Give Your Mom the Gift of Solo Travel this Mother’s Day

When it comes to Mother’s Day, I think I officially have enough experience under my belt to let you know exactly what most moms want and don’t want.

For starters (and this might surprise you), they absolutely do not want brunch. We beg you, no more overpriced Mother’s Day Sunday brunches where we have to sit with our crying kids AND everybody else’s while drinking an uninspired mimosa. I’ve been both a waitress and an attendee at these brunches, and I promise you, it’s not much of a gift.

What, if not brunch, could mom possibly want, you ask?

To be left alone.

The blissful sound of absolute silence. Where no one is asking you for something. Where you can decide where to eat and what to do all by yourself with no outside opinion…

Bliss!

Even better? A whole weekend getaway to herself. Plan just enough so she doesn’t have to worry about logistics but give her enough freedom to do what she wants. Believe me, your mom will think this is the best gift ever.

And if you’re trying to think of where to send her, here are some great destinations!

Top Mother’s Day Solo Travel Ideas by City

Tampa, FL

There are a lot of places in Florida that make for a great solo getaway but let me introduce you to one you may not think of right away – Tampa. When most people think of Tampa, they’re more likely to imagine a city full of business travelers and industry. And that’s where they’d be wrong!

This city is bursting with a unique history, tons of underrated culture, and plenty of peaceful pathways and things to do that Mom will love.

Book her a stay at Hotel Haya in Ybor City, and put her in the heart of a vibrant neighborhood with Cuban immigrant origins and very charming chicken locals. Right around the corner she can technically step into Cuban land at Parque Jose Marti and chat with some chickens about her plans. She can also walk over to JC Newman Cigar Co. to visit the last cigar factory in the United States or head downtown to see different cigar rollers at work. When she’s hungry, one of Columbia Restaurant’s locations is down 7th Ave. And if you time her weekend right, she’ll be in town for a chicken yoga class!

Also near the hotel is a station for Tampa’s free streetcar system, so she can hop on one and head to downtown Tampa. While there, stroll along the Riverwalk and stop off at Ulele. They specialize in incorporating indigenous ingredients into their menu. She can do some shopping at the Oxford Exchange and catch a show at the historic Tampa Theatre.

If she wants to get even more into nature, make sure she has a rental car, and point her towards the peaceful Hillsborough River State Park or book her a kayak fishing expedition at Mobbly Bayou Preserve with the Tampa Bay Kayak Anglers. And if she’s a foodie, make sure she does not miss the Sunday market at Wat Mongkolratanaram!

And if you really want to treat Mom, get her a reservation at Bern’s Steak House. Not only is the food delicious, but Bern’s claims the world’s largest restaurant wine collection – over 500,000 bottles! They even have their own dessert room that requires a separate booking. YUM!

Newport, RI

Send Mom to Newport, Rhode Island for some of that classic New England charm — especially if she’s a fan of “The Gilded Age”!

She’ll love the coastal views as she takes a nice stroll along the Cliff Walk. On one side is the ocean and on the other some of the most ornate real estate in America! They’re known as the Newport Mansions and were once summer homes to the richest tycoons in recent history. Many of them have been meticulously preserved, so she can also spend an afternoon touring one or two of them.

I’m partial to the Marble House, which was a birthday gift to Alva Vanderbilt (inspiration for Carrie Coon’s Bertha Russell). In the backyard is a Chinese Tea House where Alva held suffragist rallies and from April through December it’s open for tea.

For a unique stay, book her in at the Rose Island Lighthouse. It’s just a little outside of Newport and maintains the historic feel from when the light house was built in the 1800s. The best part? They promise “peaceful solitude” in addition to their beaches and gardens. Perfect!

Boston, MA

Cheers to a city where nobody knows your name! Boston, MA is a great city for families and couples but also for moms looking for some serious me-time. 

A luxury stay at the Langham Hotel makes for a perfect, hassle-free getaway, with its cozy, stylish rooms that feel like living inside a plush robe. Mom can easily explore all the unique things Boston has to offer from here, as the hotel is located within walking distance to downtown and the Rose Kennedy Greenway.

If she wants to try a new activity, Community Rowing Initiative is an organization that gets you out on the Charles River to row. It’s an elegant sport where everyonepulls or rows their own weight – a nice change for once!

Art-loving moms will be delighted by the Museum of Fine Arts. It’s one of the best art museums in the world with over 450,000 paintings, and without kids, she will now be able to see more than two. The Impressionism Gallery is a must with paintings from Gauguin, Degas, and Van Gogh. Bonus? There’s an entire gallery devoted to Monet! The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is another one she’ll love. Not only is it full of beautiful art, the museum itself is one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Boston.

