Travel Southeast 15 Mother-Daughter Spring Break Trips To Plan Now, Because You're Never Too Old Say hello to warmer weather with this spring getaway ideas. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on February 16, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Robbie Caponetto Spring break is something many Southerners look back on fondly—whether spent on the beaches along the Gulf Coast, Outer Banks, or sea islands of South Carolina and Georgia. However, our idea of spring break now is a little different from cramming a large group into one house and surviving on peanut butter sandwiches, along with the occasional basket of fried shrimp. While the memories are worth every sunburn, going on your own self-dubbed spring break trip as an adult can be much more relaxing, fun, and full of quality time—which is why it's the perfect opportunity to grab your mother and hit the road. Don't have a "spring break" per se? Who cares! You're never too old to go on a mother-daughter getaway, and there is no rule saying there has to be only beach destinations involved. Get rid of the post-wintertime blues with these spring break trip ideas for every type of mother-daughter duo, whether you're into beaching, hiking, shopping, or wine-tasting. 01 of 15 Orange Beach, Alabama Robbie Caponetto This Gulf Coast getaway is all about taking it slow and easy. When you're not digging your toes into the sand and working on a pre-summer glow, hit the pedals. Just inland from the beach, Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail offers over 15 miles of paved trails for biking. That makes for a whole lot of catching-up talk. No trip to these parts is complete without a visit to Doc's Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar, where you'll find the "the best fried shrimp in the entire civilized world." Just ask anyone. Stroll around The Wharf, an entertainment district of sorts, for a breezy ending to the perfect lowkey beach day. No fancy shoes required. 24 Best Things To Do In Gulf Shores And Orange Beach 02 of 15 Gatlinburg, Tennessee Gatlinburg SkyLift Park It might be located on the border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but Gatlinburg is the exact opposite of roughing it, which happens to be right up our alley when we want to be entertained by everything from catching major views from the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian-only suspension bridge in the country, to shopping around the colorful alpine village for unique goodies to bring home. You can even stay at Treehouse Grove, a luxury treehouse resort. 20 Best Things To Do In Gatlinburg, Tennessee 03 of 15 Fredericksburg, Texas Gabriela Herman If you're of age, it doesn't get more fun than hitting Texas' wine trail together. Learn about some of the South's best wines and take in gorgeous Texas views while you're at it. Fredericksburg makes the perfect home base between tours, and it happens to ooze small-town Texas charm to boot, along with unique German heritage. Located a short drive from San Antonio and Austin, the town has plenty of wine tasting rooms to explore, but head out of town by booking the 290 Wine Shuttle for safe all-day transportation between the many surrounding wineries. Our favorite recommendations include Grape Creek Vineyards, Messina Hof Hill Country Winery, Signor Vineyards, and Barons Creek Vineyards. The 22 Best Things To Do In Fredericksburg, Texas 04 of 15 Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida Robbie Caponetto This idyllic coastal-wrapped town in South Florida is a pure beach vacation to unwind and unplug with a loved one. Retro renovated boutique hotels like High Noon Beach Resort, Driftwood Beach Club, and Plunge Beach Resort are just a few examples of where you can book a comfortable stay for your trip. At just 1.5 square miles in area, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is very walkable. If you don’t fancy taking a stroll, you can easily secure a rental from Big Cat Bikes or request a ride with Circuit-By-The-Sea, a free golf cart-like shuttle. The Best Things To Do In Lauderdale-By-The-Sea 05 of 15 Asheville, North Carolina Robbie Caponetto It's hard to find a town whose personality almost outshines the colossal beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround it, but that's kind of Asheville's thing. The quirky town was into all the cool stuff (think kombucha, craft beer, and co-ops) before most and still has the same laid-back, groovy attitude despite all the crowds constantly coming into "Beer City U.S.A." You can't leave without eating whole-hog 'cue at Buxton Hall Barbecue, paying a visit to the insanely gorgeous grounds of Biltmore Estate, and having a brew at Highland Brewing. Stay at the Chestnut Street Inn, a beautifully restored Grand Colonial Revival Home from 1905 situated in the heart of the National Historic District of Asheville. The 40 Best Things To Do In Asheville, North Carolina 06 of 15 Charleston, South Carolina Peter Frank Edwards Visit this outstanding coastal city for scenic row houses, cobblestone streets, and a treasure trove of historic sites. Known at the Holy City, Charleston has no shortage of Southern charm to abound, from shopping on King Street to having afternoon tea at the pink-drenched Camellias room at Hotel Bennett. The worst kept secret in the city is a must-visit for first-timers: Leon's. Fried chicken and oysters (raw and char-grilled) are the main draws on the menu, but don’t miss the other standouts either. The 28 Best Things To Do In Charleston, South Carolina 07 of 15 San Antonio, Texas Wynn Myers This historic city is chock-full of cultural delights to explore with your best gal pal. You can spend days wandering up and down the River Walk, which has countless offshoots of attractions, restaurants, historic landmarks, and museums. On the northernmost end, see spring at family-friendly sites such as the San Antonio Botanical Garden and the Japanese Tea Garden. Slightly south, you'll find a livelier jam at the Pearl