Take Mom On A Trip With These 10 Travel Ideas

Take the ferry from Cape Cod, New Bedford Mass., or even New York City to this small island off the coast from the Cape. It’s a wonderful time to visit the Vineyard, summer vacation destination for several U.S. presidents, before the peak summer crowds arrive. Stay in Edgartown at a charming seaside inn. Walk along the marina to the Edgartown Lighthouse, waste the day away in Edgartown Books and café hop around town. We hear the seafood around these parts is not to be missed. The ocean will be chilly, but a walk on the beach is still nice this time of year.

Just an hour away from Boston is another cute seaside town where the robber barons of the Gilded Age built their summer homes (mansions to us). You can spend an entire weekend exploring the Newport Mansions, though The Breakers, once home of the Vanderbilts, should be at the top of your list. Cliff Walk takes you behind the scenes, or behind the homes, rather, as you walk along a raised path between the houses and the shore. Take lots of pictures, stay at a historic inn in the downtown waterfront area, and enjoy all the galleries, boutiques and restaurants the area has to offer.

When in the city, Mom’s probably going to want to take in a show. Luckily, there are dozens to choose from, many for which you can get same-day discounted tickets. If you take mom to a show, she’s probably going to want to have dinner first --Sardi’s is a classic, classy choice. Also on the must-do list is peeping the Central Park flowers in bloom, definitely some shopping downtown and ending the trip with a slice of New York cheesecake.

Strolling through the Spanish moss-draped trees is a perfect way to spend a few days alone, but also add in a sunset walk through the squares. Head to the Savanah historic district and if mom loves walking, there’s food tours, history tours and even ghost tours. A side quest to Tybee Island for a fried green tomato and fish brunch should be on the agenda too.

In Asheville, you’ve got that fresh mountain air and stunning scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but you’ve also got a city filled with galleries, top-notch restaurants and scenic drives. Make time for one of 11 farmers markets, the fantastic Biltmore Estate, and the spring blooms at The North Carolina Arboretum. The Folk Art Center is a browsers delight and Lexington Glassworks will give you handmade glass souvenirs like no other.

Imagine tooling around the island with Mom in a gentle horse-drawn carriage. If you want to move more, rent bikes to ride along the shoreline trail. History buffs will appreciate a tour of Forts Holmes and Mackinac, but sitting on the porch of the Grand Hotel and trying some local world-famous fudge might be fun too.

If Mom is a sucker for a spa day, you’ve come to the right place. There’s the beauty of the red rock landscape, the mystical energy hotspots but over a dozen spas. When you’ve had your fill of treatments, take in Golden Hour as the sun sets over the rocks, and prepare to stargaze as it’s an International Dark Sky Place.

For the perfect balance of spa days, museum afternoons and gallery shopping, head to Santa Fe. In May, cooler temps make a day in the beautiful Rocky Mountains comfortable for a weekend of fun. Stay at the charming The Inn Of The Five Graces has richly appointed rooms with stunning tribal art and fit in some spa time at Wo' P'in Spa at Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder. Museum trips should include the Museum of International Folk Art and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, before heading downtown for gallery hunting. A meal you make at the Santa Fe School of Cooking could lead to some good bonding time or settle into one of the many foodie-approved restaurants for New Mexican cuisine.

Mom and you time gets a new altitude when you’re 5000 feet up. Denver has a blend of both city fun and natural escapes. The Denver Botanic Gardens is stroll-worthy followed by beer and conversation at a local brewery. Confluence Park both walking trails and outdoor art while the Molly Brown House is a confluence of décor and history. The Rally Hotel at McGregor Square has tidy rooms and a rooftop pool with breathtaking views.

You might not be able to whisk mom away to the Mediterranean, but you can travel to Santa Barbara, the Mediterranean of Southern California. You’ve got the Santa Ynez mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Just walking around and taking in the stunning Spanish Colonial architecture is a treat, but get a real treat at Lilac Patisserie. Ganna Walska Lotusland has waterfalls, a koi pond, and a pagoda. Stay at the Harbor House Inn and save time for a tasting at the Santa Barbara Winery.