Three Last Minute Mother’s Day Plans Downtown

Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 12, and while there’s still time to book Mom a downtown brunch, there are also plenty of other activities in the neighborhood to show all the mothers in your life that you love them. Here are three last-minute Mother’s Day plans you can make on Sunday, running the gamut from pricey to slightly less budget-busting — so you can splurge on a gift instead!

Tea at Warren Street Hotel

Lower Manhattan’s newest hotel at 86 Warren St. isn’t just a beautiful feast for the eyes; it’s got a gorgeous afternoon tea as well. Book a table for two in the colorful Orangery room and enjoy scrumptious tea classics like scones, finger sandwiches, profiteroles and a chocolate opera cake alongside a selection of teas, or toast Mom with a glass of champagne if you’re feeling particularly fancy. 

An Afternoon in the Seaport

For more of a choose-your-own-adventure outing, head to the Seaport, where you can treat the mother in your life to a whole host of activities. Start at “Golden Thread: A Fiber Art Show” at 207 Front St., which explores the largely women-led disciplines of textile and fiber arts in a historic Seaport building. Then, swing by McNally Jackson Books to browse the new titles, or hop into Bowne & Co. Stationers to check out some gorgeous notecards and stationary sets. Cap the day off with a drink or dinner at the Tin Building, or treat Mom to margaritas and bar bites al fresco at Fresh Salt so she can feel like a downtown local. 

Fancy Latte and a Walk Through Battery Park

No need to go into debt on Mother’s Day — sometimes, quality time together is all you need. Buy Mom a caffeinated beverage or one of the neighborhood’s specialty flavored lattes, then wind your way through Battery Park, where you’ll get a great view of the Hudson River and the New York Harbor. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can make your way up the Battery Park Esplanade to Rockefeller Park, where you can visit the gorgeous, if somber, Irish Hunger Memorial, or keep south for resplendent views of another great lady.   

photo: courtesy Warren Street Hotel