She carried you for nine months, raised you and continues to put up with you. Any day can serve as Mother’s Day, so show her your appreciation by using this list to plan a selection of fun mother-daughter or mother-son outings and things to do in Denver that she’ll gush about for years to come.
Take a Nature Walk
Great conversations tend to happen in the great outdoors, so head to Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre to see this legendary music venue up close, climb the amphitheater stairs or explore one of the half-dozen hiking trails winding through the area’s unique sandstone formations. Roxborough State Park, about 45 minutes from downtown, is another spot with dramatic red-rock formations, wildlife spotting, wildflowers and six hikes that vary in difficulty from easy to moderate. And at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, you can cruise an 11-mile auto loop to see bison, raptors, deer and more, and choose from 10 miles of gentle trails through grasslands, wetlands and woodlands.
Bond Over Brunch
Ultreia is an elegant spot to treat her to culinary creations with a Spanish bent in historic Union Station’s Great Hall. In the heart of Lower Downtown (LoDo) is the warm and welcoming Tamayo, with bottomless margaritas and well-seasoned savory dishes like chilaquiles. Sassafras, with its comforting Cajun-inspired dishes and legendary bloody mary menu, tops just about every best-brunch list in town. Or head to Snooze for a plate of their legendary sweet potato pancakes.
Treat Her to the Spa
If only the best will do (I mean, we are talking your mom), then make reservations at the Salon and Spa at the Brown Palace, where she’ll love the Colorado River Stone massage or the Altitude Adjustment Wrap. The welcoming Woodhouse Day Spa (which offers special Mother’s Day packages) is set in an elegant Victorian house and is a favorite mom-daughter tradition in Denver. Or try A New Spirit Wellness Center and Spa, with its dreamy massages and float tanks — a stimuli-eliminating experience where you float in body-temperature water inside a peaceful pod.
Shop and Talk
For cute boutiques in a shady, leafy neighborhood, head to South Pearl Street. You’ll find clothing, gift, home good shops and charming eateries for breaks. If Mom’s into antiquing, then you’ll want to spend a good chunk of time on South Broadway’s Antique Row. And don’t miss Cherry Creek Shopping Center’s high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom and Cherry Creek North’s seemingly endless array of upscale, independently owned boutiques.
Stroll the Botanic Gardens
Spread over Denver Botanic Gardens’ 23 acres are a stunning array of flowers and plants, with many themed gardens and a conservatory to explore. Discover the age-old pleasure of simply strolling through the grounds, admiring water features, sculptures and flora from around the world.
Learn Together at a Museum
You can’t go wrong with a stop at the Denver Art Museum, whose outstanding permanent collection and top-tier traveling exhibitions will have you discussing your impressions of the fascinating artwork. Or delve into a fascinating chapter of Denver’s history at the Molly Brown House Museum, the historic home of the famous Titanic survivor, philanthropist and mother. Moms who are interested in fiber arts will love a trip to the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in nearby Golden.
Pictured: Denver Botanic Gardens (above) and South Pearl Street.