fun last a little longer and turn Mother’s Day into a weekend getaway with a stay at one of Grand Rapids’ charming bed & breakfast inns. 

The Amway Grand Plaza  has all Mom needs for a relaxing weekend, with nine different on-site restaurants and the Celeste Salon and Spa offering views out over the Grand River. Meanwhile, the JW Marriott Grand Rapids  provides some of the best spa services in the area, plus exceptional comfort and easy access to the center of town. Or plan a cozy stay at the new Ada Hotel, with its beautifully furnished rooms and distinctive rooftop restaurant.

Start planning your Mother’s Day weekend in Grand Rapids today!