10 minute read
OH BABY: Planning the Perfect Babymoon
OH, BABY, WE NEED A VACATION
PLANNING THE PERFECT BABYMOON
Written By: Mimi Knight
When my husband and I were pregnant with our first child, my beloved OB did something unexpected. During an ultrasound visit—when we’d held our breath trying to memorize every detail of that glorious creature on the screen—he slid his prescription pad from his pocket and wrote a prescription for my husband, David. It was for a weekend away, just the two of us, before the baby came.
We didn’t know it at the time, but what Dr. Breen was prescribing was a “babymoon”—a last chance to feed into our relationship before this demanding new family member arrived. We took ours in St. Francisville, where we wandered antique shops, toured historic homes, dined out for every meal, and just laughed and reconnected with each other. Like a honeymoon, a babymoon is about getting away from the distractions of work, home, and social commitments and pampering yourself and each other.
Because the birth of your child will come with so much work—lifegiving, soul-nourishing work, but work none the less—the perfect babymoon should include pampering and relaxation, beaucoup. An allinclusive resort in Mexico or the Caribbean wouldn’t go amiss. Neither would these places we really like.
A SHORT DRIVE AWAY
OCEAN SPRINGS, MS
Over the past 20 years, this artsy and soulful town has cranked up the cool factor even more, making it an exciting place to get away and enjoy some pre-baby days. We’re not the only ones who think so. Southern Living ranked it among its 15 Most Adorable Small Towns, and USA Today ranked it number one in their 10 Best Coastal Small Towns.
Not only does Ocean Springs have a two-time James Beard semifinalist in Chef Alex Perry—owner and chef at Vestige, right in the heart of downtown (try the tasting menu)—but we highly recommend By the Fig and The Olive for lunch and 701 Craft for dinner. After your meal, queue up for a donut from Tatonut Donut Shop. (Trust me!)
You’ll find luxe accommodations at The Hemingway, a boutique hotel in a historic bank building right in the heart of downtown; The Mockingbird Inn Boutique Hotel, a charming old Southern home with a full kitchen, soaking tub, and many indulgent amenities; and The Hotel Beatnik, a modern hotel with floating cabins featuring wet bars, private outdoor showers, a plunge pool, native garden, and a fire pit—all just a 15-minute walk from downtown. Lastly, The Roost Boutique Hotel is a perfect blend of history and modern comfort. This beautifully restored historic property is a short walk from the beach or downtown.
Whatever you do, don’t miss a trip to the Walter Anderson Museum and a visit to Walter’s brother Peter’s Shearwater Pottery. Then, there’s The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, celebrating the work of another Ocean Springs favorite son, master potter George Ohr.
The oak-lined streets of downtown are filled with cafes, boutiques, galleries, museums, and gift shops, and it’s all within walking distance of Front Beach and the Mississippi Sound. You might book passage on the ferry to Ship Island and spend the day experiencing the most pristine beaches in coastal Mississippi. (You’ll swear you’re in Florida.) Or let Belly Up Beach Chairs set you up with chairs and umbrellas on the beach for some toes-in-the-sand time.
ROSEMARY BEACH, FL
Rosemary Beach is synonymous with relaxation. What better locale for that last hurrah before baby arrives? An Airbnb near the beach is ideal, and the town offers plenty to choose from. If you’re a beach lover, it’s a great place to relax and do absolutely nothing along the Gulf. We recommend booking your chairs and umbrellas far in advance through RBOA Beach Services. Even if you’re not particularly beachy, the Gulf views are to-diefor, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Consider booking a prenatal massage at The Pearl Hotel and Spa before enjoying some shopping. Rosemary Beach has beautifully curated boutiques with unique gift items and art, including the Curate 30A art gallery. When it’s time to eat, it’s hard to go wrong in 30A. For breakfast, we like Summer Kitchen Café or Effin Egg—or the darling Seacrest Sundries Market & Café. For lunch, try Cowgirl Kitchen, Pizza by the Sea at Seacrest Beach, or LaCo. And indulge in a superfresh seafood dinner at Restaurant Paradis, La Crema Tapas & Chocolate, or Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar. The latter is a great place to watch the sunset.
Unlike many other beach communities, Rosemary Beach allows beach bonfires. If you don’t want to build one yourself, you can hire someone to do it for you at Surf Sup, where you can also rent paddle boards, kayaks, and boats. If you’re not too far along in your pregnancy, you might rent bikes to ride to lovely Alys Beach (pronounced Alice), where the architecture and vibe are often compared to Greece. But you can also easily walk there. After that, you might end the day with a stroll through the extensive gardens of Eden Gardens State Park.
A LONGER DRIVE
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
If you’re looking for Southern charm and history, you can’t do much better than Savannah. The city offers no shortage of luxury accommodations—many of them in historic downtown—where you can also find outstanding shopping and dining. But an old town like this is a great place to opt for a BnB, which offers the added benefit of guidance from your hosts on doing the town up right, as well as socialization with other guests. And eating breakfast on-site means you don’t have to rush your morning looking for a restaurant.
