The Best Southern Destinations For A Mother-Daughter Weekend Away

Pack your bags and set out on an adventure, just the two of you.

Savannah, Georgia
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When it’s time for a vacation with your mom, you have your pick of great Southern destinations. If there’s one thing she deserves, it’s a relaxing and fun vacation where she can make new memories with her favorite child (that’s you, of course). From lively cities to charming small towns, there are a bunch of great places filled with antiques shops, spas, bed-and-breakfasts, cozy restaurants, and beautiful outdoor scenery that’ll have the two of you bonding anew. No matter what your favorite activities to do together are, there’s something here for you. From the classics to the more off-the-beaten-path locales, a vacation destination is out there calling your name. We owe a lot to our mothers and mother figures–isn’t it time you treated her to a vacation, just the two of you?  

01 of 10

Asheville, North Carolina

USA, North Carolina, Asheville

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Few mountain destinations have quite the hold on us that Asheville does. It’s also an ideal place for a mother-daughter getaway. Check out some of the city’s best breweries after a day spent exploring the majesty of Biltmore Estate. From mountain sunsets at scenic overlooks to hours whiled away at antiques shops and farm-to-table restaurants, Asheville has it all–and you can enjoy all of it against that beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain backdrop.

Eat: Cúrate, White Duck Taco, Chai Pani, Buxton Hall Barbecue

Stay: The Inn at Biltmore Estate, Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville, The Omni Grove Park Inn

See: The North Carolina Arboretum, River Arts District, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

02 of 10

Bentonville, Arkansas

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville
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This art-centric city owes much of its creative capital to Walmart and the Walton Family, which spearheads the city’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which is set in the picturesque Ozark scenery (also a great landscape for hiking and biking) and contains a stellar collection of pieces from a variety of artistic periods. These days, the city’s dining scene is also reaching for the stars. 

Eat: The Hive, Spark Cafe, Oven & Tap, The Preacher’s Son

Stay: 21c Museum Hotel, Avid Hotel 

See: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Momentary

03 of 10

Charleston, South Carolina

Buildings along a road in Charleston, South Carolina

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It’s a veritable choose-your-own-adventure story when you visit Charleston. No two vacations in The Holy City will be quite alike, but you can be sure you’ll have plenty to do and see while you’re there. Start with a shopping spree along King Street, then wander the streets to either side and marvel at the architecture as you make your way to the views from The Battery. Indulge in fresh seafood and soak up the coastal breezes to make the most of your trip to Charleston.

Eat: FIG, The Grocery, The Ordinary, Chez Nous

Stay: The Dewberry, The Restoration, Hotel Bennett, Hotel Emeline

See: Waterfront Park, Rainbow Row, Gibbes Museum of Art

04 of 10

Covington, Louisiana

Lake Pontchartrain

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A charming small town with plenty of local flair, Covington is the weekend getaway you didn’t know you needed. It’s a relaxed spot with plenty to see and plenty to browse, including locally-owned art galleries, boutiques, and antiques shops. As a plus, the bustle of New Orleans is just a hop, a skip, and a jump away over Lake Pontchartrain.

Eat: LOLA, The Gloriette, English Tea Room and Eatery, Del Porto Ristorante

Stay: Southern Hotel, The Garden House, Blue Willow B&B

See: Tammany Trace, Abita Brewery, HJ Smith and Sons General Store and Museum

05 of 10

Dahlonega, Georgia

Dahlonega, Georgia
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North Georgia is a great spot for a girls’ trip with your mom, and Dahlonega is an ideal hub to explore. There’s a charming downtown to wander through, fun shops for browsing, local restaurants for grabbing lunch, and beautiful scenery to take in on the drives to and fro. Embark on a hike along nearby Amicalola Falls to see even more of the beauty of the Georgia mountains. Don’t miss the area’s wineries, where you can enjoy both tastings and tours.

Eat: Corner Kitchen, White Oaks Barn and Bistro, Shenanigans

Stay: Hall House Hotel, Dahlonega Square Hotel, Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa

See: Amicalola Falls, Frogtown Cellars, Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery

06 of 10

Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville, South Carolina
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A gals’ getaway to Greenville should always be in the cards. That’s because there’s so much to do and see in this energetic city. An ideal springtime escape, Greenville has parks, restaurants, and trails to keep you busy and having fun. For a perfect way to start your day, traverse the Swamp Rabbit Trail on bicycles after stopping into one of the city’s many stylish coffee shops.

Eat: Trappe Door, Aryana Afghan Cuisine, Soby’s, The Anchorage, Camp, Jones Oyster Co.

Stay: AC Hotel Greenville, The Westin Poinsett, Hotel Hartness, Grand Bohemain Grenville

See: Falls Park on the Reedy, Swamp Rabbit Trail, The Peace Center

07 of 10

Lexington, Virginia

Natural Bridge State Park in Lexington, VA
Robbie Caponetto

Nestled in the rolling green expanses of the Shenandoah Valley, this small town has all you need for a laid-back Virginia vacation. Reach it via a winding and picturesque drive on the Southern-favorite Blue Ridge Parkway and adjoining thoroughfares. Then explore all Lexington has to offer, from boutiques and local restaurants to hiking trails and hillside photo ops in the midst of the postcard-worthy landscape.

Eat: The Red Hen, Pure Eats, Season's Yield Farm at Haywood's, Blue Sky Bakery

Stay: The Georges, Abigail Inn, Grace House

See: The Blue Ridge Parkway, Heliotrope Brewery, Natural Bridge State Park

08 of 10

The Palm Beaches, Florida

West Palm Beach

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What more can we say about The Palm Beaches? When you escape to these glitzy shores for the ultimate Florida getaway, you’ll be surrounded by opportunities to shop, dine, and lounge on the sands. Hit the sidewalks to browse the shops in this snowbird’s paradise, and don’t forget to book a tour to explore the historic corners of town. Then relax to your hearts’ content–you and your mama deserve it.

Eat: Green’s Pharmacy and Luncheonette, Ta-boo, Pizza Al Fresco

Stay: Marriott’s Ocean Point, The Colony Hotel, Grandview Gardens B&B, White Elephant Palm Beach

See: Worth Avenue, The Breakers, Flagler Museum

09 of 10

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia
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Long a favorite spot for weekend trips in Georgia, Savannah has even more to enjoy these days, from rooftop terraces atop new hotels to buzzy restaurants that’ll have you making return trips. Don’t miss the oak-shaded parks that can be found throughout the historic neighborhoods or the fantastic antiques shops that the city has in abundance. Wander the sidewalks to see the beautiful architecture, then stop by River Street for cobbled streets, waterside views, and Savannah-made sweets.

Eat: The Grey, Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, The Wyld

Stay: The Drayton Hotel, The Alida, JW Marriott Plant Riverside District

See: River Street, SCAD Museum of Art, The Paris Market and Brocante, E. Shaver, Booksellers

10 of 10

St. Augustine, Florida

Beautiful architecture in St. Augustine, Florida.

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Towns don’t get much more historic than St. Augustine, which is known as the oldest city in the United States. Past and present mingle on every street, where new restaurants and old sightseeing stops elbow each other for travelers’ attentions. Take it all in, then head to the beach, which has sunny sands for lounging and greenspaces for picnicking.

Eat: The Ice Plant, Prohibition Kitchen, The Floridian, The Columbia, Boat Drinks

Stay: St. George Inn, Casa Monica Resort & Spa

See: Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Lightner Museum, St. Augustine Beach, Anastasia State Park, Flagler College

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