Moms deserve more than one day of special praise for everything that they do. Fortunately, we have a few different days of dining, fun and pampering opportunities around Montgomery for her ahead of and on Mother's Day on May 8. 

Many area restaurants will be open with their regular menus for the day, and a few have announced special plans, including brunch. Be aware that reservations can fill quickly, so make them as soon as possible. 

CENTRAL MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH

A brunch buffet awaits moms 11 a.m. -2 p.m. at Central in downtown Montgomery, 129 Commerce St.

BRUNCH AT THE PATRIOT'S GRILL

Known for homestyle plates, sandwiches and sides, The Patriot's Grill at 1961 Bell St., Montgomery, is accepting reservations for Mother's Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (334) 593-0668 to reserve a table.

MOTHER’S DAY DINNER CRUISE

Honor Mom with a cruise on the Alabama River aboard the Harriott II riverboat from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Montgomery. All moms will receive a special gift.

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH AT MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE

Maxwell Event Center, 375 West Drive, Building 144 in Montgomery will host a Mother’s Day Brunch. There will be two seatings: 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

OAK TAVERN MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH

A brunch buffet at Oak Tavern at the Marriott at Capitol Hill, 2500 Legends Circle, Prattville.

TAKE MOM TO GOLDEN CORRAL FOR THE BUFFET

There's no reservation required on Mother's Day at Golden Corral, 1460 Eastern Blvd., Montgomery, open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

PEPPER TREE STEAKS N’ WINES MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL

Pepper Tree, 8101 Vaughn Road, has meals that will feed four for $95, and six for $135, available cooked or uncooked. Meals include beef tenderloin, garden salad, twice-baked potato casserole and rolls. They’re available by preorder only at (334) 271-6328.

MOTHER’S DAY OPEN HOUSE: Julianne Hansen Fine Art & Pottery, 173 W. Main St., Prattville, is holding an open house on May 6 from 6-7 p.m. It’s a chance to get last-minute gifts for mom.  Refreshments will be served.

TAKE MOM TO FLIMP FESTIVAL

This Saturday event at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 1 Museum Drive in Blount Cultural Park, is perfect for outdoor and indoor fun with mom and the whole family. Art, music and virtual flimps (flower imps), plus the interactive ArtWorks gallery will be open. Admission is free. The first 100 families to enter the garden will receive a colorful bag with art-making materials.

MOTHER’S DAY MAYHEM WITH INAYAH

Take mom to a special 21 and older concert on May 7 at BB King’s Blues Club, 1801 Eddie L. Tullis Road, inside Wind Creek Montgomery. There are different ranges of tickets from $40 for standing room only to $330 for a center stage, front row seating table for two that includes a three-course choice menu. Doors open at 8 p.m., and concert starts at 9 p.m. with Inayah, Toia Jones, Jeremy Flyy and Gorgeous. Tickets online at ticketweb.com.

THE GROWN & SEXY AL WHITE MOTHER’S DAY PARTY CRUISE

Tickets are $42 per person for this special cruise on the Harriott II riverboat from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Tables are $50 for a four-seater table. Event is hosted by Kc Da King Entertainment & Promotions. The cruise is being held in partnership with Shalanda Lee of Sereniti Jewels and Elon Miree of Alpha & Omega Tax Center to help battered women at the Family Sunshine Center. Cruise guests are encouraged to bring pampering items for these women, and part of the proceeds from the cruise will be donated to the center. For tickets and table reservations call (334) 224-3636.

MOTHER’S DAY POP-UP SHOPPE

Grab your mom and visit Shoppes at EastChase, 7274 Eastchase Parkway, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a one-day-only pop-up event near Frutta Bowls. Vendors include Heather Meadow Boutique, Sam Col by Hicks, and Sweet Steph's Latin Pastries.

Charles Oglesby presents Praise in the Park, a pre-Mother's Day event on May 7, 3 p.m. at the Hank Williams Park, 127 Rose St., Georgiana. Day full of live gospel music. Vendors will be on site. Free admission. 

TAKE MOM TO THE ZOO

All moms get free admission to the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum for Mother’s Day. The zoo, 2301 Coliseum Parkway, will be open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. montgomeryzoo.com

MOTHER’S DAY GOLF SPECIAL

Cypress Tree Golf Course, 1461 March St., on Maxwell Air Force Base is offering a free day on the green starting at noon. Carts are extra. (334) 953-2209.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.