Mother’s Day is all about celebrating and honoring your Mom and the influence she’s had on your world. It’s a day for celebration, but also an an excuse to take a vacation! Whether she’s into relaxing on the Gulf, shopping in one of the world’s biggest malls, listening to live Country music on Broadway, horsing around on an island, or even spelunking in the caves of Kentucky – these Mother’s Day Destinations have it all!
Here are our top 5 destinations to take (or treat) your Mom for Mother’s Day in the United States.
1.) Sanibel Island, FL: For the beach-bum Mom
Sanibel Island is a beautiful Island off the Gulf of Mexico, just a short drive from Fort Myers and next to Captiva Island. It’s a beautiful place to escape with Mom to relax on the beaches, go shelling, and visit their unique beach inspired shops. The island is known for their beaches because of the numerous and beautiful shells that wash ashore. The area also has a rich ecosystem bringing in hundreds of different species of birds and other mammals and reptiles. Some sections of Sanibel’s beaches are private, which you can have access to depending on what hotel you stay with. The other sections are free such as the ones on the west side which are perfect to sit and watch the sunset.
Interested in learning more about Sanibel Island? Check out our previous blog post here.
2.) Minneapolis, MN: For the shopaholic Mom
Minneapolis is a fantastic city for a weekend shopping getaway. It’s home to the Mall of America and has a fabulous street called Nicolette Mall in downtown that is filled with shops and restaurants. You can easily spend all weekend in the Mall of America with it’s four floors, hundreds of restaurants and stores, a movie theater, and an amusement park! Minneapolis is also the home to Target – so there are giant Target stores on every corner. The winters in the city are harsh, therefore, many places within downtown are accessible via above ground tunnels. The city is very easy to get around because of this and has many bus lines going to and from all locations in the city. Take a stride down Nicolette Mall for some food and fine shops. Then take a walk over to the Mississippi River for some beautiful views of some of Minneapolis’ magnificent bridges.
Interested in learning more about Minneapolis? Read some of our previous blog posts here.
3.) Nashville, TN: For the country Mom
Nashville, Tennessee is America’s number one destination for all things Country. It’s home to legendary country music venues such as the Grand Ole Opry, The Ryman Auditorium, and Country Music Hall of Fame. It’s well known street, Broadway, features plenty of live music and bars for a honky-tonk(in) good time. Other than the city’s music scene, it’s home to some beautiful plantations and buildings, too. A few of my favorites are Belle Meade Plantation, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, and The Parthenon. Once a month, the areas largest flea market takes place at Nashville’s fairgrounds and the farmer’s market, which is year round, is more than just produce and veggies. Here, you can find the famous Grilled Cheeserie Food Truck and walk around the beautiful Bicentennial Park.
There are so many things to see and do in Nashville, I could just go on and on. Interested in seeing what else there is to do in Nashville? Read more on our previous posts here.
4.) Assateague Island, MD: For the horse-loving Mom
The perfect island getaway for your fellow horse lover – Assateague Island. If heading to Ocean City, this is a great day trip for anyone and makes for an unforgettable retreat. There is a legend that these horses that now run wild on this island are decedents of survivors of a shipwreck off the Virginia coast. Although, there are no records to confirm this as it happened possibly in the 17th century. There are now two main herds split up by fence at the Virginia/Maryland State Line. The National Park Service manages this Maryland herd on Assateague Island. The other herd resides on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Not only can Mom spend a day with the horses, but on the beach as well. There are no places to stay on the island, unless you choose to camp. Otherwise, there are plenty of places to stay in Ocean City, a short drive away.
5.) Mammoth Cave NP, Kentucky: For the adventurous Mom
Mammoth Cave National Park is recognized as the world’s longest known cave system with more than 400 miles explored thus far. It resides in Kentucky and features beautiful waterfall-like flow-stone formations and some parts of it’s ceilings are covered in 19th century visitor signatures. Outside of the caves, you can hike along the Green and Nolin Rivers and see the sinkholes of Cedar Sink. For the adventure seekers, you can take spelunking tours in certain parts of the caves (something Crystal has always wanted to do) OR you can take easy to moderate walking tours. Some of the tours through the caves are free, others you must pay. Also the entrance fee to the park is free!
Whatever you decide to do with Mom, we would love to hear about it! Post some of your best trips or activities you’ve done with your Mom this year or in the past! We gave you some ideas, and we would love some in return!
My mom’s been begging to go to Minneapolis for a year, lol. We don’t live far but she’s across the country. Maybe this year it’s time for a visit!
Yes! She would love it! It is such a beautiful city. I lived there for 2 years and I miss it!
Oh, Mammoth cave needs to go on my mom bucketlist!
Yes! It is such an awesome place and many tend to overlook it. You won’t regret it!
Great list! I live in the Minneapolis area, and there is so much more to do when you are done shopping. Amazing parks, art and theater, just to name a few. A great place to visit!
I used to live in Minneapolis, too! I miss it. It is such a beautiful city to explore and so much to do!
This mom loves your suggestions!! 😍 well done!
Thank you! I’m glad you love it! 🙂
Sanibel Island looks gorgeous, Assateague Island looks amazing, and I have been wanting to go to Mammoth Cave NP for months now! I need to make one of these happen this year for Mother’s Day for sure.
Yes, they are all fantastic places that must be added to your bucket list! Thanks for reading!
Some great choices for moms! I live near Sanibel so may I’ll take myself there for Mother’s Day 🙂
Candi, that sounds like a fabulous idea!
Only been to one of these places, but the others sound fun, too!
Hi Vicki, which of these places have you been to? Thanks for reading! 🙂
I don’t know if I would rather be the horse lover or adventurous mom for this. Both trips look so fun!!
I think it would be safe to say, you’re both! 😉 Thanks for reading!
Will be at Sanibel in 2 months for vacation!! I would love to shop in Minneapolis one day I have fantasies of wondering the Mall of America.
That is so exciting. There are so many things to do in Sanibel and the surrounding area. You can get lost in the Mall of America, both literally and figuratively. Thanks for reading!
Fun post! My mom is not really into travel or adventure– but if I could find a historic library for us to visit– that would probably be a hit with her. Love the overall point of your blog in general!
Thank you Laura! I’m sure you could find a lot of history in any one of these places that she would enjoy. Thank you for reading!
Wow so many great destinations!
Thank you Melina! And thank you for reading.
My mom loves Sanibel Is! We used to go there when I was a kid. I’m sure she would love to go back.
Yes, it is a wonderful place. I’ve been going since I was a kid, too. One of my favorite memories!
I think the Florida beach and the hiking destinations sound the best! I’d like to go there!
Alexis, they are the perfect places to add to your bucket list!
That cave looks so cool! Never heard of it. I live in Florida so I’ve been to Sanibel and love it.
Hi Dee, I had never heard of it until I lived in Nashville. It is an awesome place and everyone should check it out at least once! Thanks for reading!
You listed some of my all-time favorite places! Each so unique and so fun.
That’s great! Thank you for reading Nicole!
I have always heard wonderful things about Sanibel…this beach bum mom would love to go!
It is a beautiful place and you would love it! There are so many things to do both on the island and the surrounding areas.
All great spots! I would love to make it the Mall of America one day!
Thank you for reading Christy! It should definitely be on everyone’s shopping bucket list. You can spend days in there.