17 Perfect Ideas for Mother Daughter Trips in the US

Are you looking for ideas for mother daughter trips to take in the US?

A note to all mothers and daughters – Yes, moms love the flowers, chocolates, and home made cards, but they also love to spend time with their daughters. Treat yourselves to a mother daughter trip that will give a whole new meaning to celebrating! You don’t need Mother’s Day to have fun together!

My mother and I had some truly epic mother daughter adventures together that continue to warm my heart and make me laugh, all these many years later. I love keeping that tradition alive and giving the gift of experiences to my girls. 

I’m sure you’re building a repertoire of perfect activities to do with your daughter as she grows. When she’s ready for a big girl trip, here are some of my all time favorite recommendations and ideas for mother daughter trips in the US.

My Top 3 Choices:

• Calistoga, California – Best Spa Trip
• New York City, New York – Best Big City Trip
• Sedona, Arizona – Best Hiking Trip

Here are the 17 Perfect Ideas for Mother Daughter Trips in the US

These are listed in alphabetical order. Get inspired and hit the road!

#1 Bar Harbor, Maine

Closest Airports – 175 Miles northwest of Portland, ME. 280 miles north of Boston, MA.
Will you need a car – car optional
Best Time of Year – Spring, Summer, Fall
Budget – $$$

Bar Harbor is one of our happy places! We have a lot of family and friends in Maine and visit often. Bar Harbor is a perfect place for a mother daughter team to enjoy the best that New England has to offer. It’s a mile square on Mount Desert Island and has all the charm of an old coastal town. Think boats in the harbor, all the lobster you can eat, salt water taffy, ice cream, and plenty of shopping. It’s also at the entrance to the magnificent Acadia National Park with Cadillac Mountain. So, you can hike and walk to your heart’s content. Enjoy beach time, boat rides, and walk the Shore Path along the water.

Insider Tip: If you’re there May – August take a Puffin & Lighthouse Boat Tour

Where to Stay in Bar Harbor, Maine

#2 Boston, Massachusetts

Closest Airports – Boston, Massachusetts
Will you need a car – no
Best Time of Year – Spring, Summer, Fall
Budget – $$$$

What’s not to love about New England’s most thriving hub of culture, history, sites, food, and crazy drivers? Not only is Boston the home of this country’s most significant historic sites, but its a super fun arts, sports, and entertainment town. Walk the Freedom Trail in the day and go to Fenway Park to see the Red Sox at night. Don’t miss Beacon Hill or the North End, which is arguably the best Italian neighborhood on the east coast. Enjoy the Boston Commons and take a swan boat ride.

Insider Tip: Plan a mother daughter visit to the beautiful Isabella Stewart Gardner Art Museum for a quiet and very special experience in this gem of a Boston mansion.

Get Tix Here for a Fun Freedom Trail Tour in Boston

Where to Stay in Boston, Massachusetts

#3 Calistoga, California

Closest Airports – 75 miles north of San Francisco, CA. 80 miles west of Sacramento, CA.
Will you need a car – no
Best Time of Year – All Year
Budget – $$$$

Calistoga is every mother daughter team’s dream destination. This quaint town in northern California’s wine country is most famous for its natural hot springs and volcanic mud baths. Calistoga has a main street filled with cute boutiques and great restaurants. However,  the main attraction is definitely a day in the luxurious spa treatments of Indian Springs. You can select from a whole host of things on the spa menu – my girls and I love the mud bath which leads to a mineral bath, and then a blanket wrap, topped off with a massage! Afterwards, relax in the buddha garden with fountains and palm trees sipping lovely tea. Still plenty of time for shopping, dining, and wine tasting.

Insider Tip: Visit the Calistoga Petrified Forest to see what happens when a volcano buries a grove of redwood trees millions of years ago.

