Your mom deserves the Best Day Ever this upcoming Mother’s Day, so if you’re looking for ways to spoil her and give her a day that will make memories to last a lifetime, you’ve come to the right place!

North Jersey is home to some pretty amazing restaurants, shopping areas, museums, and other one-of-a-kind, unique experiences that will make for the perfect Mother’s Day celebration. With Mother’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to start planning.

But if you need a little help figuring out what to do, here are the 10 best ways to celebrate Mom in North Jersey this Mother’s Day weekend!

Get Lost in the Beauty of Grounds for Sculpture

Address: 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619

Technically, Grounds for Sculpture is located in Hamilton, which is in Mercer County. Regardless of where you fall on the Central Jersey debate, we figured we’d blur the lines just a bit and make an exception considering how close it is to North Jersey anyway!

Grounds for Sculpture is an artistic, outdoor garden that you won’t believe is real. With amazing sculptures, weeping willows, and beauty around every corner, your mom will be all smiles as she revels in the pure magic of this idyllic outdoor experience.

Tickets are $25 each, are released weekly and available up to two weeks in advance. Seniors, aged 65 and up, can get discounted tickets at $18.

grounds for sculpture

Satisfy Mom’s Sweet Tooth With a Visit to Carlo’s Bakery

Address: 95 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

If your mom was a fan of Cake Boss on TLC, then take her to where the magic happens: Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Though there are several Carlo’s Bakery shops throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere in the United States, the one in Hoboken was the first. This location is not only chock full of history, but it’s the interior featured on the baking show.

The bakery is open Monday – Thursday from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm and Friday – Sunday from 8:00 am – 10:00 pm, so there will be plenty of time to visit with mom on Mother’s Day to grab something sweet like their world-famous cannolis and red velvet cake!

Keep in mind that the lobby of the bakery is pretty tight and the lines do get long, so be prepared to wait. Or, if you want to cut back on the line, you can order ahead and pick it up.

Carlo’s Bakery isn’t too far from the Hoboken Waterfront or Pier A Park, overlooking the water, so why not grab your sweets and head over for a scenic view?

carlo's bakery nj

Spend an Afternoon at the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway

Address: Sinatra Dr, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Sometimes the best way to celebrate Mom is to just spend time together, uninterrupted by life, and just enjoy each other’s company and stories. And, since the forecast for Mother’s Day is supposed to be sunny and warm, why not take a stroll along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway?

This walkway is over 18 miles long and passes through Hoboken, Jersey City, Fort Lee, Weehawken, and West New York (to name a few). During your walk, you’ll see stunning views of the New York skyline. If you want to elevate your adventure, you can do so by renting a kayak from the Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse or renting a bike from Hudson Bike Share and enjoying the relaxing sights and sounds of North Jersey!

Here’s a map of the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway.

Hudson River Waterfront Walkway

Get Inspired at the Newark Museum of Art

Address: 49 Washington Street Newark, NJ 07102

Does your mom love art? If so, treat her to an afternoon at the Newark Museum of Art! Mother’s Day features two events – May Family Sundays, which offers activities for families with young children, and regular public tours starting at 1:00 pm. This guided tour takes you through the different galleries and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are between $8-$10.

This museum features beautiful artwork from all different eras and genres, including but not limited to the classical arts, American art, as well as those hailing from Asia and Global Africa. There’s even a planetarium you two can visit!

Click here to buy tickets to the Newark Museum of Art.

Newark Museum of Art

Enjoy Dinner at Rod’s Steak and Seafood Grille

Address: ​​Inside the Madison Hotel Morristown, NJ, 1 Convent Road Morristown, NJ 07960

If you want to take Mom out to dinner for Mother’s Day, then you’ve got to check out Rod’s Steak and Seafood Grille in Morristown, NJ.

Rod’s Steak and Seafood Grille is a Morristown landmark. It’s the ultimate fine dining experience, with elaborate decor, opulent chandeliers, high ceilings, and the most luxurious menu in all of Morris County.

