When it comes to celebrating another trip around the sun, the only thing better than presents and cake is a vacation — although, don’t let anyone stop you from having all three. You might want to ring in your birthday on a beach in Mykonos or with a glass of Chianti in Tuscany. Or, perhaps a jaunt through New York City or a relaxing soak in Reykjavík’s Blue Lagoon is more your speed. However you feel like celebrating, there’s a destination for you. Read on for the best birthday trip ideas from the mountains of Colorado to the winding rivers of Europe and beyond.
Best tourist destination: Las VegasUnderrated hidden gem: Alexandria, VirginiaBest for families: Charlotte, North CarolinaBest for couples: Napa Valley, CaliforniaBest for solo travelers: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Tulum, Mexico
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A birthday spent in the spiritual center of Tulum is the best reset for another rotation around the sun. You’ll welcome another year in one of the beautiful locales, right along Mexico’s gorgeous Riviera Maya, on the Caribbean coastline replete with crystal clear waters and white-sand beaches. Known for its yoga retreats, jungle cenotes, sacred ceremonies, and Mayan ruins, Tulum is the perfect place to center your mind and reconnect with nature. The city also has plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shopping to keep you busy if you want a break from the jungles and beaches.
New York City
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You can’t beat the energy of New York City for marking a major milestone. The city that never sleeps keeps you young with near-infinite things to see and do. No matter how you hope to celebrate, NYC has it — from live entertainment and gorgeous green spaces to Instagram-famous foodie finds. Every season has something different to offer, too.
Book a room at the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel to stay in the heart of all the action. You can fall asleep in the glow of neon lights, if that’s your thing.
Laguna Beach, California
Montage Laguna Beach
Pamper yourself in Laguna Beach, the ultimate Southern California destination for sunshine, surf, shopping, and spa treatments. A quirky-yet-chic beach town about an hour south of Los Angeles, Laguna is home to surf shops, art galleries, and eateries serving everything from street tacos to fine dining — it truly has something for everyone.
There’s no better place to stay than in a private villa or suite at the oceanfront Montage Laguna Beach, where you can spend your time enjoying views for miles from the stunning Mosaic Pool, taking scenic strolls along immaculately manicured paths, and lounging on one of the area’s most beautiful beaches. Treat yourself to a luxurious treatment at Spa Montage, whose massages incorporate California wildflowers.
Maui
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If Hawaii has long been on your “someday” list, consider your birthday an excuse to finally book that trip. The greens and blues of Maui’s tropical landscape offer a feast for the eyes. There’s plenty to do for all ages and travel styles, plus great places to eat, and cultural experiences to enrich your worldly education. Try something new, whether that’s learning to surf or sampling a spoonful of purple poi. To celebrate your birthday with a bang, make sure a traditional hula performance is on the itinerary.
Train Journey Through Italy
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If you know of a better way to celebrate a birthday than with all the pizza, pasta, gelato, and wine your heart desires, then, please, alert the presses. Otherwise, Italy is the ticket, and there are few better ways to see as much of the boot as you can than by train. Include highlights like Florence, the Cinque Terre, and Tuscany (Italy’s heavenly wine region) for the best scenery in your window.
Charlotte, North Carolina
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If melt-in-your-mouth BBQ and outdoor adventures are right up your alley, look no further than Charlotte for the ideal birthday trip destination. Home to the U.S. National Whitewater Center — where you can find whitewater rafting, biking, zip lines, live music, and craft brews all in one action-packed location — Charlotte is a perfect family birthday destination.
Visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and the NoDa Art District. Eat BBQ at Noble Smoke or satisfy every palate in the group by dining at Optimist Hall, a market with more than 20 local food vendors.
Santa Fe
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If all you want to do on your birthday is relax and unwind, plan an indulgent spa retreat in Santa Fe. At the Ojo Spa Resort, you’ll find spring-fed waters and the opportunity to soak in blissful thermal pools following a top-notch spa treatment. Healthy, nourishing farm-to-table meals are also included with your stay. It’s the perfect getaway, especially for a solo birthday trip or a quiet retreat with a loved one.
Mykonos, Greece
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If you really want to fete your birthday in style, there’s no better place to do so than Mykonos, the ultimate party destination. Located in Greece’s Cyclades islands, it captures the picturesque beaches and white churches most people associate with a Greek Island vacation. But, what makes this place most appealing for birthday trips, especially for groups of friends, is its famous beach parties and thriving nightlife scene, allowing travelers to celebrate from sun-up to sun-down. Check in to The Wild Hotel by Interni for exclusive private access to the beautiful Kalafatis Beach, located below the hotel’s cliffs.
Vail, Colorado
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If you enjoy being active, Vail should top your birthday trip ideas list. You can snowboard and ski on Vail’s renowned slopes in the winter — and who doesn’t want to indulge in the pleasures of après ski for their birthday? — or hike among blankets of wildflowers in the spring and summer. Book a special dinner in a woodsy lodge for the full experience.
Backpack Through Thailand
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Southeast Asia offers an unforgettable adventure packed with amazing views, flavorful dishes, and a welcoming culture, both from local residents and the country’s large community of international expats. Thailand is a dream trip for many, and what better reason to realize your dream than your birthday? It’s totally common to backpack Thailand solo, but there’s plenty reason to bring a significant other or travel with a group. Though the flight will probably be more expensive than any to a domestic destination, your U.S. Dollar will go further in Thailand, making it a great place to splurge on a birthday bash.
