Celebrate Mother's Day in Burlington!

Celebrate Mother's Day in Burlington!

She’s the one who kissed our boo-boos away, lends an ear and is there for us through thick and thin – thanks MOM!  With only a week until Mother’s Day you still have time to plan the perfect celebration for your mom, grandmother or other special lady in your life.  From events to brunch to gift ideas, Tourism Burlington is here to help.

If you are looking for a special event to share with your mom consider heading to Ireland House at Oakridge Farm for their Queen’s Jubilee Mother’s Day Royal Tea.  This celebration to honour the Queen’s 60^th Jubilee includes live entertainment, tea workshops, horse & carriage rides, gardening demonstrations, hands-on activities, a visit from “the Queen” and tea parties (1:00pm, 2:30pm & 4:00pm).  Tickets for the tea party are sold in advance.  What a great way to enjoy this special day at this historic site. 

For mom’s that prefer something a bit more outdoorsy, plan to visit Crawford Lake for their wildflower walks for mom.  This guided walk through the park woodlands begins with a spring slideshow then you head outside where a guide will accompany you and explain the natural and cultural history of the area wildflowers.  Post walk, mom can relax with a serving of Nature’s Tea. 

For mom’s that like a bit of entertainment, the Halton Region Museum celebrates mother’s day with their spring jazz series featuring the George Grosman Quartet.  Spend the afternoon enjoying the sounds of this outstanding jazz quartet and noshing on some light appetizers.  Tickets should be purchased in advance as a limited number will be available at the door.

The best gift “fore” mom.  On May 12th and 13th at Hidden Lake Golf and Lowville bring your mom out for a round of golf and she plays free when accompanied by a full-paying green fee and purchase of a power cart. Consider adding brunch at Lowville to your day out only $12.95 per person from 9am-1pm.

For the sweetest mom consider spending the day exploring the Burlington Chocolate Trail.  This self guided trail of all things chocolate includes 5 chocolatiers making amazing creations; five restaurants featuring decadent desserts; six artisan food producers with a wide variety of chocolate treats and two spas where you can relax with a chocolate treatment.

When is brunch not just brunch - when you head to the Royal Botanical Gardens for their Mother’s Day brunch. Enjoy entertainment and spectacular food prepared at the Gardens Café.  Your package includes shuttle service to the garden areas where mom can view the Tulip and Lilac blooms.  Reservations are required.

Burlington is home to such an array of great restaurants that you are sure to find the perfect spot to treat your mom.  Here is a listing of restaurants offering Mother’s Day brunch/buffet:

Alloro; 11am-2pm - Sunday Brunch

Beaver & Bulldog; starts at 10:30am - Mother’s Day Brunch

Downtown Bistro; 11am-3pm - Mother’s Day Brunch & 5pm-9pm - Mother’s Day Dinner

Honey West; 11am-4pm - Mother’s Day Brunch & 6pm, 8pm - Mother’s Day Dinner

Jake’s Grill &Oyster House, Lunch & Dinner Specials, live jazz & gift for mom

LaCosta Nuova; 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm - Italian Style Buffet

Local Eatery & Refuge; All day - Mom’s enjoy a complimentary entrée*

Martini House; Mom’s meal is on us, restrictions apply. One Mom per table of four.
Pepperwood Bistro; Mother’s Day Buffet

Red Canoe Bistro; 10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm - Mother’s Day Buffet        

Spencer’s at the Waterfront; Mother’s Day Brunch

Stone House Restaurant; 4pm-8:30pm - Sunday Buffet        

Water St. Cooker; Sunday Brunch

If you are looking for the perfect mother’s day gift we have some suggestions to fit every budget.  Flowers are always nice and chocolates (check out our chocolate trail vendors) are a guaranteed hit. For those looking for something more unique consider visiting Art Etc. at the Burlington Art Centre where you can find Canadian handmade items ranging from jewelry to pottery and more.  If mom is a gardener, head to the Shop at the Gardens (RBG) for the perfect gift.  For the foodie, look no further than Springridge Farm, they carry a wide variety of gourmet goodies and cookbooks, as well as home and garden gifts.  Downtown Burlington is home to many one of a kind shops that are sure to please even the hardest to buy for mom.  For fashion, head to Joelle’s, Mirella’s Ladies Boutique, Ohh!! Beautiful Things, Pearl Street Fine Shoes, Promises and Lace and the list goes on!  For home décor and gifts think Artist’s Walk in the Village Square, Centro Garden, Fairhome and Stir Kitchen.  Visit the Downtown Burlington website for a complete list of retailers.  Of course you can always find what you’re looking for at Mapleview Centre or Burlington Mall and if you can’t decide a gift certificate is always appreciated.

Of course some moms are happy with a homemade card and gift and we think that is just great too! 

Happy Mother’s Day 

 

Halton Region Museum celebrates 50 with Farm Day!

Looking for something to do this Sunday?  Why not take a trip to the Halton Region Museum, just a short drive from Burlington, at the foot of the Escarpment in Kelso Conservation Area.

The Halton Region Museum is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary with an exciting roster of events and activities for the balance of the year, including the return of Hearthside, Jazz at the Museum concerts, a book launch and a fun-filled Alexander Family Farm Day on Sunday, September 18, 2011.

The Halton Region Museum is the original home of the Alexander family, Scottish immigrants who purchased the land in 1836. This enterprising and innovative family farmed the land for four generations. They were one of the first farms in the country to generate their own electricity and we like to think that we are continuing the Alexander tradition by generating a little electricity of our own with our exciting fall events.  Alexander Family Farm Day offers something for everyone, whether your interest is in music, history, art, the environment or hiking.

From 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1 until 4 p.m.

Pioneer Chores & Games, Living as a Blacksmith, Pond Study, a Mystery Farm Challenge, Water Quest, a Geocache Adventure (pre-registration required on site), a Discovery Hunt and Pump House Relay.

High Rendition Jazz

At 11 a.m

Take in a performance by High Rendition Jazz

At 11 a.m. (and again at 1:00/2:00/3:00)

Try your hand at painting wooden fish through a Stream of Dreams activity (pre-registration required onsite) that provides environmental education through community art that focuses on our watershed.



At 11 a.m. and again at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. 

Watch a Puppet Show – What Do You Know About Water?  

Chris McKhool

At noon

BBQ opens. Reception and Cake Cutting with Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr

At 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Grab your kids and dance to the tunes of popular children’s performer Chris McKhool

Birds of Prey



At 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.

See birds up close and learn about their fascinating life histories at a Birds of Prey show

The Halton Region Museum is your centre for exploring Halton’s natural and cultural heritage. I invite you to join us on September 18 as we celebrate just a small sample of all we have to offer. Be sure to stop by the Visitor Centre and check out our new interactive timeline and a sneak preview of our new online exhibit, Jeff’s home: a virtual exhibition of the Niagara Escarpment in Halton.

Admission to Farm Day is 50 cents and there is plenty of free parking.  Anyone who completes a passport of activities will receive a small prize.  

Learn more and register at www.halton.ca/farmday or on Facebook. Hope to see you on Sunday!

Nancy Field

Manager of Heritage Services, Halton Region