Motherhood. As rewarding as it is, it can also be downright exhausting. Sometimes what a mother really needs is some alone time to truly relax and recharge, and a change of scenery may be just what the doctor ordered. We call it #takecaremamabear and firmly believe in the benefits of mom leaving behind her cubs to travel solo once in a while (here are 10 reasons why).
This month we've rounded up 10 best ideas that are sure to have mom excited for a getaway, be it a day-long outing or multi-day trip.
1. Spa Weekend - A spa is the epitome of relaxation and any mom would love a few days away to be pampered. Near or far, there are a number of fabulous spas to choose from in various settings and with a wide array of treatments and services offered. Check it out: Canyon Ranch Lenox Resort located in the Berkshires in Massachusetts offers a "Mom at Play" experience complete with a variety of spa treatments, salon services, indoor and outdoor fitness activities, cooking experiences, sleep enhancement therapies and more.
2. Wellness Retreat - Escaping to a tranquil setting with like-minded people centered around a specific theme can be a wonderful place for a mom to re-energize. Choose among spiritual or wellness retreats like yoga or meditation, or even crafting or leadership retreats based on mom's interests and goals. Check it out: Happy Mama Retreat held annually in North Carolina is a respite for moms of kids with invisible special needs such as ADHD, Autism and other developmental or behavioral disorders.
3. Outdoor Adventure - Moms looking to practice or develop skills in a particular sport or to try something new can enroll in a camp on surfing, running, cycling, snowboarding, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, sailing or perhaps whitewater rafting, rock climbing or sky diving for the more adventurous. Check it out: New Life Hiking Spa, located in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont, is "like camp for adults" filled with fresh air, exercise, wellness activities and healthy food.
4. Dude Ranch - For an iconic Western experience, mom may enjoy a visit to a dude ranch for a unique experience filled with outdoor activities such as horseback riding, cowboy roping, barrel racing, cow sorting, horsemanship lessons, fishing, line dancing, archery and more, surrounded by spectacular scenery. Check it out: Bar W Guest Ranch in Whitefish, Montana, offers the Cowgirl Up! all-inclusive, women-only week-long adventure package a few times each year.
5. Museum Visit - There are museums across the country and around the globe on numerous topics and themes Mom may be into. Be it fashion, art, history, science, sports or music, Mom is sure to find a museum she'd enjoy touring without the kids in tow. Check it out: National Museum of Women in the Arts, located in Washington, D.C., is "the only major museum in the world solely dedicated" to celebrating women’s achievements in the visual, performing, and literary arts.
6. Chocolate Tour - Treat the mom with a sweet tooth to a Chocolate Tour, incorporating sightseeing with delicious tastings. She'll stroll through town passing popular landmarks and attractions while sampling the best that local chocolatiers have to offer and learning about the chocolate making process as well as the history of the city. Check it out: The Gourmet Chocolate Tour in San Francisco has guests sampling fine chocolates throughout the city's historic waterfront area where Ghirardelli first set up shop in 1849.
7. Wine Tour - Wine connoisseurs and oenophiles would love a tour of a local winery or a longer getaway to explore one of the many wine regions in the US or abroad. Check it out: Tour the most scenic stretches of Napa Valley in a vintage railcar aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, which offers dining journeys and winery tours complete with gourmet food and wine tastings.
8. Cooking Class - A cooking class is a great option for any mom who enjoys spending time in the kitchen. Culinary tours, boot camps and cooking vacations are available world-wide for foodies that want an extended learning experience. Check it out: The Culinary Institute of America with locations in St Helena, CA, Hyde Park, NY, and San Antonio, TX offers Culinary Boot Camps on various cuisines and cooking styles ranging in duration from 2-5 days.
9. Retail Therapy - Fashionistas, or any mom in need of a new wardrobe, can use a shopping escape. Plan an outing to a nearby mall or outlet for a getaway she's sure to enjoy. Check it out: The Hilton New Orleans Riverside, conveniently connected to the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, an upscale outlet center in the heart of downtown New Orleans, offers a Nordstrom Shopping Package that includes overnight accommodations, a $50 Nordstrom gift card for each night of the stay, a Riverwalk Coupon Book with $500 in savings to the outlet stores, free parking, free access to the healthclub and more.
10. Bed and Breakfast - A stay at a bed and breakfast is a relaxing escape in a smaller setting with distinct charm and top notch service. Mom will love the personalized attention, unique accommodations and a delicious home-cooked breakfast. Check it out: Located in historic downtown Charleston, SC, and designated as a National Historic Landmark, The John Rutledge House Inn is a great option with its Girls Getaway Package complete with gracious hospitality, a delicious breakfast, a Tea Party, tour of the Holy City, wine tasting and a celebratory three-course dinner.
Most of all, a mom's getaway should not be complicated. Keep it simple and fun, in line with Mom's interests, and she's sure to have the rest and relaxation she so well deserves. Our advice to moms everywhere: go on, #takecaremamabear!
