Dan's Papers - May 9, 2008 - When In Manhattan by Christian McLean

Mother's Day in the city and there's no place you'd rather be with your mom, except maybe the Hamptons. The idea of being on an island with your mother sounds a little more ominous than it actually is. From brunch to Broadway, there are hundreds of little adventures to explore with your mother.

Let's start with a bite to eat. Your mom knows too damn well how cranky you can get if you don't get a good breakfast, so here's a great plan for the more daring mom and trust me, once you're on the high seas (or rivers) you might just feel like you are in the Hamptons.

Anyone can have brunch on a patio overlooking busy city streets, I'm talking about getting nautical and feasting on a bounty on the Bounty (actually the Shearwater). Shearwater sailing offers a two hour (11a.m.-1p.m.) champagne brunch on the deck as the 82-foot ship as it sails the waters surrounding Manhattan. The yacht is a beautiful reminder of 1920s elegance and while the menu doesn't have hot dishes like eggs benedict there is enough lox, ham, cheese, fresh fruit, and mini-bagels to go around.

Getting off the boat at 1 p.m. in Battery Park gives you enough time to catch a matinee. You probably think I'm going to suggest Mamma Mia right? Wrong, leave that for the tourists. Instead, get a load of Big Mama in this year's revival of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. While the Pollitt family isn't exactly the family you should aspire to emulate (even with their $80 million) the play has a star-studded cast including James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Terrance Howard, and Anika Noni Rose; and it's Tennessee at his best.

If theater isn't what your mother ordered, you should book her for a treatment or two (and one for yourself) at Ohm Spa. Though you could probably squeeze a 60 minute massage between the sail and the play, rushing from event to event seems to contradict everything a visit to the spa is all about. So block out a few hours for relaxation and revitalization. While you're there, spoil your momma and get her the plantogen manuka honey facial.

If you have young kids, none of the aforementioned suggestions will fly. So here are a few kid-friendly ideas for the newer mommies. Second Sundays at the Guggenheim is designed for families. The May 11 tour, under the theme "Stories in Art," leads you, your kids and their momma on a tour through the special exhibits and permanent collections as your guide introduces your children to the works in a kid-friendly fashion.

If you're looking to celebrate with a mother-to-be the safe bet is to visit Destination Maternity on East 57th St. With three floors of maternity wares, any shopper will find something in their budget. The ground floor sports Peas in a Pod, with lines by Velvet, Mimi Maternity holds the second floor with more reasonable prices, and on the top floor is Motherhood Maternity, which is your least expensive of the three and a great option, considering you're only going to be wearing the clothes for a few months. If you already have kids there's also a play area to keep them entertained. You can also try Veronique Maternity (1321 Madison Ave.) for high-end clothing.

If your mother loves Mother Nature, Prospect Park and Central Park have a series of events, as does Wave Hill in the Bronx. Visit nycgovparks.org for more information on them.

Mother's Day is not a Hallmark creation, despite popular belief. It's a day marked in the calendar to remind you to do something that you should always be doing - thanking and praising your mother(s). This year, it doesn't matter if you shell out the big bucks for boat rides and brunch as long as your heart is in the right place. While surprising your mom with an event-filled day in the big city can be a blast, ask your mother what she wants to do - after all it is her day.

Cat On a Hot Tin Roof is performed at the Broadhurst Theatre, 235 West 44th Street. For tickets and information visit www.cat2008onbroadway.com.

Shearwater Sailing is docked at the North Cove Marina on the Hudson River bounded by Vesey Street to the North and Liberty Street to the South at the World Financial Center in Battery Park City. For reservations call 212-619-0885 or visit www.shearwatersailing.com.