The U.S. celebration of Mother’s Day wasn’t always a day dedicated to pampering moms. The holiday grew out of the activism of a West Virginian mother, Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis. In 1858, as the country barreled towards civil war, Jarvis organized Mothers’ Day Work Clubs. These service organizations worked to improve health and sanitation conditions in the Appalachian region where Jarvis lived. During the war, these non-partisan clubs treated the wounded and fed and clothed soldiers both the Blue and the Gray.
After her death, Jarvis’ daughter Anna embarked on a letter-writing campaign to influential businessmen and politicians urging the creation of a national day to recognize the contributions of mothers. She was successful, and the second Sunday in May is now dedicated to moms. This year, Mother’s Day is May 12. If your mom needs a break from tending to everyone’s health and sanitation, you’ll find many ways to treat her with brunches, cruises and wine tastings in Lake George.
Lake George Mother’s Day 2024 specials
Lake George Steamboat Company
57 Beach Road
Lake George, New York
Reservations: (518)668-5774 ext. 4
Online tickets here
The Steamboat Company is offering a Mother’s Day Brunch Cruise aboard the Lac du Saint Sacrement. The buffet includes breakfast and luncheon choices, made-to-order omelets and a glass of champagne. The two-hour cruise down Lake George embarks at noon on Mother’s Day. Boarding begins at 11 a.m.
Lake George Waterfront Cruises
2 Kurosaka Lane
Lake George, New York
(518)668-4644
Online tickets here
The Mother’s Day Wine Tasting Cruise aboard the Adirondac combines the gentle lapping of Lake George waters with the beauty of a shoreline tour. Mom can enjoy all this while sampling wines. Mothers’ tickets include a Waterfront wine tumbler and a fresh-cut flower. The cruise is one hour long. Choose from three sailing times, 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. or 3 p.m.
East Cove Restaurant
3873 State Route 9L
Lake George, New York
Reservations: (518)685-5224
Menu
East Cove’s Mother’s Day Brunch buffet includes breakfast favorites, a prime rib carving station, a variety of side dishes, breads, pastries and desserts. Seatings are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. This buffet sold out last year, so be sure to get your reservations in early.
Fort William Henry Hotel
48 Canada Street
Lake George, New York
(518)668-3081
Online reservations here
Menu
The Fort Willam Henry Hotel is serving Mother’s Day Brunch in the elegant White Lion Room at the Lakeside Restaurant & Lounge 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The buffet has a wide variety of breakfast menu items, pastries, salads, side dishes, and entrees including pasta, salmon and chicken. Cakes and cookies for dessert.
The Inn at Erlowest
3178 Lake Shore Drive
Lake George, New York
Reservations: (518)668-5928
Menu
The former summer home of prominent citizen Edward Morse Shepard, Erlowest is a castle fit for a queen on Lake George’s Western Shore. This year’s Mother’s Day Brunch at Erlowest features bottomless mimosas, omelet and waffle stations, a carving station and a mashed potato bar along with lighter fare and a kid’s station. The dining room opens at noon.
TR’s Restaurant at the Holiday Inn
2223 US Route 9, Canada Street
Lake George, New York
Reservations: (518)668-5781
Menu
TR’s is seating for their Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The menu includes breakfast items, omelet, seafood and carving stations, lamb, pasta, chicken and fish, an assortment of salads and side dishes and a dessert station.
Adirondack Winery
Lake George Tasting Room
285 Canada Street
Lake George, New York
(518)668-WINE (9463)
and
Queensbury Tasting Room
395 Big Bay Road
Queensbury, New York
The Adirondack Winery is offering a special Mother’s Day Mini Brunch Experience at their flagship tasting room in the heart of Lake George Village on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12. The experience includes a pink rose for mom, a guided tasting of seven wines, a souvenir wine glass, a mimosa and a mini brunch board of locally produced cheeses and sweets. Reserve a spot online here.
Adirondack Winery is also offering a Mother’s Day Weekend Bottomless Mimosa Brunch at their Queensbury Tasting Room on May 11 and 12. Begin with a flight of mimosas to find your favorite and enjoy a bottomless mimosa after that. The Queensbury Tasting Room menu includes brunch charcuterie and bagel boards, flatbreads and sandwiches. There will be live music throughout the weekend and a Mom-tastic Photo Spot for capturing memories. Reserve a spot online here.
The Hitching Post
1256 Lake Avenue
Lake Luzerne, New York
Reservations: (518)696-6184
The Hitching Post is the specialty cheese shop of Nettle Meadow Farm, a local producer of award-winning cheeses. For Mother’s Day, The Hitching Post Restaurant is offering a Giant Spring Cheeseboard and Buffet Brunch, which includes mimosa flights. Check the Hitching Post Facebook event for the menu.
Silver Bay YMCA
87 Silver Bay Road
Silver Bay, New York
Reservations: (518)543-8475
Menu
The Silver Bay Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet includes hot and cold items, an eggs-made-to-order station and a prime rib station. All mothers will receive a complimentary mimosa, beer, or wine of their choice. Reservations must be made by noon on May 9.
Blue Water Manor
4436 Lake Shore Drive
Bolton Landing, New York
Reservations: (518)644-5400
Blue Water Manor is hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch on May 12 at the Tavern on the Lake as part of their BWM Mayfest. Brunch will be served 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and a special Mother’s Day dinner menu 2-8 p.m.
Missed some great restaurants. The best is The Sagamore.