Girls’ weekends always make for great memories, from unplugged beach days to thrifting for antiques. Whether you indulge in an annual girlfriend getaway or you’re a newbie, there’s likely one person you haven’t taken a trip with in a good while: your mom. We’ve come up with five very different experiences, all designed to suit every mood and perfect for mom and daughter bonding time.
Charming Beach Town Vibes
Tybee Island, Georgia (2.5 hours driving time)
We are fortunate to have our pick of beach destinations so close to home, but this one stands out. Tybee means “salt” to Native Americans, and it’s an easy drive to this barrier island along the Georgia coast. Three miles of sandy beaches ripe for fossil hunting, plenty of historical sites — including the oldest and tallest lighthouse in Georgia at Fort Pulaski — and a 6.5-mile railroad trail path for walkers and bikers are a few of Tybee’s immediate offerings. For anything you can’t find on Tybee, downtown Savannah is just 20 minutes away. Check out DeSoto Beach Properties, offering you the option to stay oceanside or at a charming bed-and-breakfast. Lunch at the Crab Shack is a must for local seafood, and the hand-dipped Jersey ice-cream at The Sugar Shack is pure nostalgia in a cone. [Visit Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum]
Funky Artistic Getaway
Asheville, North Carolina (4-5 hours driving time)
Quirky just about sums up Asheville, and if you have a mom who loves shopping for anything related to arts and crafts, it’s time to head to the Asheville River Arts District [How to Spend a Day in Asheville’s River Arts District], a colorful neighborhood where you can visit artists at work in converted warehouse spaces. Plan your trip for the second Saturday of each month to enjoy gallery walks, demonstrations, music, wine and more — visit riverartsdistrict.com for details. With the Biltmore close by and proximity to downtown Asheville, there’s plenty to keep you entertained for the whole weekend. Relax at the Haywood Park Hotel, a converted department store full of classic revival style charm just steps away from James Beard award-winning restaurants and local breweries. For dinner, try Plant, Rhubarb or Cucina 24, and don’t miss a visit to Burial Beer Co. to find out why Asheville is regularly called the “Best Beer City of the United States.”
Peaceful Mountain Retreat
Highlands, North Carolina (5 hours driving time)
Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this nature sanctuary is just the ticket for mothers and daughters looking for a chance to reconnect with each other in a breathtaking setting. Beginner and expert hikers will be enthralled by the panoramic views and idyllic waterfalls. Go to alltrails.com for hand-curated trail maps and driving details, and don’t miss Dry Falls, a trail highly recommended to all levels of hikers. Grab lunch to go from one of the downtown sandwich shops, like the Mountain Fresh Grocery and Wine Market [Grab a bite at Mountain Fresh Grocery and Wine Market], and wind down at the Highlander Mountain House, part English country home, part Appalachian-influenced bunkhouse. Their onsite tavern, The Ruffed Grouse, creates menus around local fish, fowl, farm and seasonal ingredients.
One Sip at a Time
Yadkin Valley, North Carolina (4.5 hours driving time)
Who needs Napa Valley when you have the Yadkin Valley Wine Region, which houses approximately 36 wineries featuring everything from sparkling to reds, whites and rosés? In 2003, this once-thriving tobacco area, which has shifted to grape-growing, was designated as an American Viticultural Area – that’s wine-speak for an officially recognized appellation area for producing wine.
Meander along wine trails that have been thoughtfully planned out for you and your mom at yadkinvalleywinecountry.com. Check out the award-winning wines at Shelton Vineyards in Dobson [Visit Shelton Vineyards], for example, and catch their tasting and music series if you can. Several of the wineries also offer lodging, including Dobson’s Stony Knoll Vineyards, where you can stay in the Wine Lodge, which was originally an 1860s cabin. Pair all those great glasses with dinners that suit the occasion — many right on the vineyard grounds.
Healing and Relaxing Destination
Walland, Tennessee (7.5 hours driving time)
The Wellhouse at Blackberry Farm is not exactly up the road, but once you are there, your cares will literally melt away [Visit the Wellhouse at Blackberry Farm]. Tucked in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm is one of the most celebrated intimate hotels, known for its decadent cuisine, activities, which range from horse-back riding to archery to paddle sports, and a wellness menu that will place you in the Deep Healing Woods for the likes of forest bathing, meditation and yoga. Or try the Wellhouse Spa for relaxing massages, deep tissue muscle recovery and essential skin care. It’s possible you might never want to leave, and mom might agree with you.
