Pro Tip #109: Your mom doesn’t want an overpriced brunch for Mother’s Day, she wants quality time with her child!
If your mom is anything like my mom, she wants Jeep parts for Mother’s Day. But.. honestly, there’s a fair chance your mom isn’t like my mom… So… I did some thinking and came up with a few NON-BRUNCH activities for you and your mom so she can get that quality time that she enjoys so much!
Benelux Cafe
Benelux is a great locally owned cafe/coffee shop. The owner, Steven, fell in love with Belgian waffles and European coffee culture while on a trip to Belgium. He wanted to bring that experience home to Raleigh so others could enjoy it. Thus, he created the Oberlin St. cafe, Benelux. Benelux isn’t over the top for Mother’s Day but they offer excellent Belgian waffles, custom coffees and mimosas on Sundays, all offering a great and relaxing start to your Mother’s Day activities.
Pro Tip #772: You don’t have to go to Europe to get the Benelux experience. Benelux is the the area of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. The name Benelux is made by combining the first 2 or 3 letters of each country’s name, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
Raleigh Rose Garden
The Raleigh Rose Garden is one of Raleigh’s hidden gems and has recently sprung to life with a variety of colored roses. Walking up and down the rows of roses with your mom is the kind of memory she’ll always be able to have with her, it’s the perfect gift! If it’s raining, don’t let that discourage you, how great a memory would it be to walk up through the rose garden in the rain with your mother?
Citrix Cycle
Pro Tip #254: Don’t ride an escooter, your mum doesn’t need to spend Mother’s Day in the ER.
Citrix Cycles are one of the big new things around Raleigh. By most accounts, they are much safer and more comfortable than an escooter. You can get your first ride for free with code ‘citrixcycle’ (one word, case sensitive).
Pro Tip #118: Make sure your Citrix Cycle has a lightning bolt on the rear. This means it offers an electric assist when you need it. Cycles without the bolt just get harder as you try to go up a hill for some reason?
JC Raulston Arboretum
Touring around the JC Raulston Arboretum is a great thing to do with mom on her special day. The Arboretum has been updated, so if you haven’t been in a year or two, you’ll see, among other things, an updated rose garden, and a slightly different layout. The Arboretum is offering a free Mother’s Day Tour at 2 pm and there is no need to reserve a spot, just show up!
NC Art Museum Outdoor Park
Visiting the NC Museum of Art is one of the best things to do in Raleigh. The museum seems to always have something new, interesting and fun! This Mother’s Day they’re offering a brunch, but don’t worry, you missed it, they already sold out! But what they do have. in keeping with our non-brunch theme, is a great outdoor museum park with some recently added installations. If the weather holds up, take a stroll around the outdoor park. If it looks like rain, take a trip inside and enjoy their current exhibits and their rather impressive permanent collection.
Pro Tip #539: Go by the information desk at the museum, they have pamphlets that will assist in a self guided tour, and they will let you know of any recent additions that may not be listed on their website.
Summary
Well, that pretty much sums it up! The main idea of Mother’s Day is to remind your mom you love her. There are many ways you can do that, but remember, brunch is boring, creativity counts, and actions speak louder than words. But you still better say it too!!