Las Vegas
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Las Vegas is a classic destination for celebrations of every kind. Whether you’re in it to win a big birthday prize at the casinos or to splurge on world-class shows, your special day is a good excuse to run wild in Sin City. For a little balance, consider taking a breather from the madness and tacking on a road trip through the Nevada desert, stopping to check out roadside art and Gold Rush ghost towns along the way.
Chicago
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Imagine celebrating your birthday with sprawling views from the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower or by diving into a deep-dish pizza after zipping along the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon in the winter. Depending on what time of year you visit Chicago, you can get out on the water or spend your days exploring museums and galleries. Swissotel Chicago provides well-situated digs located within walking distance of many attractions, including the shops of Magnificent Mile. Book a corner room for views of the Chicago River, Navy Pier, and Lake Michigan.
Toronto
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Those looking to skip the long flights often associated with international travel might consider the U.S.’s neighbor to the north. Toronto’s thriving music, food, and entertainment landscape means visitors never lack fun things to do in Canada’s most populous city. Explore the culture of The 6ix by embarking on a street art crawl or spending the day at one of the city’s various museums and galleries. If you have a spring or summer birthday, mark it at one of Toronto’s music or film festivals. If it’s in the winter, spend it at the Toronto Light Festival.
River Cruise Through Europe
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London, Paris, and Rome are great places to turn another year older in Europe, but they’ve been done before. Instead, explore a less touristy side of the continent aboard a U by Uniworld cruise on the Rhine or the Danube. Not your grandma’s stuffy river cruise, this line is designed especially for the young and young-at-heart.
Whether you sail between Amsterdam and Brussels or explore Eastern Europe on a cruise connecting Vienna and Prague, meandering Europe’s scenic rivers on a luxurious ship will make for a memorable birthday. Highlights include food inspired by the locales and tons of activities, from biking or walking tours at the port to silent discos and stargazing onboard.
Savannah
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No place does Southern charm quite like Savannah. Stroll along the cobblestone streets, shaded by canopies of live oaks aged hundreds of years, and pop into some of the many award-winning eateries, like The Grey, housed in a former Greyhound Bus station. By night, book a ghost tour for some serious spooks (there are a ton of companies to choose from), after you’ve treated yourself to a generous scoop of Leopold’s Ice Cream, of course. The Plant Riverside District is another main attraction, packed with shops, restaurants and bars, nightlife, and a hotel, the JW Marriott Savannah — all housed within a repurposed power plant.
Napa Valley, California
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The 21-and-over crowd can appreciate a cultured jaunt through wine country, which explains why it’s a long-popular birthday destination. Between the picturesque landscapes, enchanting towns, award-winning restaurants, and world-class wine, Napa Valley is an easy choice for a romantic birthday trip with your significant other. While you’re there, make sure to go for a ride on the iconic Napa Valley Wine Train.
Machu Picchu, Peru
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Adventurous travelers might consider spending a birthday visiting Machu Picchu. You can hike, bike, raft, or zip line to the ancient Incan city on one of the various local tours, or opt for a more low-key experience and take the scenic train ride from Cusco instead. Once you’re acclimated, see why the famous Incan citadel, high in the Andes Mountains, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Breathtaking views and complex stone architecture make this ancient astronomical observatory a must-see.
You’ll likely stay in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes, which offers lodging, shopping, its namesake thermal springs (which feel especially good after a long hike), and the Mariposario de Machu Picchu butterfly sanctuary. You can also check out Cusco (Cuzco), a charming city full of hotels, restaurants, and UNESCO World Heritage architecture.
The Palm Beaches, Florida
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The Sunshine State promises a laid-back, fun-filled visit any time of year. While there are great places to visit in Florida from the Keys to the Panhandle, the Palm Beaches are Florida’s crown jewel. Packed with art and culture, outdoor activities, picturesque beaches, and all sorts of entertainment, the area has something for everyone. Opt for a chill escape in Lake Worth Beach, explore the buzzing nightlife in Delray Beach, or spend your vacation rubbing elbows with the rich and famous in Palm Beach.
Want to really up the ante? Miami is just an hour away on the luxurious Brightline train. Or you can head even further south by car and hit the Florida Keys.
Alexandria, Virginia
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An underrated and affordable birthday destination, Old Town Alexandria has fascinating history and a happy marriage of Southern hospitality and Mid-Atlantic sophistication. Stay at the nautically inspired Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria, located mere steps from the easily walkable King Street, Old Town’s main drag.
The city is charming, artsy, and packed with cute boutiques. Best of all, Washington, D.C., is just a 25-minute ride away on the Metro, or you can simply enjoy the view of our nation’s capital from across the Potomac River.
Reykjavík, Iceland
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If unrivaled sights and some of the best hot springs in the world are on your birthday wish list, you can’t go wrong with Iceland’s capital. Go for Reykjavík’s famous lagoons and swimming pools, and stay for its museums, galleries, theaters, and cafes. Enjoy local game at one of the nearby restaurants, or join a whale watching tour. For a heightened experience, go horseback riding, glacier climbing, river rafting, or caving. This part of the world isn’t even hard to get to from the U.S., with direct flights from NYC lasting less than six hours.
