I’m a relatively new empty nester. And while I miss my now-college sophomore, I’m also excited about this new chapter ahead, especially when it comes to my ability to travel. With no school calendar to adhere to (and a daughter who’s passionately following her own path), it feels like my husband and I have a wealth of travel possibilities ahead of us.
The list is long of places I want to visit or revisit on an adult getaway, whether just with my husband or with friends whose kids have also flown the nest. Drawing on my experience covering and evaluating destinations as a professional travel journalist, these are the places I’d put at the top of the list for anyone entering this new, wonderfully flexible stage of life.
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Key West, Florida
This welcoming city at the end of the Florida Keys offers an idyllic spot for an empty nester getaway, whether you want to embrace the island’s famous bar scene or prefer a quieter escape. Grab drinks at the legendary Sloppy Joe’s Bar like Ernest Hemingway frequently did, then learn more about the author at the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. History buffs will also appreciate a visit to the Harry S. Truman Little White House.
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A tour and mojito-making class at Key West First Legal Rum Distillery is a spirited way to spend an afternoon, or you can commune with spirits of another kind on one of the island’s many ghost tours. You’ll want to try several iterations of Key lime pie around the island to determine your favorite, and you can delve into the island’s culinary heritage that blends Bahamian, Cuban, Spanish, and New England influences at Key West Cooking Show’s demonstration dinners.
▶ Where to stay in Key West: The guesthouses at Southernmost Beach Resort offer historic charm and complimentary daily breakfast. Or you can make like some of the island’s past luminaries and book a room at La Concha Key West, Autograph Collection, which Hemingway frequented and where Tennessee Williams completed A Streetcar Named Desire during a stay in the 1940s.
Boone, North Carolina
Head to Boone, North Carolina, without the kids, and you can explore the Blue Ridge Mountain town in the High Country of western North Carolina at your own pace. That could mean a leisurely scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, an invigorating hike to spots like Bass Lake or Linville Falls, or an afternoon spent wandering the shops and galleries downtown.
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There are wine and craft trails to explore, spas for unwinding, and performing arts venues where you can catch a show. And you won’t go hungry, with restaurants serving up everything from fresh biscuits to wild game dishes. Boone is also home to Appalachian State University, so avoid college football weekends if you want a quieter adult vibe.
▶ Where to stay in Boone: The new 20-suite Haven Hotel offers a boutique-style stay in the heart of downtown Boone. The Horton Hotel is another good option downtown and includes amenities like a rooftop bar, fitness center, and infrared spa.
Jamaica
Candlelit dinners. Couples’ spa treatments. Quiet beaches. Jamaica is a dream for empty nesters looking to relax and reconnect. Romantic opportunities abound, from cliffside dinners at Rick’s Cafe and sunset catamaran cruises to vow renewal and anniversary packages offered by many resorts.
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Book a romantic bamboo river rafting experience on the Martha Brae River or tour one of the island’s many distilleries. You can be active and adventurous chasing waterfalls and ziplining through the trees, or you can lean into relaxation with a soak in Blue Hole Mineral Spring or some time under a beach umbrella. Many of the island’s hotels and resorts have bounced back after 2025’s Hurricane Melissa, with refreshed looks and a resilient commitment to their Caribbean home.
▶ Where to stay in Jamaica: Reopening in December 2026, adults-only all-inclusive Sandals Caribbean Cay (formerly Sandals Royal Caribbean) features 10 restaurants, five bars, and a private offshore island. Stay at adults-only all-inclusive Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters, and you can also enjoy access to neighboring Royalton Blue Waters.
Walla Walla, Washington
During my one and only visit to Walla Walla, I spent a lot of time dreaming about a potential return to the southeast Washington city near the Blue Mountains with my husband and some friends. I only visited a handful of the more than 120 wineries in the Walla Walla Valley, so there’s still a lot left to explore (which you can do on a bike or van tour in addition to on your own).
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If you visit in the spring or summer, you’ll want to stop in at Blue Mountain Lavender Farm. And if you played The Oregon Trail video game on your computer as a kid, you can actually walk on portions of the real trail at the Whitman Mission National Historic Site. The Whitman College Outdoor Sculpture Walk makes for a lovely stroll, and the downtown is filled with shops, restaurants, and tasting rooms.
▶ Where to stay in Walla Walla: Pet-friendly boutique hotel The Finch offers a stylish stay within walking distance of downtown. The historic Marcus Whitman Hotel sits at the other end of downtown and has four on-site tasting rooms, while The Wesley Walla Walla features a range of suites in a restored Victorian and amenities like fire pits and hot tubs.
