Give the gift of a great experience this Mother's Day

One day a year is hardly enough to honor our mothers for all they've given us -- but you have to start somewhere. Show Mom what a fine job she did raising you by surprising her with just the right Mother's Day experience, whether she'd prefer a grown-up day out, some time with the whole family or the ever-popular ginormous weekend meal.

Just for Mom

Argosy dinner cruise with a Neil Diamond tribute band
Looking for something different for Mom this year? Enjoy Mother's Day as you cruise Puget Sound to the sweet sounds of Cherry Cherry, a 12-piece Neil Diamond cover band. Good times never seemed so good. (Sunday, May 11)

Gift packages from Gene Juarez Salons & Spas
Indulge Mom from head to toe with a trip to Gene Juarez. She'll be rejuvenated with a range of packages from a haircut and manicure to a complete day of pampering.

"Girls' Night Out" package at the Inn at El Gaucho
Mom has most definitely earned a weekend furlough. This getaway package includes accommodations, dinner, champagne and a pint of in-room ice cream to cap it off.

Moms golf free at Oki Golf courses
Oki Golf treats moms to a round of 18 holes at its eight public courses around Puget Sound. Mom golfs free with a paid golfer or for half price if she's on her own. (Sunday, May 11)

Tour de Chocolat
On this three-hour citywide tour, Mom will sample decadent truffles and Italian sipping chocolate, tour a chocolate factory and concoct her own hand-dipped creations. (Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10)

Family Fun

Bellevue Botanical Garden's Mother's Day Social
Celebrate Mom -- and the long-awaited spring -- as you stroll the grounds while enjoying live music and light refreshments. (Sunday, May 11)

Celebrate Mom at Lucky Strike Lanes
Treat Mom to an outing of fun and bowling. Receive two free games and shoes, or 20 percent off your lane reservation for up to two hours. (Thursday through Sunday, May 8-11)

Mariners Moms' Night
Take Mom out to the ballgame Saturday night. The first 15,000 moms will receive T-shirts to don as they cheer the M's on to victory over the Chicago White Sox. (Saturday, May 10)

Mom & Me at the Zoo
This 18th annual event is fun for all, with live entertainment, arts and crafts, face painting, zookeeper talks, games and more. Your "Mom & Me at the Zoo" T-shirt ($9; pick one up at any Western Washington Macy's kids' department) serves as your admission ticket. Proceeds benefit the zoo. (Saturday, May 10)

Remlinger Farms
Escape the city to nearby Remlinger Farms, where the Country Fair Family Fun Park opens for the season on Mother's Day weekend. Kids 10 and younger will run themselves ragged with the animal barnyard, pony rides, hay maze and much more. (Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11)

Snoqualmie Valley Railroad
Head to the Northwest Railway Museum and take a vintage train on a leisurely 5-mile run from the Upper Snoqualmie Valley to North Bend. Moms ride free with a paying child of any age. (Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11)

Food Is Love

Champagne for Mom at Purple Café and Wine Bar
Treat Mom to lunch or dinner at the Purple Café and she'll receive a complimentary glass of champagne. (Sunday, May 11; hours and prices vary by location)

Green Cuisine at Café Flora
Earth mothers will appreciate Café Flora's vegan and gluten-free three-course brunch menu featuring local, organic and sustainable foods. (Sunday, May 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; $25 per person)

Hunt Club Brunch
The lush ambiance of the Hunt Club will make Mom's day memorable. The three-course menu includes selections such as smoked scallops, crab cakes and poached eggs, and a divine trio of miniature desserts. (Sunday, May 11, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; $45 per person)

Icon Grill's Brunch Rotunda
For moms who want it all, Icon's brunch includes unlimited trips to the buffet rotunda as well as a choice of entrée. (Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; $26.95 for adults, $7.95 for kids)

Mother's Day Feast at The Georgian
Treat Mom like royalty with this lavish feast of Northwest dishes. Enjoy live music, a dessert bar and, of course, the famously elegant setting. The Georgian will also host a Mother's Day Tea on Saturday. (Brunch: Sunday, May 11, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $125 for adults, $55 for kids 6 to 12; tea: Saturday, May 10, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., $55 for adults, $27.50 for kids 6 to 12)

Perché No Brunch
Bring Mom to this cozy Green Lake bistro for brunch with live piano music (to make up for all those years she listened to your practicing). (Sunday, May 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; prices vary)

Serafina's "Month for Mamma"
Mother's Day brunch and dinner are the highlights of this monthlong celebration. Serafina has launched its new spring menu following a recent kitchen remodel. (Sunday, May 11; brunch: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; dinner: 5:30-10 p.m.; prices vary)

Tidbit Bistro Mimosa & Crepe Brunch
Tidbit whips up delicate crepes for all tastes, with sweet and savory fillings from Nutella to artichoke hearts. A tantalizing selection of mimosas and liqueurs provides the perfect accompaniment. (Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; $15 per person)

Treat Her to Troiani
Troiani presents a one-time-only Sunday brunch special in honor of moms. Indulge in Italian-inspired dishes, including breakfast risotto ($13) and filet Troiani with eggs ($27). (Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; prices vary)

Zephyr Grill Brunch Buffet
Zephyr serves up brunch classics as dependable as Mom herself. Enjoy an omelet-and-pancake bar, carved prime rib and ham, chocolate-dipped strawberries and mimosas. (Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; $22.95 for adults, $7.95 for kids 12 and under)

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