Where to Have an Adult Vacation When the Kids Are Away
Have a very grown-up, kid-free vacation in these seven U.S. cities
When kids are away, parents can play! Grab your significant other and check out these adult-friendly itineraries in fun destinations.
Sure, traveling with the kids is a special way to make cherished family memories. But traveling without the kids can sometimes feel more like a real vacation: a chance to reclaim your inner not-so-grown-up, stay out late and even—gasp!—sleep in. Kid-free travel can help you reconnect with yourself or your partner, but it can also help you get to know your destination on a deeper level.
While your little ones are at camp or visiting the grandparents, plan an adult vacation that’s designed just for you. Here are seven destinations where you can really indulge, whether you choose long days on the golf course, hours in art museums or simply enjoying some peace and quiet.
Enjoy an All-American Getaway in Chicago, Illinois
Spend as much time as you want taking in the world-class collection of impressionist paintings at the Art Institute of Chicago before enjoying a grown-up lunch at the museum’s elegant Terzo Piano. (Note: Reservations are a must.) Then pop over to the Windy City’s Lakeview neighborhood for a nighttime baseball game at Wrigley Field or a comedy show at the Annoyance Theatre & Bar. Finish the night with raw oysters and tequila at the bar at Frontera Grill.
Turn Up the Heat in Miami, Florida
Make waves or simply sunbathe in see-and-be-seen South Beach.
The kids always want to play with you in the waves, but when you’re on a vacation without kids, you can relax and soak up some sun without being on lifeguard duty. Miami’s South Beach is a good people-watching spot, and so are the outdoor cafés on Ocean Drive—like Local House, where you can linger over coffee or cocktails. For a more peaceful scene and a view of a historic lighthouse, your best bet is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Beach. When you've had enough of the sun, head to Little Havana for Cuban food and sexy salsa dancing at the iconic Ball & Chain.
Explore a Famously “Weird” City: Austin, Texas
Without the risk of being interrupted by bored kids, history buffs can spend hours at the LBJ Presidential Library, listening to the talkative president's recorded phone calls. Afterwards, head across town to South Congress Avenue for some just-for-you shopping at funky boutiques like Uncommon Objects. Then make your way to the Continental Club, one of Austin's most famous live music venues, where the music plays until way past bedtime.
Cool Experiences in the Desert: Phoenix, Arizona
Go green in the desert on one of Phoenix’s award-winning golf courses.
Phoenix is a golf mecca; it has dozens of courses, including the scenic desert courses at Troon North. Follow your day on the links with an aromatherapy massage at Repose Salon and Spa. Once you're feeling relaxed, head to nearby Scottsdale for an unforgettable evening—a Night Lights tour of Taliesin West, famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio. (Even if the kids were with you, they couldn’t come; children under 13 aren’t allowed on the tour). For a late dinner, head back to Phoenix’s sushi-and-burgers spot Delux, where the kitchen is open until 2 a.m.
Dig in to Deep South cuisine in New Orleans, Louisiana
Oozing with opulence, New Orleans’ Garden District is a popular backdrop for Hollywood films.
A vacation without kids in The Big Easy could look like this: a four-hour bike tour through the Ninth Ward to admire its rebirth after Hurricane Katrina—stopping along the way for a po’boy. Or head to the Garden District and take pictures of old trees and Victorian houses. Enjoy a picnic dinner by grabbing crawfish from Big Fisherman Seafood on Magazine Street and beers at the nearby Breaux Mart and carrying your food to nearby Montiero Park. Later, head for the Marigny neighborhood, where Frenchmen Street is lined with clubs featuring live music.
Vacation in the fast lane in Indianapolis, Indiana
Racing buffs—or anyone who likes vintage cars—must visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And adrenaline-seeking parents should take a spin on the track via the two-seat ride at the Indy Racing Experience. After all of those G-forces, be kind to your stomach: Snack on sandwiches or small plates at Bluebeard, a renovated factory warehouse in Indianapolis’ historic Holy Rosary neighborhood. End your day with a stroll along the Indianapolis Canal Walk and then a romantic gondola ride down the canal.
Find the intersection of history and adventure in Asheville, North Carolina
Cheers to alone time! The Biltmore Estate’s winery offers premium tastings of sparkling wines and chocolate or cheese pairings. Photo Credit: exploreasheville.com
Who says looking at fancy houses is boring? Explore every gilded inch of the Biltmore House on a premium two-hour tour that takes you behind the scenes and up on the roof. At this 8,000-acre estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll find plenty of activities to fill your day. Visit the winery in Biltmore’s Antler Hill Village, where you can sample pairings of wine and cheese or wine and chocolates. Or, take a sporting clays or fly fishing lesson on the grounds.
Ready to travel? Find hotels in Chicago, Miami, Austin, Phoenix, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Asheville.
More to Explore
Second Honeymoon Ideas
Take a romantic trip that costs less than a typical second honeymoon.
Supernatural Vacations
Ghost tours and UFO sightings are top attractions in these destinations.