Fun Vacation Ideas for Brand New Empty Nesters

By Alison Stanton –

You just finished helping your last-born child move into the dorms. And now it’s official—you are now empty nesters. While this is definitely a time of transition for you and your spouse and it’s normal to feel sad, it also can be a great opportunity to focus on your future together. A great way to do this is to set out on an adventure by traveling the country and the world together. Here are just a few ideas:

Las Vegas, Nevada

If you are celebrating your new empty nest, Las Vegas offers plenty of fun, festive and adult activities. Even if you don’t really enjoy gambling, Las Vegas offers dozens of shows and concerts, incredible shopping and dining and people watching opportunities galore. Many hotels also have a variety of amenities, including spas, swimming pools and, in the case of Mandalay Bay, its own shark reef. The Las Vegas website features helpful information about local hotels as well as current deals on reservations, shows and things to do. The weather in Vegas typically ranges from warm to pretty toasty, so be sure to pack your summer outfits and plenty of sunscreen.

Quebec City, Canada

As USA Today notes, fall is a great time of the year to schedule a vacation because many hotels offer discounts on their rates and crowds can be pretty light with the kids back in school. After dropping your youngest child off at college, consider heading up to Quebec City, Canada, for a vacation that will make you feel cultured and rejuvenated. The French-speaking area is full of charming bistros and beautiful hotels. For example, the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is one of the most famous hotels in the world, and it typically offers discounts on rooms in the fall. While you are there, you can tour the city or just stay put in your hotel and enjoy the wine and cheese bar and the chance to sleep in. One word of advice, though. Hotel room rates typically drop in the fall because the outside temperatures drop, too, so be sure to pack plenty of cozy outfits and jackets.

Road Trip

If you also said goodbye to one of your vehicles with your youngest child, it’s probably time to buy a new car. Check Kelley Blue Book for prices on a new, affordable car—you will be paying tuition after all—and celebrate your new vehicle and your empty nest with a road trip. Once you have your new wheels, you and your spouse can head out and explore your home state or the entire country. If you live in the Southwest, this might be an ideal time to see the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley. Or if you live on the East Coast, you could take a fall foliage-themed road trip and figure out where you want to stay as you go. Depending on the area, you may need warmer clothes. Just be sure to check the weather forecasts before you hit the road.

Alison Stanton has been a freelance writer for the past 14 years. Based in the Phoenix, Arizona area, Alison enjoys writing about a wide variety of topics, but especially loves meeting interesting people and telling their stories.