Weekly Highlights in NYC #31: Mother's Day
A Mother's Day game plan — experiences, gifts, and everything in between
PSA: Mother’s Day is May 10th. Husbands, this one’s for you (looking at mine…). Here’s your guide to making the superhero in your family feel properly celebrated. And fellow moms, feel free to send this to your husband to read, execute, and take the credit.
I'm a millennial through and through, which means I'd always choose an experience over a gift. Here's what I think could make for the perfect Mother's Day:
1. Central Park’s Conservatory Gardens 2. Domenico Gnoli’s L’inverno (Couple au lit) 3. The Boathouse
Breakfast in bed: no complaints here if I wake up to this Scully & Scully breakfast tray, with a personalized Royal Copenhagen mug.
A day at NYBG: pack a picnic, wander the grounds, and catch the Orchid Show before it closes April 26. The spring blooms right now are genuinely stunning. A family membership makes a great gift too.
Conservatory Garden in Central Park: equally gorgeous, far less of a trek. Follow it up with brunch or dessert at Café Sabarsky. A very civilized morning.
Lunch, without the children: at the newly opened Marcel is at the top of my list (the space alone is worth it). Also on my radar: Café Zaffri and Raf’s. Or afternoon tea at The Lowell — such a treat
The Domenico Gnoli exhibit at Lévy Gorvy Dayan: on view through May 23, and I’ve been meaning to get there for the last few weeks. Also worth a visit: Salon94’s Ruby Neri exhibit and the Keith Haring exhibit at The Brant Foundation
A walking tour of the city: this guy comes highly recommended and is supposedly incredible. Solo, no stroller, no snack requests.
A class package at my two favorite workout studios: Soto Method (just opened on 86th Street) and The Formula (Bridgehampton schedule just dropped, and a new UES studio is coming soon).
A facial at Knockout Beauty: nothing else compares.
Central Park Boathouse rowboat rental: touristy, yes, but one of our favorite once-a-year traditions. Cap it off with a treat at the boathouse café
If you’re more of a gift person, I’ve got you covered there too. Here are some ideas high on my list:
1. Phone Charm 2. Personalized Mug 3. Bandana Tote 4. Jewelry box 5. Necklace 6. Vase
Flowers — you cannot go wrong with Flowers by Philip, Zeze (the best), Eros Flowers, Alexander Florals, or Élan Flowers for a downtown option. UrbanStems works if you stay in the peony section. And if your husband shares my husband’s feelings about cut flowers, the Green Vase paper floral route is genuinely beautiful.
Courtney Leidy necklace: my friend makes the most gorgeous pieces: colorful gemstones on silk cords, a total burst of joy.
Dorsey tennis necklace: faux diamonds are in (lucky you and your wallets, men!), and this is my most-complimented piece. Their other styles are equally good — like these earrings, and these, and also love this bracelet.
Frances Palmer ceramic vase: she makes the most gorgeous vessels, bonus points if it arrives filled with flowers.
Ossa phone case + gem wristlet: the compliments are endless (my daughter gives me most of them, but still).
Create Academy subscription: I walk on a steep treadmill incline a few times a week and can watch decorators chat for hours. Truly love this subscription.
Fresh PJs: always appreciated. I love this nightgown and this seersucker set from Lake. Negative Underwear’s Whipped collection is also perennially perfect.
The gift of sleep: These gummies work so incredibly well and everyone I’ve recommend them to is as obsessed as I am. And if you really want to splurge this year, I’ve heard an EightSleep system is game-changing from so many people (and worth it!)
KUJTEN bandana scarf: I know, broken record, but they’re just that good. So many great spring colors. And these bandana totes and pouches are having a moment too — great as a laptop bag, diaper bag, or just a very chic everyday carry.
Giorni trinket dish or jewelry box: this one and this one are both incredibly chic and the kind of thing that lives on a dresser forever.
Add to your calendars! A few upcoming events worth buying tickets for in advance:
Housing Works Design on a Dime: Tuesday, May 5. Top designers curate shoppable vignettes of luxury home décor and art — all marked down for a great cause. Tickets in advance, GA 7–9 p.m. (adults)
Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital Block Party: Saturday, May 2 at Industry City, Brooklyn. NYU Langone's inaugural family block party with games, activities, and food for kids 6 months–18 years. Noon–4 p.m., free and open to the public.
Park Avenue Day 2026: Saturday, May 16, Park Avenue (34th–40th Streets). One of the neighborhood's best annual street festivals — 200+ booths of art, fashion, food, and local makers. Free, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Playground Partners Annual Family Party: Wednesday, May 20 in Central Park. My favorite family event of the year — 25+ activities for kids 6 months–10 years supporting the care of Central Park's playgrounds. Tickets sell out, so don't wait.