With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend (May 13), it’s time to mastermind your plan to express yourself in a way that lets Mom know just how much she’s loved and appreciated.

If the thought of simply taking your mom out to another Sunday brunch isn’t making the cut this year, though — or you want to explore options outside the realm of conventional thinking and surprise her with an extraordinary experience — we’ve put together some suggestions that might bring some extra big smiles and hugs your way. And, of course, there’s always room for brunch.

Wine & Dine

Mom’s special weekend will be off to an amazing start by spending Friday evening with her at Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit, the premier four-day culinary and wine event now in its 12th year in Las Vegas.

Top Shelf: The Grand Tasting will be held May 11 inside the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. Attendees have an opportunity to indulge in premium wine, cocktails and beer from four top-shelf bars. They’ll also be able to enjoy nibbling on light bites created by the hotel’s chefs while mingling alongside the Bacchus Pool or relaxing in a VIP cabana.

The Grand Tasting, held within the opulent Garden of the Gods at Caesars Palace, is the main event of the annual Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit. (Courtesy: Vegas Uncork’d)

If a more casual event is what you have in mind for Mom, the Vegas Uncork’d Picnic at The Park, May 12, showcases some of MGM Resorts’ most celebrated chefs — Roy Ellamar, Shawn McClain, Michael Mina, Masaharu Morimoto, Julian Serrano, Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Situated off the Las Vegas Strip between Park MGM and New York-New York hotel-casinos, The Park outdoor dining, shopping and entertainment district offers a fun, lively atmosphere in which to experience creative culinary creations al fresco while taking in the scenery, sipping on wine, cocktails or your choice of beer, and listening to live music. Early access tickets are available, too.

New Vista Wine Walk is a fun, relaxing way to spend time with Mom this Mother’s Day — and it helps support a great cause.

Also on Saturday is the New Vista Wine Walk at Downtown Summerlin in Las Vegas. Now in its 14th year, the three-hour Wine Walk provides plenty of time to sip, stroll and sample from more than 15 tasting stations serving an array of wine, plus some specialty cocktails, sake or craft beer. Guests can relax and socialize while enjoying live music and tasty eats.

And, in addition to showing Mom a great time at the Wine Walk, you’ll be helping a good cause. Local nonprofit organization New Vista serves and empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages, providing equal opportunities and support so they may experience life to the fullest.

Arts & Culture

Saturday also brings “Mimosas with Mom” hosted by Pinot’s Palette at Boca Park in Las Vegas and The District at Green Valley in Henderson. Celebrate Mother’s Day with some fun, quality time with Mom, creating paintings and sipping mimosas. The Town Square Las Vegas Pinot’s Palette location is hosting a Mother’s Day event, too, which includes a complimentary chocolate and sweet treat bar.

The Botanical Garden at Springs Preserve, now in bloom, is an oasis of desert plants. (Courtesy: Springs Preserve)

If you’d rather view art than create it, head to Origen Museum at Springs Preserve to explore the Nevada Watercolor Society Spring Show. The art exhibit showcases a diverse collection of local artists’ paintings of various subjects, including still life, abstracts, portraits and landscapes.

While at the preserve, take a stroll through the beautiful, blooming outdoor Botanical Garden, where Mom and you can enjoy a peaceful, inviting 8-acre oasis comprising an abundance of Mojave Desert and desert-adapted plant life. And, be sure to stop by and wander through the Butterfly Habitat.

The unique Butterfly Habitat at Springs Preserve is fascinating and educational. (Courtesy: Springs Preserve)

If you’d like to invite the entire family along to share in your holiday celebration at the preserve, you can host your own al fresco brunch at the Botanical Garden by booking ahead of time. Or, the Divine Cafe is offering a Mother’s Day brunch with simple, but interesting menu selections.

An afternoon spent in a serene, Zen-like retreat might just be your mom’s cup of tea. You’ll feel the tranquility as you enter the elegant yet comfortable Tea Lounge at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas.

Along with serving some of the world’s finest teas, the elegant and peaceful Tea Lounge at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas provides an assortment of indulgent sweet treats. (Courtesy: Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas)

Boasting spectacular views of the Las Vegas Strip, the Tea Lounge presents a calm, peaceful atmosphere in which you can experience the finest teas from around the world, or enjoy coffee, juices, champagne and cocktails. Plus, a variety of delectable delicacies, like English scones, cupcakes and macarons, are provided to tantalize your taste buds.

Leisure & Recreation

With Las Vegas temperatures warming, but not yet blistering, spending time on the water and in the sunshine is a fantastic way to invigorate the senses and rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. And even though we’re in the desert, a few options are available.

At Lake Las Vegas Marina, you can charter the 80-foot-long La Contessa yacht, which accommodates up to 56 guests for a sit-down dinner. Resort catering and bar services are available while you sail along the 320-acre private Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada. The Las Vegas Marina also offers electric boat rentals and more.

Relax and take in the amazing views and historic landmarks this Mother’s Day aboard Lake Mead Cruise’s Desert Princess paddlewheel boat. (Courtesy: Lake Mead Cruises)

Or you can hop aboard the Desert Princess — a three-level Mississippi-style paddlewheel boat — at Lake Mead Cruises in Boulder City, Nevada.

Providing various tour packages, including a champagne brunch, midday sightseeing or dinner cruise, passengers can experience sights along Lake Mead, like the extinct volcano Fortification Hill, Arizona Paint Pots and Hoover Dam, and they’ll even take your photo before heading out, which will be ready by the time you return.