Mother's Day is right around the corner — May 11 — and here in Dutchess County, we have plenty of things to do and places to go with Mom to celebrate her special day. Check out this list of the Top 10 Uniquely Dutchess Mother’s Day Experiences to help plan an unforgettable weekend for Mom and the whole family here in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley.
Mother's Day Weekend at multiple locations
Taking Mom out for a delicious meal is always a nice gesture, and there are many tasty options in Dutchess, including farm-to-table restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients. Terrapin in Rhinebeck, Mill House Brewing in Poughkeepsie and The Villa Borghese in Wappingers Falls are among the many Dutchess eateries hosting special Mother's Day dining experiences. For a guide to Mother’s Day brunch choices, click here.
Related: Dutchess Tourism's CIA Chef Finder is a free mobile passport that helps you find Culinary Institute of America-educated chefs who create world-class cuisine in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley.
May 2–June 13 at the Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop, Poughkeepsie: Find locally made glass, jewelry, greeting cards, textiles, ceramics, wood products, prints, paintings, home decorating items and so much more. The shop will be open Tuesdays–Fridays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and select Saturdays (May 3 and 10) from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Click here to learn more.
May 15 through June at Mirbeau Inn and Spa, Rhinebeck
In honor of their 25th anniversary, Mirbeau invites you to celebrate "joie de vivre," that is, "the joy of living," with this exclusive getaway. Enjoy lavish overnight accommodation for one evening at the old-world-chic, 49-room resort and immerse yourself in a variety of luxurious, modern comforts. Save 25 percent off Mirbeau Signature Spa Services, and receive a $100 Wine Card to sip and celebrate at their interactive, self-service Wine Stations. Bring home a limited-edition deluxe size of Mirbeau's bestselling Eucalyptus Shower Mist. Click here for details. Mirbeau received a Four-Star Award for 2024 from the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide.
Friday, May 9, 5:30–8:30 p.m., in the Village of Pawling
Moms, take a relaxing stroll through the quaint Village of Pawling and enjoy perks and beverages from participating businesses courtesy of the Pawling Chamber of Commerce. Need someone to watch the little ones? Pawling Recreation has you covered with the Pawling Rec Fun Night featuring pizza, games, crafts and more. Click here for updates and to register the kiddos for Fun Night.
Related: Top 10 Women Who Influenced Dutchess County's History
Saturdays, May 3 and 10, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., at the Barns at Vassar, Poughkeepsie
Shop for all the plants Mom needs to make her garden exquisite, all grown by the Poughkeepsie Farm Project farmers, staff and youth. All the proceeds from the event will support PFP’s efforts in sustainable farming, food access and education. Stick around for a farm tour, enjoy some live music and check out the wares of local vendors. Click here for more information.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 9, 10 and 11, leaves and returns at the Beacon Dock
Spend an afternoon at one of the Hudson Valley’s most scenic and intriguing attractions. Frank Bannerman built his Scottish-style castle on Pollepel Island in the Hudson River in the early 1900s as a place to store military surplus items. Bannerman also built a summer home on the island, and his wife, Helen, planted beautiful gardens. Nowadays, a pleasant 30-minute cruise aboard the Estuary Steward will bring you out to the island so you can tour the buildings, stroll along the walking paths, admire the views of the Hudson and its surrounding highlands and learn the fascinating history of the island and its inhabitants. Click here to book your tour.
Related: Top 10 Dutchess Events in May
Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m., at Innisfree Garden, Millbrook
This charming English and Chinese-inspired garden invites you to relax and connect with nature this Mother’s Day weekend. Join landscape curator Kate Kerin for the Curator’s Tour and bask in Innisfree's tranquil beauty. Innisfree Garden is an extraordinary icon of mid-20th century landscape design and is recognized as one of the world’s 10 best gardens and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed by Walter Beck and his wife, avid gardener and heiress Marion Burt Beck, with much collaboration with landscape architect Lester Collins. The garden features a 40-acre lake surrounded by cliffs, low hills, waterfalls, streams and all sorts of beautiful flowers, plants and landscape elements. It is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle. Click here to purchase tickets for this or other great events at Innisfree.
Sunday, May 11, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, Poughkeepsie
Moms receive free admission to the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum (formerly the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum) on Mother’s Day. Designed for children ages 12 and younger, the MHDM’s exhibits get kids moving, exploring, building, pretending, collaborating, creating and discovering. The museum is open 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on Mother’s Day. Click here to learn more.
Sunday, May 11, 1:30 p.m., at the Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield, Hyde Park
The Acoustic Music in the Garden Concert Series at Bellefield opens with a special Mother's Day performance by Allie Chipkin, a folk singer/songwriter whose heartfelt melodies and storytelling will delight the whole family. Bring a blanket, relax under the trees, and enjoy live performances in one of the most peaceful and beautiful spaces in the Hudson Valley. Click here for details.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 9, 10 and 11, at Rose Hill, Red Hook
Enjoy rosé flights and tastings and food pop-ups all weekend in the taproom at Rose Hill's annual "Roséanity" festival. I Morsi will be making wood-fired pizza on Friday, and Misto will be serving a seasonal menu on Saturday and Sunday. Supreme Soft Serve will be on-site all three days! Stroll this gorgeous property in the springtime and see blooming trees among the rolling hills. Click here to learn more.
• Take a Hike at Peach Hill Park, Poughkeepsie: If Mom is the outdoorsy type, then why not accompany her on a leisurely stroll? Peach Hill Park in Poughkeepsie is open from sunrise to sunset and offers 3.5 miles of scenic hiking trails through a former apple orchard. At 485 feet, the summit of Peach Hill is the highest point in the Town of Poughkeepsie, and the views from the top are magnificent in all directions. Dogs are welcome, too. For a trail map, click here.
• Catch a Flick at Starr Cinema, Rhinebeck: If Mom is a film buff, why not take her out to catch a film on the big screen? Click here to see what is playing.
• Sample Award-Winning Vodka at Denning’s Point Distillery, Beacon: Denning’s Point Distillery’s Made of the Meadow vodka won gold medals at both the 2022 San Fran World Spirits Competition and the 2016 Fifty Best Spirits Competition. Why not take Mom for a tasting so she can sample this and other award-winning spirits at Denning’s Point? Tastings are from 2–8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2–6 p.m. on Sundays, no reservations required. Click here for details.
• Book a Hudson Valley Getaway with Active Lifestyle Tours: Enjoy all the best of what this region has to offer when you book an excursion through Active Lifestyle Tours, a tour operator that specializes in Hudson Valley getaways. Whether it's a day trip, a long weekend or an entire week, Active Lifestyle Tours can plan and operate trips for small or large group sizes. All the trips are private, so it's just your group! Click here to learn more.
