15 Mother-Daughter Spring Break Trips To Plan Now, Because You're Never Too Old

Say hello to warmer weather with this spring getaway ideas.

Si Como No Inn
Photo: Robbie Caponetto

Spring break is something many Southerners look back on fondly—whether spent on the beaches along the Gulf Coast, Outer Banks, or sea islands of South Carolina and Georgia. However, our idea of spring break now is a little different from cramming a large group into one house and surviving on peanut butter sandwiches, along with the occasional basket of fried shrimp. While the memories are worth every sunburn, going on your own self-dubbed spring break trip as an adult can be much more relaxing, fun, and full of quality time—which is why it's the perfect opportunity to grab your mother and hit the road.

Don't have a "spring break" per se? Who cares! You're never too old to go on a mother-daughter getaway, and there is no rule saying there has to be only beach destinations involved. Get rid of the post-wintertime blues with these spring break trip ideas for every type of mother-daughter duo, whether you're into beaching, hiking, shopping, or wine-tasting.

01 of 15

Orange Beach, Alabama

The Gulf, Orange Beach, Alabama
Robbie Caponetto

This Gulf Coast getaway is all about taking it slow and easy. When you're not digging your toes into the sand and working on a pre-summer glow, hit the pedals. Just inland from the beach, Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail offers over 15 miles of paved trails for biking. That makes for a whole lot of catching-up talk. No trip to these parts is complete without a visit to Doc's Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar, where you'll find the "the best fried shrimp in the entire civilized world." Just ask anyone. Stroll around The Wharf, an entertainment district of sorts, for a breezy ending to the perfect lowkey beach day. No fancy shoes required.

02 of 15

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg SkyLift
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

It might be located on the border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but Gatlinburg is the exact opposite of roughing it, which happens to be right up our alley when we want to be entertained by everything from catching major views from the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian-only suspension bridge in the country, to shopping around the colorful alpine village for unique goodies to bring home. You can even stay at Treehouse Grove, a luxury treehouse resort.

03 of 15

Fredericksburg, Texas

Grape Creek Winery

Gabriela Herman

If you're of age, it doesn't get more fun than hitting Texas' wine trail together. Learn about some of the South's best wines and take in gorgeous Texas views while you're at it. Fredericksburg makes the perfect home base between tours, and it happens to ooze small-town Texas charm to boot, along with unique German heritage. Located a short drive from San Antonio and Austin, the town has plenty of wine tasting rooms to explore, but head out of town by booking the 290 Wine Shuttle for safe all-day transportation between the many surrounding wineries. Our favorite recommendations include Grape Creek VineyardsMessina Hof Hill Country WinerySignor Vineyards, and Barons Creek Vineyards.

04 of 15

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Robbie Caponetto

This idyllic coastal-wrapped town in South Florida is a pure beach vacation to unwind and unplug with a loved one. Retro renovated boutique hotels like High Noon Beach ResortDriftwood Beach Club, and Plunge Beach Resort are just a few examples of where you can book a comfortable stay for your trip. At just 1.5 square miles in area, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is very walkable. If you don’t fancy taking a stroll, you can easily secure a rental from Big Cat Bikes or request a ride with Circuit-By-The-Sea, a free golf cart-like shuttle.

05 of 15

Asheville, North Carolina

The Inn at Biltmore Estate Exterior
Robbie Caponetto

It's hard to find a town whose personality almost outshines the colossal beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround it, but that's kind of Asheville's thing. The quirky town was into all the cool stuff (think kombucha, craft beer, and co-ops) before most and still has the same laid-back, groovy attitude despite all the crowds constantly coming into "Beer City U.S.A." You can't leave without eating whole-hog 'cue at Buxton Hall Barbecue, paying a visit to the insanely gorgeous grounds of Biltmore Estate, and having a brew at Highland Brewing. Stay at the Chestnut Street Inn, a beautifully restored Grand Colonial Revival Home from 1905 situated in the heart of the National Historic District of Asheville.

06 of 15

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston's Rainbow Row Homes
Peter Frank Edwards

Visit this outstanding coastal city for scenic row houses, cobblestone streets, and a treasure trove of historic sites. Known at the Holy City, Charleston has no shortage of Southern charm to abound, from shopping on King Street to having afternoon tea at the pink-drenched Camellias room at Hotel Bennett. The worst kept secret in the city is a must-visit for first-timers: Leon's. Fried chicken and oysters (raw and char-grilled) are the main draws on the menu, but don’t miss the other standouts either.

07 of 15

San Antonio, Texas

F.I.S.H., a hanging installment by artist Donald Lipski, displayed along the River Walk
Wynn Myers

This historic city is chock-full of cultural delights to explore with your best gal pal. You can spend days wandering up and down the River Walk, which has countless offshoots of attractions, restaurants, historic landmarks, and museums. On the northernmost end, see spring at family-friendly sites such as the San Antonio Botanical Garden and the Japanese Tea Garden. Slightly south, you'll find a livelier jam at the Pearl District, a multiuse district located on the site of the old Pearl Brewery, founded back in 1883. Book a room at its Hotel Emma. And of course, no trip is complete with the River Walk's historic spots: Historic Market Square and The Alamo.

