Five Ways To Celebrate Mother's Day In Chicago

With Mother's Day coming up on May 11, 2014, you might be wondering how you can celebrate the day with your mother. Instead of making reservations for brunch like you did last year...and the year before that...and the year before that, consider treating your mom to a play, a rejuvenating massage or exploring landmarks in Chicago. As Mother's Day is a popular time to book events and activities, make reservations for any activity in advance. The following five activities are just what you need to celebrate Mother's Day in the Chicago area this year.

Explore Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House

5757 S. Woodlawn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637
(312) 994-4000
www.flwright.org

If your mother is an architecture buff, then consider exploring the Frederick C. Robie House by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, located in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. With the guided tour, visitors to the house can learn of its architectural importance and learn more about the famous Prairie style. It is worth noting that the second floor of the home is not wheelchair accessible. As street parking is limited, you may want to take public transportation via the CTA or Metra. Timed tickets for the approximate 45-minute tour should be reserved in advance.

Spring Flower Show At Lincoln Park Conservatory

2391 N. Stockton Drive
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 742-7736
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
Date: May 11, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Whether your mom has a green thumb or just likes to look at flowers, making the Spring Flower Show at Lincoln Park Conservatory part of your Mother's Day plans will be a hit. The annual event is free and features a display of flowers and plants in full bloom, which your mother can use as inspiration for her garden. Located in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, the conservatory boasts four indoor display houses, so you and your mom can explore what's in bloom regardless of the weather. If the weather is cooperating, make some time to check out the conservatory's gardens outside, too. Don't forget your camera, as the conservatory offers plenty of foliage to create the perfect background for a picture.

Relax With A Massage At Urban Oasis

12 W. Maple St.
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 587-3500
www.urbanoasismassage.com

Located in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, Urban Oasis offers an assortment of massages to help your mom and you relax. Unwind with a deep tissue massage, Shiatsu or hot stone massage. If you or your mom are athletic, then consider treating those tired muscles to a sports massage. Cupping and acupuncture are among the other services available at Urban Oasis. After your appointment, you and your mom can keep up the spa feeling at home by purchasing massage sandals, aromatherapy candles and more. Urban Oasis has a second location in Chicago's Near North neighborhood. Both locations are open on Sunday.

Watch A Performance Of 'Motown The Musical'

The Oriental Theatre
24 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 977-1710
www.broadwayinchicago.com/motown.php
Date: Through July 14, 2014

For the mom who counts Motown classics like "My Girl," "You're All I Need to Get by," "Dancing in the Street" and "Get Ready" among her favorite songs, then tickets to the play "Motown The Musical" are in order for Mother's Day. The play tells the story of how Motown music became the ground-breaking musical genre it is today and features plenty of well-known hits. Two performances of the play are scheduled for May 11, 2014, for 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at The Oriental Theatre in Chicago's Loop neighborhood. You and mom can have a leisurely meal before or after the performance as there are plenty of restaurants near the theatre.

Take A Walking Tour Of The City

InstaGreeter Chicago
Chicago Cultural Center Visitor Information Center
77 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601
www.chicagogreeter.com

So your mom is a long-time resident of Chicago who wants to learn more about the Windy City. Or maybe this is only the second or third time she's made her way to the city, and she wants to do some sightseeing. What to do? You and your mom can spend Mother's Day exploring Chicago on foot by taking part in a free walking tour by InstaGreeter. Head to the Chicago Cultural Center Visitor Information Center to meet with a guide who can take you around the Loop and help you learn more about the Windy City. The one-hour walks do not require registration in advance; to find out more about the walks, head to the InstaGreeter website.

Megan Horst-Hatch is a runner, reader, baker, gardener, knitter, and other words that end in "-er." She is also the president of Megan Writes, LLC. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.