Ideas to help you celebrate, enjoy Mother's Day
Still looking for a plan for Mother's Day next weekend? Whether your mom loves art, flowers, cooking, golf, theater or just a beautiful view there are plenty of ways to spend time together in Chicago or the suburbs.
Just make sure to plan ahead as many events require reservations and fill up fast.
• Odyssey Chicago Mother's Day Cruise at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, (866) 305-2469; odyssey.com
Price: $64.90 to $79.90; half-price for kids ages 3-12; free for kids under age 3
Time: 9:30 a.m. to noon, 1:30 to 4 p.m. and 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 9
Treat Mom to views of the Chicago skyline on a Lake Michigan cruise aboard the recently renovated 700-passenger ship. A brunch trip includes a buffet offering Belgian waffles, black-pepper crusted sirloin and a chocolate fountain, while the evening outing includes a three-course dinner.
Both trips offer live music, a rose for Mom and a glass of champagne. Reservations are required.
• Mother's Day Brunch Cooking Class at Kitchen Chicago, 324 N. Leavitt St., Chicago, (888) 907-2665; partiesthatcook.com
Price: $75
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, May 9
Your mom may have taught you everything you know about cooking, but you can both learn something new from the chefs at Parties That Cook. Students start with coffee and mimosas while watching a Food Network-style cooking demonstration. The 20-person class is then divided into teams of about four people, with each group responsible for preparing one or two of the seven dishes. Chefs will offer up tips on how to peel and blanch fava beans, cut onions and zest lemons along with teaching more complex techniques like sauce making. All the food is served as part of a buffet, which will include pancetta-wrapped dried plums and mini sour cream and raspberry coffeecakes.
"They enjoy the fruits of their labor while we clean up," said owner Bibby Gignilliat.
After the class, all participants will receive an e-mail with the tips and recipes so they can try what they learned at home. Reservations are required.
• Mother's Day Brunch at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, (630) 968-0074; mortonarb.org
Price: $43; $31 for kids; free for kids under age 2
Time: 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, May 9
Feast on a buffet featuring macadamia-crusted sea bass, French toast, made-to-order omelets and more at the Ginkgo Restaurant, which overlooks Meadow Lake. A professional photographer will be on hand to do family portraits for $40. Moms can also stop at the Arboretum Store from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to get a free two-minute hand massage and lotion samples. The price of brunch includes admission to the arboretum, so you can tour 1,700 acres of trees, shrubs and flowers before or after eating.
• Mother's Day Art Spree at the James R. Thompson Center Atrium, 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago, (312) 814-1794; museum.state.il.us
Price: Free
Time: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 6-7
The Illinois State Museum Artisan Program hosts monthly art sprees, showcasing works from artists who regularly sell their crafts in the Illinois State Museum Store. The Mother's Day Spree celebrates the 25th anniversary of the program and offers visitors the chance to browse jewelry, ceramics, paintings and other items and meet 15 local artists. Artists must apply and be approved by other art professionals to appear in the show.
"That process guarantees really high-quality fine crafts," said Kerry Schneider, program assistant director.
• Mom and Me Two-Person Golf Team Fun at Bonnie Brook Golf Course, 2800 N. Lewis Ave., Waukegan, (847) 360-4730; waukeganparks.org
Price: $25 per team
Time: Noon Saturday, May 8
Moms and kids over age 13 can share 18 holes of golf at the second annual event. The first nine holes are a scramble with partners taking the best shot between the two, while players alternate on the next nine holes. The event includes lunch at the golf course restaurant, a gift for moms and prizes spread across different skill levels.
• Three Blonde Moms at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, (847) 543-2431; clcillinois.edu/tickets
Price: $16 to $28
Time: 8 p.m. Friday, May 7
Joanie Fagan, Donna Cherry and Kat Simmons all have kids and share the same hair color, but that's really where the similarities end. The three performers have appeared on television, in movies and at comedy clubs. They tell their stories through comedic monologues that cover everything from the tooth fairy to dieting and impressions of other famous mothers.
"The whole show is PG-13 so it's great for everybody," Fagan said. "We don't think you have to be dirty to be funny."