One nice choice is the Azalea Inn BnB, within walking distance of Forsyth Park and the town’s historic trolley. The trolley offers a fun way to see the city with a live-narrated historic tour, and you can hop on and off as many times as you want throughout the day as you explore Savannah’s history-soaked downtown. Plan some shopping along the cobblestones of River and Broughton Streets and tours of glorious St. John the Baptist Cathedral and Wormsloe Historic Site (as seen in the movie The Last Song). Follow that with lunch at Soho South Café and dinner at the elegant Elizabeth on 37th. You might even splurge on a narrated tour in a horse-drawn carriage.
FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE
Franklin has been described as the “prettiest,” “most charming,” “friendliest,” “most romantic,” “Southern dream town,” and the “nicest place in the South.” It’s all of that and more, with its 16 blocks of charming, walkable historic downtown, shops and BnBs housed in Victorian-era homes, the entrance to the Natchez Trace Parkway offering nine walking trails of varying difficulty, and more.
One great option for accommodations is Southall, which its website describes as “A working farm. An inviting inn. Dining and spa experiences that honor the cycles of nature and incorporate its bounty.” What more could you want? The inn offers 62 guestrooms and suites, but they also have 16 standalone cottages. Or you may opt for The Harpeth Hotel, which will put you smack in the middle of downtown.
In Franklin, you’re never far from a significant Civil War landmark, including the Battle of Franklin, one of the last major battles of the war. Take in a movie or concert at The Franklin Theatre, an art deco structure from 1937. Shop White’s Mercantile (owned by singer Holly Williams), Tin Cottage, and the circa 1892 Landmark Booksellers. Enjoy breakfast at Biscuit Love—a Queen Anne–style home built in 1808—lunch at McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, dinner at Cork & Cow, and dessert from Triple Crown Bakery.
A SHORT PLANE RIDE AWAY
ASHEVILLE, NC
Here are a few fun suggestions for your time in Asheville. Hop aboard the big purple bus for the City Comedy Tour, sponsored by LaZoom Tours. You can enjoy a few laughs while experiencing a historic tour. There’s also a more traditional tour—one you can hop on and off—the Grayline tour. Either one offers insight into the unique history and legacy of Asheville without the hassle of parking, driving, or too much walking while you enjoy sites such as Biltmore Village, The Grove Park Inn, and the River Arts District.
The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitors Center, just outside of town, offers hikes of varying lengths along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Or you can choose between the manicured gardens or the dense forest of Southern Appalachia at the North Carolina Arboretum. The website EatingAshville. com will give you some great ideas on where to eat, with a variety of acclaimed—even five-star—local eateries.
When it’s time for some pampering, Asheville is a beauty and relaxation mecca with a surfeit of spas, massage therapists, and integrative health centers. Mothership and Homegrown Babies are two great options for scheduling a prenatal massage. Or book a bargain couples massage at the Asheville School of Massage and Yoga before heading out for some retail therapy. Don’t miss Nest Organics and The Littlest Birds, which both specialize in organic baby clothes, bedding, and gifts along with organic adult clothing and sustainable goods.
CHARLESTON, SC
There’s so much to do in Charleston! Museums to tour, historic sites to visit, can’t-miss restaurants, limitless shopping— and more. You can rent mopeds to explore historic downtown or, for a little over $100, purchase a day pass at GetYourGuide.com for over 40 Charleston attractions. The site allows you to make reservations and offers a phone app with maps and detailed explanations of each attraction. If you’re looking for a spot to take maternity photos, Boone Hall— made famous by the movie The Notebook— has a majestic oak alley that’s a magical place to schedule your shoot.
Charleston has a number of outstanding, five-star restaurants. Some favorites are Indaco, Poogan’s Porch, Leon’s Oyster Shop, and Hall’s Chophouse for dinner; Butcher & Bee, Millers All Day, Lewis or Rodney Scott’s BBQ for lunch; or Felix, The Darling, and The Grocery for brunch. You might even enjoy a sunset or sunrise picnic on the beach at Sullivan’s Island.
Charleston’s Restoration Hotel offers a babymoon package that includes an in-room couples massage, a two-night luxe stay, complimentary breakfast, and even a copy of Good Night Charleston for your little one. Not to be outdone, Wentworth Mansion’s babymoon accommodations include twonight stays, a three-course dinner at their on-site restaurant (circa 1886), turndown service with a bottle of sparkling cider and chocolate-covered strawberries, a one-hour couples massage at the Spa at Wentworth Mansion, and a memento for your little one.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Lastly, there’s nothing wrong with a staycation babymoon before your much-awaited new family member arrives. Sleep in, order from a food delivery service, and binge-watch your favorite shows together. Or take this opportunity to visit favorite family members or friends. Whether this is your first baby or your fourth, your babymoon is about being together and reconnecting, and you can do that any way you like.