Where to Stay in Calistoga, California

#4 Carmel-By-The-Sea, California

Closest Airports – 120 miles south of San Francisco, CA.
Will you need a car – car recommended
Best Time of Year – All Year
Budget – $$$

Carmel is another favorite of my girls and I because we love the pristine, soft sand of the beach combined with the European flavor of the town. Carmel will give your mother daughter crew a super relaxed beach town vibe coupled with the luxury of upscale shopping and great food. You can hang on the beach, explore the 17 mile Drive, hike in Point Lobos State Park, or go to the Monterey Aquarium and shop on Cannery Row. We love to spend our days just walking in Carmel and not getting back in the car until it’s time to leave. And if you have mother daughter dogs along for the trip, Carmel is a great dog friendly town.

Insider Tip: Take a Self-Guided Comstock fairy tale cottages tour, maps are available everywhere!

Where to Stay in Carmel, California

#5 Chicago, Illinois

Closest Airports – Chicago, IL.
Will you need a car – no
Best Time of Year – Spring, Summer, Fall
Budget – $$$

Chicago is the midwestern city with all the beauty and flare of any treasured city around the world. We are huge fans of Chicago’s location on Lake Michigan, of its architecture, art, shopping, and of course, the food. Take an architectural river boat tour, visit the magnificent Art Institute, shop on Michigan Avenue, and eat deep dish pizza!

Insider Tip: Have mother daughter drinks at the rooftop bar of the John Hancock Building for a 360 degree view.

Click Here for My Favorite Chicago Architecture River Tour!

Where to Stay in Chicago, Illinois

#6 Death Valley, California

Closest Airports – 125 miles west of Las Vegas, Nevada, 225 miles north of Los Angeles, CA.
Will you need a car – yes
Best Time of Year – Spring, Fall
Budget – $$$

This is an outstanding idea for a mother daughter trip in the US because, with the exception of shopping, it covers all the things you and your girls want! Just make sure you go in the Spring or Fall. Death Valley NP is the lowest and hottest place in North America and has the most diverse and exquisite landscape of any National Park I’ve ever been to. Picture red rock, golden rock, even pinks and greens, salt flats, and rolling sand dunes – all in one place! To top it off, the accommodations at the Ranch in Death Valley and the Inn in Death Valley are so wonderful you won’t want to leave. From cute cottages to luxury rooms, spa services, swimming pools, and good restaurants – you’re all set!

Insider Tip: Plan your days according to how far in different directions the sites are from where the lodging is. Some of the trail heads and overlooks are about 20 – 30 minutes away from the Inn and Ranch.

Where to Stay in Death Valley, California

#7 Los Angeles, California

Closest Airports – Los Angeles, CA.
Will you need a car – yes
Best Time of Year – All year
Budget – $$$

Los Angeles, affectionately known as L.A. is near and dear to my heart for mother daughter getaways. My daughter lived there for a while, so we spent a lot of time exploring all the fun things to do there. Yes, its a huge and sprawling city, but if you target your itinerary, you’ll fill the weekend with fun and not just freeway driving! From Hollywood, to the beach, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills, you can eat, shop, hike, and even catch some fabulous museum time!

Insider Tip: Do some mother daughter flea marketing at the Melrose Trading Post on a Sunday morning for some great vintage stuff! Go to the FREE Broad Art Museum.

Where to Stay in Los Angeles, California

#8 Moab, Utah

Closest Airports -235 miles south of Salt Lake City, 18 miles south of Canyonland Airport.
Will you need a car – yes
Best Time of Year – Spring, Summer, Fall
Budget – $$

Moab, Utah is a fantastic destination for a mother-daughter trip because it has a mix of hiking, stunning scenery, and a cute town to hang out in. Of course you’ll visit Arches National Park, home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch—If you can catch sunrise or sunset there, you’ll be blown away. Nearby, Canyonlands National Park has crazy vistas and more great trails. Be sure to drive the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (Route 128), for the views of the Colorado River against dramatic red rock landscapes. 

Insider Tip: Have your park pass ready and begin your hikes early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Be sure to go to Dead Horse Point for a sunset.

