May in Victoria is a time when gardens burst in both colour and scent, beautiful weather is enjoyed and of course, Mother’s Day is celebrated. Show your mom how much you care this month with these fun ways to spend quality time together in Victoria, B.C. – on Mother’s Day and beyond.

Brunch and Flow in the Vineyard

On May 11, take a leisurely drive to the scenic Church & State Wines and flow through some yoga poses in the vineyard before indulging in a light brunch in the bistro. Follow up your flow with a complimentary mimosa as you soak up the mild Vancouver Island weather.

Image courtesy of @churchandstatewines

Get Crafty 

There’s nothing like receiving a handmade gift from a loved one so if you’re feeling crafty, handmake your mom a Mother’s Day gift at the terrarium building or wreath making workshops at the Victoria Public Market on Saturday, May 11. Think your mom would want to join in on the fun? Gift her the experience and craft side by side!

If your mom’s handy and creative, consider gifting her a workshop at Argentum Jewellery School where the two of you can learn the traditional art of silversmithing. 

Enjoy shopping for locally made crafts instead of building them yourself? Take your mom to the Victoria Etsy Artisans spring event and let her pick out her own handmade gift. 

Image courtesy of @argentum_jewellery_school

Visit a National Historic Site

Take a drive to Colwood and visit Hatley Castle Park for their annual Mother’s Day Paint-in and Craft Fair. Stroll through the heritage gardens, watch painters capture the magic, enjoy entertainment, performances, crafts and local artisans and vendors. Bring your own picnic lunch or purchase food on site and make a day of it as you celebrate!

A Sophisticated Affair

Afternoon tea is the perfect excuse to get dressed up and treat your mom like a queen. Indulge in delectable bites among the late spring blooms at Abkhazi Gardens or overlooking the Inner Harbour at the Pendray Tea Room. Alternatively, treat your mom to a Champaign Tea at The Fairmont Empress and you can cheers Veuve Clicquot in the heart of downtown Victoria. 

Image by @alicia_haque via Instagram

Capital City Tradition

Brunch is serious business in Victoria. Special occasions call for special brunches so check out Hotel Grand Pacific, the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, Vis a Vis and The Bard & Banker’s Mother’s Day offerings so you can treat mom to a special breakfast affair. Want to play your brunch plans by ear? Check out these must-try brunch spots in Victoria.

Image via @visavisoakbay

Explore the City of Gardens

Treat your mom to a visit to The Butchart Gardens and ogle their impressive tulip bloom! Grab a scoop of house-made gelato in the Italian Gardens and be sure to stick around for their delectable Mother’s Day lunch buffet.

Ready to see why Victoria is referred to as The City of Gardens? Explore 10 stunning gardens during the Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour.

Image via @thebutchartgardens

Treat Mom to a Mountainside Escape

Give your mom the gift of utter relaxation with a stay at The Villa Eyrie Resort, a mountainside escape to rejuvenate her soul.  Between dining over the clouds, relaxing spa treatments and dips in the mineral pools, a getaway to Villa Eyrie is a truly magnificent experience.

Image by @ninadefilla via Instagram

Toast to Mom

Say cheers to mom with a craft cocktail at one of Victoria’s many wonderful cocktail lounges or wine bars. Victoria Distillers (home to the famous purple Victoria Gin) has a wonderful space to sip on delicious cocktails and rumour has it their scenic patio opens soon. 

If you’re staying downtown, Veneto Kitchen + Bar is always a hit with moms who like a bit of spontaneity with their libations. Here, you’ll “spin the wheel” for a creative cocktail made with your choice of base liquor and flavour profile. You can also find fabulous cocktails at Ferris’ Grill and Oyster Bar, another local favourite.

If you and your mom love to share laughs over a bottle of wine, gift your mom the experience of discovering the Napa Valley of the North with a wine tour of Cowichan Valley. Sample some of the Islands finest and take in the gorgeous scenery while someone else does the driving. Alternatively, pick up a bottle of B.C. wine from The Strath Merchants to gift her instead. 

Image courtesy of @vicdistillers 

No matter how you decide to celebrate your mom, the real gift is the thought behind it, so don’t be afraid to put your own spin on the day! Check out more things to do and don’t forget to look at the calendar of events to see what’s going on in Victoria all weekend.

#ExploreVictoria