For all the joy and lifelong happiness babies bring, they also demand
a lot of work. Before long, you and your partner will be making
frequent diaper runs and pulling all-nighters, so why not indulge in a
little R&R while you still can?
A "babymoon"—a vacation you take with your spouse before your bundle
of joy arrives—might just be the best thing you can do to prepare for
parenting. We recommend traveling during the second trimester or the
beginning of the third, and using your pre-baby escape to explore a new
city, kick up your heels in an old favorite, enjoy some romance at a
secluded retreat, or simply enjoy some peace and quiet… anywhere.
To help you plan your prenatal escape, here's a list of nine great
places to babymoon, as well as some tips for making it the most
enjoyable getaway as possible.
Radharani / Shutterstock
For all the joy and lifelong happiness babies
Charleston, S.C.
This lowcountry locale is a great babymoon spot for a number of reasons, but its leisurely pace of life tops them all. Charleston
is a relaxing and calm city, which makes it particularly enticing for
expectant couples. But that's not to say that there isn't an abundance
of things to do. We recommend enjoying some shrimp and grits or fried chicken at
Poogan's Porch or
Magnolias, savoring some (decaf) coffee at
Kudu, taking languorous strolls along The Battery, and stopping in art galleries and boutiques like
Kids on King. You can book a room at one of the charming hotels downtown, or you can stay along the beach at a resort like Wild Dunes in nearby Isle of Palms, where you can indulge in a divine prenatal massage.
Miami, Fla.
If you're thinking that pregnancy and Miami
don't mix, think again. This Floridian hot spot is also a sweet
destination for parents to-be. Think of it as a last hurrah of sorts,
and go out dancing with your baby daddy (with your doctor's approval of
course!); most mamas and babies benefit from exercise like dancing. If
tearing up the floorboards while pregnant isn't your thing, this city
has plenty of ideal relaxation venues. Miami hosts a bounty of high-end hotels, including the Setai Miami Beach with its lavish spa and oceanfront location. And the bright white sands of South Beach are as good a perch as anywhere to unwind as you flip through
What to Expect When You're Expecting or
Great Expectations (the pregnancy edition).
Stowe, Vt.
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The small town of Stowe
has a lot to offer pregnant couples. For one, the Ben & Jerry's Ice
Cream Factory: Babies need a lot of calcium to grow their bones, and
let's be honest, pregnant moms
need ice cream just as much. Stowe also hosts the Trapp Family Lodge, the home of the real-life von Trapps of
Sound of Music
fame—what better place to appreciate the impending transition to family
life? Even if husbands aren't thrilled by the prospect of touring the
lodge, this is the best chance wives have to guilt-trip their husbands
with phrases like, "
I'm the one carrying our baby." And when
it's time to bed down, both parties will enjoy the fine cuisine (created
with local ingredients) and spa treatments (maternity or couples
massages) available at the Topnotch Resort and Spa.
[See: Best Romantic Getaways in the USA]
Scottsdale, Ariz.
If there were ever a time to indulge in a luxurious massage, the 40
weeks of pregnancy would be it. Back aches, leg cramps, swollen feet,
and worse threaten to bring you down, but a little pampering can
replenish your prenatal glow. To get coddled by the best, we suggest
heading to the dry heat of Scottsdale, Ariz., an enclave just east of Phoenix. For a super-lavish Swedish prenatal massage, head to The Phoenician.
While you're rejuvenating, your hubby can perfect his swing at the
hotel's 27-hole championship golf course before you both head off to
admire the resort's two-acre cactus garden and $25 million art
collection. Or—for the ultimate indulgence—you and your beau can sign up
for the "Perfect Pair" couples spa treatment.
New Orleans, La.
If your ideal vacation involves listening to Zydeco music and
savoring mouthwatering beignets for breakfast (not to mention crispy
crawfish for dinner), you should definitely consider baby-mooning in the
Big Easy. But we make one disclaimer: The raucous festivities
surrounding the New Orleans'
Mardi Gras celebration should be avoided. But all other times of year,
this laid-back spot serves up an easygoing good time for couples who
enjoy culture, great local music, and excellent food. Spend your days
exploring the historic French Quarter or gaping at the gorgeous houses in the Garden District. Or, if you'd rather take a load off, enjoy a lazy afternoon in City Park.
New York City, N.Y.
Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock
City vacations become exponentially more difficult with kids in tow.
First of all, you'll be toting extra luggage, from a stroller to a
portable crib to diapers. And then there's the extra stress of subduing
the wails of an overtired baby bouncing off the MoMA's tall walls. Instead, get your city fix while your baby is still contained in the womb: New York City is an obvious choice, with its abundance of things to do
for art enthusiasts, foodies, shopaholics, and the like. Speaking of
shopping, we recommend popping into some super-cute urban baby
boutiques, like
Mini Jake,
Giggle, and
Metro Minis. And while you're out hitting the racks, treat yourself with goods from trendy maternity stores, like
Upper Breast Side and
Veronique Maternity. After you've stretched your legs—and your wallet—to the limit, unwind at a trendy Manhattan hotel like the W New York, where you can get pampered with a lavish prenatal massage at BLISS®49 SPA .
San Francisco, Calif.
Don't let San Francisco's steep hills deter you from jet-setting here on babymoon. The workout will benefit both you and your baby: The
Mayo Clinic
reports that exercise can reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and
excess weight gain, and it can even help you prepare for labor. (If you
prefer flatter terrain, you can head north of San Fran and traipse
between the redwoods at the Muir Woods National Monument.) After you've explored the city's interesting neighborhoods, like SoMa and Nob Hill, take a breather and get a photo of your baby bump with the Golden Gate Bridge
in the background. When hunger sets in, fill up on tasty fare at some
of the city's legendary restaurants, or satisfy your sweet tooth at
Ghirardelli Square. As for accommodations, why not splurge for the Mandarin Oriental, with its goose down bedding, deep soaking tubs, and lavish spa complete with an aromatherapy mother-to-be massage?
Jackson Hole, Wyo.
In the shadows of the Teton Mountains lies the breathtaking landscape of Jackson Hole, Wyo. Amorous couples can admire the area's natural beauty while reveling in the lap of luxury at palatial accommodations like Amangani. At this resort, expecting mothers can ease their aches in a heated outdoor pool or on a massage table. Many of the top things to do
here revolve around things that are probably off-limits to pregnant
moms—skiing, for example—but daddies-to-be can shred some powder while
their wives unwind at the spa. And those planning a Jackson Hole visit
during the warmer months can enjoy the scenery and mingle with wildlife
at the National Elk Refuge.
No matter the season, this gorgeous setting is the ideal backdrop to an
intimate getaway for a family of two before it expands.
Boston, Mass.
Dasha Petrenko / Shutterstock
Babies don't tend to be interested in the past, so if you and your
hubby are avid history buffs, we strongly urge you to get the
educational vacay out of the way while you still can. We recommend
heading to Boston, where you can walk the nearly three-mile Freedom Trail before spending all the time you like touring the Paul Revere House and Old North Church. Later, you can peruse the goods at baby boutiques like
Red Wagon and
Tadpole. All the walking and shopping will probably work up an appetite, so we recommend trying a few fancy restaurants like
Bistro du Midi, where you can indulge in delectable French fare that you (and the baby) are sure to enjoy
