Mother’s Day Brunch and Activities in Portland, Oregon
Regardless of what activity or food your mom enjoys, Portland Oregon will have just the thing for you and that important lady.
Keep reading, and then make plans early! You’ll have a great time, and mom will remember your thoughtfulness all year long.
It seems that many family activities involve chatting over meals, whether it is breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a midnight snack. Well, Mother’s Day is no exception. Many of the activities available are brunches, and at interesting places no less.
Let’s take a look at a few of the McMenamins’ locations, shall we? Most of the McMenamins locations are having a Mother’s Day Brunch on May 14, from 9am to 3pm.
McMenamins’ is famous for taking historic structures and turning them into interesting and delightful hotels and restaurants, and are well known in the Portland area. Depending on the location, you may find comfortable pubs, romantic rooms, and even a theatre or two.
The Kennedy School in Northeast Portland, now a McMenamins’ hotel, was built in 1915 as an elementary school. The school was purchased by McMenamins and renovated, turning the former classrooms into delightful guestrooms, complete with private bathrooms and other amenities.
The Kennedy School also boasts a restaurant, movie theatre, soaking pool, and working brewery, as well as original artwork and historic photographs. A great location for Mother’s Day (or any occasion).
Another McMenamins’ location, The Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, was originally built in 1922 as a Masonic and Eastern Star home. This hotel offers 88 European-style guest rooms and has several restaurants and bars to choose from. You may also enjoy a relaxing dip in the soaking pool, or take in a movie on the big screen in their Compass Room Theater.
You will find another delightful McMenamins location by taking a short drive to historic McMinnville. Once there, drop in to the Hotel Oregon, built in 1905 and located on old Main Street.
At the Hotel Oregon, you may decide to enjoy a few drinks in the Rooftop Bar, which provides a stunning view of McMinnville and the surrounding area. If the view doesn’t interest you, descend to the Cellar Bar to quench your thirst.
They have wonderful rooms, a restaurant serving delicious food, as well as artwork and historic photographs to view. McMinnville is located in wine country and provides a beautiful drive to and from, and an interesting place to stay, or just enjoy dinner and drinks. Mom will love the ambience and attention she receives at any of these locations.
I know, let’s have lunch with the animals! The Oregon Zoo is presenting a Mother’s Day Brunch from 9am to 1pm on May 14th. Why not combine a lazy walk through the zoo and share the day with four-legged zoo moms?
Located just a few minutes from downtown Portland, the zoo will provide an interesting backdrop to a fun Mother’s Day outing. The brunch will be offered in the Cascade Crest Banquet Center, and reservations are recommended.
After enjoying the zoo and brunch, why not take the little train that winds through the zoo to the Rose Garden and enjoy the beautiful blossoms and aroma of the floral display. Mom will have a great time!
The Grotto is also celebrating Mother’s Day with an outdoor Mass (weather permitting), as well as brunch, served from 11 to 11:30 am and again from 1:15 to 1:45 pm. The brunch will be presented buffet style in The Grotto Conference Center, offering a variety of tasty main dishes, succulent mini desserts, and beverages.
The Grotto is on 62 acres, with a Catholic Shrine and botanical garden, first opened in 1924 on land purchased from the Union Pacific Railroad the year before. The Grotto was carved in solid basalt in 1925, and houses beautiful religious art in with over one hundred statues and shrines on flower lined pathways.
The Monastery at the Grotto was completed in 1936, and then renovated in later years. The Grotto will provide a delightful stroll to view the wonderful statues, shrines, and plants, as well as a relaxing brunch with mom.
If mom loves the water, then the Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch on May 14th aboard an authentic triple deck paddle wheeler is just the thing. The Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge and Marine Locks Cruise will delight her with spectacular views of the Columbia Gorge, while enjoying honey glazed ham, desserts, and beverages.
There are two brunches offered, one from 9:30 to 11:30am, and then from 1 to 3pm. Cost is adults $45.00, and children $20.00. Boarding is at Marine Locks, a short 45 minute drive from Portland. Certainly worth the drive to be able to enjoy a wonderful cruise and a fun filled day with mom.
If having brunch isn’t what mom wants, then here are a few alternatives.
Massage is a great way to relax, or relieve a few pesky tight or cramped muscles. Why not give mom a gift certificate for a Day Spa or Massage Therapy?
The Payne Relief Massage Therapy for Women is offering gift certificates you can purchase for mom. The massage can be therapeutic or just relaxing, and are offered in thirty, sixty, or ninety minute increments.
Bellini’s European Day spa also offers to pamper mom and provides skin and body care. This spa offers holistic and aromatherapeutic opportunities for their clients, and mom would just love it.
Another spa is The Pointe Day Spa, located just outside of Portland in the town of Hillsboro. This spa offers a ‘Two The Pointe Package’ for moms and daughters, and includes massages, body wraps, pedicures, and spa lunches.
What a wonderful day for mom! Mom will be so relaxed when the massage is over, you may need to pour her into the car!
If mom enjoys the outdoors more than a spa or brunch treat, then head over to Tryon Creek State Natural Area Mother’s Day Scavenger Day and Crafts. Here you will be able to make crafts and enjoy a scavenger hunt in the park from 2 to 3pm on May 14.
Tryon Creek Park has 645 beautiful acres to enjoy, where you can marvel at the ferns and Trillium flowers, and enjoy catching sight of jays, squirrels, and other animals. The park also has a nature store, guided trail walks, and a paved bike path on the park’s eastern edge.
Get out there in the fresh air and enjoy being a kid again, with your kid(s)!
Whatever mom enjoys doing, you will be able to find it in or around Portland Oregon. Use the internet or phone book to get details on places mentioned, or to find something else wild and wonderful to enjoy.
The important thing is to spend time with mom and let her know just how special she is. Oh, tell mom hi and give her a hug for me, ok?
Portland Phone book: http://www.dexonline.com
