Traveling with children can be contentious: It’s often portrayed as either flawlessly magnificent or downright exhausting. The reality is usually a blend of both: challenging, wonderful, exciting, and peppered with more immeasurable joy than you can imagine. And isn’t that how motherhood goes?
Mother-daughter trips are not perfect—nor should they be. As a mother, daughter, and mother of daughters, the trips I remember most boil down to moments: the happy goggle marks around my toddler’s eyes as the sun sets behind a resort pool on Oahu after a day of learning to swim, the buzz of Manhattan around us while my daughter sing-songs a tune her grandmother had taught her about the city as we walk down a crowded street. The best mother-daughter jaunts blend a little bit of everything: great cities, historic museums, delicious food, and the best company.
Each one creates a magnificent space to connect under the stars, gab in bed at a resort halfway around the globe, stroll a city street while you get to know it (and each other) better, or simply just enjoy being together. From stargazing in Chile to a long weekend in Savannah, Georgia, here are 20 mother-daughter trips for travelers of all interests, budgets, and ages.
In this article:
A spectacular Chilean stargazing trip
With current and upcoming peak aurora activity, now is the time to book your next trip to see the stars. Why not venture to some of the clearest night skies in the world to do it? High in Chile’s Atacama Desert, you’ll find arid weather, awe-inspiring Mars-like terrain, unmatched celestial views, and space for connection. A visit between June and August promises longer nights and warmer days—perfect for hiking, biking, and meandering through the desert resorts’ luxury spas, on-site observatories, mineral baths, and on-site gardens.
Where to stay in the Atacama Desert:
An outdoor adventure in Banff
Seeing the Rockies across the Canadian border is absolutely magical (just don’t forget your passport). In Banff, where the altitude is only about half that of some of Colorado’s highest peaks, the mountains are truly stunning. Here, some of the hotels double as castles (and come with the expected luxuries), and art galleries, museums, and coffee shops dot the streets downtown. Ski slopes, hikes, and various outdoor adventures (with the views to match) are never far.
