1. Take a Hudson River Cruise
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On Sunday, May 14, the Albany-based Dutch Apple Cruises offers two options:
A brunch cruise, from 11:30-1:30 p.m., with a full menu served alongside DJ-provided music; and a sightseeing cruise from 2:30-4 p.m. Cruises go from Albany south to Van Weis Point. (The cruise line’s normal schedule is a 1-2:30 p.m. sightseeing cruise on weekends from late April through October.) Brunch cruise: $39.99 (all ages); sightseeing cruise: $19.95, adults; $18.95, seniors; $12, ages 3-10; children under 2, free.
Dutch Apple Cruises, 141 Broadway, Albany; 518.463.0220; www.dutchapplecruises.com
2. Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
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Maybe you can’t give her the stars, but how about giving Mom a trip among the clouds? Above the Clouds hot-air balloons launches a new season in May; if you can’t book a Mother’s Day trip, spring for a gift certificate she can use before the season ends in November. With flights twice a day — sunrise and sunset — seven days a week, she’ll have plenty of opportunities to sail away. $295 per person for a 45- to 60-minute flight.
Above the Clouds, launching from Randall Airport, 72 Airport Road, Middletown; 845.692.2556; www.abovethecloudsinc.com
3. Spend the Day at a Historic Amusement Park
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If a rollercoaster ride is more your mom’s speed, head over to Rye Playland for opening weekend. Tickets are only $15 each on Saturday and Sunday, and moms are free on Mother’s Day.
Rye Playland, 1 Playland Parkway, Rye; 914.813.7010; www.playlandpark.org
4. Celebrate with Tea and Chamber Music
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For a more refined way to celebrate, treat Mom to afternoon tea and a string quartet. The Hudson Valley Performing Arts Foundation’s Chamber Music Series hosts New York Philharmonic cellist Patrick Jee along with Philharmonic concertmaster Frank Huang in a quintet performance of Schubert’s String Quintet, D. 956, at The Mulder Chapel at the Warwick Conference Center in Warwick. $50 adults, $20 students. Stay afterward to meet and greet the artists: an additional $50 includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
The Mulder Chapel at the Warwick Conference Center, 62 Warwick Center Road; 844.464.8723; www.hvpaf.org
5. Shop local in Rhinebeck
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The Rhinebeck Farmers Market begins its outdoor season on Mother’s Day. Moms get the royal treatment with free seedlings that day. The market operates from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Sunday from then on through Thanksgiving, rain or shine.
Rhinebeck Farmers Market; Rhinebeck Municipal Parking Lot, 61 East Market St, Rhinebeck; www.rhinebeckfarmersmarket.com
