Mother's Day Delights in Southwest Illinois

Looking for that special something to treat mom to for Mother’s Day? From a day shopping in the open air to live shows, brunch, and cruises, southwest Illinois has you and mom covered! Break away from the norm with something fun any mother can enjoy!

Looking for something special to treat mom for Mother's Day? From a day shopping and farmers markets fun to brunch, cruises, and an evening of theater -- southwest Illinois has something for mom, the kids and the entire family!

Mother's Day Brunch and Dinner Ideas

One thing you’re always sure to find on Mother’s Day is a great brunch! Whether it’s a coffee and an early breakfast, brunch on a sunny spring patio, or taking mom out for a dinner buffet and a glass of wine, there are plenty of tasty options to make her day delicious! Please visit our events page for details!

May 10 - Sunsets at the Grafton Vineyards
May 10 - Food Truck Fridays at Mississippi Culture
May 11 - Mother’s Day at Abigail’s Tap Room
May 11 - Mother's Day at 1818 Offshore
May 12 - Mother's Day at 1933 House of Bourbon
May 12 - Mother's Day at Grafton Winery & Brewhaus
May 12 - Mother's Day at Mac's Downtown
May 12 - Mother's Day at McDill's Irish Pub
May 12 - Mother's Day Brunch at Draftkings Casino Queen
May 12 - Mother's Day Brunch Buffet at Aerie's Resort
May 12 - Mother's Day Buffet at Food A Fare
May 12 - Mother's Day Buffet at Twisted Biscuit Brunch Co.
May 12 - Old Herald Brewery Mother’s Day Brunch
May 12 - The Outlet at Edison’s Mother’s Day Brunch

Enjoy a Brunch or Sunset Cruise on board the Hakuna Matata sailing out of Grafton Harbor.

Market Days & Shopping

Farmer’s market days arrive in the region with many opening the same week as Mother’s Day! Bring mom on an outdoor shopping trip in the spring air at the Alton Farmer’s and Artisan’s Market, The Land of Goshen Market, or the Farmersville Small Town Dreamers Market! Antique seeking moms can go to the Litchfield Picker’s Market for vintage finds accompanied by live music. Find fresh produce to cook mom a homemade meal, bouquets of flowers to brighten her day, and unique gifts made by local crafters you won’t find anywhere else!

You can also take mom shopping at Mother’s Day After Hours at Ruby Wren in Godfrey, Mother’s Day at Charlie Rae Boutique in Edwardsville, the Soothing Sprout Resale Grand Opening in East Alton, the Pink Elephant Antique Mall’s Spring Vendor Market, or the Herbal Affairs Mother’s Day Tea Party in Granite City!

Take mom to a local farmer's market for some weekend fun!

Something Different

Want to do something unique with mom instead of brunch?

Take mom on an ATV adventure at Harpole’s Heartland Lodge Mother’s Day event in Nebo, spend the afternoon at the Route 66 Skyview Carnival in Litchfield, see the play Singin in the Rain at Alton Little Theater, get spooky with mom on the Dinner & Spirits Great River Hauntings tour in Alton, appreciate classic cars and spring flowers at the Hardin Fenders & Flowers Expo, or go back in time at the Lewis & Clark Departure Celebration in Hartford!

Have a mom that loves being on the water? Cruise into Mother’s Day on the Hakuna Matata from Grafton Harbor on a Mississippi River excursion! Hakuna Matata has a Mother’s Day Brunch Cruise, Mother’s Day Sunset Cruise, and, if you don’t have the time, an hour-long Sunday Funday Mother’s Day Cruise!

For more Mother’s Day ideas and things to do in the southwest Illinois region, go to the events page at: riversandroutes.com!

May 10 - Dinner & Spirits Great River Hauntings
May 10 - 12 - Route 66 Skyview Carnival
May 10 - 11 - Singin in the Rain at Alton Little Theater (more dates after Mother’s Day weekend)
May 10 - Dinner & Spirits Great River Hauntings
May 11 - Harpole's Heartland Lodge Mother's Day
May 11 - Hardin Fenders & Flowers
May 11 - Mother’s Day Sunset Cruise
May 11 - 12 - Lewis & Clark Departure Day
May 12 - Mother’s Day Brunch Cruise
May 12 - Sunday Funday Mother’s Day Cruise

For the Kids This Mother's Day

Are the kids looking for something to do for mom?


Hartford Library will be doing Mother’s Day Crafts, Bricks & Mini Figs in Edwardsville is hosting a Make & Take Mother’s Day Cards, and the Wood River Library is offering a Paint & Take Plant Pots event! There will be a kid’s Fishing Derby at Joe Glik Park in Edwardsville on Saturday and a Kids Night Out in Grafton event sponsored by the QEM Fire Protection District- let the kids have some fun while you take mom out!

May 10 - Mother's Day Crafts at Hartford Library
May 10 - Make & Take Mother's Day Cards at Bricks & Minifigs
May 11 - Paint & Take Plant Pots at Wood River Library
May 11 - Fishing Derby at Joe Glik Park
May 11 - Kids Day Out in Grafton

About the Author

Kayla Howland

Kayla Howland is a local writer and artist who lives in Alton, IL with her Cairn Terrier, Ripley. She enjoys fiction and non-fiction writing, graphic design, painting, drawing and photography. Kayla is a graduate of Southwestern High School and Lewis & Clark Community College. She has worked doing freelance graphic design, photography and commissioned paintings since 2012.