By AML Publisher
Featured photography courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

Chesapeake City, Maryland oozes with old world charm, quaint shops, gorgeous gardens and great dining. It’s a great daycation spot with mom and less than a 90 minute drive from the heart of the Main Line. Photo courtesy of Jubilee Photography
1) Chesapeake City, Maryland
www.chesapeakecity.com
Read our full story on Chesapeake City
Quaint, historic and charming Chesapeake City, Maryland-located in Cecil County-is a short and beautiful drive from Philly’s western suburbs. It is one wonderful daycation for a very deserving mom in your life! Chesapeake City’s historic area is on the National Historic Registry, as well as Maryland’s Historic Registry. The town has many restored historic homes, shops and galleries, featuring hand-painted originals and prints, antiques, collectibles, clothing, gifts and crafts.
Boasting a bevy of B&Bs, it’s a perfect getaway for mom and daughters or sisters for the holiday weekend. The town’s holiday dining spot for Mom’s Day is, without doubt, the Bayard House.The restaurant serves award-winning crab soup, tournedos Baltimore, and a breathtaking tableside view of the famous Chesapeake and Delaware Canal (C&D Canal), one of only two vital sea-level canals in the United States.
Additional sites include the Canal Museum, art galleries, summer concerts, boat tours, and tours of the nearby horse country. Convenient to several large cities on the east coast, this historic village on the banks of the C&D Canal is a favorite spot for those seeking a weekend getaway or a vacation retreat.

The Michener Museum’s exhibit ‘Icons of Costume: Hollywood’s Golden Era and Beyond’ is sure to delight mom. In the spirit of the exhibition, the museum is holding a fashion and accessories trunk show spotlighting regional artisans and their work on Saturday, May 8. Photo courtesy of Belle Vie Photography
2) The Michener Museum
Fashion and Accessories Trunk Show
Saturday, May 8th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Doylestown, PA
michenerartmuseum.org
Mother’s Day in Doylestown will not disappoint! In addition to the dozens of fantastic shops and dining spots downtown, the Michener Museum boasts an exciting new exhibit that opened on April 17th—Icons of Costume: Hollywood’s Golden Era and Beyond. Icons presents over 50 items selected from one of the most extensive collections of movie memorabilia ranging from Marlene Dietrich’s black velvet evening gown from Shanghai Express (1932) to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s black leather jacket from Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).
In the spirit of the exhibition, which runs through September 5th, the James A. Michener Art Museum’s Denoon Shop presents a Fashion and Accessories Trunk Show spotlighting regional artisans and their work on Saturday, May 8 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Locally made jewelry, scarves, coats, hats and more are available for purchase with proceeds supporting the Museum and its community programs.
3) Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Saturday May 8th, Sunday May 9th
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
www.longwoodgardens.org
Twitter: longwoodgardens
Give Mom the gift of a gorgeous tour of Longwood Gardens and a special fragrance to mark the day. Always in Bloom is the first signature fragrance for Longwood, debuting in conjunction with their exhibit Making Scents: The Art and Passion of Fragrance. The exhibit, which opened on April 10th and runs through November 21st, is the first major exhibition for one of the world’s leading horticultural centers.
More than 260 different Genera of aromatic plants and flowers have been added specifically for the exhibition, joining more than 5,500 types of plants from around the world already housed in the historic conservatory. The exhibition will trace key moments in the history of perfume, beginning with the earliest recorded Egyptian scent around 1800 B.C.E. and culminating with Coco Chanel’s release of No. 5 in 1921, the first perfume for the modern woman.
Longwood Gardens is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mother’s Day weekend offering special events throughout. In addition to acres of fragrant and colorful spring blossoms, Longwood offers mom a host of delights including music, fine dining and unique gifts in The Gardens Shop. Visit longwoodgardens.org for full details.
4) The Junior League of Philadelphia’s Main Line Shopping Event
Suburban Square, Ardmore
Wednesday, May 5th 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
www.suburbansquare.com
www.jlphiladelphia.org
Come celebrate Cinco de Mayo and shop for mom with The Junior League of Philadelphia! The JLP will be hosting a shopping benefit at Suburban Square in Ardmore on May 5 from 5-9 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit Junior League of Philadelphia and its Project GREEN: Using Nature to Nurture community programs. Tickets are $20 each and entitle the holder to a discount pass valid at participating Suburban Square stores. Tickets may be purchased on the JLP website or at the registration desk on the night of the event.
Pick up Mother’s Day gifts or shop for a fabulous new summer wardrobe. To view a complete list of participating stores or to learn more about membership in the Junior League, please visit jlphiladelphia.org.