Where to Stay in Moab, Utah

#9 Newport, Rhode Island

Closest Airports -35 miles southwest of Providence, RI, 70 miles south of Boston, MA.
Will you need a car – no
Best Time of Year – Spring, Summer, Fall
Budget – $$$

Newport, Rhode Island is a really fun location for your mother daughter getaway. This is the gorgeous coastal New England town known for its Glided Age Mansions built in the later part of the 1800’s into the early 1900’s. These mansions are now open to the public for tours and the whole town is dripping with beautiful architecture along the famous Cliff Walk along the water. The beach is a primo New England beach experience and the shopping and dining in town will keep everyone very happy. Try seafood, homemade fudge, and imagine life as a wealthy New Yorker who would come to summer in their magnificent mansion.

Insider Tip: Take the trolley tour of the mansions included in the Breakers Mansion tour ticket.

Get Tix for the Trolley Mansion Tour Here!

Where to Stay in Newport, Rhode Island

#10 New York City, New York

Closest Airports -New York City Airports: JFK, Laguardia, & Newark, NJ.
Will you need a car – no
Best Time of Year – All year
Budget – $$$

Do I love a NYC trip with my daughters, or what!!! You may know that New York is my main squeeze and since I don’t live there anymore, I am so grateful that my youngest does! This is one of those iconic mother daughter trip destinations. Go for the shows, the park, the food, and the attractions. For first timers or veterans, New York is always a great idea. Some of our favorite spots include Central Park, Chelsea, South Street Seaport, and Tribeca.

Insider Tip: Have a mother daughter lunch at The Palm Court restaurant in the Plaza Hotel.

Take This Fun NYC in One Day Tour!

Where to Stay in New York City

#11 New Orleans, Louisiana

Closest Airports – New Orleans
Will you need a car – no
Best Time of Year – All year
Budget – $$$

New Orleans is a popular place for a mom and daughter getaway. This amazing city on the Mississippi River is like stepping into another country in another time. I love exploring the history of NOLA and hanging out on Bourbon Street, listening to Jazz, and eating some of the best food in the country! Take a swamp and plantation tour, watch a colorful parade, go on a haunted tour, and roam through the Lafayette Cemetery of the Garden District and explore the antebellum mansions.

Insider Tip: Take the St. Charles street car, get off at Oak St. and go to Jacques-Imo’s Restaurant for the most incredible meal in all of New Orleans!

Book the Best Swamp & Plantation Tour Here!

Where to Stay in New Orleans, Louisiana

#12 Palm Springs, California

Closest Airports – 110 miles west of Los Angeles
Will you need a car – yes
Best Time of Year – All year
Budget – $$$

Palm Springs is one of California’s most beautiful oasis towns in the desert part of the state. It’s famous for its hot springs, exclusive spa resorts, golfing, and some of the best mid-century architecture you’ll find in the state. You can spend the time lounging by the pool and shopping on Palm Canyon Drive. We love to drive through and take hikes in the nearby Joshua Tree National Park with its other worldly Joshua Trees and cacti. Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to catch some incredible views of the surrounding desert scape and Coachella Valley and then have lunch up top at the Peaks Restaurant.

Insider Tip: Take a Mother daughter self guided tour of some of the most famous Golden Age of Hollywood homes in Palm Springs. Not all are open to the public, but you can see many prime examples of the mid century marvels of the desert.

Get Tix Here for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Where to Stay in Palm Springs, California

#13 Rangeley, Maine

Closest Airports – 116 miles north of Portland, ME
Will you need a car – yes
Best Time of Year – All year
Budget – $$

Rangeley, Maine is dear to our hearts because we have family there. It’s a truly charming spot for a mother-daughter getaway because of the great outdoor activities and the cozy small-town vibes. You can swim and picnic by the quiet beauty of Rangeley Lake. If you’re up for some hiking, the trails to Smalls Falls and Angel Falls bring you to picturesque waterfalls along great trails.And if you’re looking for a winter trip, Saddleback Mountain is a ski lover’s dream. 

