What’s the best benefit of being an empty nester? The ability to travel any where, any time! What are you waiting for? Pick a weekend and go have some fun! Girls weekend? Check! Guys golf trip? Check! Couples beach trip? Check!
Let’s make getting away easy and talk about packing for an empty nester’s weekend getaway.
With our weekend packing lists and tips, you can quickly pack your bags and head out at a moment’s notice! Get your empty nester weekend getaway on your calendar (and don’t forget to call the dog sitter).
Megan’s Weekend Getaway
We spend a lot of weekends (especially in the summer) on the eastern shore of Maryland. My husband grew up in Easton and since it’s only a two hour drive, we head over the bridge to his childhood home pretty often. Over the years I’ve gotten really good at weekend getaway packing and now that I don’t have to make sure my kids have their bathing suits and more than one pair of underwear, packing for an empty nester weekend getaway has gotten a lot easier!
Where to Go for an Empty Nest Weekend Getaway
Road trips are great last minute getaways. No flights to deal with, just hop in the car and GO! An empty nester weekend getaway is the perfect excuse to bring some friends along. It’s usually summer when most people think to head over the Bay Bridge to the eastern shore, but fall is equally beautiful.
Don’t sleep on the spectacular autumnal harvest. The shore is arguably less crowded and less humid in the fall. I specifically recommend The Waterfowl Festival. The largest and longest running in the country, this festival not only celebrates the culture of the eastern shore but is an art lover and sportsman’s dream. My personal favorite event is the hunting dog dock trials. Affectionately referred to by the locals as “Dock Dogs.”
- Easton, Maryland is centrally located on the eastern shore of Maryland about 45m over the Bay Bridge. The Tidewater Inn is a spectacular hotel located in the heart of downtown Easton.
- St. Michaels, Maryland gets a lot of pub as a sailor’s dream. A quaint town with a picturesque main street filled with shops and restaurants. The Inn at Perry Cabin is one of the most charming hotel experiences you will ever have.
- Oxford, Maryland is for those looking for less touristy and more of a “locals” experience. This tiny town surrounded by water has quiet streets with a few shops, seafood restaurants and some of the best ice cream you’ll ever eat. Pro tip: Schedule your visit on a weekend when they are hosting a Fire House Breakfast. You will not be disappointed!
How to Pack for a Weekend Getaway
Before I start to pack for a weekend getaway (or really any trip):
- check the weather (will I need a rain coat? sweatshirt?)
- review list of activities (dinner at the club? golf? day on the boat? swimming? walking and talking?)
- pick a color scheme (two main colors–always neutral and a bright accent color)
- see what’s clean
- my goal is that every piece should be able to be worn three ways, that doesn’t always happen but ya know, goals
Packing Tips
Most of my travel is roadtrips; soft sided duffle bags and totes are my go tos. I’m a long time fan of the Very Bradley cotton XL duffle. I’ve worn out three over the years. I also bring a Scout Bag or two. They are perfect for bringing groceries down with me and then they transport all the dirty pool towels home.
What to Pack
Start with a color story. Once you know your activities for the weekend, pick your favorite outfit and go with that color theme. Blue and white – khaki, white and black – pink and white – orange, light blue and white – lavender, white and tan are a few of my favorite combos this summer. Pro tip: Each item you pack should go with AT LEAST one or two other items you are packing. Think of it as a mini-capsule.
For a long weekend on the shore, here’s what I’m packing:
- 1 swim suit and cover up
- 1 jean short
- 1 t-shirt
- 1 linen shirt
- tan linen pants
- 1 white shirt dress
- 1 exercise dress
- sneakers and sandals
- a jean jacket and sunglasses
- straw bag as purse or beach bag
Shop Megan’s Packing List
Christa’s Weekend Getaway to the Beach
My ideal weekend getaway is any place warm and sunny with a comfy chair by the pool or beach, and a good book to get lost in. The days are filled with lounging, and nights are filled with sunsets, drinks and delicious food. Easy livin’ for empty nesters!
Where to Go for an Empty Nest Weekend Getaway
If you’re looking for some place warm and sunny, here are three destinations my husband and I have been to and highly recommend, all with direct flights from the DC area.
- The Flagler Club at The Breakers in West Palm Beach, FL is a boutique hotel within The Breakers resort, with 21 suites/rooms on two private floors, offering the ultimate in service and amenities. Feeling like you need more Palm Royale? Then catch a quick direct flight here and get chauffeured to the hotel in the Flagler Club car.
- Aqualina Resort in Miami, FL is known for it’s impeccable service. It’s upscale Miami at it’s finest! Read my travel guide here. Lots of direct flights from DC to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami.
- The Cloister in Sea Island, GA oozes Southern charm and hospitality, plus they offer an array of activities and dining experiences, all on the Sea Island property. Read my travel guide here. We fly direct into Jacksonville and rent a car.
How to Pack for a Weekend Getaway
If I’m flying, my preferred bag is my roller bag by Away Travel (in the “bigger carry-on” size). The combination of the Away bag and packing cubes makes it the perfect size for a long weekend. Pack one side with clothes (they easily fit using packing cubes), and pack the other side with shoes, toiletries and extras. Adding an extra bag, like my favorite CALPAK Luka duffel bag, makes this travel combo just right for most 3-5 day trips I take.
Packing Tips
Be ready to go when the mood strikes! Keep your toiletry bags packed with duplicates/travel sizes of all your essentials. I also like to have duplicates of my preferred hair tools. And I like to store all my filled toiletry bags and hair tools in my rolling bag, along with my packing cubes, so it’s ready for me.
What to Pack
Remember, packing starts with a color palette, and my colors are ocean and sky blues. For an accent, you can add some pops of orange.
For a long weekend at the beach, here’s what I’m packing:
- 1 comfy travel/lounge outfit
- 1 athleisure dress (for daytime excursions) with sneakers
- 2 dresses
- 3 shapewear shorts for under the dresses
- 1 palazzo pants or linen trousers + favorite tee/tank
- SCHUTZ clear sandals
- 1 raffia clutch or crossbody
- necklace, earrings, bracelet, sunglasses
- 2 swimsuits + 2 coverups
- flip flops
- pool tote, Kindle, sunscreen
Shop Christa’s Packing List
Download Our Packing Guides (They’re not just for empty nesters!)
And if we haven’t convinced you to plan a weekend getaway, this might. Here are “6 Ways a Weekend Getaway is Good for your Health.”
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