Getaway Ideas for Parents Who Are Usually Too Busy

Posted on Aug 25 2017 - 10:38pm by Kiley Morrow

When you become a parent, you accept that you won’t have many of the kind of footloose and fancy-free vacations that you used to have. It’s just part of the territory. Trips away now generally include the kids, rather than being romantic breaks for two.

But you can, and indeed should, still have an occasional vacation with just the two of you. The daily grind of parenting can be relentless. There’s always something to do, someone who needs you. Faces to wipe, homework to help with, dinner to cook, bottles to wash. It’s good for you, your relationship and your family to get away without the kids once in awhile. Ask the grandparents for a weekend babysitting favor, and jet off somewhere amazing for a couple of days. You’ll return relaxed, refreshed and ready to go again. 

Here are our ideas for the best weekend getaway locations for parents:

New York City

New York City is a classic weekend break destination. The city that never sleeps is packed with things to do all day and all night long. It is the world’s busiest and most exciting city, with endless bars, restaurants, shops, galleries and museums to explore. Whatever you want to do, you’ll find it in New York. 
The best thing about New York is the way it mixes a big city feel with distinctive neighborhoods. This makes it easy to plan a short break because you can choose what you want to do and pick the neighborhood to hang out in. Even if you’ve been to the Big Apple many times before, you’ll find somewhere else to go that is new to you. 
If you’re a New York virgin (or even if you’re not) start with a trip up the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Center to check out the views and get your bearings. Then take a wander down to 5th Avenue for some indulgent shopping, and head out to East Village for lunch in one of the latest hip restaurants. Spend time strolling through Battery Park to work up an appetite for dinner, which you could follow up with a Broadway show or a night out dancing. 
New York is definitely best enjoyed child-free.

Vancouver

Vancouver offers the perfect combination of city break and outdoor life. One of the world’s most beautiful cities, it is backed by snow-capped mountains and fringed with sandy ocean beaches, but still has a trendy, urban feel with plenty of nightlife and café culture. 
Head to the cobbled streets of Gastown, Vancouver’s old quarter, and take a wander. You’ll find lots of cozy cafes and hipster bars, some great independent stores and a vibrant restaurant scene. Nearby Chinatown was built around the same time and hosts everything from edgy bars to traditional Chinese grocery stores. 
When you’ve had enough of city exploration, you won’t have to go far to get some fresh air. Head to Stanley Park, the city’s green lungs. An 8km trail takes you around the seawall, through forest trees. Walk it, or hire a bike. After that, head to the beach to chill out, or travel up to the mountains. Time your visit right and you could ski in the morning and sunbathe in the afternoon.

Charleston, South Carolina

If you’re desperate to slow down and stroll, Charleston could be just perfect. It’s warm, beautiful and relaxed, and offers a completely different pace of life to almost anywhere else. Take a wander through its cobbled streets, which are lit with gas-lamps at night time, and enjoy its beautiful antique buildings. 
Amongst all the history, you’ll find some fabulous modern restaurants, with plenty of innovative cuisine on offer. Take some time to browse through Charleston City Market, for a real taste of the Old South. And if you want a day at the beach, it’s just down the road at Sullivan’s Island. The weather is good too, with a November average of 76 degrees

San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan is another great choice if you want a bit of beach and a bit of culture. It’s a hassle-free choice if you want to spend a weekend in the Caribbean, as you won’t need a passport.  San Juan is a vibrant Spanish colonial city, complete with pastel colored plazas and fortified walls. You can spend hours wandering the streets, taking in the architecture, soaking up the vibes and visiting art galleries. 
When you’ve worked up a sweat from all that walking, it’s time to hit the beach. San Juan boasts an impressive strip of palm-fringed sand, lined with beach bars and restaurants. If you want to check out a family vacation in the Caribbean or something more luxurious just for the two of you, those are options as well. 

Las Vegas, Nevada

If you’re feeling like being a little naughty, Sin City is your place. It’s big and brash, but a couple of days in Vegas is sure to make you forget all about your everyday life of kids and work. 
Treat it as a wonderful opportunity to escape, and embrace that brashness. Go for a wander down the strip, take a gondola ride at the Venetian hotel, spend some time in the casinos and see one of the famous Vegas shows. It’s a place to really indulge and go as wild as you like. 
Kiley Morrow
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Kiley Morrow is a travel/lifestyle blogger from Ocean City, MD. She has a passion for seeing new places and writing about it. Everyone has a story to tell, this is hers. Contact her at: kileyjmorrow@gmail.com