NEWSLETTER
Your bundle of joy will be here before you know it! Take a little time to center yourself, relish in relaxation, and pack in some grown-up fun before the little one arrives. New York State has babymoon destinations for everyone, whether you’re looking for ultimate pampering, adventures in eating, or some quiet time in nature. Start planning your babymoon vacation now.
Remember to social distance and wear a mask as required by state guidelines. Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions are open and available.
1. Stay at OHEKA CASTLE Hotel and Estate (Long Island)
Credit: @noerosetravel on Instagram
Escape on a luxurious getaway at this elegant Gold Coast estate. The early 20th century French Chateau-style mansion, once a popular summer home throughout the Roaring 20’s, offers restful babymoon packages in opulent surroundings. Their weekday special, Last Night of Sleep for Two, entices soon-to-be parents with a deluxe guest room, a three-course dinner at the elegant OHK Bar & Restaurant (outdoor dining available), in-room massages for two, and a continental breakfast. Guests are also invited on a complimentary tour of the estate and gardens.
2. Immerse Yourself in the Finer Things in Saratoga Springs (Capital-Saratoga)
Credit: @jenniferglassphotography on Instagram
Make a list of activities you’ll have to put on hold once your little one arrives, then turn that list into a weekend itinerary! The cosmopolitan city of Saratoga Springs has long been a destination for adult travelers, making it ideal for a grown-up getaway.
Browse art galleries and boutiques in the Beekman Street Arts District, then take a leisurely stroll in historic Congress Park, where you can sample some of the city’s famous healing mineral waters from Victorian water fountains.
Dine in style at Salt & Char, Wheatfields Restaurant & Bar, or Saratoga Winery. All have options for outdoor dining and not to worry: Saratoga Winery serves a full food menu and plenty of non-alcoholic beverages.
When you’re ready for total bliss, relax in a healing mineral bath and treat yourself to a Pregnancy Massage at Roosevelt Baths and Spa. For accommodations, stay at hip Spa City Motor Lodge or romantic Batcheller Mansion Inn.
3. Unplug in the Peaceful Village of Sharon Springs (Central New York)
Courtesy of Ayesha Thomas
Wander aimlessly in a quaint small town, popping in and out of shops with no agenda, lingering over a long lunch or frothy cappuccino. To create that feeling of bliss, head to Sharon Springs, a rural village with architecture that reflects its past as a health spa destination, including former bathhouses and grand old hotels.
Main Street is pedestrian-friendly with restaurants, cafes, and shops, including the famous Beekman 1802 Mercantile.
In the mood for a little cultural stimulation? Check out Klinkhart Hall Arts Center for poetry festivals, live music, and more. For a stay in a historic hotel or bed-and-breakfast, check out the American Hotel or Country Manor Inn B&B.
4. Get Your Fill of Performing Arts (New York City)
In New York City, the world is at your fingertips and your babymoon vacation can be whatever you wish it to be. Anyone about to enter the adventure of parenthood deserves to splurge on a hotel like Mandarin Oriental, The William Vale, or Dream Downtown.
Live performances will be low on your list of priorities once your new little superstar makes their debut, so now is the time to appreciate those events you cherish. Imagine a stretch of uninterrupted days filled with showy Broadway numbers, catchy jazz performances, and hilarious stand-up comedy. Call it a babymoon for the theater kid in you! For expectant parents who wish to attend strictly outdoor events, plan to visit in the summer for outdoor entertainment like Shakespeare in the Park, the month-long Blue Note Jazz Festival, and Lincoln Center Out of Doors, an annual event that runs throughout August and features live music and dance performances on their plazas.
And since this trip is meant to be relaxing, make sure to balance it with bouts of tranquility. Book a one-hour massage at Prenatal Massage & Movement Center, which has locations on both the east and west sides of Manhattan.
Don’t forget to make dinner reservations at some of New York’s fabulous restaurants, including Oxomoco, Olmsted, Archer and Goat, or SriPraPhai (all have outdoor seating).
5. Satisfy Your Wanderlust in the Hip City of Buffalo (Greater Niagara)
Get to know Buffalo by exploring it inside and out. Double Decker Buffalo Tours will take you to favorite attractions like Millionaire’s Row and the Canal District.
Prefer to sail down the Buffalo River? Join a 90-minute narrated tour with Buffalo River History Tours and hear stories of early dock and mill workers who helped make Buffalo a thriving waterfront city. If you want to take advantage of Buffalo’s status as a foodie destination, Buffalo Food Tours promises “classic Buffalo eats with a twist.” Tour guides reveal favorite local food destinations and hand out samples along the way.
Later, take time to spoil yourself at one of Buffalo’s upscale hotels.
Mansion on Delaware Avenue has a 24-hour butler service and a Land Rover chauffeur service. The Delevan Hotel & Spa offers getaway packages that include dinner for two, spa vouchers, and complimentary breakfast.
6. Book a Babymoon Package at Mirror Lake Inn (Adirondacks)
Head to Lake Placid in the Adirondacks to clear your head, relax, and reflect on this exciting parent-to-be moment in your life. Mirror Lake Inn is there to help you relax with their Babymoon Package. You’ll be tempted to lounge in your guest room, complete with king-size beds and views of the Adirondack high peaks. Once your complimentary chocolate-covered strawberries arrive, there may be no leaving the room at all.
