by Rachel Cooper

Looking for a special way to spend Mother’s Day this year? Here are some ideas of ways to spend some family time with mom on Mother’s Day in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Brunch
Take mom out to brunch this Mother's Day. Here are some suggested restaurants with special dining and entertainment for mom and the whole family.

Spring Garden Party at Mount Vernon
Martha Washington will be at Mount Vernon on Mother's Day to hand out lavender sachets of her own recipe for mothers (while supplies last) and take photographs with visitors starting at 10 a.m., and at 3 p.m. Visitors can also explore the spectacular gardens in bloom with Garden & Landscape tours included with admission daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Free Mother’s Day Tours at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum offers free tours on Mother’s Day from 1 to 5 p.m. for all visiting mothers! Treat Mom to a tour of the historic tavern that George Washington frequented in Old Town Alexandria. Tours begin at quarter past and quarter ‘til the hour. Last tour at 4:45 p.m. Cost is $4 for all other adults and $2 for children ages 11-17.

Cruises Along the Potomac River
Take mom on a brunch or dinner cruise and enjoy beautiful views of Washington, DC. These special tours fill up quickly, so make your reservations early.

Passport DC - Open Houses at Washington, DC Embassies
May 3-17, 2008. A new event this year, sponsored by Cultural Tourism DC, features a wide range of performances, talks, and exhibits at DC's foreign embassies.

Walk to Empower: Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
The 3-mile, non-competitive walk is held every Mother's Day morning to promote breast health awareness and to honor cancer victims and survivors. Meet on the National Mall. There is no registration fee. Y-ME encourages each participant to set a fundraising goal of $100. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m., step off is at 9 a.m.

Gardens in the Washington, DC Area
May is the most beautiful time of year to take a walk and see the wonderful gardens in the Washington, DC area. Here are some special places to enjoy the beauty and fresh fragrance of beautiful plants and flowers.

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
May 10-11, 2008. See the works of 130 contemporary artists and enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities and downtown Bethesda restaurants.

Hiking and Picnicking
The best places to hike in the area are also great spots to have a family picnic. Spend the day together in the great outdoors and appreciate the natural beauty of the Washington, DC area. Here are some great parks in Maryland and Virginia as well.

Guided Tours of Washington, DC
Has your mom really seen all of the sites of Washington? Many people who live near the nation's capital have not seen all of the popular attractions. Guided tours can be fun for the whole family and there are lots of unique tours to appeal to a wide range of interests.