Five Ways To Celebrate Mother's Day In Pittsburgh
Mother's Day is not a holiday in which you drop the ball - your mother raised you in the best way she knew how and stood by your side for your entire life. Therefore, she deserves a special day, just for herself, where she feels pampered, loved and above all, appreciated. The following are five suggestions for places to take her to laugh, have fun and enjoy her day as only a mother knows how - with her baby.
Flowers in the Attic
7505 Saltsburg Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
(412) 798-2200
www.flowersintheattic.com
What could be better than pampering the woman who brought you into the world with a fabulous tea and brunch prepared by one of the best chefs in Pittsburgh? Flowers in the Attic puts on an immaculate spread in its beautiful and meticulously preserved Victorian home for each and every one of its guests. The facility offers both chef and hostess choice brunches with a delightful array of choices (think open-faced caprese sandwiches, mini quiches and to-die-for pastries), or will fully customize your menu to suit any palate. Call to set up your tour of the grounds and plan your event while you're there.
Paint Monkey
1301 Freedom Road
Cranberry, PA 16066
(724) 900-0150
www.beapaintmonkey.com
BYOB painting studios have become all the rage as of late, and you should drop in to see what all the fun is about. Take your mama to a fun Mother's Day outing at Paint Monkey where novices and experts are welcome to join a class, paint with the instructor and have a few sips of their favorite beverage, all in a relaxing and casual atmosphere. Visit Paint Monkey's website to check out a calendar of events (while you're there you'll be able to select which painting you like best and sign up for that particular class), rates and even a link to purchase gift certificates.
Cajun Soul Food Cooking Class
Gaynor's School of Cooking
309 E. Carson St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 325-2703
www.gaynorsschoolofcooking.com
Date: May 3, 2014 at 6 p.m.
Sure, your mother knows everything about making delicious roasts, perogies or tremendous pasta sauce, but has she ever tried to make an etouffee? Take a cooking class together and see what international flavors you've been missing in your kitchen. She'll love the togetherness with you, and you'll leave knowing how to make gumbos, blackened red fish, baked acadian squash, plus a gorgeous dessert of flamed apples calvados. Check out Gaynor's website for a complete list of cooking classes.
Related: Mother's Day Gift Guide
Just Ducky Tours
125 W. Station Square Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 402-3825
www.justduckytours.com
You know you always see the undeniable Just Ducky bus/boat when you're driving through the city and think "I need to go on one of those!" Stop procrastinating and take your mom on a fun, historic tour of Pittsburgh's beautiful streets, cultural district and wrap it up with a splash into one of the Three Rivers, all while being inspired and entertained by your tour guide. Top your trip off with a brunch date in Station Square's Buca Di Beppo, the Sheraton's buffet or Houlihan's, and make it a Mother's Day gift she'll never forget.
The Club Sport & Health
1 Racquet Lane
Monroeville, PA 15146
(412) 856-3930
www.theclubmonroeville.com
A mother/child date at the gym seems a bit odd, sure, but think about all that you can do in Monroeville's preeminent fitness and wellness center. Start out by treating your mother to a vigorous kickboxing or yoga class, challenge her to fun game of tennis, then unwind in the spa's steam room. After you've worked your muscles, treat yourselves to a mother/daughter pedi (or a massage just for her if you're a mom and son duo) in the salon. As your day of pampering wraps up, head over to JT's at the Club and have a round of cocktails over some of the best BBQ in the 'Burgh. Trust us, she will not be disappointed.
Nikki Tiani-Moroney is a full time mum of two boys, wife of a professional poker player/photographer/amateur pencil-sharpening competitor and writer from Pittsburgh, PA. When she isn't studiously neglecting her housework in favor of a good book, she's out simultaneously fighting crime and picking up sidewalk litter while savoring an occasional cigarette. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
