How to Spend the Perfect Mother’s Day Weekend at Rockefeller Center
How to Spend the Perfect Mother’s Day Weekend at Rockefeller Center
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Our moms and mother figures think of us all year round, so it’s only right that we go above and beyond to make every moment of Mother’s Day count. Together, the restaurants, shops, and attractions at Rockefeller Center make it easy to plan a dream day out for the special woman in your life, all within one 12-acre campus (so she can wear those cute shoes that hurt sometimes if she wants to).
The reason for the season is to remind our moms just how much they’re loved, and Rockefeller Center is home to many meaningful ways to make them feel appreciated on their special day.
From decadent meals and comforting gifts to incredible sky-high sights and matching outfits, we have everything you need to treat your mom to a Mother’s Day in New York City she’ll never forget. Here’s how we’d recommend laying out your schedule for one perfect day.
12 pm: Enjoy brunch at Le Rock
Head two blocks over to 45 Rockefeller Plaza, between 50th Street and 51st Street
Every mom loves quality time, especially when paired with a quality meal. Treat yours to the best of both worlds with brunch at Le Rock, hailed by The New York Times as one of the 100 best restaurants in the city in 2024. The French brasserie’s Mother’s Day menu includes baguette service or oysters to start; a selection of pasta dishes, including duck bolognese and agnolotti with spring ramps; and the restaurant’s trademark fare, like the omelette with caviar and steak frites. And you’ll definitely want to save room for dessert: If you can’t decide between the profiterole with honey fudge, coconut gâteu, or chocolate mousse, you can always share the tour des desserts for an assortment of sweets. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
To make sure your mom has enough energy for the rest of the day…
2 pm: Grab some coffee at % Arabica
Walk west toward 6th Avenue to 30 Rockefeller Plaza
We tend to slow down after a big meal, but your mom’s special day is just getting started. For a quick caffeine boost and instant hit of dopamine, drop into bright yellow-gold coffee shop % Arabica, a Kyoto-based brand that sources beans from the world’s top coffee-growing regions. With seasonal offerings from Colombia, Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Indonesia, your mom can experience global flavors without ever leaving Midtown.
To treat her to some pampering…
2:45 pm: Get a feel-good gift at Aēsop
Head east on 49th Street toward 5th Avenue
May 11 is Mother’s Day Down Under too, and popular Australian skincare brand Aēsop is celebrating in its Rockefeller Center shop with a special gifting event. Shoppers will find complimentary refreshments, baked goods, and perfectly curated gift options, along with select discounts and the chance to be among the first to try the new Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser, a hydrating formula in mom-approved purple packaging.
To make new memories…
3:15 pm: Visit SKYLIFT, The Beam, and The Weather Room at Top of the Rock
Take a short walk across campus to Top of the Rock’s 50th Street entrance
Raise the bar this Mother’s Day with SKYLIFT, a new experience that lets you float among New York City’s skyscrapers, 900 feet above the street. The 360-degree revolving platform delivers the city’s top views, literally. If mom’s a history buff, she’ll also love The Beam, where you can recreate the famous 1932 photo “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” from 12 feet above Top of the Rock’s 69th-floor Observation Deck. On your way back down to ground level, swing by The Weather Room, a café and bar on Top of the Rock’s 67th floor — mom deserves a cocktail with that view.
For the full New York City shopping experience…
4:45 pm: Stop by Hill House Home
You don’t have to travel far; Hill House Home is only a few doors down from Top of the Rock
There’s something for every shopper at Rockefeller Center, and Hill House Home follows that philosophy to a tee. The digital-first lifestyle brand started with bedding, but its timeless collections now include bath, baby, accessories, and apparel, including the Nap Dress® — a frock so iconic, it’s trademarked. You might find yourselves gravitating toward the same printed dress, and that’s by design; the brand’s Grown Up & Me collection features matching dresses for moms and their kids, whether big or small, and a selection of the new spring designs is in store now. Plus, Hill House Home's storefront feels like it was pulled off a movie set, so your mom can reenact the shopping montage of her dreams.
To take the celebration home with you...
5:15 pm: Pick up a cake at Lady M Confections
Turn right on 50th Street and walk two minutes back to 30 Rockefeller Plaza
A crêpe and cake boutique that started as a purveyor for luxury hotels and restaurants and now has a loyal following of its own, Lady M is serving up seasonal cakes with Mother’s Day in mind for a limited time. Head in before 6 pm to secure your delicate Rose Mille Crêpes, a layered work of art topped with edible rose petals; a Berry Mont Blanc Tart with four-berry mousse and pink macaron shells; or the Dubai Chocolate Mille Crêpes, an elite take on the viral chocolate and pistachio TikTok sensation. Whatever you choose to take home, mom will thank you later.
To seal the deal before you go…
6 pm: Finish the day with a meal at NARO
Walk less than a block east to 610 5th Avenue and take the elevator to the Rink Level
Contemporary Korean hot spot Naro is offering a four-course tasting menu for $95 in celebration of Mother’s Day, with seatings available until 6:30 p.m. This is your chance to try an array of crave-worthy dishes, made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Everyone at the table will love the NARO potato fritter, a crispy delight topped with scallion salad and pistachio, and the selection of flavorful seafood, fried chicken, noodles, and more. An inventive cocktail menu and low-ABV teas create the perfect moment to say “cheers” to a great day at Rockefeller Center and an even better mom. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
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