Mother's Day is Sunday, May 14. Here are 10 things to do with mom.

Katie Landeck, The Providence Journal
·4 min read

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14, this year.

Don’t let it sneak up on you. Write that date down and start making plans for what to do with the mom or moms in your life on their special day. Because odds are they want to do something with you as a family. (And if they don’t, well, you can still set the stage for them to be able to do one of the things on this list by themselves.)

While there is no substitute for knowing what the mothers in your life are interested in, here are some ideas to get you started with your planning.

Visit Tiverton Four Corners

An 18th-century New England Village that has been recast with shops, art studios, gardens and restaurants to get a bite to eat, this spot is a downright picturesque place to spend the day. On the list of National Historic Sites, at 3852 Main Road, Tiverton, it’s a solid choice for a Mother’s Day outing.

Check out a brewery

Co-owners Josh Dunlap and Wes Staschke of Whaler's Brewing salute their customers with a shaken beer toast at their South Kingstown facility.
Co-owners Josh Dunlap and Wes Staschke of Whaler's Brewing salute their customers with a shaken beer toast at their South Kingstown facility.

Unwind with a beer. Whalers Brewing Company recently won a Providence Journal bracket for the favorite brewery in the state. In the taproom, there’s a rotating selection of seven drinks on tap, including a seltzer. The kids can play cornhole or giant Jenga while you just sit and drink some beer. They don’t serve food, but you can bring your own or order some.  At 1174 Kingstown Road in South Kingstown.

Rhode Island's breweries: Which brewery is Rhode Island's favorite? The voters have decided.

Spend a day at the beach

Sachuest Beach, locally known as Second Beach, in Middletown drew many on a recent warm April day.
Sachuest Beach, locally known as Second Beach, in Middletown drew many on a recent warm April day.

Since the season isn’t in full swing, most of Rhode Island’s beaches are practically free right now. Pack a picnic (seriously, do all of the food planning), maybe pack her a new book to read and let her enjoy a day by the water.

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Take a boat tour

Gondolier Matthew "Marcello" Haynes and Journal reporter Amy Russo head down the Providence River.
Gondolier Matthew "Marcello" Haynes and Journal reporter Amy Russo head down the Providence River.

It’s the Ocean State, so you have options depending on what type of boat mom you have in your life. If she’s sporty and nature-loving, think kayak tour like the ones offered by The Kayak Centre. If she loves the city, consider a gondola ride in Providence. And if she has a coastal vibe, consider a sailing cruise out of Newport.

Take a walk

The Falls River tumbles over a series of natural and manmade terraces to form Stepstone Falls, a popular feature at Arcadia Management Area.
The Falls River tumbles over a series of natural and manmade terraces to form Stepstone Falls, a popular feature at Arcadia Management Area.

If mom is a hiker, this is a great time of year to go. The leaves are that beautiful fresh green color, some of the flowers are blooming and usually the temperature is nice. Stepstone Falls in the Arcadia Management Area is a nice choice for easy hiking with pretty water views.

If trails aren’t her vibe, then consider one of the walking tours in Providence. There’s a walk for all kinds of interests from ghosts to food.

Other hikes to try: These 10 Rhode Island trails should be on your bucket list

Visit a garden center

May is prime time for planting, and picking out new plants for your garden can be a real treat. If you’re looking for some that feel special (not a big box store), Farmer’s Daughter in South Kingstown, Peckham’s Greenhouse in Little Compton and Wildwood Nursery & Garden Center in East Greenwich are three that deliver on charm. Let her pick out a couple of gifts for herself and enjoy the flowers.

Daffodils, cherry blossoms: Here's where to see the first flowers of spring across RI

Get a little competitive

Mulligan's Island offers mini golf at 1000 New London Ave. in Cranston.
Mulligan's Island offers mini golf at 1000 New London Ave. in Cranston.

Challenge her to a round of mini golf at Mulligan’s Island in Cranston. Or maybe, you’d prefer a competition with a little more edge, like RI Indoor Karting in Lincoln, where you can speed along the track.

Reader Recommended: Four day trips around the state

Visit one of Rhode Island’s historic sites

If she likes the show "The Gilded Age," the no-brainer is to take her to one of the mansions in Newport. The Elms was prominently featured in the TV series if that's the theme you're going with. That said, Blithewood Mansion in Bristol should be in the mix of options, if only for the gardens.

Do a wine tasting

Nothing says picnic like a drive in the country to pick up a few bottles of vino from a local vineyard. Stop in at Carolyn's Sakonnet River Vineyard, 162 W Main Road, Little Compton. For details on picnics on the property visit www.sakonnetwine.com.
Nothing says picnic like a drive in the country to pick up a few bottles of vino from a local vineyard. Stop in at Carolyn's Sakonnet River Vineyard, 162 W Main Road, Little Compton. For details on picnics on the property visit www.sakonnetwine.com.

Rhode Island has a lot of great wineries to choose from. Newport Vineyards has a winery, a taproom and a full restaurant in addition to being just off the Sakonnet Greenway Trail if you want to go for a walk. Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard in Little Compton is another popular choice and the oldest vineyard in the state.

Local day trips: Here are 5 one-day adventures in Rhode Island

Visit one of the state’s museums

Is Mom an art lover? Visit the RISD Museum.
Is Mom an art lover? Visit the RISD Museum.

Spend some time exploring the state’s culture. If she is into art? Consider either the Newport Art Museum or the RISD Museum in Providence. Fascinated by nature? There is the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Providence. Does she like tennis? Check out the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Mother's Day activities 2023 in Rhode Island. 10 fun things to do