This Mother’s Day, don’t be boring.
Instead of settling for the standard flowers and chocolates, go out on a limb to take mom somewhere tailored to her tastes. Brooklyn’s got something for your mom, whether she’s an athlete or an art-lover, this May 12.
Sporty mom
Brooklyn Boulders rock climbing gym is the perfect Mother’s Day adventure that’ll have your mom testing her grip — and her trust in you as you belay her dangling body. Try your hand at bouldering or top roping. The gigantic space caters to kids and adults of all climbing abilities, and visitors can rent shoes, harnesses, and chalk at the gym.
[575 Degraw St. between Third and Fourth avenues, (347) 834–9066]. Day pass $25. Open 6 am–midnight weekdays, and 8 am–midnight weekends.
The craftsmom
Baked in Brooklyn is a pottery and craft studio that’ll have your mom making her own Mother’s Day gift. Take mom on Sunday to paint her own pots or go beforehand and enter your painted gift in the “Make it for Mom” contest to win $50 to Baked in Brooklyn. After your beautiful piece has been fired, it’s dishwasher, microwave, and food safe — so it’s practical, too.
[242 Wythe Ave, at the corner of North 3rd St, (718) 384–2300]. Open noon–6 pm on Sun. $7 a person, plus the cost of the pots patrons get to paint, which start at $4, but mostly run between $15 and $25.
Art scenester
The basement show room at Airplane gallery features the kind of brainy contemporary art your mom craves. Currently on display is “A Series of Alternating Uniform Spaces and Parts” with work by Robert Otto Epstein and Amos Satterlee. The experimental exhibit focuses on patterns from knitted designs to computer generated graphics. Mom will love these trippy pieces. She’s into this sort of thing.
[70 Jefferson St, between Troutman and Melrose streets, in Bushwick, (646) 345–9394]. Open noon–6 pm on Sun.
The foodie
If bonding over niche food products is you and your mom’s thing, spend Sunday at the food market Smorgasburg on the DUMBO waterfront, where a wide variety of carefully curated vendors serve savory and sweet concoctions.
(Brooklyn Bridge Park at Tobacco Warehouse, 30 Water St.). Open 11 am–6 pm on Sun.
Tree hugger
The plants of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden are in full bloom now that May is here. Currently, the “Rare Plants, Rare Places” multimedia exhibit gives garden-goers a behind-the-scenes look at what it took for the Botanic to create this year’s additions to the Native Flora Garden.
[Enter at any of these three locations: 150 Eastern Parkway, 455 Flatbush Ave., or 990 Washington Ave. (718) 623–7200]. Adults $10, kids under 12 free, Art & Garden ticket to get a same-day visit to the Brooklyn Museum $20. 10 am–6 pm on Sun.
Local supporter
For an authentic Brooklyn consumer experience, check out By Brooklyn, the only store that exclusively features products made throughout the borough. Especially take a look at the handcrafted cutting boards from Gowanus Furniture. Food, clothes, books, and jewelry abound.
[261 Smith Street, between Degraw & Douglass, (718) 643–0606]. 11 am–7 pm on Sun.
Remember to feed your mom:
Whatever type of mom you have, she deserves a meal cooked by someone else, so take her out to enjoy Sunday brunch.
Here are three Brooklyn standby:
Applewood offers new-American style brunch from $8 to $18. It doesn’t take reservations for brunch, but the wait usually isn’t too long. The eatery is kid-friendly and a great place for the family to treat mom this Mother’s Day.
[501 11th St., between Seventh and Eighth avenues, (718) 788–1810]. Brunch: Sat. 10 am–2 pm., Sun. 10 am–3 pm.
Stone Park Cafe is first-come, first-serve for Mother’s Day brunch, but does take reservations for later meals. It can sit larger groups of people, and Sunday brunch runs from $11 to $20, while a more expensive dinner will give mom a fine-dining experience.
[324 Fifth Avenue, at the corner of Third Street, (718) 369–0082]. Brunch: Sat., Sun. 10 am–3:30 pm.
Cafe Luluc is a cash-only, French bistro that’s great for Sunday brunch, and it won’t break the bank, as most meals are under $10. It’s known for its famously delicious pancakes. Get there early on Mother’s Day, as this small cafe doesn’t take reservations, or go later, and have some late-afternoon breakfast.
[214 Smith St., between Baltic and Butler streets, (718) 625–3815] Brunch: Mon. to Fri.., 8 am–4 pm., Sat., Sun. 8 am–5 pm.