What’s great about Rod’s Steak and Seafood Grille is that, despite the opulence, the menu is affordably-priced. Rod’s Sliced Tenderloin is $49, grilled swordfish is $34, and the roast chicken is $32. For the experience you get for an affordable price, Rod’s Steak and Seafood Grille is the perfect place to celebrate Mom this Mother’s Day! They even have a Mother’s Day menu, which you can view right here.

Do a Little Shopping at the Westfield Garden State Plaza

Address: One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652

Shopping at the luxurious Westfield Garden State Plaza is always fun, but this Mother’s Day, it’s going to be extra special. If you or your mom spend $100 at any Westfield Garden State Plaza store on Saturday, May 13th, your mom will receive a gift and flower arrangement courtesy of Eddie V’s Prime Seafood. All you have to do is present your receipts at the Garden Social Greenhouse to claim it.

In addition to this, many stores at the Westfield Garden State Plaza are running Mother’s Day sales, including BouBou, LUSH Cosmetics, Loft, and Elie Tahari. Click here for a list of all the deals! Once you’re done shopping, head on over to the Capital Grille for their Mother’s Day brunch menu between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Westfield Garden State Plaza

Grab Some Brunch at the Little Food Cafe

Address:  330 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne, NJ 07002

And speaking of food, why not treat Mom to a lovely brunch, just the two of you at the Little Food Cafe in Bayonne?

This cafe is so charming and has an equally delightful menu consisting of soups, salads, tacos, and classic dinner staples such as meatloaf, garlic chicken, and pot roast. Though the Little Food Cafe is closed on Sundays, you can still bring Mom here on Saturday for an early Mother’s Day celebration if you two can’t spend the actual holiday together. You can check out their menu on their Instagram page here.

the little food cafe

Get Your Scare on at Brighton Asylum

Address: 2 Brighton Ave #20, Passaic, NJ 07055

Your mom isn’t like a regular mom, she’s a cool mom who loves haunted houses and all-things horror related, so a Mother’s Day spent at Brighton Asylum is perfect!

Sure, this may not be what you’d traditionally think of for celebrating Mom, but that’s what makes it so great! Brighton Asylum allows you to embrace the spookiness of Halloween all year round, with its elaborate, themed escape rooms, like the Subway, 1408 Escape Room, and Curse of the Tomb. Each horror-themed escape room starts at $35 a person.

If escape rooms aren’t mom’s things, you can always enjoy events like Halfway to Halloween and ax throwing. An afternoon at Brighton Asylum is a unique way to celebrate Mother’s Day! You can book tickets here.

brighton asylum

Unwind at the Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area

Address: 472 Boonton Ave, Montville, NJ 07045

Any time you visit the Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area is a great time, but if you’re visiting on Mother’s Day, you can partake in their Mother’s Day Stroll at Pyramid Mountain specially-ticketed event.

This event is completely free for you and your mom, but pre-registration is required (which you can do here). This event features a guided tour throughout the nature area from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm.

If your mom loves to spend time outdoors, then this is the ideal spot to celebrate her this Mother’s Day! This historic area is home to amazing walking trails and a picture-perfect view of the New York City skyline when you’ve reached the peak, as well as the state’s largest glacial erratics.

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area

Toast Mom For Being the Best Mom Ever at Villa Milagro Vineyard

Address: 33 County Rd 627, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

This Mother’s Day, Villa Milagro Vineyard is the perfect place to be as they celebrate all things “Dia de las Madres” with special, chocolate-infused wines, live music, and a free chocolate gift for mom.

While reservations are not required for parties of up to three people, groups of 4-5 people will need to make a reservation and can do so by calling 908-995-2072.

Villa Milagro Vineyard offers stunning views that can only be matched by the sun setting over the vineyard in the distance, casting an orange glow over the property. They offer a wide selection of wines, including specialties such as the Mi Carino, which is made from honey.

Here’s an overview of their wine menu.

These are just a few of the fun, relaxing, and unique ways to celebrate Mother’s Day this year. Mix and match a few of these suggestions to create a fun-filled day that mom will remember forever.

Villa Milagro Vineyard