Mother-daughter trips are always a great time to make precious memories! Deciding where to go can quickly turn out to be a head-scratcher, especially once you factor in a budget and both people’s preferences.
There are plenty of places, maybe even not that far from you, that are great destinations for a mother-daughter trip! We’re giving you all the tips and suggestions to have a successful mother-daughter trip and do it on a budget.
Destination #1: San Diego, CA
One of the most popular cities in the United States, San Diego is a must-go for a mother-daughter trip! From amazing endless beaches to large parks, it’s not hard to understand why it’s a favorite stop. To top it all off, there are various free activities to do while in town, which is perfect for a trip on a budget!
- Beaches: While any beach you go to in the San Diego area will be a great spot, La Jolla Beach is by far the most well-known one. One of the largest in the city, there are multiple things to get up to there. Catch some nice and controlled waves (definitely kid-friendly!), build a sandcastle, play at the playground, or pay the La Jolla seals a visit. Don’t forget to check out our Hana Hibiscus collection for your upcoming beach trip!
- Parks: With the slogan “ Where History is Majestic”, Balboa Park is a 100% must-see if you’re in San Diego. Housing over 16 museums, multiple gardens, and a zoo, you’ll easily spend the whole day here! There are both free and low-cost attractions for whatever your budget might be.
- Aquarium: The Scripps Aquarium joins both research and fun with plenty of interactive exhibits and habitats. Just like most aquariums, there is an admission of $15 to $20 per person, but with a little research, you can easily find money-saving offers that can keep you on budget!
- Berry Picking: A great activity to do while in San Diego and an absolute must when visiting Southern California is berry picking! While most places aren’t within the immediate San Diego area, the experience is definitely worth the drive. You can find pretty comprehensive lists online with the different options in the area, complete with prices.
- Money Tip: Renting a car will make places that are further away more accessible! To save money, find a deal with your flights.
Destination #2: Las Vegas, NV
While Las Vegas might not seem like an obvious spot for a mother-daughter trip, it’s actually a great city to head to! There is a lot more to it than Elvis impersonators and gambling and can cater to both mother and daughter.
- The Strip: The famous strip is where all the large hotels have their claim to fame. You’ll find everything from aquariums to gondola rides to caged tigers. Some hotels even have amusement parks! This is a great place to take your time and explore what they have to offer.
- The Linq Promenade: Situated right next to the Linq Hotel, as the name suggests, this is a mini strip. It is located adjacent to The Strip and has fun attractions like the Linq High Roller, which is the world’s tallest observation wheel, and the Brooklyn Bowl. Both of these are relatively budget-friendly as well!
- Photo Ops: If Instagram and taking photos is your thing then we’ve got the spots for you to head to! With places like the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, the huge LOVE sign in the Venitian, the Seven Magic Mountains art installation, and the fountain show at the Bellagio you’ve got plenty of places that are ready for their Insta moment! Turn it into a scavenger hunt and spend the afternoon hopping from spot to spot!
- Hoover Dam: Just under an hour outside the strip you can visit the Hoover Dam. Definitely a must-see sight if you don’t mind the drive! There is a small fee for admission and parking (which is a lot adjacent to the dam) but a worthy expense.
- Hotel Pools: A great activity to do once you’re back from a fun-filled day is relaxing by a pool. As Las Vegas is close to the desert it can get warm relatively quickly, cool down by taking a dip in the pool! Look to our Dandelion Fields collection for your Vegas girls’ trip!
- Money Tip: While Las Vegas hotel prices can look scary at first, with a little digging you’ll easily find amazing deals that will get you back on a budget!
Destination #3: Tampa, FL
We’re here to tell you what you’re missing out on if you don’t go to Florida! With its pristine beaches, family-friendly parks, and aquatic wildlife, Tampa basically sells itself as a great mother-daughter destination. With all these attractions we couldn’t possibly leave this seaside city off of our budget-friendly duo trip!
- Riverwalk: A great place to start off exploring is downtown by the riverfront, via the Tampa Riverwalk. Here you’ll find the city’s art installations, you can learn about its history and chill at the Sparkman Wharf. There is also the opportunity to play at the Hixon Waterfront Park. Just to name a couple of activities available here!
- Clearwater: Not only is Clearwater beach one of the prettiest beaches in the world, but you can also feel safe taking your kids there since it’s fully kid-friendly! Here you can take in the sun (with protection) alongside your daughter or pop over to Pier 60 for other free fun family activities. Check out our English Arboretum collection for a new suit to match the pretty beach scenery.
- Looking for Manatees: All over Tampa, there are different locations where you can see real-life manatees! For a direct spot, you can always take a trip to Tampa Electric’s Big Bend Power Station to see these amazing animals live in person!
- Money Tip: Look online for websites that have the scoop on planning inexpensive mother-daughter trips on a budget in Tampa and guides to free things to do in Tampa with kids. A good place to start is government websites!
Destination #4: Austin, TX
Austin is the perfect blend of city and country, making it a different place than any other on our list! A great spot for a mother-daughter trip, it has many activities and sights to see.
- The Capitol: The tour of the capitol building of Texas is actually quite a fascinating visit! With the building itself being beautiful and chock full of history, you’re set for success. A great bonus is that there is no admission fee, and even guided tours are free of charge!
- Zilker Park: Zilker Park is much like the Central Park of Austin, which can give you a glimpse into the importance it has to the city. Head over there to enjoy the free festivals and events they offer!
- Barton Springs: Barton Springs Pool keeps at around 68 degrees all year-round and is completely free to visit and swim. Our Tropical Rain collection is a great option to sport when heading to the natural pool!
- Lady Bird Lake: At this lake, you’ll not only find different activities to take part in but also a colony of bats! Head there for some kayaking, paddleboat, or for the bat flight show at dusk!
- Money Tip: Being a college town Austin is a pretty budget-friendly spot. Do some research into events for students and try to attend those for a cheaper alternative.
Destination #5: National Park System
While the National Park System is a little different than the other options on this list of mother-daughter trips on a budget, it’s a great option if you’re nature inclined! With stunning views and nature to explore, the National Park System has some really special options for those that like hiking, camping, or glamping! Here is what you need to know:
- With at least one national park in every state in the US and with a total of 418 parks managed around the country there are plenty of options to pick from.
- Out of the 418 parks, 303 do not charge entrance fees, which makes them generally free.
- The remaining 115 parks do have fees year-round with the exception of five days out of the year. On those five days out of the year, those same 115 parks have entrance fee-free days and will waive their entrance fees. Those days are:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- First Day of National Park Week/National Junior Ranger Day
- National Park Service Anniversary
- National Public Lands Day
- Veterans Day
- Money tip: For free access to more than 2000 federal recreation sites, take a look at investing in an America the Beautiful Pass! A great option if you’ll go to various parks during the year. It covers the entrance, standard amenity fees, and day-use fees for those in one vehicle.
Conclusion
As you can see there are plenty of places, with different budget-friendly activities, across the US where you can head with your daughter on your next trip! Remember to plan ahead and do your research on the best deals and spots to keep on budget!
With all these suggestions you are hopefully now closer to your next mother-daughter bonding trip! We hope these are helpful in setting you on the path to start planning the next trip and that they get you thinking about the others that will come after that!
Sources:
14 Mother-Daughter Trips On a Budget That Won't Break the Bank | The Spring Break Family
Tampa Florida - Things to Do & Attractions in Tampa FL | Visit Florida