Local Ways to Celebrate Mother's Day
Updated: May 12
With Mother's Day this weekend, I wanted to share some family friendly spots around Richmond that are perfect for special occasions. Here are a few pretty spots to celebrate mothers & grandmothers.
1. Agecroft Hall: This 16th century mansion was originally built in Lancashire, England. In 1925 it was dismantled & shipped across the Atlantic. Now in Windsor Farms, Agecroft Hall & Gardens overlooks the James River and the railroad tracks, and it’s surrounded by intricate gardens. As a part of the #rvagardentrail , it’s the perfect spot for an afternoon picnic and to explore the beautiful green space & trails. It’s also less than 10 minutes away from Taste Unlimited. They have a family friendly patio or you could pick up items for a picnic at Agecroft.
Agecroft Hall & Garden is admission free on Sunday, May 14 from noon to 5pm. RSVP to grab your free tickets here!
*Check here for my full review.
2. The Boathouse at Sunday Park: Dining at The Boathouse & exploring Sunday Park is a fun, family-friendly dining experience! We walked around the lake & played at the playground before eating brunch on The Boathouse‘s amazing outdoor patio. The Brandermill community is built around the Swift Creek Reservoir, so you have spectacular views while you eat, walk & play. Tip: grab reservations today!
*Check here for my full review.
3. Fine Creek Brewing: This local brewery is family-owned in Powhatan County, about 25 minutes from Richmond. Fine Creek Brewing is family friendly, and it has a farmhouse, garden under shade sails, a patio, picnic tables in green space with fit pits. This is a fun place to explore with little ones because of the open green space, the creek & close proximity of food & bathrooms. The menu changes frequently, so check out Fine Creek Brewing‘s website before visiting. Tip: arrive when it opens!
*Check here for my full review.
4. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: This garden is my favorite spot for a multigenerational group. I love to bring my grandmother, my mother & my children here. Lewis Ginter has 50 acres of themed gardens + it’s part of the #rvagardentrail . We spend a lot of time running on the giant hill, walking the Tree Trail & exploring the Children’s Garden. April through June is also a gorgeous time to visit because everything in the garden is blooming. The Tea House is open from 10:30 to 4 for in person ordering & dining. You can also order your food to go and have a picnic in the garden. Blankets & lawn chairs are welcome.
*Check here for my full review.
5. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts - We love visiting the VMFA & the Claiborne & Lora Robins Sculpture Garden is perfect for families! The 3.5 acre garden is part of the #rvagardentrail . It has green space, blooms, waterfalls & paths. It’s also one of only 8 museums to have a permanent work by Chihuly! The museum is currently offering to-go meals, or you could eat at Amuse or Best Cafe. Outside food is permitted, so you could also pack your own special picnic to celebrate mom, too. It is free to visit both the museum & its garden (special exhibits require tickets).
*Check here for my full review.
6. Upper Shirley Vineyard - This vineyard is in Charles City, next to the historic Shirley Plantation . Upper Shirley is a 14,000-square-foot Low Country winery, surrounded by open green space, vineyards, horses, the river & the Presquile National Wildlife Refuge. Upper Shirley has delicious food, live music, lots of space to run , horses & special holiday events! We've celebrated many special occasions here.
*Click here for my full review.
Staying at home to celebrate Mother's Day? Here are a few local restaurants we love to use to make our special occasions at home even better.
Tazza To Go: This is one of our favorite places to order a complete meal. You can order a BBQ Kit, a Taco Kit, salads, entrees, desserts & cocktails. All items come chilled; you just have to heat them up. They are closed on Sunday, so make sure you order for pick up on Saturday.
Stella's Grocery : This gourmet market sells prepared foods, sandwiches, desserts and more. We love their Greek meals & chocolate chip cookies (they come frozen & you just pop them in the oven). Most of the meals come chilled; you just have to heat them up! They are closed on Sunday, so make sure you pick everything up before then.
Taste Unlimited: This local restaurant has frozen family meals ready to pick up anytime, and they even have vegetarian & gluten free options. They have entrees like rustic sausage lasagna, vegetable lasagna, mac & cheese and quiche. We also love how you can make your meal into a "family dinner" by adding a salad, bread, a gallon of tea or lemonade and dessert.
Pearls Bake Shoppe: This local bakery offers same day pick up or you can just walk up to order. They have delicious baked goods, and our favorites are their cupcakes! They are closed on Sunday, so pick up your treats on Friday or Saturday.
Small Cakes Bakery: While pre-order is highly recommended, you can always just walk in to pick up a few cupcakes to go. They also offer cupcake decorating kits & curbside pickup too. They are closed on Sunday, so make sure you grab your treats before then.
Whisk: You can order pastry & breakfast items to go from this local bakery. They are currently offering online ordering for pick up on May 8 or 9. You can select the Mother's Day Brunch meal ($60 for a quiche plus two each of their Classic Butter Croissants, French Buns, Coffee Cake & Blueberry Muffins) or freezer to over pastries ($14 for monkey bread, french buns or croissants). For same day pickup, call the store.