St. Lucia
The island of St. Lucia is synonymous with romance, which is why it’s one of the top honeymoon spots in the Caribbean. But it’s a great place for time together no matter how long you’ve been a couple, with its beautiful beaches and well-known features like its twin Pitons that rise up right by the water’s edge.
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Head to Sulphur Springs in Soufrière to marvel at the Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano, then indulge in a mineral mud bath. You can ride an aerial tram through the rainforest, wander Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, sample locally produced chocolate, and explore what’s under the water on a snorkeling or scuba diving excursion. The island’s been dubbed “the Hawaii of the Caribbean,” and it’s easy to see why.
▶ Where to stay in St. Lucia: Check in to a plunge pool butler suite at Serenity at Coconut Bay for a memorable, couples-only, all-inclusive getaway. Jade Mountain Resort calls its rooms “sanctuaries,” with each positioned at different elevations throughout the resort to best take in the dramatic views.
Traverse City, Michigan
Located in the northwestern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Traverse City is loaded with activities for an adult getaway. More than 50 wineries call the area home, along with numerous microbreweries, brewpubs, and taprooms. Eight historic lighthouses can also be found in the Traverse City area, with several open seasonally for tours.
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Take in the views of Lake Michigan at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where you can also hike, bike, and even climb a sand dune if you’re so inclined. Or see the city from the water on a sailing excursion on Grand Traverse Bay or Lake Michigan. If you’re visiting in the fall, colorful foliage adds to the charm. Delicate cherry blossoms blanket the area during the spring.
▶ Where to stay in Traverse City: Take in views of Grand Traverse Bay from the floor-to-ceiling windows in your room at Delamar Traverse City, where amenities include a welcome glass of bubbly and indoor and outdoor pools.
Fayetteville, West Virginia
If you love the outdoors as much as you love each other, Fayetteville, West Virginia, is the empty nest destination calling your name. The town serves as the main gateway to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, America’s newest national park. Take the three-mile Long Point Trail for excellent vistas of the New River Gorge Bridge, or take part in a New River Gorge Bridge Walk to see the park from a bird’s-eye view.
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The area’s also an excellent spot for whitewater rafting. And when you need a break from the activity, there are shops and galleries to explore, craft beers to drink, and fun restaurants where you can dine like a local.
▶ Where to stay in Fayetteville: The brand-new Hill Hall Hotel has transformed a former high school and middle school into a chic, boutique-style stay.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah offers all the ingredients for a memorable adults-only getaway: a fascinating history with lots of well-preserved architecture, a vibrant food scene, excellent shopping, and a bustling riverfront. Stroll around the city on foot to take it all in, stopping at the historic parks and squares that are part of its original 18th-century layout.
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As the home of Savannah College of Art and Design, the southeast Georgia city not surprisingly offers plenty in the way of arts and culture. The Telfair Museums feature three distinct collections bridging three centuries of art and architecture, while the Savannah African Art Museum showcases ceremonial and spiritual objects and other pieces from West and Central Africa. Savannah is also considered one of the most haunted cities in the U.S., and a range of ghost tours help visitors explore its spooky side.
▶ Where to stay in Savannah: The Bohemian Savannah Riverfront recently transformed into Hotel Orielle, an Autograph Collection Hotel, with artwork and other touches connecting guests to the destination and a rooftop bar with sweeping views of the city. Hotel Bardo Savannah offers an ultra-stylish getaway with an on-site spa and cooking school.
San Luis Obispo County, California
San Luis Obispo County — affectionately known as SLO CAL — sits midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The iconic Highway 1 runs the length of the county, and new daily Amtrak Pacific Surfliner round-trip service between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo offers a car-free option for traveling to the scenic region that has a commitment to sustainability.
San Luis Obispo County is home to more than 250 wineries growing more than 60 wine grape varieties, and wine tours can help you visit multiple spots. When you’re done sipping, kayak Morro Bay, tour Hearst Castle, and hike the coastal trails of Montana de Oro State Park. And there’s been a lot going on in the area recently, with new or upcoming openings like Edna, a new multi-winery tasting room, distillery, market, and restaurant from James Beard Award-nominated Chef Jeremy Fox; and three new dining concepts from Michelin-starred Chef Charlie Palmer at the Paso Robles Inn, including a modern cowboy bar that celebrates the region’s ranching heritage.
▶ Where to stay in San Luis Obispo County: Michelin One Key Hotel San Luis Obispo offers a downtown location with a spa, garden pool, and rooftop bar. Allegretto Vineyard Resort and Paso Robles Inn put you right in the heart of wine country.
The empty-nester travel list: The best places to go once the kids have left home originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com, LuxuryVacationist.com, and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Empty nesters are flocking to these unforgettable getaways
