It’s important to celebrate the big moments in our lives. Nothing is quite as big as having a baby, which is why many parents-to-be choose to take a “babymoon” to make memories and enjoy the time before the new addition to their family arrives.
When deciding where to go on a babymoon, it’s important to pick a destination with options for a leisurely and restful experience. As you get ready to welcome your new baby to your life, take some time to enjoy yourself and your partner, whether it’s in North America or somewhere further afield.
This quiet coastal town is perfect for a getaway that lets you stop and smell the flowers and take in the view, literally. Pacific Grove has miles of undeveloped coastline that teem with wildflowers and overlook the Pacific Ocean. Lover’s Point is a wonderful place to stop and lay down a blanket for a picnic. If you happen to go during seal pupping season in April, you may just see a harbor seal giving birth to a new pup. If you’d rather stay off your feet, there are also lovely scenic drives you can take, with 17-Mile Drive being the “can’t-miss” tourist activity.
It’s hard to believe Montauk is just three hours outside of New York City because the slower pace of life makes it feel worlds away. Plan a relaxing day on the beach where you just listen to the ocean waves while reading a book. The gradient skies at sunset make for an amazing background for couples portraits or an impromptu pregnancy photoshoot. Or visit the Montauk Lighthouse for a fun afternoon activity that’s also a great photo spot. For romantic dinners, as the sun goes down over the Atlantic, you can take your pick of beachfront restaurants that have fire pits and live music.
Sarasota is an excellent destination for couples who prefer flexibility on their babymoon. If you're feeling energetic and up for an active day, there are lots of attractions to explore in downtown Sarasota, from museums and art galleries to public gardens and historic mansions from the 1920s. Lido Key is the place to browse boutiques for unique baby outfits and items for the nursery. If all you really feel like doing is relaxing by the water, you have some of the country’s most beautiful beaches to choose from. As the name implies, Siesta Key offers a sleepier beach getaway, where your most pressing decision will be where to eat dinner.
Many couples simply want to spend their babymoon eating, shopping, and sightseeing, and Martha’s Vineyard sets the standard for these experiences. Many people come just to eat the local cuisine, which is fantastic across the board. The island has no restaurant chains or franchises, and many of the chefs source their ingredients from local small farms and suppliers, so each meal is an experience. A walk around Edgartown is a great way to experience the rhythms of a small town, with plenty of cafes to stop and rest at along the way.
During Stowe’s off-season, when the snow melts and the skiers leave, it becomes the perfect babymoon destination. You can enjoy plenty of tourist amenities without the crowds and a chance to score low-season discounts. It’s also much easier to get reservations in some of the area’s top restaurants overlooking the Ottauquechee River waterfall.
The “island of women” has a relaxed, down-to-earth vibe that draws a lot of families looking for quality time together on the beach. Playa Norte is the breezy main beach, with calm waters for swimming. Local restaurants will serve their menu right to your beach chair, which makes it easy to spend an entire day napping and eating. A more adventurous day on the island might include a snorkeling trip to Parque Garrafon to see the Great Mayan Reef, which is the second-longest coral reef in the world, or Musa, an underwater museum, which is the only one of its kind in the world.
Holbox is a small island that still hasn’t hit its tourist boom yet, so you can enjoy more beach space to yourself and a more relaxed atmosphere. June to September is whale shark season, and searching for a glimpse of these harmless creatures makes for an exciting snorkeling trip. Afterward, you can unwind with a massage right on the sand, shaded from the sun on a beach bed.
Really get away from it all with a waterfront cottage in Muskoka, where you can sit on the dock and watch the ripples on the water and listen to sounds of wildlife. Loons, ospreys, great blue herons, white-tailed deer, and other wildlife provide serene entertainment. If you can’t find a cottage to rent (they book up fast), there are a number of luxury properties opening up in the area where you can have the comfort and convenience of a full-service hotel.
Tofino is a nature lover's ideal babymoon spot, with mild (well, mild for Canada) weather year-round and plenty of outdoor activities. For those who are expecting, Long Beach Pacific Rim National Park Reserve offers a gorgeous beach that you can drive right up to and go for a long walk on the flat and wide sands. There are also spectacular short hikes, such as the Schooner Cove Trail and the South Beach Trail, where you can see old-growth forests with centuries-old Douglas fir and Sitka spruce trees.
This Canadian province is a bit of a literary destination, with the classic Canadian novel, Anne of Green Gables, being woven throughout the island’s culture. You can visit the author’s birthplace and sites where key scenes of the novel took place, including the Lake of Shining Waters and the Green Gables Heritage Place. Even if you aren't familiar with Anne, there’s still plenty to enjoy about the storybook atmosphere of the island, with its red roads, stunning countryside, historic homes, and carriage rides.
Koh Samui is Thailand’s wellness mecca, with yoga classes, smoothie bars, and healing massages as far as the eye can see. Chaweng is the busiest and most popular beach, but for couples who prefer something more tranquil, Lamai is just five minutes down the coast. Silver Beach is another smaller beach with calm, shallow waters for splashing around and sunning yourself.
A waterfront villa is the best way to experience life on the largest (and some would say the most beautiful) Ionian island. Romance is everywhere in Kefalonia, which is perhaps why it was chosen as the filming location for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. But behind the dazzle of Hollywood, there is a town filled with enchantments, from local legends about snakes appearing to bless a local church to goats and hares with gold-tinted teeth (these are real and a result of the local soil constituents).
Paris is the kind of city where a simple walk through the cobblestoned streets is an experience in itself, with the scent of croissants and baguettes wafting from the open doors of bakeries. For a relaxing and romantic day, take a river cruise through the city center, then make your way to the Latin Quarter for dinner and a jazz club.
Although Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the world, it feels vast because of its collection of distinct neighborhoods that can make a stroll through the city feel like a world tour. To see it all at once in a panoramic view, head up to the Tiger Sky Tower, preferably at nighttime when the city is aglow with lights.
There’s relaxation, and then there’s a babymoon in the Maldives. It doesn’t get much better for winding down and connecting with your partner than a stay in an overwater bungalow with spectacular views of the water and sky. The food in the Maldives is excellent, and it’s often best enjoyed as room service, with your feet dangling over the edge of your private dock.
Eclectic neighborhoods and excellent public transportation make Berlin a great place to explore on a babymoon. Historical sites and boat cruises make great daytime activities, while the nightlife can take you on a wild journey from vegan gastronomy to a silent discotheque. This is a place to enjoy a few more days of unfettered fun before your days become organized around a sleep schedule and feeding time.