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1. See a Puppetworks Show

After a Mother's Day brunch in Park Slope, catch the charming marionettes perform The Wizard of Oz at Puppetworks.

2. Go for a Bike Ride

Governors Island is a great biking destination for kids, as the isle is 100 percent car-free. You can bring your own bike or rent one on-site.

3. Geek Out at the Gilder Center

Visit the American Museum of Natural History, and explore its Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation, with its butterfly vivarium, immersive Invisible Worlds exhibition, insectarium, and more.

4. Visit the Zoo

The Bronx Zoo and the Central Park Zoo are awesome, but you could also break with tradition and visit the Queens Zoo or the Staten Island Zoo, too.

5. Visit the New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden is in full bloom, and we always love a visit to this Bronx gem. Enjoy its weekend-long Mother's Day Garden Party complete with live music, lawn games, a craft for mom, face painting, and more on Daffodil Hill. Local eats will be available for purchase from NYC food trucks.

6. Go Roller Skating

Lace-up your quads and hit the rink one of these roller skating rinks around New York City.

7. Enjoy a Day Trip

Pack everyone into the car or onto the train for one of these 33 awesome spring day trips.

8. Jam Along To The Treehouse Shakers

Bring the littles to a special Mother's Day weekend performance of Sail Away, an interactive show for kids 18-24 months old that will have the whole family dancing and singing along.

9. Visit Battery Park

We love this waterfront park, and its nature-inspired playground is worth a visit in itself. Add in a charming turn on the SeaGlass Carousel to round out this outing.

10. Book a Mommy-and-Me Mani

These kid-friendly nail salons in NYC can spoil you and your little one.

11. Explore Wave Hill

Leave the city behind to celebrate Mother Nature at Wave Hill, where visitors are invited to picnic on the House Lawn. Bring your own picnic blankets and baskets or purchase a prepared picnic kit and leave all the prep-work to the experts. Keep in mind there's a $2 surcharge for the day (but kids 5 and under are still free). 

RELATED: DIY Mother's Day Cards that Kids Can Make

Long Island's Waterdrinker Farms sponsors a popular annual tulip festival. Photo courtesy of the farm

12. Get the Perfect Gift at the FAD Market

A special Mother's Day edition of the FAD Market (Fashion, Art and Design marketplace) will be open on Mother's Day weekend in DUMBO, offering a great place to find the perfect bespoke, locally crafted gift for mom. Spend the rest of the day exploring Brooklyn Bridge Park, Time Out Market, and all the other nearby attractions. 

13. Pick Your Own Flowers for Mom

Consider visiting one of these flower farms near NYC where you can pick your own one-of-a-kind bunch for the No. 1 mom in your life.

14. Go on an NYC Tour

See the city through new eyes thanks to one of NYC's best walking tours for families. With options focused on everything from history to food and culture, surely there's something to pique mom's interest!

15. Tackle an Adventure Course

For a more exciting outing, check out the rope courses and zip lines at one of the adventure parks near NYC.

RELATED: 53 Things To Do on an NYC Staycation with Kids

The lovely Delamar Southport offers a quick, Metro-North accessible escape and relaxing spa treatments! Photo by Jody Mercier

16. Enjoy a Spa Getaway

Relax and get some much-needed R&R with a spa break. It's not too late to book a getaway to one of these family-friendly spa resorts near NYC. 

17. Visit a Water Park

Head to one of these nearby indoor water parks, where you can lounge next to the pool or hit the steam room, all on a day pass.

18. Hit the Aquarium

The New York Aquarium makes for a fun, beach-side outing on Mother's Day. Plus, there are plenty more things to do in Coney Island, including a visit to Luna Park or a walk along the boardwalk.

19. Chow Down On Brunch

Treat mom to brunch at one of the many restaurants around the city offering a special menu for Mother's Day.

20. Do Some Thrifting

Give mom some cash and quality time to spend a day combing the racks on the cheap with teens at these vintage and thrift stores in NYC.

RELATED: 25 Restaurants Serving Mother's Day Brunch in NYC

Snap a commemorative Mother's Day selfie during a visit to Legoland New York. Photo by Jody Mercier

21. Legoland New York

Book your tickets in advance and visit Legoland New York. If you can't make it all the way out to Legoland, stop by a LEGO store instead and put together a Mother's Day flower on April 27 from 12-2 (supplies are limited, so show up early!). 

22. Go Rail Biking

Rail biking is a family-friendly outing that all ages can enjoy, and we know just where to try rail biking near NYC.

23. Get Outside

Enjoy NYC's incredible green spaces. Might we suggest a visit to one of these underrated parks or one of our favorite destination playgrounds?

24. Explore Industry City

There are tons of family-friendly destinations in Industry City, including Japan Village or the newly opened HAPIK climbing gym and tech-powered CREA play space.

RELATED: Gorgeous Glamping near NYC for Your Next Family Getaway

Forget brunch and indulge in a fancy afternoon tea with mom instead. Photo by Janet Bloom

25. Indulge in Afternoon Tea

Experience the rather fancy atmosphere of high tea at one of these NYC destinations.

26. Fly High at RiseNY

Check out the RiseNY in Times Square, where you get the sensation of flying over the city, without ever leaving the building.

27. Give Mom the Day Off

Remember the list of things moms really want? Many of them involve a day off from the usual mom jobs—so consider planning an outing with the kids and giving mom some downtime...once you've tidied the apartment, of course. Then, all she has to do is nothing. Don't forget to pick up takeout and paper plates on your way home!

This post, originally published in 2013, is updated annually.