1. Palm Springs, CA
Did someone say "spa day"? Sure, Palm Springs is getting more and more popular thanks to bachelorette parties and Coachella, but the desert backdrop and abundance of spa resorts and wellness treatments (I hear sound baths are all the rage) make it a mother-daughter dream destination. Spoil yourselves rotten during the day and then gossip over a cozy glass of wine by night.
2. A small Greek island
This suggestion is wholly inspired by "Mamma Mia!," so if you and Mom love singing along to ABBA together and aren't afraid of a little sun, what are you waiting for?! Islands like Corfu and Skiathos offer a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of daily life, but won't be overrun with tourists like Santorini or demand you stay up until the wee hours partying like on Mykonos.
3. Newport, RI
Small but mighty, Newport holds plenty of elegance and old-world glamour in its tiny square footage to last you a gorgeous bonding weekend, and then some. Crisp Chardonnay overlooking the ocean, oysters on the half shell in your tennis whites and exploring the grounds of a Gilded Age mansion...nothing wrong with leaning into the New England prep! It's time to take Mom to enjoy the finer things in life – even if you can only pretend for a few days.
4. Wine tasting in Napa
If you're going to do a wine-tasting trip, do it right. Head out to the west coast and take mom on days-long tours of vineyards to taste fresh blends, watch the wine-making process and sun yourself out by the vines. After indulgent afternoons, you two can stroll the Main Streets of Napa Valley's little towns and stop in for elegant dinners and browsing art galleries.
5. Charleston, SC
There's nothing like a little Southern charm! Charleston has a bit of everything if you and your mom are the exploring type. Get lost down the city's cobblestoned streets one day and make your way out to the coast the next, or book yourselves some tours jam-packed with the history of the U.S. South (with some ghost stories thrown in for good measure).
6. Washington, D.C.
We may have missed cherry blossom season already, but save this one for next year – take Mom to visit our nation's capital and see what she probably only ever sees on TV. The Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, the Rocky steps! If you and your mom are up for a jam-packed weekend that's high-energy and low-stakes, D.C. is calling.
