Philadelphia resident Anna May Jarvis very close to her mother. When her mother died on the second Sunday in May of 1906, Anna was devastated and became obsessed with creating a day to help people to remember everything that mothers do for their families. Three years later, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania became the first city to proclaim a Mother's Day officially.
There are many choices of things to do in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area to honor the mother in your life whether it's your own mom or the mother of your children. Here are a few suggestions.
Brunches, Teas and Dinner
Mother's Day Brunch at Jack's Firehouse2130 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia PA, 19130
215-232-9000
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
In honor of all the mothers in the Philadelphia area, Jack's is featuring a delux brunch buffet. $32 per person $12 for children under 12.
Mother's Day Brunch at the National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-409-6700
Give Mom the presidential treatment on Mothers Day at the National Constitution Center. Enjoy a fun-filled Mother's Day Brunch with activities, entertainment and give-a-ways. Special guest Carol Berkin, will speak about her book, Revolutionary Mothers, followed by a book signing. Ticket purchase includes museum admission. Advance reservations must by made by phone by Saturday, May 7 at 5 p.m.
Mother's Day Tea
Paulsdale
128 Hooton Rd.
Mt Laurel, NJ
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
856-231-1885
The Gibson Girl Friday Meets the Victorian Woman, an on-stage transformation from society lady to the white-collar working girl of 1900 by costume designer and historian Barbara Meyer Darlin. Celebrate Mothers Day by taking your mom to tea at historic Paulsdale.
Gayot.com has a list of their top picks for restaurants in the area offering special Mother's Day brunches.
OpenTable.com has an excellent list of area restaurants which are featuring special Mother's Day menus for brunch and dinner.
Music and Dance
Peter Nero and the Philly Pops© - The POPular VoteVerizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
3:00 p.m.
Peter has created a special program where you, the audience, can vote for your favorite songs all season long. The polls will be open throughout the season and after every performance! After the votes are tallied, Peter Nero will close the season with a program featuring the remarkable talent in our own backyard — members of our very own POPS orchestra and The Voices of The Pops — in a one-of-a-kind concert based on the POPular vote!
PHILADANCO: Philadanco
Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
2:30 p.m.
Experience Philadelphia's most celebrated modern dance company as they perform a program highlighting both with new and old works, but always cutting edge performances.
Theater
BugTheatre Exile
Christ Church Neighborhood House
20 N. American Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-922-4462
Dear World
Bristol Riverside Theatre
120 Radcliffe Street
Bristol, PA
215-785-0100
Eurydice
The Wilma Theater
on the Avenue of the Arts at
Broad & Spruce Streets
Philadelphia, PA
215-546-7824
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Burlington County Footlighters
Footlighters Playhouse
808 Pomona Road (On the grounds of Wood Park & Riverton Rd)
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
856-829-7144
Go, Dog. Go!
Arden Theatre Company
40 N. 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-922-1122
Gypsy
Academy of Music
1:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
From the blast of the first trumpet to the last hot spotlight, it's little wonder why Gypsy reigns as one of the greatest Broadway musicals of the 20th century. The big, brassy, funny and unforgettable show -with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Arthur Laurents - gloriously returns to the stage in this Phoenix Entertainment production.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Azuka Theatre
525 S. 4th Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-733-0255
Into the Woods
The Barnstormers
Barnstormers Theater
Ward and Tome Streets
Ridley Park PA
610-461-9969
Kafka in the Hedgerows
Hedgerow Theatre
64 Rose Valley Road
Rose Valley, PA
610-565-4211
Line
Luna Theater Company
Walnut Street Theatre Studio 5
825 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-704-0033
Pericles
The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival
2111 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-496-8001
The Philadelphia Story
Action Arts Theater Company
Cheltenham Art Center
439 Ashbourne Road
Cheltenham, PA 19012
888-715-5589
PROM
New Paradise Laboratories
Mandell Theater on the campus of Drexel University
33rd and Chestnut
Philadelphia, PA
215-923-0334
Romeo & Juliet
The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival
2111 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-496-8001
Sleeping Beauty
Hedgerow Theatre
64 Rose Valley Road
Rose Valley, PA
610-565-4211
Songs for a New World
Act II Playhouse
56 E. Butler Avenue
Ambler, PA
215-654-0200
The Irish... And How They Got That Way
Walnut Street Theatre
825 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-574-3550
What the Butler Saw
Curio Theatre Company
Calvary Center for Culture and Community
4740 Baltimore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
215-525-1350
Outdoors
Top Philadelphia Area Gardens and ArboretumsThe Greater Philadelphia / South Jersey area is home to some of the nation's oldest and most beautiful botanical gardens and arboretums. Within easy driving distance of almost any area location, you can find one of these gardens. We've chosen ten of our favorites, each of which would make a perfect choice for a Mother's Day outing.
