Best Ways To Spend Mother's Day In Detroit

If you are looking for a creative way to spend Mother's Day, you don't have to go much farther than Detroit. Enjoy a picnic along the river, stroll through a museum, relax with a massage or press your luck at the casino as you immerse yourselves in the city. Bring your mom to "The D" and treat her to a special day she will never forget. -S.L. Stoddart

Detroit Institute of Arts

5200 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 833-7900
dia.org

Bring Mom to the DIA to enjoy a day of culture, art and music. Begin your day with a breakfast or brunch with Bach. "Love and Inspiration with Jauchzet" features a breakfast at 11:00 am or a brunch at 1:00 pm. Both meals include a hour-long musical performance by the ensemble Jauchzet, who will play classics from Antonio Vivaldi, J.S. Bach, Henry Purcell and others. If you want to skip the meal, no problem. Tickets for just the musical performances are also available. After the performance, you can stroll through the museum and feast your eyes on a collection of over 60,000 works of art.  The DIA is open 10:00 am until 5:00 pm on Mother's Day. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for children ages 6-17.

The Woodhouse Day Spa

1447 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 965.6270
detroit.woodhousespas.com

Take a step off Merchants Row, in the heart of beautiful Campus Martius for a relaxing experience at the Woodhouse Day Spa. Mom can rejuvenate herself in a tranquil environment where the stress of daily life floats away. Choose from over 70 spa services to treat your mom to, including a volcanic hot stone massage, detoxifying seaweed wrap, organic sugar scrub pedicure, four-handed massage or Shirodhara scalp massage. You can also combine multiple services to create a spa package for the entire day. The Woodhouse Day Spa is open on Mother's Day from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. Cost varies depending on number and length of services.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra Hall
3711 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 576-5111
detroitsymphony.com

After talking a walk alongside the Detroit River, bring Mom to Orchestra Hall for a night of classical music by the Civic Youth Ensemble. Reflecting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's commitment to developing the next generation of musicians and music supporters, the Civic Youth Ensemble will be showcasing the product of their hard work, practice and dedication. The Civic Experience Mother's Day performance begins at 3:00 pm. Tickets cost $12.00, $15.50 or $28.50, and can be purchased at the DSO box office or online.

Detroit Casino Tour

Downtown Detroit is home to three world-class casinos, each offering hours of entertainment, relaxation and indulgence. Start your tour of the city's casinos at MGM Grand Detroit. Before you hit the lion's den, spend some time at IMMERSE spa, where Mom can get a therapeutic massage or a manicure and pedicure. Once she's refreshed, check out the casino floor where you can play over 90 table games and 4,000 of the latest slots and video poker machines. When you're done there, head to one of Detroit's most historical districts to try your luck, Greektown. Just steps away from the bustling shops of Monroe Street, Greektown Casino has over 100,000 square feet of gaming fun. Play more than 2,500 slots and poker machines, try your hand at some table games or play in the poker room. Before heading out, visit the International Buffet, where you can feast on roast duck, deep dish pizza, fresh salads, pastas, coconut shrimp, steak and more. For the final stop, head to the MotorCity Casino Hotel, where Mom can try to win some cash at 57 table games or 2,800 slots and video poker machines. Then, watch the Red Wings take on the San Jose Sharks in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on 15 big screens inside the casino's state-of-the art Sound Board theater.

William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor

1900 Atwater St.
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 396-0217
michigandnr.com

Enjoy a picnic at Michigan's only urban State Park, conveniently located along the banks of the Detroit River. Mom will love surrounding herself with nature at William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor. This green oasis in the heart of the city is an anchor in the Detroit Riverwalk Development. Take a walk through the wetlands, cast a line in the river or bask in the sun as you share stories by the picnic basket. The park also has a 52-slip harbor and docks if you're feeling a bit more aquatic. Milliken State Park is open from dawn until dusk on Mother's Day. A vehicle permit is not required to enter the park.

Detroit Princess Riverboat

Atwater St. and Civic-Center Dr.
Detroit, MI 48226
(877) 338-2628
detroitprincess.com

Take Mom aboard the Detroit Princess Riverboat for an experience on the Detroit River unlike any other. The Princess, built in 1993, has a total capacity of 1,500 guests, five decks and a bar on each level. Mom can enjoy two different cruises on Mother's Day. The first is the Motown Dinner cruise, boarding at 2:30 pm and cruising until 5:30 pm. The two-and-a-half hour cruise features a buffet style meal with prime rib, chicken piccata, crab stuffed salmon, vegetarian lasagna and cheese tortellini, along with sides. Enjoy live entertainment from The Prolifics, who will be paying musical tribute to Detroit's great Motown music of the 60's. Tickets for the Motown cruise are $59.50 for adults and $30.0 for children. The second cruise is the Moonlight cruise, boarding at 9:00 pm and cruising until 12:30 am. This 21-and-up nightclub style cruise atmosphere features DJs playing all the club hits from old school to new school hip-hop and R&B. A cash bar and concessions will be available. Tickets for the Moonlight cruise are $20.