Mother’s Day is just around the corner on Sunday, May 11th, and Michigan City offers a wonderful variety of ways to celebrate the moms in your life. From elegant teas to outdoor adventures, spa experiences to garden workshops, our community has something for every type of mom and mom figure in your life. Here’s your comprehensive guide to making this Mother’s Day memorable in Michigan City.
Special Mother’s Day Events:
Mother’s Day Tea at The Barker Mansion
Step back in time and treat the mom in your life to an elegant afternoon in this beautifully preserved piece of Michigan City history. Barker Mansion is a historic 38-room mansion, built in 1905, that offers an elegant Mother’s Day Tea experience.
Reservations are required for this popular annual event. This year, the Mother’s Day Tea takes place on May 10th.
Visit their website to learn more.
Mother’s Day at Friendship Botanic Gardens
Hypertufa Planter Workshop:
Friendship Botanic Gardens is the place for the nature-loving mom in your life! How about treating Mom to a workshop on making her own planter? Hypertufa makes stone-like, lightweight planters that can be left outside for years. This workshop is taking place at Friendship Gardens, located at 2055 E US Highway 12, on Saturday, May 10th at 10:30 AM This makes for a wonderful pre-Mother’s Day activity where mom can learn a new skill and take home a handcrafted planter. What better way to celebrate than by creating something together?
A Walk Through the Gardens:
Spanning 105 beautiful acres with themed gardens, wooded trails, and a peaceful spring-fed lake, Friendship Botanic Gardens is a great way to spend Mother’s Day. After the workshop or on its own, the Michigan City Treasure is a must-see for mom. Open from 9 AM to 5 PM, admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and veterans, and free for children under 12. Take mom for a leisurely stroll through the gardens, enjoy the beauty of spring blooms, and find a quiet spot for a picnic.
Visit their website to learn more.
Washington Park Zoo Mother’s Day Special
The Washington Park Zoo offers free admission for mothers and grandmothers with a paid child admission on Mother’s Day. This family-friendly attraction features over 90 animal species across 15 acres near Lake Michigan’s shoreline. Make lasting memories exploring the zoo’s exhibits, climbing the observation tower for lake views, and enjoying the day together. This is a true Michigan City experience and a fun family day out.
Click here for more information
Mother’s Day Wildflower Hike
Nature-loving moms will appreciate this ranger-led hike at the Heron Rookery (1336 600 East) in Michigan City. The Heron Rookery trail is considered one of the best locations in the region to see spring wildflowers in bloom. This is another beautiful way to take in nature in our community on Mother’s Day.
Click Here for More Information
Yoga in the Garden
For the mom who is looking for Zen, how about yoga in the garden? Save the Dunes is hosting a yoga session with Sacred Dunes Health and Wellness on Saturday, May 10th. This yoga session will take place at the Barker Mansion, located at 444 Barker Rd. Give the gift of a peaceful way to celebrate Mother’s Day to the mom in your life. What better gift than relaxation and wellness in a beautiful garden setting?
Visit the Event Facebook Page to Learn More.
Dining Options:
While Michigan City offers many excellent Mother’s Day dining options, we want to highlight a few of our favorites to treat mom.
Leeds Public House
Known for having one of the best brunches in Michigan City, Leeds Public House offers Friday through Sunday brunch from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This year, they are doing a Mother’s Day brunch. Their brunch menu features favorites like avocado toast and Nashville hot chicken n’ waffles, along with mimosas (which are half price every Saturday from 10 AM to noon). Located in downtown Michigan City, reservations are recommended for Mother’s Day. This is a great way to kick off your Mother’s Day in Michigan City! Follow up brunch with some shopping in Michigan City, a walk at the lakefront, or any of the other exciting events happening to celebrate mom in town.
Visit their website for more information.
Fiddlehead Restaurant
This Michigan City favorite is another solid brunch option, or great for lunch too, for Mom. Their menu features a diverse selection with grass-fed beef burgers, vegetarian and gluten-free options, steaks, chicken, pasta, seafood, and a full-service bar. They operate on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations), so plan accordingly for Mother’s Day, which is likely to be busy.
Local Gift Options:
J&K Flower Company
J &K Flower Company specializes in creating stunning floral masterpieces. This year, why not buy your Mother’s Day flower arrangements locally? J&K Flower Company is located on Franklin Street in Michigan City. Order ahead to give mom a beautiful bouquet for delivery or pick-up to make mom feel special.
Beachside Gardens
This family-owned garden center has served Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan for over 40 years. They specialize in Dune Landscape plants and produce many of their own bedding plants, hanging baskets, and containers – all of which make wonderful gifts for garden-loving moms.
Planning Tips
- Make reservations early – Mother’s Day is one of the busiest dining days of the year.
- Check hours and availability – While we’ve provided the most current information available, it’s always best to call ahead, or look online to confirm details.
- Consider the weather – Michigan City in May can be unpredictable, so have indoor and outdoor options planned.
- Combine experiences – Create a full day by pairing a brunch reservation with a visit to the gardens or zoo.
- Don’t forget the card – Sometimes the simplest gestures mean the most.
Michigan City is a great place to celebrate Mother’s Day, whether your mom prefers elegant dining, outdoor adventures, creative workshops, or relaxing experiences. The key to a perfect celebration is choosing activities that match her interests while giving her quality time together. We hope this guide helps you plan a wonderful Mother’s Day in Michigan City!
