6 Perfect Weekend Trips for Mother's Day
As a thank you to our mothers this Mother’s Day, planning a weekend getaway is the perfect activity.
San Francisco
You can always count on the perfect weather in San Francisco for an enjoyable weekend getaway. With its big city and beach side coast, this is the perfect destination filled with thousands of fun activities. One of the must do activities is biking the Golden Gate Bridge. The route is easy to navigate and allows you some perfect photo opportunities of the bay and iconic site. It drops you off in Sausalito, a quaint seaside town of various shops, galleries, and gorgeous views of San Francisco. The perfect place to grab lunch or dinner before either biking back or ferrying to the city. Visit the other sites like Alcatraz to learn about America’s biggest criminals, the Painted Ladies to reminisce on the days of Full House, Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, Lands' End filled with hiking trails and Giardelli Square for some ice cream scoops to top off your day. Do not forget to travel on the Cable Cars when walking around. And lastly, make a day trip to Sonoma or Napa Wine Country for some behind the scenes of local wineries and winemaking while enjoying some of the best pours.
Bar Harbor, Maine
All the way in the northernmost state of the east, lays Maine, a magical place to visit for a weekend getaway. Maine is rich with small fishing villages, coastline landscapes as well as dense wooded forests, and amazing seafood, it has something for everyone. Bar Harbor is a beautiful destination on Mount Desert Island known for its small-town charm, many yachts, lobster boats and scenic views to Canada. Spend an afternoon kayaking, sailing, or walking around its many shops, restaurants and taverns or the shore path, catching up with your mom. It is also known as the gateway to Acadia National Park, Maine’s only national park. Take a day hiking the various trails, coming back to the town to enjoy blueberry beer and lobster at the end of the day. For a small adventure, visit some of the picturesque lighthouses like West Quoddy Head, Burnt Coat Harbor, Petit Manan, and Mount Desert Rock lighthouses. The travel season for Bar Harbor typically begins early May and ends mid-September making it the perfect kick start to summer adventures.
Newport, Rhode Island
From historic mansions to beautiful beaches and great shopping this unsaturated destination is a great weekend getaway with Mom. Begin an afternoon with the cliff walk, enjoying the scenery and being active. A main draw to this destination is the mansions of the town’s elites during the Gilded Ages of America, like The Breakers, The Marble House, and The Elms. After working up an appetite touring the insane architecture and interiors, being close to the coast means seafood. The town of Newport has a wonderful selection of restaurants, bakeries, bar and more that come with the plethora of seafood options. The town is also well known for its shopping and wine tasting, which is a fantastic way to top off your day.
Savannah, Georgia
This charming city is dripping with beauty, interesting history, hospitality, and delicious southern fare. They are known for their Southern Hospitality, so there is a plethora of amazing places to stay whatever your budget and vibes are. The scenery is gorgeous from strolling through Forsyth Park to River Street or hitting Bonaventure Cemetery or the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The beauty shines through the historic mansions and thick moss in every strip. Make a lunch reservation at the Olde Pink House, one of the best restaurants in the city. The cozy wine cellar or lavish ballroom is the perfect setting for an afternoon with Mom. In the evenings, enjoy some live music from the rooftop gardens in Plant Riverside District or in one of the many bars and restaurants in City Market.
Denver, Colorado
In the middle of the country lies a city that you can always count on for a great weekend getaway. Denver has a mix of nature, city, sunny weather, and food. Beginning in the morning with Voodoo Doughnuts, grab a creative sweet treat and coffee before you head out. Downtown Denver is amazing to explore, walking around either bustling LoDo or LoHi to even Cherry Creek’s beautiful residential area. Cheesman Park holds Denver’s Botanical Gardens which are a great early afternoon activity. If you are looking for a lovely day trip, a short drive will take you to Boulder where you can shop, eat, and explore the rich hip college town. Visiting the Red Rocks Amphitheater is also the perfect short trip. There are multiple hiking trails around the area plus you might even be able to catch a show there in the evening. If you want a full day, day trip, think about visiting Estes Park to enjoy the cute town, hikes, and of course the iconic Stanley Mansion. If in Denver for the evening, take your dinner to a great rooftop for amazing views of the mountains and sunset. The Art District in Santa Fe hosts food trucks, craft sales, live music and dancing every first Friday of the month from 6-9 p.m. for some late night exploring. Or you can walk around anywhere around Coors Field for a bar hosting live music and fun vibes.
Seattle, Washington
Many worry about the weather in Seattle, but not in the summertime. Summers in Seattle are well known to be gorgeous and the perfect temperature, being not too hot. Naturally with the gorgeous waterfront against the skyline, it offers a great walk or ride along Alki Beach. There are places to rent bikes around the area that you and your mom can use for the little adventure. Pike Place Market offers some unique foods, live music, and lots of flowers for you and your mom to enjoy. On your way to the next destination, stop by the Olympic Sculpture Park for a commanding view of the Olympic Mountains across the water. Another must see site is the Seattle Center to grab some amazing views from the Space Needle. Spend the afternoon enjoying walks through residential neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Fremont, and Ballard. Finish in Kerry Park for the top-notch view of the city, before heading towards dinner.
Article by Caroline Milo, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
