The Best Babymoon Destinations In The US Perfect For Your Pre-Baby Vacation

It's common for parents-to-be to go through a nesting phase where they get their home ready for the incoming baby, but some also go through a get-out-of-town phase — this is where the babymoon comes in handy. Usually taken during the second trimester, a couple will take a before-baby trip to reconnect and have some bonding time before their family grows. While you will want to check with your OB/GYN for safety tips first, a babymoon could be just the thing you need to help make your journey to parenthood a little more comfortable.

Once you've committed to a mid-pregnancy adventure and have taken time off for one, you'll need to decide where you will go. While you can certainly make a day or weekend trip out of somewhere close, taking a full vacation and traveling to a place you've never been could usher in that sense of newness and adaptation that comes with becoming a new parent. These U.S. places all have their own reasons for being a perfect babymoon destination. Still, they're also incredibly visitable on their own, and you may even be able to check off one box on your travel bucket list before the baby comes.

The city that never sleeps is the perfect practice for parents-to-be, and we all but guarantee New York City is easier to navigate than a new baby who has their days and nights mixed up. As the most populous city in the country and one of the most recognizable cities in the world, NYC is ideal for someone who wants to experience something brand new before the baby comes because even if you've been here many times, there is always something to discover.

If your second trimester falls within the holiday season, choosing this city for your babymoon is a no-brainer. The holidays in New York City are hard to beat and it seems everyone in town goes all out with decorations and festivals all winter long. If you're traveling with a partner, the holidays can be particularly romantic and a wonderful way to reconnect.

New York is a true melting pot and offers a fantastic amount of culture, which may be particularly ideal for travelers who have moved to areas lacking representation. Similarly, expecting parents who are craving a certain flavor or cuisine will be able to find practically any food of any culture in the world here — a perk that's hard to beat if you happen to live in a food desert.

Miami may be known as a party city for the rich and famous, but there is so much more to be found in this cultural haven. Sure, you may not be able to booze it up on South Beach or take advantage of the ever-popular club scene here, but the tropical city is better seen under the light of day anyway. Walking the streets can result in unique observations, like the city's famous art deco buildings that make it seem like you've traveled to a different time.

South Beach is still on the table for pregnant visitors, as they can lay on the beach soaking up the sun's rays, swim in the crystal clear water, or even go boating. Seeing Miami via boat is a great way to experience the city, as the alternate viewpoint gives depth and a bit of wonder to the city, and it's a luxurious way to spend the day relaxing off your feet.

Travelers who like to explore culture while on a trip will especially love Miami's numerous neighborhoods. Each has its personality, history, and traditions; places like Little Havana and Wynwood deserve to be appreciated. Getting lost in the many different cultures of Miami is the perfect escape for an expecting parent who may need to lighten their load a bit.

The Southwest has something very calming about it, and Sedona, Arizona is no exception. Although the town draws tourists toward its boutique shops and art galleries, some of the best gems can be found just outside the city.

Impressive landscapes surround Sedona. The red rock formations against the sunrise and sunset are out of this world, the area even being known as a mystical and spiritual place to those that believe in the supernatural.

A photo-op in the desert is a great way to capture your pregnancy in time, and you can probably find something in town to wear that screams southwest chic. If you'd like to find the perfect souvenir, check out some of the turquoise jewelry from the local venders. It's a great way to mark your trip and have something you can pass down to your child when they get older.

With a tagline like "Keep Austin Weird," the eclectic traveler will find plenty to love about Austin. Exploring a new city is always fun, but this Texas city makes it a little more interesting with its bungalow bars and creative community. Of course, most pregnant people forgo drinks if they are expecting, but the bungalow bars on Rainey Street are worth a sober visit in order to see why they're so beloved.

Though the intriguing bars have been a part of the city's personality for some time, they are disappearing as Austin grows. No matter your feelings on the metamorphosis the city is going through, it is easy to draw a metaphoric comparison to your own changes as your body strives to grow your child and your mind transforms into that of a parent. This makes Austin the perfect place to reflect on who you are and what kind of parent you want to be while also experiencing a new city that prides itself on daring to be different.

While Sin City may not come to mind when considering a babymoon destination, Las Vegas is much more than its stereotypes and shouldn't be counted out immediately. For those who want to be surrounded by life at all hours, this city always has something going on, and there are few places on Earth where you can find people so uniquely magnetic in high supply. Between the Elvis impersonators, performative magicians, and transplants who exude the strip's eclecticism, the sport of people watching here is unmatched. You may even end up adding a few potential baby names to your list, as the city is in no short supply of clever stage names.

Almost everyone who comes to Vegas is celebrating something, so you will be in good company if babymooning on the strip. Bachelor parties and weddings may be at the top of the list of reasons people come to the city, but who says you can't bring some of that spirit to your mid-pregnancy getaway? It may not be the City of Love exactly, but Las Vegas does have a replica of arguably the most romantic landmark in the world — the Eiffel Tower. If you can't make it across the pond, it puts on a good impersonation for expecting couples wanting some one-on-one time before the baby arrives.

While babymooning in city atmospheres will typically give you more options and flexibility, there is something to be said about small towns, and this small desert town, in particular, is so much more than meets the eye. Marfa is a mecca for artists and creativity, making for a babymoon full of unique sights and finds. If you are creative, you may leave with enough inspiration to finish off the nursery and any other projects you have on the backburner before your time is better spent with baby cuddles and settling into your new role as a parent.

Artists and art lovers will treasure exploring the different murals and art galleries that litter the tiny town in the Chihuahuan Desert, about 60 miles from the Mexican border. Art festivals are also popular here, as well as one festival that is unlike any other in the world.

If you're babymooning at the beginning of September, then the Marfa Lights Festival is kismet. The festival honors the Marfa Mystery Lights, a strange phenomenon of light scattered across the sky, which occurs year-round. For lovers of the bizarre, unexplainable, or even the supernatural, the little town in the middle of nowhere could make for a great story to tell your kids, especially the one who was there in utero.