Whether you’re about to be a first-time parent or are welcoming one more little one to your growing family, the lead-up to having a baby can feel like the calm before the storm. By “the storm,” we of course mean loads of cute cuddles and joyful memories.
It’s no lie, however, that a new baby can also bring some stress, sleepless nights, and days when you truly can’t remember the last time you showered. That’s why it’s essential to enjoy the precious peaceful moments before delivery by taking a babymoon. You’ve crafted your baby hospital bag checklist and have learned how to properly install the car seat ahead of your delivery day, so now it’s time to put your mind at ease and enjoy the final days leading up to one of the biggest ones yet.
Wondering where to go for a pre-delivery paradise? Don’t stress—we have plenty of babymoon ideas to spark inspiration for homebodies and seasoned travelers alike.
#1 Get Close to Nature with a Cabin Stay
From replacing your purse with a diaper bag to filling your phone with zillions of cute pics, a new baby can certainly shake things up. What better way to prepare than by booking a cabin and getting some respite with Mother Nature?
Finding the perfect cabin for your babymoon might be easier than it sounds. Airbnb and VRBO could provide some Instagrammable cabin options, but they’re not your only choice. North America’s stunning national parks offer a wide variety of cabin rental options across the country.
What if you want to be close to nature without losing the luxury of a hotel stay? Yep—you can do that at a national park, too. The experts at Condé Nast Traveler list several such locations across the country, including:
Wherever nature takes you, you’re sure to find plenty of relaxation with forest walks, mornings on the porch, and refreshing quiet time ahead of the big change.
#2 Rest and Relax at a Lakeside Retreat
Perhaps you’ll venture to the restful waters of Lake Tahoe or to the local lake just a few miles from home. Either way, a lakeside babymoon vacation can be a wonderful way to retreat from the world.
If you want to enjoy the quiet by the lake, but also have some entertainment within reach, look for one of the many vibrant lakeside towns found across the country.
According to Travel + Leisure, a few traveler favorites include:
- Lakeway, Texas on the shores of Lake Travis
- Charlevoix, Michigan on the oceanlike Lake Michigan
- Aurora, New York on Lake Cayuga
- Big Bear Lake in Big Bear Lake, California
- Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
It’s true that you might not be able to enjoy the lake’s water ski rentals and zipline adventures during your pregnancy. Still, many lakes offer less strenuous activities that are just as much fun, such as:
- Leisurely boating
- Scenic tours
- Lakeside spas
- Dining on the deck
- Boutique shopping
#3 Pamper Yourselves at a Spa and Resort
Hoping to avoid lifting a finger during your babymoon, but need to squeeze your pampering into only a few days? Pack up your weekender bag and get ready to indulge. A stay at a spa and resort is an ultra-cozy option to pack in the relaxation.
You may find the perfect spa within minutes of your home, but there are many great babymoon destination options for those who want to extend their reach for ultimate relaxation. Some of the most popular spa destinations on TripAdvisor include:
- The Cliffs Hotel and Spa in Pismo Beach, California
- Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa in Lake Placid, New York
- Sundance Mountain Resort in Sundance, Utah
Float in the pool, enjoy a couples’ massage, and sip smoothies all weekend. All the special treatment will give you the recharge you need before the big arrival.
#4 Make Way for a City Escape
If your ideal vacation involves taking in all the sights and sounds of a new city, a downtown babymoon might be in your future. Take a quick road trip to a stay in a nearby metropolis or hop a plane to seek an international setting.
Wherever you land, a city babymoon has plenty of activities to keep you busy, such as:
- Visiting a museum
- Dining out
- Taking an architecture-focused tour
- Going to the theatre
- Seeing live music
- Exploring local markets
- Strolling through city parks and botanical gardens
Be sure to book a nice hotel where you can get plenty of rest, and avoid overscheduling yourself. Remember, your energy levels during pregnancy might not be what you’re used to. Don’t forget to make a plan for city transportation to keep you from spending too much time on your feet.
#5 Have a Stress-Free Babymoon Staycation
If you’re looking for babymoon ideas on a budget or your doctor’s orders are to stay home, don’t despair. A well-planned staycation can feel just as dreamy as any babymoon destination.
The first step to a successful staycation? Plan your time off, and stick to it.
That means ensuring your coworkers, family, and friends know you’re taking this special time for yourselves—no exceptions. If you have children already, try to arrange a fun trip to their grandparents’ place or a friend’s house to give you and your partner some alone time.
Then, write yourself an at-home itinerary to make your staycation babymoon feel extra special.