The Babymoon Package also includes a $75 nightly credit, which can go toward a candlelight dinner or spa treatment. The Mothers To Be massage gently relaxes the muscles while mamas are supported with a state of the art pregnancy pillow.
If you’re feeling energized by the luxurious pampering, there are plenty of entertaining attractions nearby. Head to Lake Placid Public Beach to swim in the sparkling waters of Mirror Lake, browse in shops along historic Main Street, or learn about athletic royalty at the Olympic Center and Museum.
7. Go on a Calming Waterfront Getaway (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
Courtesy of Antique Boat Museum
Someday soon, you’ll be soothing your baby in a warm bath, marveling at the comfort a little water can bring. For now, find some stillness for yourself in the pacifying effects of water.
Lull yourself into a state of serenity on a St. Lawrence River tour with Clayton Island Tours, Uncle Sam Boat Tours (available on weekends in April and daily beginning in May) or the Antique Boat Museum (opens in May). If you feel more sturdy on land, spend a day lounging and listening to gentle waves at Potters Beach or Cedar Point State Park. A short excursion to Sackets Harbor should also be on your itinerary, so you can dine with harbor views at the Boathouse at Sackets Harbor (opens April 27).For more waterfront tranquility on your babymoon vacation, stay in luxury at the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel.
8. Commune with Nature (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
Courtesy of Grffis Sculpture Park
Rooting yourself in the calming properties of nature is just what the doctor ordered. First, do some light walking and bird-watching at Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, a nature center, museum, and library that celebrates the art and conservation efforts of the center’s namesake.
Next, head to Griffis Sculpture Park, which consists of more than 250 large-scale works spread across miles of hiking trails. The park is divided into two sections. For an easy walk on smooth terrain, go to the Mill Valley Road Site.
End your day at Lake Erie State Park where you can scour the beach for odd-shaped rocks called septarian concretions, which tend to resemble tortoise shells. Perhaps you’ll see a bald eagle flying overhead but if not, simply take in the expansive views of Lake Erie. Go at sunset if possible.
9. Indulge in a Foodie Experience (Finger Lakes)
Credit: @mollcmbutter on Instagram
The best babymoon destinations should leave you well-fed and besides, you might soon be elbow deep in pureed broccoli and bananas so eat what you can now! For a food-focused babymoon vacation, head to the Finger Lakes to take part in one of their unique food experiences.
At Aurora Cooks! guests can embark on a guided tasting of chocolate, coffee, and local cheeses. Or chat with a professional chef as she prepares and serves a sumptuous three-course dinner.
Rochester Brainery offers numerous cooking classes, both in-person and online. Some upcoming classes teach students how to make pasta, empanadas, kombucha, bagels, or donuts.
To make a road trip out of it, follow the Finger Lakes Sweet Treat Trail. And then keep driving to Naples for their famous Naples Grape Pie. If you’re there in September, don’t miss the annual Naples Grape Festival. Otherwise, get your fix at Cindy’s Grape Pies.
10. Go Camping in Comfort and Style (The Catskills)
If you’re an avid camper, you may be excitedly planning the outdoor skills you want to impart on your junior camper someday. Maybe you can’t wait to rummage for firewood in the forest, cook over an open flame, and tell stories around the campfire.
But all that roughing it probably isn’t appealing while pregnant, and that’s where glamping comes in. For a rustic yet comfortable babymoon vacation, the Catskills offers numerous glamping opportunities.
At Harmony Hill Retreat Center, yurts come with real beds, WIFI, a full kitchen, modern bath, and campfire area. Blue Hills Farm offers a canvas tent with a full bath and shower, along with breakfast served in a tree house.
Huge picture windows show off the surrounding forest in Gather Greene’s tiny cabins, which come with king-size beds and hot showers. Tents with queen-size beds and Adirondack chairs can be reserved at The Old Catskill Game Farm. Campsites are within the grounds of an abandoned zoo.
11. Experience a Tranquil Farmstay at Whistlewood Farm Bed and Breakfast (Hudson Valley)
A bed-and-breakfast on a 40-acre working farm set in the idyllic landscape of the Hudson Valley makes a serene setting for expectant parents who want to rest up before the baby-filled fun begins.
Guests at Whistlewood Farm Bed and Breakfast can stay in one of four rooms, each uniquely designed and furnished with plush bedding, cozy quilts, and antique furniture. Friendly resident farm animals include chickens, horses, and a donkey named Tigger. Fresh eggs are gathered each morning for a country breakfast, which also includes homemade breads and jams.
The bed-and-breakfast is just three miles away from beautiful Rhinebeck, a river town great for shopping, dining, and wandering in and out of art galleries. Rhinebeck is also home to the world-class Mirbeau Inn & Spa, if you want to take your pampering up to even higher levels of luxury.
Don’t forget to post photos of your New York adventures on Instagram and Twitter with #iSpyNY and tag us on Facebook!