District, a multiuse district located on the site of the old Pearl Brewery, founded back in 1883. Book a room at its Hotel Emma. And of course, no trip is complete with the River Walk's historic spots: Historic Market Square and The Alamo. The 25 Best Things To Do In San Antonio, Texas 08 of 15 Florida's Highway A1A ROBBIE CAPONETTO The best thing about this road trip could be the pastel sunset skies or perhaps the laidback attitude of this lesser-traveled side of Florida. But our money's on the endless potential of where you can go along this coastal highway. Start in Fernandina Beach and drive as far as Key West, if you so please. If hitting the road hard enough, you could hit Amelia Island, (where you can catch a ferry to Cumberland Island National Seashore), St. Augustine, Daytona Beach (birthplace of NASCAR), or just hole up in one or two of the beach towns and indulge in some much-needed mother-daughter hangout time. 22 Best Things To Do In St. Augustine, Florida 09 of 15 Dahlonega, Georgia Ian Dagnall/Alamy Dahlonega, Georgia, is the ultimate small-town getaway for girlfriends and perfect for any mother-daughter duo. The charming little town practically overflows with feel-good Southern vibes (basically, if Stars Hollow was in the South), and you'll want to take in every attraction, from the town's drop-in café, Picnic Café and Dessertery, to the North Georgia wineries outside of town. There's rarely ever a need to step foot into a car, which is our type of getaway. Stay close to town square at The Smith House or Hall House Hotel. The Best Things To Do In Dahlonega, Georgia 10 of 15 Port Aransas, Texas Olga Melhiser / Getty Images This fishing village (where you'll get plenty of fresh daily catches at local restaurants) has long been a nostalgic vacation spot for generations of Texas families, and why not post up under an umbrellas on the Gulf Coast? For recreational boating, The Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventure and Dolphin Docks Deep Sea Fishing run scenic cruises that showcase the area's friendly dolphin population. About 20 minutes down the road, Mustang Island State Park provides a secluded home for the region's diverse species and can be explored via car or bicycle on the beach or on a kayak along its extensive paddling trails. Best Things To Do In Port Aransas, Texas 11 of 15 Sarasota, Florida Robbie Caponetto Sarasota—a beautiful beach town on Florida's scenic Suncoast which encompasses about 150 miles along the Gulf of Mexico—has easy appeal for a girls' weekend. Enjoy a morning bike ride or stroll along Bayfront Park, which is on the water and borders a marina of yachts and powerboats. South Lido Beach is a quiet stretch best known for manatee spotting on kayaks (you can check with Paradise Adventures Sarasota for tours and rentals), and The Resort at Longboat Key Club has its own private tract of pristine sand and surf. 15 Mother-Daughter Spring Break Trips To Plan Now, Because You're Never Too Old 12 of 15 Sea Island, Georgia Peter Frank Edwards The recent renovation of The Lodge at Sea Island makes for the ultimate escape. There's been an overhaul of its marquee restaurant the Georgian Rooms and a new design at American steakhouse Colt & Alison. Not only are the historic resort grounds both classic and coastal, but the spa services and beach views are exactly how a mother-daughter duo with a penchant for pampering would like to spend spring break. Guests are greeted with a "Spallini" cocktail on their way to the property's sanctuary centerpiece: a garden atrium that transports the area's natural windswept riches inside. Hospitable beyond compare, prepare to be relaxed at every turn as you choose from the 65,000-square-foot facility's treatments. 17 Best Things To Do In St. Simons Island, Georgia 13 of 15 Louisville, Kentucky Robbie Caponetto Louisville gets a lot of love, and there's no reason to leave it to the Derby folks. It makes the perfect spring break trip idea for a mother-daughter duo purely because of one thing: all the flair. This is a town where you can get dressed up to the nines for a spring horse race at Churchill Downs or nearby Keeneland and people-watch until your heart's content. At the race track, the action is on and off the turf. Place your bets, rank the big hats, and have a mint julep or two. When you're not at the track or exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail (the views of green rolling hills along the drive is worth traveling to the tastings alone), Louisville's iconic Whiskey Row provides all sorts of fun things to add to your itinerary. The Best Things To Do In Louisville, Kentucky 14 of 15 Thomas, West Virginia Robbie Caponetto Spending time in the great outdoors can only be made greater by spending it with your forever gal pal. This area of West Virginia is flush with some of the South's most impressive hiking trails and mountain views. Explore Blackwater Falls State Park for five-story waterfalls, Seneca Rocks for real-deal rock climbing, or Dolly Sods Wilderness for a more low-key hike. Stay in the charming little town of Thomas to have access to locally owned shops and restaurants, such as TipTop, a cozy coffeehouse; Ella & Company, an antiques and decor store; and Santangelo, a books-and-home goods shop. The Purple Fiddle is a legendary live-music venue where you can find good music and family-friendly fun on the weekends. Plan A Trip To West Virginia's Blackwater Falls State Park 15 of 15 Annapolis, Maryland Tara Donne The streets of Annapolis hold more than 350 years of American history. You could spend hours strolling up and down Main Street, where shops and restaurants thrive inside 18th-century brick storefronts. Fly into Baltimore or Washington D.C., which are both a close drive over to the small town. Tour the impressive United States Naval Academy grounds, get a dose of sailing with a cruise on the Schooner Woodwind, and eat plenty of crab cakes. 17 Best Things To Do In Annapolis, Maryland Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit