Amazing adventures for bonding with your mom

Every mom can use a little bit of relaxation, and a quiet, peaceful, meditative walk around the Portland Japanese Garden will do just the trick. Explore the tea garden to discover the tea house, spend a moment soaking in the views from the Strolling Pond Garden's Moon Bridge, get inspired by the zen and unique Sand and Stone Garden, and admire the impeccable trees, flowers, and landscaping. The garden now features a library, art gallery, Japanese arts learning center, and a cafe where you and mom can enjoy traditional Japanese treats like matcha tea and mochi ice cream.

South Mountain Park's 16,000 acres offers 51 miles of trail for exploring. You can see Hohokam Rock Art on many of the trails, and you can bike or horseback ride on several of them as well. End the trip with a cruise up the scenic drive to Dobbins Lookout... it's especially breathtaking at sunset. Remember to bring plenty of water, though, as it's pretty sunny and hot and there aren't many places to refill bottles on the trails.

For a totally quirky activity, take a cruise down North Dakota's Enchanted Highway. The two-lane road is pretty much in the middle of nowhere on the rolling, sweeping prairie, but for 32 magical miles, you'll pass by massive artsy sculptures. You can hop out and take pictures at each one. Plus, right nearby, you'll find the Enchanted Castle, which has a hotel, and a medieval-themed tavern and steakhouse attached. The artist behind the sculptures also runs a gift shop in Regent, so treat yourselves to ice cream and a souvenir.

If you take mom to Zilker Park, there are tons of activities she can choose from. Cool off with a dip at the perfectly cool Barton Springs Pool, take a ride on the mini-train through the park, check out the massive, hands-on Umlauf Sculpture Garden, rent canoes or kayaks to take out on Lady Bird Lake (or walk around the reservoir), see the koi ponds and dinosaurs (yes, for real) at Zilker Botanical Gardens, fly kites on the hillside... the opportunities are endless. There are tons of restaurants nearby where you can enjoy a nice lunch or dinner to round out a fun day.

For a perfect day for the whole family, head to De Leon Springs State Park. Start with the make-your-own pancakes at the Sugar Mill Restaurant ($5 a person gets you a pitcher of batter and the tools to make your own pancakes at the griddle built into your table). Then you can swim in the spring, rent canoes or kayaks, hike the trails, fish, or take the guided Fountain of Youth Eco/Heritage Boat Tour through Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge. Wind the day down with a picnic or grill-out at the park's pavillion!

For a fun mother-kid bonding adventure in Detroit, start at Eastern Market, where you can browse a vast array of local foods and goods. Grab coffee at Trinosophes or pizza at Supino's, or browse the offerings at all of the spots. Then, walk from the market along the 1.5-mile Dequindre Cut Greenway down to the Riverfront. At the Riverfront, you can stroll through Milliken State Park and Harbor, the state’s first urban state park, and take in some great views of the Ambassador Bridge and Canada. If you're with kids, there is a ton for them to do here, otherwise, bike or walk around and enjoy the skyline and lighthouse views.