08 of 15

Florida's Highway A1A

St. Augustine

ROBBIE CAPONETTO

The best thing about this road trip could be the pastel sunset skies or perhaps the laidback attitude of this lesser-traveled side of Florida. But our money's on the endless potential of where you can go along this coastal highway. Start in Fernandina Beach and drive as far as Key West, if you so please. If hitting the road hard enough, you could hit Amelia Island, (where you can catch a ferry to Cumberland Island National Seashore), St. Augustine, Daytona Beach (birthplace of NASCAR), or just hole up in one or two of the beach towns and indulge in some much-needed mother-daughter hangout time.

09 of 15

Dahlonega, Georgia

Dahlonega, Georgia

Ian Dagnall/Alamy

Dahlonega, Georgia, is the ultimate small-town getaway for girlfriends and perfect for any mother-daughter duo. The charming little town practically overflows with feel-good Southern vibes (basically, if Stars Hollow was in the South), and you'll want to take in every attraction, from the town's drop-in café, Picnic Café and Dessertery, to the North Georgia wineries outside of town. There's rarely ever a need to step foot into a car, which is our type of getaway. Stay close to town square at The Smith House or Hall House Hotel.

10 of 15

Port Aransas, Texas

This beloved family beach town on Mustang Island known affectionately and proudly as Port “A” has done a remarkable job of recovering in the wake of the devastation of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and its 6.3 miles of broad, flat sands remain a great place t
Olga Melhiser / Getty Images

This fishing village (where you'll get plenty of fresh daily catches at local restaurants) has long been a nostalgic vacation spot for generations of Texas families, and why not post up under an umbrellas on the Gulf Coast? For recreational boating, The Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventure and Dolphin Docks Deep Sea Fishing run scenic cruises that showcase the area's friendly dolphin population. About 20 minutes down the road, Mustang Island State Park provides a secluded home for the region's diverse species and can be explored via car or bicycle on the beach or on a kayak along its extensive paddling trails.

11 of 15

Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota FL

Robbie Caponetto

Sarasota—a beautiful beach town on Florida's scenic Suncoast which encompasses about 150 miles along the Gulf of Mexico—has easy appeal for a girls' weekend. Enjoy a morning bike ride or stroll along Bayfront Park, which is on the water and borders a marina of yachts and powerboats. South Lido Beach is a quiet stretch best known for manatee spotting on kayaks (you can check with Paradise Adventures Sarasota for tours and rentals), and The Resort at Longboat Key Club has its own private tract of pristine sand and surf.

12 of 15

Sea Island, Georgia

The Cloister on Sea Island
Peter Frank Edwards

The recent renovation of The Lodge at Sea Island makes for the ultimate escape. There's been an overhaul of its marquee restaurant the Georgian Rooms and a new design at American steakhouse Colt & Alison. Not only are the historic resort grounds both classic and coastal, but the spa services and beach views are exactly how a mother-daughter duo with a penchant for pampering would like to spend spring break. Guests are greeted with a "Spallini" cocktail on their way to the property's sanctuary centerpiece: a garden atrium that transports the area's natural windswept riches inside. Hospitable beyond compare, prepare to be relaxed at every turn as you choose from the 65,000-square-foot facility's treatments.

13 of 15

Louisville, Kentucky

Angel's Envy Distillery

Robbie Caponetto

Louisville gets a lot of love, and there's no reason to leave it to the Derby folks. It makes the perfect spring break trip idea for a mother-daughter duo purely because of one thing: all the flair. This is a town where you can get dressed up to the nines for a spring horse race at Churchill Downs or nearby Keeneland and people-watch until your heart's content. At the race track, the action is on and off the turf. Place your bets, rank the big hats, and have a mint julep or two. When you're not at the track or exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail (the views of green rolling hills along the drive is worth traveling to the tastings alone), Louisville's iconic Whiskey Row provides all sorts of fun things to add to your itinerary.

14 of 15

Thomas, West Virginia

Adventures on the New River Gorge, West Virginia. July 2019. Adventures on the Gorge river rafting.
Robbie Caponetto

Spending time in the great outdoors can only be made greater by spending it with your forever gal pal. This area of West Virginia is flush with some of the South's most impressive hiking trails and mountain views. Explore Blackwater Falls State Park for five-story waterfalls, Seneca Rocks for real-deal rock climbing, or Dolly Sods Wilderness for a more low-key hike. Stay in the charming little town of Thomas to have access to locally owned shops and restaurants, such as TipTop, a cozy coffeehouse; Ella & Company, an antiques and decor store; and Santangelo, a books-and-home goods shop. The Purple Fiddle is a legendary live-music venue where you can find good music and family-friendly fun on the weekends.

15 of 15

Annapolis, Maryland

Sailboat in the Chesapeake Bay off Annapolis
Tara Donne

The streets of Annapolis hold more than 350 years of American history. You could spend hours strolling up and down Main Street, where shops and restaurants thrive inside 18th-century brick storefronts. Fly into Baltimore or Washington D.C., which are both a close drive over to the small town. Tour the impressive United States Naval Academy grounds, get a dose of sailing with a cruise on the Schooner Woodwind, and eat plenty of crab cakes.

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