If you’re thinking of going on a mother daughter vacay, do it! You’ll have a blast creating new memories with your mom. I’ve put together a few tips to help you plan an awesome mother-daughter trip you’ll both love.
Why Are Mother-Daughter Trips Important?
Mother-daughter trips are important because your mom is the one person who has known you your whole life. She cared for you when you needed her most and stuck with you through the hardest parts of your life. And now that you’re older she can be your travel BFF.
I love traveling with my mom. We try to take bigger trip every few years and sprinkle in weekend trips where we can. My mom is one of the funniest people I know! So traveling with her is always an adventure.
What I love most about traveling with my mom is how you can see how our personalities complement each other. My mom is go-with-the-flow and I’m a planner. So I plan where we should go and she hops on board.
Of course, every mother-daughter relationship is different so it’s important to think about how you’ll best be able to work together.
Are you both planners? Maybe one of you should plan the flights and accommodation while the other tackles what to do once you’re there.
If both aren’t up for planning a trip, I can help!
Why I Recommend Planning a Mother-Daughter Trip
Helps with Your Communication
Some of the best conversations I’ve had with my mom have been on our getaways. A change in scenery and having to rely on each other makes talking about the deep stuff that much easier.
It’s Fun!
Going with someone you know that well means you can really let go. Sometimes when you’re traveling with people you don’t know as well you feel obligated to do what they want to do and you’re a bit more reserved. But with your mom you can truly relax.
It’s More Affordable
I love a bargain and the best way to save money on your travels is to split the costs with a travel buddy, aka, your mom.
What To Do on a Mother-Daughter Trip
- The beach. Read a book, look for seashells, take a snooze, people watch, play in the waves.
- Boutique shopping. This is one reason I prefer to visit a small town because they have the cutest local businesses. It’s so much better to support a small business and the local economy than a large brand.
- Flowers: gardens, parks, greenhouses. This is another one of my mom’s favorites. We could spend hours exploring a greenhouse or garden. We have great memories wandering around Prescot Park in Portsmouth, NH, Forsyth Park, in Savannah, and smelling the flowers along the streets of Ogunquit, ME.
- Eat all the food. Isn’t this the true reason we travel?! My mom and I still talk about the deep dish pizza we had in Chicago, the shrimp in grits in Georgia, and the fried haddock sandwich in Wells, ME.
- Antiquing. This is for my mom specifically! She loves finding hidden gems at antique stores. Some states even have “antique trails” that you can drive to within the state.
- Bookstores. I love going to bookstores in general. It’s a fun way to get a feel for a region because typically small bookstores will feature local authors and subject matters. On a recent trip to Savannah with my mom, we found the coziest bookstore and while I was browsing the fantasy and historical fiction sections my mom got to peruse the cookbooks.
- Take a class. You could find a cooking class and make a regional dish, paint pottery, or try a new form of exercise.
- Relaxing Walks. Check to see if the area you’re visiting has a free walking tour, or a self-guided walking tour. Or take a stroll along a boardwalk or wooded trail. This is such a great chance to relax, breathe in fresh air, and get to know each other better.
- Enjoy a show. A play, musical, movie, or concert.
- Wineries and breweries.
How to Plan a Mother-Daughter Trip
Planning a mother daughter trip can be a blast! But if it’s your first trip together you may want to talk about what each of you are hoping to get out of the trip.
You can always test the waters with a mother daughter weekend getaway first!
If you’d rather not plan the trip, I can do it for you!
Where To Go on a Mother-Daughter Trip?
Need mother daughter trip ideas? I got you covered! The best part of planning a mother-daughter trip is choosing where you’ll go together. I recommend finding an activity you both enjoy and basing the trip around that shared interest.
For my mom and I, we love beach trips. Plop us on the sand and pick us up after sunset. We’ll spend the whole day at the beach and love every minute of it.
Maybe you and your mom love shopping, or outdoor adventures. Plan your mother daughter vacation around your shared interests and you’re on your way to a great trip!
If you love beach vacations on the east coast like we do, here are a few ideas, plus a New York trip.
- Maine Coast Road Trip
- Cape Cod, MA
- Outer Banks, NC
- Rhinebeck, NY
- Myrtle Beach, SC
- Savannah, Georgia
- Sanibel Island, FL
- Sarasota, FL
- Gulf Shores, AL
How Long Should Your Trip Be?
In my experience 3-4 nights is a great length for a mother-daughter trip. For trips further from home, add a few days.
If you’re going to fly, I recommend trying to find a one stop destination. If you’ve decided you want to drive, try to find a destination that’s within 4 hours away.
This allows you maximum time spent on your getaway and a more relaxing start. There’s nothing worse than being stuck at the airport or in traffic when all you want to do is relax during your getaway.
Final Thoughts
I hope these tips help you enjoy your next mother-daughter trip! I promise it will be one of the most rewarding travel experiences that you’ll both remember forever. No matter where you decide to go you’ll have a blast!
