Instead of scrambling this year to find a last-second Mother's Day gift — usually flowers — treat Mom to one of the many travel opportunities within driving distance of metro Atlanta.
There are multiple holiday-themed events and specials taking place. Because more than half of Atlanta moms surveyed in 2014 want to spend quality time with family during Mother's Day, that means you get to go along, should you so choose. Use these travel tips to save money and splurge for Mom.
Destin, Florida
For example, Atlanta-area residents often make the five-hour trek to Destin, Florida, said Tracy Louthain, director of marketing and communications for Newman-Dailey Resort Properties Inc., which manages vacation rental homes along the Gulf Coast.
"We are Atlanta's beach, and we love that," Louthain said. "For Mother's Day, it is traditionally Mom coming here with her family to celebrate, relax and just kind of get away from it all."
Newman-Dailey is offering moms 10 percent off any three-night vacation rental stay between April 23 and May 13, Louthain said. Included also is the Mary Kay Andrews novel "Summer Rental" as a Mother's Day gift to anyone who books using the promotion code "LUVMOM."
The holiday weekend will be busy in the Destin area with a Mother's Day Lunch Cruise and the nearby ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival taking place.
You can also save money by booking these other discounted Mother's Day weekend outings:
Coastal Alabama
The Alabama coastal area is packed with Mother's Day weekend events, including the 12th annual Gulf Shores Hot Air Balloon Fest in Foley. Also, the Foley Art in the Park annual show will feature more than 110 exhibitors, live entertainment and children's activities. Save 25 percent on beach accommodations through Meyer Vacation Rentals until May 16 using promo code "16SPRING."
12th annual Gulf Shores Hot Air Balloon Fest
2-10 p.m. May 6, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. May 7. Free. Foley Sports Complex, 18507 U.S. 98, Foley. 251-943-5590, www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com
Foley Art in the Park
9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 7-8. Free. John B. Foley Park, Hwy. 59 & U.S. Hwy. 98, Foley. 251-943-4381, www.foleyartcenter.com
Buford, Georgia and Hilton Head, South Carolina
Instead of driving, get chauffeured Mother's Day weekend. The second annual Mother's Day Brunch Cruise includes transportation from Atlanta to a four-hour Lake Lanier cruise complete with a buffet, giveaways, live music, a wine tasting and all-you-can-drink mimosas and Bloody Mary's. Those Atlanta residents wanting to extend the holiday weekend can also bus to a Mother's Day-themed beach getaway at Hilton Head Island.
Second annual Mother's Day Beach Cruise
11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 7 (shuttle leaves Sam's Club, 2901 Clairmont Road NE, Atlanta, at 10 a.m.) $105/$125 (with transportation) Lake Lanier, 7000 Lake Lanier, Buford, 678-304-6484.
Mother's Day Getaway Weekend
10 a.m. May 6 to 2 p.m. May 8. $330 (including $75 deposit). Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Montgomery and Huntsville, Alabama
Cut costs by using one of the many buy-one, get-one-free deals available during the holiday weekend. Take your mom to Montgomery for a Mother's Day zoo/wildlife adventure at the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum, and she gets in free. The same deal applies to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville on Mother's Day.
Montgomery Zoo/Mann Wildlife Learning Museum
9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. May 8. Free (moms), $5-$15/child, $6-$18/senior, $7-$20/adult. 2301 Coliseum Parkway, Montgomery. 334-240-4900, www.montgomeryzoo.com
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 8. Free (moms), $15/child, $23/adult (general admission). One Tranquility Base, Huntsville. 256-837-3400, www.rocketcenter.com
Spartanburg, South Carolina
In Spartanburg, South Carolina, Climb Upstate indoor rock-climbing gym is offering accompanied moms free passes on all-day climbing passes during the same weekend as the city's 38th annual Spring Fling art event.
Climb Upstate Mother's Day Climb
11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 7. Free (moms), $10-12 day rates. 6655 Pottery Road, Spartanburg, S.C. 864-699-9967, www.climbupstate.com
38th annual Spring Fling
May 6-8. Free. Downtown Spartanburg. 864-596-2976, www.cityofspartanburg.org/spring-fling
Asheville, North Carolina and surrounding area
Chaperoned moms and grandmas can also get free admission May 7-8 to Chimney Rock State Park near Asheville, North Carolina. While in the area, visit Asheville's famed Biltmore Estate and get mom in free with another buy-one, get-one deal.
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. May 7-8. Free (moms), $7/child, $15/adult. 431 Main St., Chimney Rock. 828-625-9611, www.chimneyrockpark.com
Biltmore Estate
9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 8. Free (moms), $30/child, $60/adult (daytime passes only). 1 Lodge St., Asheville. 800-411-3812, www.biltmore.com
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