The Best Places in the USA for a Relaxing Babymoon Before Baby Arrives
The tiny socks are folded into pairs, bottles are sterilized and lined up like soldiers in your cupboards, diapers are tucked into bags and drawers… your home and life are about to change, and you’re as ready for it as you can get!
There’s just one thing left to do, and that’s to go somewhere with your honey for a sweet celebration of your last months as a unit of two. The babymoon has become an increasingly popular last hurrah in recent years, a chance for a couple to enjoy some extra-special time together before a new baby arrives and turns them into a traveling family unit.
However, as complex as planning and packing for a trip already can be, doing so while expecting brings in a host of new wrinkles and things to consider. You already have to figure out where to go, but then health, special gear, timing and even the local cuisine are all things that must also now be taken into account when planning a perfect babymoon! And that can seem overwhelming, an unwelcome feeling at a time when you just want to relax with tasty mocktails and bask in the glow of love.
We hope our helpful guide will help you not only pick your perfect babymoon escape, but also to pack without worry, travel without fear, and enjoy your last hurrah as a couple without stress.
Babymoon Travel Planning Tips: Three C’s
1. Consult Your Obstetrician
Travel in general is fine for expectant parents, but you should always confirm details with your obstetrician before you go. Let them know where you are going, double-check what foods you might want to avoid there, what level of physical activity is acceptable, and ask them for any other advice they can think of. Get a refill on any medications you might need, check on what vaccines are required, and put your mind at ease.
2. Consider Compression
If you don’t already have compression socks for your traveling days, now is a great time to get some. Always recommended for air travelers in general, pregnant flyers can extra benefit from a pair or two of these. They’ll reduce the risk of blood clots and swelling, and your legs might even feel rejuvenated after a few hours of wear.
Note: This is something to consult your doctor on before you buy, as they’ll tell you what level of compression is safest for you.
3. Coverage Check
You should always get travel insurance; however, an important thing to remember is that not all plans are created equal! Carefully read the plan you’re considering for purchase to make sure it covers as many scenarios as possible for a pregnant traveler. Obviously, the hope is always that nothing will go wrong, but it’s best to be properly covered in case it does.
5 Best American Babymoon Destinations
While plenty of folks choose the Bahamas, Italy, Indonesia, Greece, and other somewhat far-flung locales in international climes, the United States–in all her beautifully diverse glory–has so many places to go that are perfect for a loved-up expectant couple! These are a few of our very favorites.
1. Autumn Antics: Vermont
For those who are expecting their little bundles of joy in the autumn months and love mountains, autumn colors, and historic downtowns, Vermont is a perfect little escape for nature and history loving babymooners. One of America’s most beautiful states, Vermont has cities and towns like Stowe, Brattleboro, Chester, and Lower Waterford that all have charming little inns and B&Bs that are cozy and romantic, making them perfect as October and November honeymoon and babymoon destinations.
The weather will be cool, the colors breathtaking, and the atmosphere ripe for a few days of cuddles and sweet nothings. Go in early fall and you’ll get to enjoy all things apple, from cider to fritters, and you can even pick a bushel of your own.
When To Visit: Autumn, for the stunning fall colors, cozy food options, and spectacular photo opportunities in the pumpkin patches.
2. Seaside Solitude: Carmel-By-The-Sea
Going to the beach is always gorgeous and fun, but a beachside babymoon is an especially enchanting getaway. California’s Carmel-by-the-Sea is a beautiful town, surrounded by natural beauty and rife with historic architecture and a vibrant artistic soul. It is considered one of the best honeymoon destinations in the USA, and everything that makes it perfect for newlyweds works beautifully for babymooners as well!
There are a number of lodging options that put you right near the beach, so you can enjoy lovely views and the sounds of the sea. Spend a beautiful few days strolling the compact city center, poking your head into incredible art galleries, wandering tiny hidden alleyways, and dining al fresco at one of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s many delicious eateries–it’s an incredible destination for babymooning foodies, with something to satisfy just about any craving!
When To Visit: This is a pretty nice place all year round, but early fall is the sweet spot; the air isn’t too chilly yet, and the summer crowds have mostly cleared out.
3. Coastal Charm: Charleston, SC
If you prefer your quaint and historic coastal babymoon vibes to be Eastern, then South Carolina is where you want to be, with downtown Charleston being your port of landing. Now, Charleston isn’t a beach city–you’ll have to drive a little bit for that–but it is gorgeous downtown, with Rainbow Row, the deeply historic South of Broad district, and beautiful White Point Garden as some of the highlights for visitors.
Many hotels and other lodgings offer bicycle rentals, which are a fun way to get around if you’re feeling up for it; otherwise, downtown is fairly walkable, plus there’s some public transit available. As for the cuisine of the day, seafood reigns supreme here and for excellent reason, but double check with your physician to verify what’s safe to eat and in what amounts.
When To Visit: Late spring, summer and early autumn, before the cooler breezes start to come in off the Atlantic.
4. Scandinavian Sweetness: Door County, WI
The Midwest is not to be counted out in the babymoon sweepstakes, and tiny Door County is a truly underrated getaway destination in this regard, with some of the best small towns in America around. Occupying a slender finger of land extending between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, the towns and villages of Door County bear a strong Scandinavian influence, offering a cozy hygge atmosphere ideal for babymooning!
Make Sister Bay your central hub–it’s easy to hit other Door County points of interest from here, it’s very cute, and you really shouldn’t miss a chance to eat at Al Johnson’s Swedish Pancake House, where the food is delicious and the goats on the roof iconic. And don’t forget to grab some tart cherry jam or juice! Door County is known for their Montmorency cherries, which are a fantastic source of magnesium, potassium, Vitamin C and fiber for expectant folks.
When To Visit: Summertime! The Bay weather is gorgeous this time of year, with clear skies and sunny days abound.
5. Desert Delights: Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, CA
When the colors of the desert are what you love, set your babymoon course for Palm Springs and Joshua Tree in southern California. Since California is regarded as one of the healthiest states in the US, this babymoon destination is perfect for the health and self-care set.
Palm Springs is a chic little city full of art museums, wellness spas, and hot springs to explore; meanwhile nearby Joshua Tree National Park is a beautiful and fascinating natural wonder, spectacular for those who hike and maintain an active lifestyle while expecting. The foodie scene in Palm Springs is thriving right now, with everything from juicy burgers to vibrant salads and plenty of international cuisines to satisfy every possible pregnancy craving.
Also Read: East Coast National Parks in the US
When To Visit: Joshua Tree is one of the best places to plan a visit for the wintertime, as even in December temperatures tend not to be too extreme; hiking babymooners can still explore to their hearts’ content.
Also Read: Best Hikes in the World
Oh, Baby! Enjoy Your Perfect Babymoon Escape
Wherever you go on your babymoon, remember that the most important thing is to have fun and to celebrate each other. This is when you make memories of that sweet little moment in time when you’re almost, but not quite a family just yet! Cuddle, feast, frolic, and commune together, celebrate your joy and get ready to welcome your new little life into the world on a wave of sweet love.
