Celebrating Mother’s Day in Brooklyn: 11 Free (or Almost Free) Things to Do

Mother’s Day is around the corner here in Brooklyn, and what better way to celebrate than by exploring our vibrant borough without breaking the bank? Whether you’re treating your own mom or mother figure, or spending the day with other loved ones, here are 11 free (or almost free) ways to have a little Mother’s Day fun in Brooklyn.

1. Host a Park Picnic

Prepare a meal or snack from your home kitchen then gather your blankets and baskets. Head to Prospect Park, or your other favorite Brooklyn green space. There’s something special about enjoying good food, company and (hopefully) sunshine surrounded by nature’s beauty.

2. Attend a Music Festival

Head to Park Slope and immerse yourself in the melodious vibes of the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s annual Open Stages Festival on May 11, 2024, from 3-7pm. Over 150 musical artists and an array of vendors will be participating at various stoops, schoolyards, parks and cafes throughout the neighborhood.

3. Browse a Market

Explore the eclectic offerings at the outdoor Brooklyn Museum Market that runs every Sunday from 10:30am-5:30pm from April to November, head to your preferred local Greenmarket or indulge in the unique finds at the Mother’s Day FAD Market in Dumbo’s Empire Stores May 11-12, 2024, featuring over 30 independent makers, artisans, designers and small businesses.

4. Get Out on the Water

Hop aboard the NY Waterway ferry, aka the IKEA ferry, in Red Hook for a refreshing cruise with breathtaking views of the New York cityscape. The ferry can drop you at Pier 79 in midtown or Pier 11 at South Street, so choose whichever neighborhood you might want to explore a bit afterward. If you end up at South Street Seaport, note that the Seaport Museum is free.

5. Head to the Boardwalk

Take a leisurely stroll along the iconic boardwalk at Coney Island. Plus, if you’re celebrating Mother’s Day early or late and are there on a Wednesday after 3pm, enjoy free admission to the New York Aquarium. Just be sure to get advanced timed tickets first. Take some time to sit in the sand and relax against the crashing waves on the beach.

6. Tour a Brewery

Brooklyn Brewery offers free hourly tours on Sundays from 1-6pm. Before or after the tour you could explore a local green space like McCarren, Bushwick Inlet or Marsha P Johnson State Park.

7. Admire the Blooms

Flowers are always a good idea on Mother’s Day. Luckily the holiday falls during prime bloom season here in Brooklyn where you can find parks, gardens and streets lined with cherry blossoms, tulips, magnolias, silverbells and so many other beautiful flowers.

If you’re not sure where the blooms are in your area, head to the nearest park or visit the NYC Parks website which provides a handy list of what’s blooming throughout different Brooklyn parks. You might also try New York Blooms Report, an interactive map where you can zoom in on what’s blooming throughout the state.

And did you know that each day a portion of the Brooklyn Botanic Museum’s tickets are available for free to those in need? Just head to their website to reserve a Community Ticket.

8. Check Out a Museum or Art Show

Embrace the rich cultural scene with a visit to free museums like the Old Stone House, Center For Brooklyn History, Harbor Defense Museum and Weeksville Heritage Center, or check out Brooklyn Museum who offers pay-what-you-wish admission.

You might also see a free art exhibit like It happened in New York: Photographs by Sylvia Plachy at Central Library through May 25, 2024, see what’s on display at your local park via Art in the Parks, or visit a free gallery like A.I.R in Dumbo.

If you have a Brooklyn library card, you can get into various museums and exhibits through Culture Pass.

Just remember to check hours before planning your day.

9. Curate Your Own Mural Tour

Embark on a DIY mural tour through the Bushwick Collective, Dumbo Walls in the BQE underpasses and under the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, Coney Art Walls or Underhill Walls in Prospect Heights. You could also be spontaneous and discover new-to-you murals together by exploring your neighborhood, a surrounding one or even getting on the subway and getting off at a random stop.

10. Visit Green-Wood Cemetery

Head to Green-Wood Cemetery between South Slope and Greenwood Heights where you can visit famous gravesites, admire the spring blooms or check out an art installation.

11. Walk a Bridge

When’s the last time you walked a bridge to admire the skyline or spend some time in the spring sun? The Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, Kosciuszko and Marine Parkway Bridges are all worth a visit.

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Mother’s Day is all about creating cherished memories with the ones we love, and Brooklyn provides the perfect backdrop for unforgettable experiences.

If you’re looking to move to Brooklyn to see for yourself, or you’re wanting to sell your current Brooklyn home, our Park Slope real estate agents are here to help. Contact us to see how we can be of help to you.

 

 

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