Brunch is just one among many Mother’s Day activities in Whatcom and Skagit counties. Ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 12, we’ve put together ideas for how to celebrate the moms in your life — and perhaps establish a new tradition or two.
Brunch, dinner and food
You’ll find Mother’s Day brunch buffets at Hotel Bellwether (8 a.m. to 2 p.m., $75 per adult), Semiahmoo Resort (10 a.m. to 1 p.m., $55 per adult) and Penny Farthing (9 a.m. to 2 p.m., $50 per adult), plus a la carte Mother’s Day specials at Hotel Leo and B-Town Kitchen & Raw Bar. As with all dining options listed, make sure to call and reserve your spot in advance.
For brunch with a side of adventure, the Schooner Zodiac will host its annual “Brunch on the Bay” event on Mother’s Day (10 a.m. to 1 p.m., $79 per adult). This historic boat is also celebrating 100 years on the high seas with an open house event on Sunday, May 19.
Further afield in the county, Bellewood Farms in Lynden has a brunch buffet (9 a.m. to 2 p.m., call for reservations and pricing), and Bay Breeze Restaurant and Bar in Birch Bay has Mother’s Day specials. Skylark’s Hidden Cafe in Fairhaven will host a “Mamas and Mimosas” special at both brunch and dinner (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.).
Brunch might be the go-to Mother’s Day meal, but dinner is also an option: Ideas for a fun night out include fondue and wine at the Black Cat, craft cocktails and small plates at Redlight Kitchen & Bar, or French bistro-inspired eats at Bistro Estelle. For those willing to drive the extra mile, Nell Thorn in La Conner is another standout special occasion spot, as is The Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive.
If dining out isn’t in the cards this year, Hela Provisions makes thoughtfully curated culinary gift baskets. Themes include “Brunch Basket,” “Local Faves” (including products from brands like Girl Meets Dirt and Marie’s Bees) and “Easy Pasta Dinner.”
Events
Big Rock Garden’s Mother’s Day gathering is always memorable. The event runs 1–4 p.m. and includes light refreshments and live music. As an added bonus, you can get an up-close look at 37 permanent sculptures by local and international artists.
While not technically on Mother’s Day, Downtown Bellingham’s annual Spring Wine Walk falls on Friday, May 10, just in time for Mother’s Day Weekend. Alternatively, take your mom on a stroll through historic Fairhaven for the Fairhaven Art Walk on Saturday, May 11.
If your mom likes karaoke, Greek islands and/or the dulcet tones of Meryl Streep, the Mother’s Day matinee of “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” at the Pickford Film Center might be of interest. It’s scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 12, so you can head straight to the theater after brunch.
Moms with a green thumb might be interested in the gardening events lined up for Mother’s Day weekend. The Whatcom County Master Gardener Hovander Plant Sale and Skagit County Master Gardener Foundation Annual Plant Fair both occur on May 11, while Gruff Brewing Co. in downtown Bellingham will host its second-ever plant swap from noon to 3 p.m. on May 12.
Activities
The Koma Kulshan Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society will host an easy-paced, two-hour walk on Mother’s Day, and participants can learn the fundamentals of identifying native plants. Alternatively, take a self-guided nature walk through Stimpson Family Nature Reserve or Hovander Park.
The Vault Wine Bar in Blaine will have a Mother’s Day “bouquet bar” of seasonal flowers during its regularly scheduled Sunday brunch. All blooms are sourced from local farms and priced per stem. While you’re up north, Birch Bay also makes an idyllic spot for a Mother’s Day picnic.
If you have the whole afternoon to celebrate, consider making your way to Edison for brunch at Tweets Cafe, followed by shopping and gallery hopping. From home goods to jewelry and more, Hedgerow has plenty of potential Mother’s Day gifts. A new exhibition from Lisa McShane and Brian O’Neill is also on view at Smith & Vallee Gallery as of May 2.
Mother’s Day is a good excuse to explore Whatcom County’s growing winery scene. Barmann Cellars is an experimental natural winery and cidery in Maple Falls; its tasting room recently reopened from 2–8 p.m. Thursday–Sunday.
For something more creative, consider signing up together for a cooking class at the Community Food Co-op, or pottery lessons with MUD Ceramics Studio or Burnish Clay Studio. Alternatively, drop into CreativiTea in Fairhaven to paint pottery and enjoy a cup of tea.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
