7 Relaxing Mother’s Day Activities in Washington, DC

Washington, DC overflows with rich history, historic monuments, significant memorials, and unique neighborhoods. To help celebrate Mother’s Day, DC provides abundant opportunities for fun and interesting activities. Treat your mother to a day of adventure, shopping, dining, and exploring.

Things to Do on Mother’s Day in DC

1. Go for a walk or bike ride on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, or C&O Canal, operated for almost an entire century as a water commerce route for Potomac River communities. Today, it serves as a home to visitor centers, camping sites, boat rides, and a towpath. If your mother loves the outdoors, bring her for a day of walking or biking along the pathway or camp for the night at one of the hiker-biker campgrounds. Access to the park is free except when entering through the Great Falls Entrance Station. To camp for a night or longer, you need to make reservations before your visit.

Where: Various entrances starting in the south at Rock Creek Park via Old Stone House, 3051 M Street, NW, Georgetown Neighborhood and the north at Cumberland Visitor Center, Western Maryland Railway Station, 13 Canal Street, Cumberland, MD.

2. Shopping and lunch in Georgetown

Situated on the banks of the Potomac River, historic Georgetown has been around almost 50 years longer than the District of Columbia. Once a popular port city, Georgetown is now home to bustling waterfront recreation and an energetic business district filled with great shopping and dining. Take your mom on a day of shopping through interesting boutique shops featuring clothing, artwork, and home furnishings. Then keep her happy and content with a delicious meal from restaurants offering a wide variety of global cuisines.

Where: M Street & Wisconsin Avenue

3. Walk through the United States Botanic Garden

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to visit the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) as everything blooms and flourishes within the main building and throughout the grounds. The USBG has been providing a beautiful educational opportunity for visitors for almost 200 years. There’s plenty to enjoy at the USBG’s conservatory and surrounding gardens. Take Mom to the butterfly garden to admire the lush plants and interact with nature’s flying flowers.

Where: 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC

4. Visit her favorite museums and galleries on The National Mall

No matter how many visits you make to The National Mall, there’s always something new to discover and love. Take Mom to linger in her favorite section of the expansive Smithsonian Institution Museum, to admire the artwork in the National Gallery of Art, or to explore the National Museum of the American Indian. The National Mall is a work of art unto itself with its monuments, museums, memorials and magnificent history.

Where: Two-mile area stretching from Lincoln Memorial to U.S. Capitol

5. Spend the day in Old Town Alexandria

Founded in 1749 and home to George Washington, Old Town Alexandria on the Potomac River offers a variety of activities for hours of fun on Mother’s Day. Stroll along the red brick sidewalks exploring unique shops and sample cuisine from around the world on Mom’s special day. While visiting, stop in the Torpedo Factory Art Center to explore the former munitions plant turned artist studios. The studios feature 165 artists working on new creations for you to see.

Where: Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King Street, Alexandria, VA

6. Tour theHillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

The Hillwood Estate has been a source of inspiration and education for over 50 years and the perfect destination for a Mother’s Day trip. A mansion full of Russian and French art sits on 25 acres of woodlands and gardens open to the public since 1977. The expansive gardens complement the interior design of the mansion and create a beautiful flow from the art collections inside to nature’s artwork outside. Explore with Mom on your own or take a guided tour of Hillwood’s mansion and grounds.

Where: 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington, DC

7. Grab cupcakes at Baked and Wired

No Mother’s Day would be complete without a sweet treat and Baked and Wired has exactly what Mom wants on her special day. Their cupcakes come in delectable flavors including red velvet, vanilla satin, strawberry, pistachio, coconut, and what they call the “Chocolate Cupcake of Doom.” Along with cupcakes, Baked and Wired offers muffins, pies, cookies, biscuits, brownies, and even quiche if Mom wants savory instead of sweet. Make sure to take some treats home to enjoy later.

Where: 1052 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, Washington, DC

With so many amazing places to visit and explore in Washington, DC, you’re certain to find something perfect for Mother’s Day. The close proximity of sights, shopping, and dining choices helps you fit in everything mom wants for her special day.