A solo diner only needs one spot at the bar to eat and Boston has so many fantastic places to go whether she wants something fancy or casual. A classic is Union Oyster House, which has been around 1826. Knock the freshest oysters back and try their chowda. It’s an institution. Of course, you can visit Boston and not check out the North End’s Italian scene! Look into a North End food tour if she really loves Italian food.

While Boston has its Freedom Trail, a more unique option is to book a tour with Live Like a Local Tours. They create more personal guided tours through some of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods that have since become the center of the Black community as well as first generation Americans with their culture, food and strong community vibe.

Williamsburg, VA

Speaking of historic places, Williamsburg is another very underrated weekend destination for Moms seeking some alone time to explore. It manages to combine small town charm with living history, and your mom will love spending her time wandering around and running into some famous American figures.

Book her a stay at a hotel literally fit for a queen at Williamsburg Inn. Not only has it hosted Queen Elizabeth I, it’s right in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg, so she can just leave the hotel and walk right back in time along the Duke of Gloucester Street. Pop into various shops designed to look and operate like they would’ve during the 1700s. Keep walking and you’ll see the Bray School, which was once created to educate free and enslaved African-Americans. Further on, you’ll get to the Historic First Baptist Church and its Let Freedom Ring bell. And, hey, if she’s lucky, she might catch a choir performance!

For breakfast, make sure she knows Williamsburg is also the Pancake Capital of the World and is home to a number of fantastic pancake houses. There are a lot to choose from but I was quite partial to Southern Pancake House. For lunch or dinner, have her check out Masala Craft Indian Kitchen, which might just be one of the best Indian meals I’ve had yet. It was so good even my director, who normally sticks to a neutral diet on shoots, indulged!

If she wants to take a drive for her weekend, have her check out nearby Yorktown and Historic Jamestown to complete Virginia’s Historic Triangle.

New Orleans, LA

No one does it like New Orleans, and any mom will love coming here solo. While it’s very easy to turn strangers into friends here, there are also a ton of ways to still enjoy some solitude as well!

Opt for time spent in New Orleans City Park. At over 1,300 acres, it’s one of the largest urban parks in the country and perfect for a quieter stroll. There’s even a Cafe du Monde here, so you can enjoy your beignets and avoid the crowds at the French Market location.

If she’s a history buff, make sure she knows she can literally spend all day wandering around NOLA’s massive World War II Museum. Without worrying about keeping kids entertained, she can spend as long as she wants on each exhibit. And trust me – between the 7 buildings and 250,000 artifacts, there is a lot to see.

Another gem? Getting out of the city and heading across the pond to the very cute town of Covington. Check out the cheerful art at Marianne Angeli Rodriguez Gallery and grab a drink at the Southern Hotel’s Cypress Bar. Then rent a bike and ride along the Tammany Trace trail. This trail connects five different communities, so she’ll be able to see a lot as she goes.

Colorado Springs, CO

For moms that want to be alone in nature, but not THAT alone, send her to Colorado Springs. makes that easy to do.

I love solo hiking where I can be alone in my thoughts but also reassured by the presence of other people. The great outdoors is very close to this thriving city so you have the best of both worlds. Garden of the Gods is a great place to see jaw dropping sights while knowing you’re safe on the trails.

For views without needing to hike, have her take a cog railway 14,115 feet up to Pikes Peak. The train is one of two left in the United States and the views are so beautiful, they literally inspired “America the Beautiful.”

If she loved watching the Olympics, make sure she knows about the Olympic and Paralympic Museum. The museum is dedicated to Team USA and such a cool place to explore. She can even test out her skills!!

When she wants a drink, send her to Atrevida. It was founded by Jess Fiera, the first Latina brewery owner and head brewer in Colorado, and each drink is designed to spark conversation.

Create a Getaway Closer to Home

We moms don’t need much.

Look for small, charming towns that are no more than one to two hours away and make for a nice drive. This is an opportunity to turn our music up and sing. With no requests for bathroom stops or snack requests from the kiddos!

A decent hotel, preferably with room service will do. A cute B&B or inn with cable TV is a must. Trust me, we will relish this time to own the remote.

A spot with a nearby trail to hike, a historic garden or a wildlife preserve to wander through.  Walkable areas with art galleries, local boutiques, sweet cafes, and at least one, just one nice restaurant where we can sit down and be waited on…these are all the gifts a mom could ever ask for, if even for one day and say I love you louder than any flower bouquet could!

I also share a few more tips for gifting the gift of travel for Mother’s Day to help you plan an unforgettable experience.