Insider Tip: Don’t miss a drive along the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway for breathtaking views, especially during the fall foliage season.

Where to Stay in Rangeley, Maine

#14 San Francisco, California

Closest Airports – San Francisco
Will you need a car – yes
Best Time of Year – All year
Budget – $$$

Every mom and daughter should leave their hearts in San Francisco, at least once! San Francisco is northern California’s prize. She is tucked in between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean with the most beautiful colors, architecture, and landscape that you’ve ever seen.You can cover the city while enjoying all the attractions of the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, the beach, the hills, and the distinct neighborhoods that give San Francisco its cultural status.  Check out the Haight, Pacific Heights, Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, and Chinatown. You can shop, eat, and even ride a cable car!

Insider Tip: Walk from the Marina Green to the Golden Gate Bridge and get hot cocoa at the Warming Hut along the way.

Book this Top Rated Tour to Alcatraz & Muir Woods & Sausalito!

Where to Stay in San Francisco, California

#15 Santa Fe, New Mexico

Closest Airports -Santa Fe, New Mexico
Will you need a car – yes
Best Time of Year – All year
Budget – $$$

Santa Fe is one of those places that wraps you up in beauty and calm the moment you arrive—a perfect setting for a meaningful mother daughter trip. You can wander down art-filled Canyon Road, visit Georgia O’Keeffe’s home, and relax together in the healing waters of Ojo Santa Fe. There’s something about the light, the landscape, and the pace of Santa Fe that stays with you, long after you’ve gone.

Insider Tip: Insider Tip: Visit Bandelier National Monument to see the cliff dwellings of the Tyuonyi village in the Frijoles Mountains.

Where to Stay in Santa Fe, New Mexico

#16 Sedona, Arizona

Closest Airports – 117 miles south of Phoenix
Will you need a car – yes
Best Time of Year – Spring, Fall, Winter
Budget – $$$

Sedona is a dreamy spot for a mother-daughter trip, especially if you love the outdoors. The hikes here are something special—like the one to the hidden Subway Cave, tucked off the Boynton Canyon Trail, where the light and rock formations feel almost otherworldly. Soldier Pass is another favorite, with cool stops along the way like the Seven Sacred Pools and a sinkhole that’s way more beautiful than it sounds. And if you’re up for a bit of a climb, Devil’s Bridge offers a stunning payoff with one of the best photo ops around. Whether you’re chatting on the trail or just soaking in the views together, Sedona has a way of making the whole experience feel extra meaningful.

Insider Tip: Start your hikes early in the morning to beat the crowds and catch that magical desert light—it makes all the difference

Where to Stay in Sedona, Arizona

#17 Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks, Utah

Closest Airports – 270 miles south of Salt Lake City
Will you need a car – yes
Best Time of Year – Spring, Summer, Fall
Budget – $$$

If you’re up for a little road trip and a lot of jaw-dropping scenery, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in Utah make for an epic mother-daughter adventure. Zion is full of wow moments—whether you’re walking the peaceful Riverside Trail or taking on something a little more daring like Angel’s Landing (only if you’re both feeling brave!). Then there’s Bryce, where the landscape shifts into something out of a fairy tale with its wild hoodoo rock formations. The Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop trail is a favorite for getting right up close to those spires. You’ll come home with sore legs, full hearts, and about a hundred new inside jokes.

Insider Tip: Book massages nearby at Aztec Massage  in Hurricane– And eat incredible sushi at Sakura in St. George

Where to Stay in Sedona, Arizona

What’s your favorite idea for a mother daughter trip this year?

In a nutshell…

Wherever you choose to go—whether it’s hiking red rocks in Sedona, soaking in the mud of Calistoga, or walking the streets of New York—what really matters most is the time spent together. These mother daughter trips aren’t about ticking places off a list; they’re about making memories you’ll both carry forever.

So go ahead and plan something special this year. It doesn’t have to be fancy or far—it just has to be yours. Because the gift of time, adventure, and connection is one that keeps on giving, long after the bags are unpacked!

xx,
Carrie