Celebrating Mother's Day in the Providence Area
Don't forget that Mother's Day is on Sunday, May 10. We all know that moms should be lauded, celebrated and pampered all year long. But if you're looking for a stellar gift or a way to show the moms in your life how much you adore them, and secure your spot as favorite, read on for suggestions!
Treat Mom to a Nice Meal
Give mom a break and take care of dinner (or brunch or lunch). Head to beautiful Bristol for a seafood feast at The Lobster Pot, an iconic restaurant located right on Narragansett Bay. Or try Tumblesalts Cafe in North Providence, where you can dine in a quaint Victorian house setting. Spend the day in Garden City Center in nearby Cranston, and after a little shopping, have lunch (and maybe an espresso and tiramisu) at Avvio Ristorante. Reservations are definitely recommended wherever you choose, but at least you get out of washing the dishes.
A Bounty of Brunch Options in Providence & Beyond
Brunch is the ultimate meal for all occasions. Whether you're fueling up for the day ahead or recovering from the night before, check out some of the best spots in the Providence area to combine two of the best meals of the day.
Find Out MoreGifts Galore
Need a cool present? Head over to Thayer Street and find fashion-forward gifts at Urban Outfitters, eclectic selections at Pleasant Surprise and the latest best-seller at Brown Bookstore. Or give mom the best gift of all — your time. Take her out for the day to check out the shops and then grab a bite together and catch a cool movie at the Avon Cinema. Don't forget to save some room for lunch at Flatbread Company or a treat from Insomnia Cookies!
And check out our collection of the best local shopping around for more creative gift ideas.
Where to Shop for Mom
The Landing is a cozy café, creamery and gift shop in downtown Providence, offering great coffee, sweet treats and locally inspired gifts. It's an easy stop for a morning pick-me-up, a break from exploring the city or the perfect Rhode Island souvenir. The Landing is a cozy café, creamery and gift shop in downtown Providence, offering great coffee, sweet treats and locally inspired gifts. It's an easy stop for a morning pick-me-up, a break from exploring the city or the perfect Rhode Island souvenir.
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Bristol, Rhode Island, rich in history and preservation, is a thriving arts community where families and visitors can enjoy music, art, theater and an array of entertainment venues. Bristol, Rhode Island, rich in history and preservation, is a thriving arts community where families and visitors can enjoy music, art, theater and an array of entertainment venues.
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Wrentham Village Premium Outlets
Wrentham Village Premium Outlets is New England's largest outdoor outlet shopping destination. Featuring over 170 brands including new luxury that caters to every shopper, family friendly amenities and exclusive savings up to 65% off. The robust line-up of stores include Tory Burch, lululemon, vineyard vines, Jimmy Choo, Burberry, The North Face, Dolce & Gabbana, Crocs, vuori, West Elm Outlet and more! Dining Options include Tavern in the Square, Shake Shack, Big Chicken, Aroma Joe's and Cracker Barrel, plus a variety of food trucks. Wrentham Village Premium Outlets is located just 35 miles south of Boston, MA and 20 miles north of Providence, RI, just minutes off exit 38 on I-495. Wrentham Village Premium Outlets is New England's largest outdoor outlet shopping destination. Featuring over 170 brands including new luxury that caters to every shopper, family friendly amenities and exclusive savings up to 65% off. The robust line-up of stores include Tory Burch, lululemon, vineyard vines, Jimmy Choo, Burberry, The North Face, Dolce & Gabbana, Crocs, vuori, West Elm Outlet and more! Dining Options include Tavern in the Square, Shake Shack, Big Chicken, Aroma Joe's and Cracker Barrel, plus a variety of food trucks. Wrentham Village Premium Outlets is located just 35 miles south of Boston, MA and 20 miles north of Providence, RI, just minutes off exit 38 on I-495.
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Wickenden Area Merchants Association
Wickenden Street in Providence, Rhode Island is a popular destination for families, students of the area's colleges and schools, locals and tourists alike. The street is surrounded by universities, including Brown University, RISD, and Johnson & Wales University, making for a vibrant, ever-changing community.The Wickenden area has numerous independent shops, art galleries, salons, pubs and restaurants that are popular among local artists, professors, and students. Please refer to the Wickenden Area Walking Guide for the locations and descriptions of all the area’s businesses.Our mission at WAMA is to promote businesses in the Wickenden area and provide the local community with a pleasant and memorable experience while visiting our little slice of Providence. Wickenden Street in Providence, Rhode Island is a popular destination for families, students of the area's colleges and schools, locals and tourists alike. The street is surrounded by universities, including Brown University, RISD, and Johnson & Wales University, making for a vibrant, ever-changing community.The Wickenden area has numerous independent shops, art galleries, salons, pubs and restaurants that are popular among local artists, professors, and students. Please refer to the Wickenden Area Walking Guide for the locations and descriptions of all the area’s businesses.Our mission at WAMA is to promote businesses in the Wickenden area and provide the local community with a pleasant and memorable experience while visiting our little slice of Providence.
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The Providence Flea
The Providence Flea is an award-winning vintage and artisan/maker market with 80+ local vendors along the river in 195 District Park across from 225 Dyer St, outdoors in downtown Providence, RI, every Sunday from June through October (11a-3p).In winter/spring find the Flea on Sundays indoors from October through April (11a-3p) plus select Friday Nights (5:30p-9:30p) at Farm Fresh RI Market Hall, 10 Sims Ave in Providence. Always free to enter and shop, and free parking. The Providence Flea is an award-winning vintage and artisan/maker market with 80+ local vendors along the river in 195 District Park across from 225 Dyer St, outdoors in downtown Providence, RI, every Sunday from June through October (11a-3p).In winter/spring find the Flea on Sundays indoors from October through April (11a-3p) plus select Friday Nights (5:30p-9:30p) at Farm Fresh RI Market Hall, 10 Sims Ave in Providence. Always free to enter and shop, and free parking.
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The Cold Work Studio @ Gather Cafe
The Cold Work Studio at Gather Cafe is an ice cream-making experience led by master chefs. Up to 6 people per class will each make their own pint of ice cream in this hour-long Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Making Class. Learn the art and science of how ice cream is crafted, with a dedicated workstation for each participant. Choose from classic options, farm-fresh flavors, or even some boozy twists! Each student will enjoy tastings throughout the class, sampling their own creations and others’. During class, dive into our OVER-THE-TOP-PINGS BAR (get it?) featuring house-made fluff, rainbow whipped cream, waffle cones, creamy caramel, dark chocolate fudge, and classic favorites like chocolate sprinkles and gummy bears. You even get to take home their pint at the end of the session. (We’re happy to hold your pint in our freezer for up to a week if you’d prefer to pick it up later and we promise to do our best not to snack on it!) The Cold Work Studio at Gather Cafe is an ice cream-making experience led by master chefs. Up to 6 people per class will each make their own pint of ice cream in this hour-long Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Making Class. Learn the art and science of how ice cream is crafted, with a dedicated workstation for each participant. Choose from classic options, farm-fresh flavors, or even some boozy twists! Each student will enjoy tastings throughout the class, sampling their own creations and others’. During class, dive into our OVER-THE-TOP-PINGS BAR (get it?) featuring house-made fluff, rainbow whipped cream, waffle cones, creamy caramel, dark chocolate fudge, and classic favorites like chocolate sprinkles and gummy bears. You even get to take home their pint at the end of the session. (We’re happy to hold your pint in our freezer for up to a week if you’d prefer to pick it up later and we promise to do our best not to snack on it!)
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Located in the College Hill neighborhood on the East Side of Providence, Thayer Street is home to many shops, restaurants, spas, coffee shops, and just about anything you can think of. Rhode Islander's live, work, play, dine, and shop on Thayer! Located in the College Hill neighborhood on the East Side of Providence, Thayer Street is home to many shops, restaurants, spas, coffee shops, and just about anything you can think of. Rhode Islander's live, work, play, dine, and shop on Thayer!
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Shop Bloom PVD
Shop Bloom PVD is a charming, thoughtfully curated retail and creative hub founded by Bloom Collective—designed to support and spotlight over 30+ small businesses and independent designers in the Providence community. Blending boutique shopping, hands-on workshops, and creative services under one cozy roof in the heart of Wickenden Street, it’s where community, commerce, and creativity bloom. Shop Bloom PVD is a charming, thoughtfully curated retail and creative hub founded by Bloom Collective—designed to support and spotlight over 30+ small businesses and independent designers in the Providence community. Blending boutique shopping, hands-on workshops, and creative services under one cozy roof in the heart of Wickenden Street, it’s where community, commerce, and creativity bloom.
Find Out More Find Out MoreFrequently Asked Questions
- When is Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May. In 2027, it falls on Sunday, May 9.
- Where can I take Mom out to eat?
Enjoy a seafood feast on Narragansett Bay at The Lobster Pot in Bristol, dine in a Victorian house at Tumblesalts Cafe in North Providence, or pair shopping with lunch at Avvio Ristorante in Cranston’s Garden City Center. Make reservations early, as Mother’s Day is one of the busiest restaurant days of the year.
- Where can I shop for a Mother’s Day gift?
Browse Thayer Street’s shops and bookstores, Shop Bloom PVD and other boutiques on Wickenden Street, locally inspired gifts at The Landing downtown, or local makers at the Providence Flea. Wrentham Village Premium Outlets is a short drive away for brand-name shopping.
- What are some experiences to share with Mom?
Make a glass ornament together at Gather, create your own pint in an ice cream-making class at Gather’s Cold Work Studio, take a narrated cruise with the Providence River Boat Company, or catch a film at the historic Avon Cinema.
- Are there Mother’s Day ideas outside Providence?
Yes. Spend the day in Bristol, where you can stroll the gardens at Blithewold Mansion and have lunch by the water, or make a day of shopping and dining at Garden City Center in Cranston.