1. Mother-Daughter Staycation or Weekend Getaway to Athens
Ask mom what she'd like for Mother's Day, and she's likely to tell you she'd like some relaxation, perhaps even with you. Look no further than ATH|BNB: The Rushmore. Set in the heart and soul of Five Points, ATH|BNB: The Rushmore is a modern bed and breakfast with 14 luxurious suites. As the only lodging of its kind in town, The Rushmore offers beautifully designed suites, bespoke Athens hospitality, and continental breakfast and afternoon tea from The Cafe on Lumpkin. Georgia natives Cameron and Candice Treadway are the founders of ATH|BNB, which opened in 2021. As UGA graduates raising their family in Athens, Cameron and Candice were inspired to create one-of-a-kind accommodations that invite you to experience the city that is so special to them. The vibe of this ATH|BNB will surely give your mom the relaxation she is seeking.
Check out other Athens hotels and special offers to make your Athens getaway plans today!
2. Jewelry
Community opened in 2010 and now works with more than 50 Georgia makers to sell local, handmade, and sustainable goods. The shop's clothing label Community Service is created by redesigning vintage clothing into contemporary fashion, thereby extending the life span of quality garments and keeping them out of the landfill. In addition to sustainable fashion, there is a wide variety of artisan gifts made in and around Athens. These locally made items include handmade soaps, chocolates, jewelry, paper goods and home decor. Alteration services, sewing classes, personal styling, and closet consultations are also offered.
If that doesn't sound like mom's thing, Athens has plenty of other one-of-a-kind shops so you'll be sure to find just the right Mother's Day gift.
3. A Massage and Facial
What better place to escape the chaos and stress of everyday life than Urban Sanctuary Spa? This local favorite provides a tranquil and serene space to unwind with a massage or facial. They are an eco-friendly spa that offers everything from manicures to therapeutic foot massages. Book a mother-daughter package, or let mom have some time to herself!
We've got more day spas and pampering ideas here.
4. Local Wine Clubs and Events
The Five Points Bottle Shop Wine Club allows you to get limited production wines before they hit the shelves. Each month, they hand pick three to six high quality wines that are sure to please any wine aficionado.
Five & Ten also has hand-picked collections ready to order and pick up.
Or, check out The Pine's Wine Club offerings.
One of Athens' newest spots is The Lark Winespace. Owner and Sommelier Krista Slater has created a comfortable space including a tasting bar where you can discover responsibly-made wines from small operators. This is a Mother's Day gift that keeps on giving!
5. Chocolates from Condor Chocolates
Brothers Nick and Peter Dale have opened up Athens' first specialty chocolate shop in the Five Points area. Condor is a bean-to-bar Ecuadorian chocolate shop and café. They use cacao from Ecuador, their mother's native country, and also incorporate local products in their chocolates. Condor Chocolate's just opened their second location, in downtown Athens, and it features large windows allowing guests to watch small batch chocolate production in action. Grab a box of assorted truffles for mom, and they will wrap it up for you!
6. Walk Through the Garden
Mother's Day is a beautiful time to get out in nature. Take Mom to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia for a walk through the many themed gardens. There are also five miles of nature trails if you and Mom are feeling more adventurous. Grab a free timed admission to the new Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum, the newest attraction at the Garden.
Athens has plenty of other parks and trails to explore.
7. Brunch!
Sure, Mother's Day Brunch is cliché, but it is cliché for a reason! It's soooooo good! Athens has lots of great restaurants for Mother's Day brunch. Share a moment with Mom over tea and treats at The Café on Lumpkin. Their tea service includes tea sandwiches, scones with clotted cream & jam, finger desserts, plus 20+ teas to choose from. The Café on Lumpkin is housed in a historic 1920’s home, and they serve coffee, tea, breakfast, pastries, sandwiches, soups, salads and other light fare in a quaint and cozy atmosphere.
More solid Athens Brunch choices:
- Last Resort Grill
- Mama's Boy
- Big City Bread
- Flying Biscuit
- The Place
- Dondero's
- Trappeze
- South Kitchen & Bar
Learn more about the Athens Brunch Scene to find the brunch spot just right for Mother's Day, or any weekend!
8. Locally-roasted Coffee
Jittery Joe's is an Athens coffee roasting company specializing in fine Arabica coffees from around the world. No two blends are the same, so pick up one for your one-of-a-kind mom!
1000 Faces coffee is also well-known in Athens for its high-quality roasts. Treat mom to a cuppa and conversation at the coffee shop, or bring her some fresh-roasted beans to make every morning special.
9. Bonding Time at ARTini's
ARTini's is a uniquely Athens Paint & Sip studio. Great for any skill level, ARTini’s offers evening painting sessions where you can relax with your mom, perhaps enjoy some libations, and create your own masterpiece. You and your mom will be able to take your paintings home after and remember the fun time you had together in Athens.
10. Georgia Museum of Art
The Georgia Museum of Art is a great place to explore on Mother's Day weekend. The Museum houses a permanent collection of more than 18,000 works of art as well as 20 to 25 temporary exhibitions a year. The Jane and Harry Willson Sculpture Garden hosts rotating exhibitions of work by women sculptors. Join Mom for a self-guided tour of the Museum and check out the amazing American paintings, works on paper, southern decorative arts and self-taught art all on display.
Any of these Athens Mother's Day Gifts are sure to make you the favorite child! Be sure to check out our complete Athens Events Calendar for more ideas of things to do with Mom for Mother's Day!
This blog post was originally authored by intern Dylan Floyd in 2017, has been updated for 2021 by Hannah Smith, 2022 by Peyton Inman, and 2023 by Shannon Dominy.
