At this point, we all know that 2020 is a weird time for travel lovers. With so many countries still not allowing American travelers, travelers from the U.S. need to get a bit creative. We’re sharing some of our favorite closer-to-home getaway ideas that you can keep in mind for now, or the future!
We may be bias, but we think that a mother-daughter getaway is a great way to bond and make lifelong memories. However, you definitely can enjoy these trips with anyone (to each their own)!
Ready for some bonding time? Read on!
East Coast:
1. Charleston, SC
Charleston is a perfect destination for some family bonding! It has that quaint and charming vibe that makes it easy to feel at home immediately.
These are some of our favorite spots in the city:
Husk: Delicious shrimp and grits and much more.
SNOB (Slightly North of Broad): A fancier vibe, but worth a little splurge.
Halls Chophouse: THE spot for steak (but their mac & cheese is the best guilty pleasure)!
Charleston City Market: Has many different vendors that makes for a nice spot for a leisurely walk.
Interested in Charleston? Check out beautiful vacation home rentals!
2. Asheville, NC
The incredible Biltmore Estate, delicious food, and a great craft beer scene make Asheville one of our favorite getaway spots!
These are some of our favorite spots in the city:
The Biltmore Estate (of course): It’s more than just an insanely big house! The grounds have wonderful gardens, a shopping area, a winery, hiking and horseback riding trails, and more.
NC Arbotretum: A must if you’re looking for some quiet time among endless gardens with mountain views.
New Belgium Brewing Company: Award-winning brewery worth a visit. Best known for their Fat Tire Amber Ale and IPAs!
Wicked Weed Brewing: They call their taproom the “Funkatorium,” and it’s definitely a fun spot!
The Corner Kitchen: Set in an adorable cottage with delicious food (win-win).
Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian: Looking for Italian comfort food? Look no further!
Interested in Asheville? Check out beautiful vacation cabin rentals!
3. Washington DC
Museum lovers will be in heaven in Washington DC. There is probably far more than you can visit in one short trip, but check out the classics of the Smithsonian, the interesting International Spy Museum, or the powerful Holocaust Memorial Museum and National Museum of African American History and Culture.
*Make sure you check if operations have changed due to COVID.
These are some of our favorite spots in the city:
The many amazing monuments (Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, MLK Jr. memorial…)
Georgetown/Waterfront: A charming area to walk around and grab a bite to eat away from some of the touristy draws.
Old Ebbitt Grill: A historic choice known for their oysters.
Founding Farmers: A cool, rustic restaurant with more farm-to-table goodness!
Filomena Ristorante in Georgetown: A great restaurant in the Georgetown area. The risotto is highly recommended!
Baked and Wired in Georgetown: Treat yo’ self to some baked goods!
Interested in Washington DC? Find a historical place to stay!
4. New York City, NY
(if your state isn’t on THIS restricted list – which NC is)
NYC probably doesn’t need any explanation, but we LOVE taking trips here to see some shows on Broadway and to explore the never-ending food scene! We may not be able to see a show right now, but there’s still plenty you can do in the city. If you have never been before, you’ll probably want to visit places such as Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and One World Tower.
*Make sure you check if operations have changed due to COVID.
These are some of our favorite spots in the city:
Central Park: You can always have a fun time exploring the beautiful central park (stick to the daytime). If you want brunch in this area, try out Sarabeth’s!
Ocean Prime: This restaurant is right near Broadway and has a delicious, discounted “pre-show” menu once shows start up again.
Pretty much any pizza or bagel shop…But honorable mentions for Bleecker Street Pizza and NY Pizza Supreme.
Interested in NYC? Check out these vacation rentals for your next trip!
West Coast:
5. San Francisco, CA
The city of hills, ocean views, and the famous Golden Gate Bridge understandably makes for a beautiful getaway destination.
These are some of our favorite spots in the city:
Fisherman’s Wharf: Known for its shops, restaurants, and picturesque setting along the waterfront.
Golden Gate Park: Often called “the lungs” of the city, this is a great park to explore. The California Academy of Sciences is also located here and it includes a natural history museum, planetarium, aquarium, rain forest, and more!
Muir Woods (technically outside of the city): a gorgeous place to hike and take in some beautiful redwoods when you need a break.
Twin Peaks: Some of the nicest views of the city are up here! They are the only hills in San Francisco that remain in their original state.
Hollywood Café: A great choice for breakfast and lunch. You can’t go wrong with French toast!
Fog Harbor Fish House: A delicious seafood restaurant with views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Original Ghirardelli Chocolate Manufactory: Do we need to say anything here?
Interested in California? Getaway with these vacation rentals!
6. Seattle, WA
Before visiting Seattle for the first time, the most we knew about it was that it’s the home base for Grey’s Anatomy. It turns out there’s much more going on! Go and see what this city has to offer.
These are some of our favorite spots in the city:
Pike Place Market: This famous spot is perfect to get fresh seafood, browse arts and crafts, or pick up a souvenir.
Seattle Waterfront: The waterfront area has plenty of cool shops and restaurants.
San Juan Islands: The best place to spot orca whales! Keep your eyes peeled, or you can go on an official whale-watching tour.
Space Needle: We chickened out on going to the top, but it’s still a nice sight!
Chihuly Garden and Glass: Just WOW! The exhibition of Dale Chihuly’s work includes eight Galleries, the centerpiece Glasshouse, and a beautiful garden.
Elliott’s Oyster House: Stop here on Pier 56 for some yummy seafood!
Interested in Seattle? Check out vacation rentals available now!
7. Arizona’s National Parks
Looking to be in awe of nature for a little while? Arizona is a great choice!
We wrote a whole blog post about our trip to the Grand Canyon National Park that you can check out HERE, but the canyon is just one of many natural wonders in Arizona!
You can also check out:
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (currently closed due to COVID)
Interested in Arizona? Find awesome vacation home rentals!
What getaways have you taken in 2020? Are there any other great spots in the U.S. you would recommend? Let us know in the comments!
Thanks for reading!
-Nikki + Pam