Nannygoat Antiques is part of the stores participating in the sidewalk sale in downtown Narberth. Photo courtesy of Belle Vie Photography
5) Narberth Sidewalk Sale and Circus
May 6th, 7th and 8th
narberthonline.com
Narberth has a full weekend of fun activities planned this Mother’s Day weekend, with three days of Spring Sidewalk Sale, and three Saturday circus performances! The action kicks off with music and street food, 6pm Thursday, May 6, at Forrest and Haverford Ave. Right around the corner, the Narberth Avenue shops “On the Hill” are giving away free dessert.
The shops of Narberth take to the sidewalks all day Friday and Saturday, and many have crafts, specials, and fun, family activities planned for Saturday afternoon. There will be music all day Saturday, and an 11:30 AM performance by the DanceXpress dancers at the train station circle. From Noon to 4pm Saturday, you can catch a ride on the “Narberth Local”, two trackless trains running between Downtown Narberth and the Circus at Narberth Park. Circus performances are Saturday, May 8, at 1pm, 4:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are available for $8 at the tent or in advance at the Library and the Borough Office. Call 610-664-2840.

Take mom to Manayunk for dining and shopping!Be sure to stop in Molly Cygan’s popular The Little Apple store on Main Street, across from La Colombe coffee, for free champagne and adorable gift ideas. Photo courtesy of Courtney Apple
6) Manayunk Loves Mom!
May 8th and May 9th
www.manayunk.com
‘Manayunk loves Mom!’ is the special weekend of activities, discounts and complimentary gifts retail owners will be offering shoppers and diners May 8th and May 9th. Among the cool kudos in store for moms dining over the weekend in Manayunk: Kildare’s will offer mom a complimentary pint and Mango Moon will serve mom complimentary champagne and a chef’s specialty appetizer. Over a dozen retailers will offer discounts and gifts with purchase. Speaking of gifts, Manayunk’s hot new retail space The Little Apple is the must-stop in the Yunk to grab a great, affordable gift for mom. For a full list of the specials and participating stores, visit Manayunk.com.
7) Please Touch Museum’s Spring Strings
May 7th to 10th
Mother’s Day Hours: 11.am. to 5 p.m.
Moms get free general admission for Mother’s Day Weekend
www.pleasetouch.org
The Please Touch Museum will be tuning its strings in anticipation for the Spring String celebration! Come and enjoy the musical styles of Ann Goering and Brian Rafter while they play a number of different stringed instruments around the museum, including upright bass, bowed psaltery, autoharp, guitar, violin, and viola. Little maestros can also try their hands at a ukulele, hammerete, melody harp, and child-sized upright harp and guitar in our Program Room. Mom will get free general admission for Mother’s Day Weekend.

Adventure Aquarium has a fantastic week of activities planned. On Saturday, meet your favorite NBC10 personalities up close and in person at Adventure Aquarium! Photo courtesy of Off the Leash Portraits
8) Adventure Aquarium and NBC10 Day
Saturday May 8th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
adventureaquarium.com
Twitter: AdventureAqua
In celebration of Mother’s Day, Adventure Aquarium and NBC 10 invite you to celebrate the women in your lives by giving the gift of adventure. On Saturday, May 8, meet your favorite NBC 10 personalities up close and in person at Adventure Aquarium! All moms will receive a complimentary flower (while supplies last) and, from 10 am to 2pm, guests can meet renowned members of the NBC 10 team, who will be on-hand to greet guests, sign autographs, and perform in Adventure Aquariums live shows.
