Mother’s Day has come a long way from greeting cards and continental breakfasts.
This year, over 3,000 moms across the country told us exactly what they want – and it turns out, it’s not stuff. It’s space.
The survey reveals the top dream destinations by state for a “momcation,” and there’s a clear trend: peace, quiet, and a pretty view are worth more than any bouquet.
This survey also uncovered how little time moms actually get to themselves, and the guilt many feel even for wanting it.
These picks aren’t just travel suggestions – they say a lot about what moms are yearning for in 2025.
Top Dream Destinations
Quiet towns are having a moment.
Not a single major city made the list. Instead, it’s the Camdens, Talkeetnas, and Lanesboros of the world that moms are drawn to – places where life slows down and the most pressing decision is whether to walk by the lake or nap in a hammock.
Water wins – everywhere.
Lakes, beaches, bays, and springs dominated the rankings.
From Bear Lake, Utah to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, there’s something universally soothing about water.
Moms don’t necessarily want to be entertained— they want to float, watch the waves, or sip wine near a dock.
Nature beats luxury.
You might expect high-end resorts to top the list, but instead, destinations like Shawnee National Forest, Rockport, and the San Juan Islands suggest something else entirely. These are places where you can hear birds, not room service knocking.
A nostalgic thread runs through many picks.
Shaker Village in Kentucky, Hershey Gardens in Pennsylvania, and even Cape May in New Jersey offer something slightly vintage.
It’s not about going back in time – but maybe about stepping away from constant notifications and fast living.
Moms in the South love history with a view.
Beaufort, St. Francisville, and Magnolia Springs all have two things in common: Southern charm and scenic backdrops.
These towns lean into their heritage without feeling like tourist traps.
A few offbeat surprises stood out.
Jackson, New Hampshire? Chadron, Nebraska? These aren’t on your average travel blog, but they made the list – proof that moms don’t need trendy.
They’re not chasing what’s popular. They want something thoughtful. And they probably know about a hidden coffee shop we’ve never heard of.
Coastlines call to the coasts.
From Cannon Beach, Oregon to Block Island, Rhode Island, moms near the ocean aren’t straying far from it.
But the picks tend to be tucked away spots, far from the cruise ships and souvenir shops.
Other Key Takeaways
Mom guilt
Beyond their dream destinations, many moms shared how hard it can be to take time for themselves. In fact, 42% said they feel guilty doing it, even when they know they need the break.
No real break
Some haven’t had a real pause in over a year. 10% of moms said they haven’t had even one uninterrupted break from family responsibilities in the past 12 months. That’s not just one vacation missed. It’s an entire year without a true breather.
Stolen moments
For most, alone time comes in small windows—a few hours here, a quiet moment there. It’s rarely enough to truly reset, but they make it work because they have to.
Time crunch
Right now, moms get an average of 5 hours and 55 minutes of alone time each week. That’s less than one hour per day across seven days.
Ideal reset
To feel fully recharged, moms say they need more than eight hours of time to themselves each week. The ideal amount is 8 hours and 27 minutes. That extra time could be the difference between survival mode and actually feeling human again.
How moms would spend a day to themselves
We asked what moms would do with a full day just for themselves. Here’s what they said:
- Watching TV or bingeing a show: 19%
- Sleeping in and relaxing at home: 16%
- Spending time in nature (hiking, beach, park): 15%
- Enjoying a hobby (reading, crafting, cooking): 13%
- Shopping or treating themselves: 13%
- Spa time or massage: 12%
- Catching up with friends or family: 8%
- Traveling or a day trip: 4%
Even the simplest pleasures—like finishing a cup of coffee while it’s still warm—can feel like rare luxuries.
The ideal gift? Time
When asked what would actually help lighten their mental load, moms named the following:
- House cleaning: 26%
- A full day off with no obligations: 20%
- Meal delivery or home-cooked meals: 14%
- A monthly massage or spa treatment: 12%
- Grocery delivery, childcare help, therapy, and laundry service also made the list
These aren’t lavish requests. They’re thoughtful ways to ease the pressure and offer real relief.
Final thoughts
This isn’t just a list of beautiful places. It’s a quiet reminder that moms are looking for more than a card or a brunch.
They want space, peace, and experiences that feel personal.
They’re not chasing luxury or photo ops. They’re dreaming of places where they can breathe, reset, and maybe drink that morning coffee without interruption.
When it comes to Mother’s Day, time is the true gift. And for many, even asking for that time comes with guilt. That’s what makes it so valuable when it’s finally given.
Ideally, that time is spent in a hammock, on a trail, or watching a sunset—with no schedule, no chores, and no one asking where the socks are.