7 best mother-daughter trips on a budget

There are so many amazing destinations to do a mother-daughter trip on a budget! And with so many choices it can be overwhelming to find the right destination for your trip. That’s why I’ve created a guide to my 7 favorite destinations for the best mother-daughter trips on a budget. With good food, amazing views, and a wide range of activities, you’ll be sure to find an amazing adventure and a lot of memories made.

Quick tips to save money on your mother-daughter trip

As a budget traveler, I love to find ways to save money on every trip I take. From luxury stays for (literally) $0 to $5.60 airfare, I’ve found all the hacks that’ll change your ability to travel forever. Here are just a few tips to help you take that mother-daughter trip on a budget:

• Snag yourself an airfare deal with an airfare alert subscription service. You’ll be more inclined for the deal to choose your destination but in the process you’ll save hundreds of dollars!
• Find ways to use points and miles for your airfare and/or hotel. I recommend a quick look at Point.Me to help you utilize your credit card points for the best value by transferring them to a partner airline. 
• If you can, travel during the destination’s shoulder season. Shoulder season is different based on the destination but it will give you great weather and much better prices.
• Book your experiences through Viator via Rakuten to get some easy cash back on your activities, easily saving you 10% on them!

Want to learn more about traveling on a budget? Check out my free resource library!

Best mother-daughter trip destinations 

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is a foodie paradise in one of the oldest established towns in the United States. It’s rich with history and beautiful colonial architecture that makes it an amazing destination for a mother-daughter trip. And as Charleston continues to expand as a tourist destination, you’ll find amazing flight deals on basically every airline.

• Eat oysters at one of the many amazing oyster bars (my favorite is The Darling Oyster Bar)
• Take a stroll through the historic streets of Charleston on a walking tour
• Grab a drink at High Wire Distilling Co. (or join a guided tour)
• Take the ferry to Sullivans Island on a day trip to the beach and enjoy lunch at Sullivan’s Fish Camp
• Snag some amazing handmade goodies at one of the many local weekend markets
• Learn about our darker history with a guided tour of McLeod Plantation Historic Site

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is a great place if you enjoy beautiful views with warm, sunny days and cooler evenings. Though the city itself doesn’t have a lot of charm, there are many scenic resorts located just outside of the city limits perfect for pool days. 

• Take a hike (or drive!) to Dobbins Lookout for an amazing view of the city
• Snag one of the best fry breads of your life at The Fry Bread House
• Stroll the amazing Desert Botanical Garden and take some Instagram photos along the way
• Rent a car and drive the scenic Desert Foothills drive
• Tube down the Salt River
• Grab a beer at Wren House Brewing Company

Seattle, Washington 

Probably one of my favorite cities to visit, Seattle has a lot to offer. It’s scenic, it’s got an amazing food scene, and it’s just cool. What I love about it is how easy it is to spend time here. There’s plenty of amazing shops, coffee, and little corners that keep you wanting to explore. 

• Join a food tour of the famous Pike Place Market
• Take a boat ride with a scenic harbor cruise 
• Snag one of the best cake donuts of your life at Top Pot Doughnuts
• View incredible words of glass at Chihuly Garden and Glass
• Do a Washington wine tasting at the Truffle Queen
• Enjoy the coffee scene at one of the many amazing local establishments (I love Storyville Coffee Company)
• Eat a big bowl of chowder at Pike Place Chowder 

Louisville, Kentucky

With a growing bourbon tourism scene, amazing southern food, and a classic industrial charm… Louisville is a hidden gem. And I might be biased because I grew up here but I think there are plenty of amazing things to do for a mother-daughter trip on a budget!

• Head to Churchill Downs in May or June for live horse races
• Explore one of the many bourbon distilleries on Whiskey Row
• Snag an amazing cocktail at Nouvelle Bar
• Eat a Kentucky Hot Brown at the Brown Hotel
• Join a food tour and explore the amazing Southern food scene
• Create your own work of glass at Flame Run

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

If you’re willing to travel internationally, Playa del Carmen is just a 30 minute drive from the Cancun airport. Playa has an amazing beach, good food, and affordable hotel prices right on the beach.

P.S. This is actually where I took my mom on our recent mother-daughter trip!

• Visit one of the many incredible cenotes, like Cenote Cristalino
• Enjoy some el pastor tacos at a taqueria (El Forgon is a good one!)
• Take a day trip to Tulum to visit the ruins
• Spend a day exploring on a guided food tour
• Relax at the beach and soak in the Yucatan sun

Portland, Maine

Probably one of my favorite little cities, Portland, Maine is a haven for those in it for the views and the food. With plenty of amazing seafood and things to do within an hour’s drive, Portland is a great jumping off point for exploring Maine. 

• Eat some incredible oysters and reinvented lobster rolls (where Asian steam bun meets lobster) at Eventide Oyster Co.
• Don’t miss a life changing pastry at Standard Baking Co. (And be sure to arrive early to beat the crowd)
• Take a cruise around the harbor and learn about the ecosystem below
• Explore Portland’s lighthouses by bike
• Take a day trip to Kennebunkport and shop their quaint downtown

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Located just an hour south of Denver, you’ll find plenty of unique outdoor activities that make Colorado Springs a place you keep coming back to. Full of interesting history and amazing views, Colorado Springs is a perfect jumping off point to explore Colorado.

• Take a tour of the Olympic training facility with an Olympic guide
• Spend a day hiking Garden of the Gods
• Drive to Pikes Peak and have a donut at 14,000 ft.
• Sit and sip with amazing views at Colorado’s best breweries (like this one!)
• Get adventurous white water rafting

Explore on. -K