5 Giftable Experiences for Mother’s Day
Editor’s note: Are you here because you saw our segment on IndyNOW? Welcome! We shared three ideas on air, but read on to find out more!
Think outside the box (and the bouquet). This Mother’s Day is about making memories. We love flowers, breakfast in bed, and homemade crafts as much as the next mama, but this year, we are all about the experiences. After a long winter, spring gets us excited to get out of the house.
Let’s skip the usual pile of spa gift cards and start hinting—maybe not so subtly— about a fun experience you desire!
Here are 5 giftable experiences for Mother’s Day:
1. For the mom who needs a kid-free date night…
You’ve come a long way from the dinner and movie dates from your college days, and the Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie puts a sophisticated spin on this date night favorite. (Plus it’s all under one roof!) The European-style menu by Chef Abbi Merriss (from Bluebeard, yum) made USA Today’s best new restaurant list in 2021. After dinner, cozy up and sip on a beverage while you watch a movie from their revolving selection, from new releases to local talent.
THE BEST MOTHER’S DAY GIFT TO YOURSELF IS:
2. For the green thumb mama…
Ok, we said no flowers, but these really aren’t your traditional Mother’s Day bouquets. Unleash your creativity with some bright blooms or leaves at one of these workshops and forget about this cold and rainy Indiana spring.
Willow & Star Flowers Workshops
Create your own floral masterpiece at Willow & Star Flowers, where hands-on workshops teach you the art of seasonal arrangement. Perfect for beginners or flower lovers alike, private sessions run Tuesday through Friday with all materials included. Afterward, enjoy a stroll through nearby shops to round out your day.
This sweet micro-flower farm is tucked into Fortville, northeast of Indy. Keep an eye out for a Mother’s Day workshop and other plant and flower workshops throughout May and June.
For a less hands-on experience, surround yourself with more than 100,000 flowers at Newfields for their newest exhibit, Spring Blooms. Take a self-guided tour of the gardens or their indoor galleries. (Advance tickets are required.)
Show your “selfie” some love this Mother’s Day!
3. For the adventurous mom…
Go Ape at Eagle Creek Park is perfect for the mama looking for a little adventure this Mother’s Day that can also double as a family-friendly activity (10 years and older). Get ready to channel your inner Jane of the Jungle zip-lining from obstacle to obstacle among the trees. The best part? That feeling of accomplishment when you’re done will have you believing you can take on anything.
And, if water adventure is more your speed, rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard from Eagle Creek Outfitters and enjoy a peaceful paddle across Eagle Creek Reservoir.
4. For the one who needs a mom’s night away…
We know, a full weekend getaway is too much sometimes, but you still deserve time away from #momlife. What’s better than a one-night stay at a boutique hotel? Both Ironworks Indy, at Keystone at the Crossing, and Hotel Indy, downtown, offer a vibe that will make you feel like you’re away from it all without actually leaving town. Catch up on shopping at The Fashion Mall (just a short drive from Ironworks) or take a walk from Hotel Indy to the Eiteljorg Museum for Warhol’s West before rounding out your night at the hotel’s stylish rooftop bar for a bespoke solo cocktail.
5. For the fitness-focused mom…
We love turning to local yoga and fitness studios for workshops and retreats, but we especially have an eye on Invoke Yoga’s calendar. Packed with smaller, in-studio fun like sound baths with Here Minds’ Meg Hovious to clinics that help hone her yogi craft, Invoke always has something to look forward to, whether you're flowing through a power yoga session or finding your center in a calming restorative class.
WANT MOTHER’S DAY YOUR WAY?