Ramp up the relaxation and romance with:
- A candlelit dinner at home
- A night at the cinema
- Dining out in town
- A self-care spa day
- A picnic in the park
Of course, a staycation doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stay at home. If you can’t travel but still want to achieve that “getaway” feeling, you can always pack your overnight bags and book a snazzy hotel in town. Don’t forget to order room service and lounge in some luxury robes.
#6 Unwind at a Bed and Breakfast
Since they tend to be a little more laid-back than an upscale hotel, a bed and breakfast can be a perfect babymoon location for a couple to reconnect.
Breakfast is a given, but some even offer other family-style meal services. That means you get all the home-cooked comfort without the responsibilities of being in your own house. (Goodbye, three-day-old dishes in the sink.)
Many towns across the United States have their own delightful varieties of bed-and-breakfasts. For a more personal stay at a particular location, however, you can often find a B-and-B near many of the best babymoon destinations.
Some of TripAdvisor’s top-reviewed bed and breakfast stays include:
- Bayfront Westcott House Bed & Breakfast in St. Augustine, Florida
- Candleberry Inn on Cape Cod in Brewster, Massachusetts
- Abbington Green Bed & Breakfast Inn and Spa in Asheville, North Carolina
- Cozy Cactus Bed and Breakfast in Sedona, Arizona
#7 Plan a Coastal Getaway
If you can’t stop dreaming about the beach or haven’t had a chance to wear that fabulous maternity swimsuit, a coastal vacation might be the perfect babymoon.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the sandy beach, whether you head to the east coast, the west coast, or even the Gold Coast.
Here are some salty-air soirees to inspire your planning:
- Rent a beach house on the Outer Banks of North Carolina
- Book an oceanside hotel in St. Augustine, Florida
- Stay in a seaside town, like California’s Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Big Sur area
- Rent a charming cottage in Cape Cod
- Soak up some Atlantic sunshine at Hilton Head Island
If your beachy babymoon daydreams take you to the faraway shores of Italy’s Amalfi Coast or a luxury resort in Majorca, Spain, all the better. We’re sure your wanderlust will be well-rewarded with an unforgettable trip in the perfect destination. Just be sure to get your OBGYN’s go-ahead before booking any air travel, and plan your trip at a time when you’re likely to feel your best.
Choosing the Best Time for a Blissful Babymoon
Now that you know where to go for babymoon nirvana, it’s time to consider the best time during your pregnancy to take one. Your individual experience may vary. However, some find that the second trimester is lighter on fatigue, nausea, and for the most part, not quite as uncomfortable as the third.
That means your best bet for enjoyable babymoon vacations might be somewhere between weeks 13–28 of your pregnancy.
But what if you unexpectedly find yourself sucking on nausea-fighting ginger candies like your life depends on it, or desperately wanting to make the sofa your permanent residence?
That’s where some smart planning can come in handy.
To ensure your babymoon vacation plans are worry-free, it’s never a bad idea to choose an option with a flexible cancellation or rescheduling policy. That way, if your body and baby have plans of their own, you can always switch to a post-pregnancy trip to welcome your baby to the world.
Pack for Your Babymoon with BÉIS
Of all the places to go for babymoon relaxation, the best one is whatever makes the stress float away and the worries evaporate. When it comes time to learn how to organize a diaper bag with all of the diaper bag essentials, you’ll be more relaxed and clear-headed. To help your getaway feel even more like cloud nine, however, you’ll also need the perfect bag to help you pack with ease.
At BÉIS, we have everything you need for effortless babymoon packing—from overnight bags for a quick trip to the all-in-one luggage for a long stay and the perfect beach bag for those warm locale babymoons..
Plus, when the time comes to bring the baby along, a BÉIS baby travel bag and diaper bag organizer will fit right in with chic and functional style.
Ready for babymoon bliss? Pack your bags with BÉIS.
Sources:
- Morton, Caitlin, and Kristin Conard. “The Most Beautiful National Park Hotels in the U.S.” Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast, 6 March 2020, https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-05-25/national-park-lodgings. Accessed 8 March 2022.
- Kachroo-Levine, Maya. “15 Best Lake Towns in America.” Travel + Leisure, Travel + Leisure Co, 18 June 2021, https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/nature-travel/best-lake-towns-united-states. Accessed 8 March 2022.
- “The 10 Best United States Spa Resorts.” Tripadvisor, 17 Oct. 2020, https://www.tripadvisor.com/HotelsList-United_States-Spa-Resorts-zfp7752043.html. Accessed 8 March 2022.
- “Best B&Bs and Inns in the United States.” Tripadvisor, 2021, https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels-cInnsBB-g19. Accessed 9 March 2022.
- “Stages of Pregnancy.” Office on Women's Health, 18 Apr. 2019, https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/stages-pregnancy. Accessed 8 March 2022.
