Trip Ideas

Where to Celebrate Life’s Major Milestones in the U.S. and Canada

by Susan B Barnes

Photograph by Susan B Barnes

couple jumping off cliffs in kauai

Celebrate a major life milestone with loved ones in Kauai. (Photo: Getty Images)

Life provides plenty of reasons to celebrate, from small, everyday victories like crossing off everything on your to-do list to significant milestones like big anniversaries and birthdays. Rather than casually recognizing these wins, go all-in on your celebration.

So grab your friends and family, and even your dog, and celebrate each other someplace amazing. And as always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Your Big Birthday

view of red rocks from Sky Rock Sedona
Sedona’s red rocks provide a spectacular backdrop for outdoor adventures. (Photo: Marriott Images)

Whether you’re turning 30, 40, 50 or more, it’s time to celebrate you. Gather your friends and family for a milestone birthday bash at Sky Rock Sedona, with stunning views of the red rocks this part of Arizona is known for.

After spending a day hiking the nearby trails, trying your hand at fly-fishing or gliding toward the horizon in a hot air balloon.

Then return to your comfortable room at Sky Rock before taking a fireside seat at Bar WooWoo for delectable bites and fun sips al fresco. This outdoor patio is terrific for gazing at the twinkling stars as they come out to join the festivities.

An Anniversary in Paradise

Finding everlasting love is no easy feat and one certainly worth celebrating. Whether you’re marking one year together or 50, it’s reason enough to celebrate your love for each other with a trip to paradise.

And Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons – Kalanipu’u is a wonderful place to do just that. Hide away in your two- or three-bedroom villa, or venture out for a dip in the resort’s bi-level pool and a walk along the palm-tree-lined beach.

Each evening, toast each other as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean, turning the sky myriad shades of blues, purples, pinks and oranges.

Take a Babymoon

indoor swimming pool at Four Points by Sheraton Eastham Cape Cod
Take a dip in the serene swimming pool at Four Points by Sheraton Eastham Cape Cod. (Photo: Marriott International)

Before your bundle of joy arrives, take some time for the two of you before you become three with a babymoon getaway.

A stay at Four Points by Sheraton Eastham Cape Cod is not only relaxing, it’s also close to the Cape Cod National Seashore for walks on the beach and between Hyannis and Provincetown, both perfect for picking up those last-minute items for the nursery.

When it’s time to put your feet up, retreat to your spacious guest room and enjoy the snacks and drinks you’ve stored in the mini-fridge. For even more room, upgrade to a two-bedroom apartment-style suite.

Regardless of which room you choose, you’ll get a wonderful night’s sleep and enjoy sweet dreams on plush beds with pillowtop mattresses.

Go on a Dogmoon

long-haired dog lying on an Aloft-branded pet bed in a hotel room
Aloft Hotels’ amenities include dog beds and bowls — so your pup stays as comfy as you. (Photo: Marriott International)

If a babymoon isn’t in your future, opt for a dogmoon instead! Whether your new four-legged family member is a puppy or an older dog, it’s time to spoil them rotten, and what better place to do so than Aloft Boston Seaport District, just steps from South Boston.

The vibe of this hotel is fun and hip and very pet-friendly, so you’ll feel right at home in the heart of it all, and Fido will, too.

Aloft’s ARF programming — Animals Are Fun — features Aloft-branded beds and bowls and complimentary treats and toys, making your chic room perfect for two-legged and four-legged companions alike.

We Are Family

two children swim in a pool
The Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center offers plenty of fun for the whole family. (Photo: Marriott International)

A family reunion can be an absolute blast, with generations coming together to share stories and make memories. When it’s time to gather, look no further than the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center.

Find your thrills at the resort’s Arapahoe Springs Water Park, complete with lazy river, waterslide and private cabanas.

For some adult time, make an appointment or two at the Relâche Spa. And when it’s time to eat, meet up at any of the five on-site restaurants ranging from a casual sports bar to elegant fine dining.

What’s more, there’s plenty of space to make yourselves at home with guaranteed connecting guest rooms, if you’d like.

It’s a Friends Reunion

group of five friends sitting on a picnic blanket at the beach
Plan an unforgettable friends getaway at a beachfront resort. (Photo: Getty Images)

Reunions aren’t tied to families alone — why not plan a friends reunion? Text your besties and tell them to meet you at Paradise by Sirene at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.

This adults-only hotel within the resort has everything you need to make the most of your cherished time together: a private, adults-only beach complete with personal beach butlers; an adults-only rooftop pool; and Balinese-inspired rooms and suites that include complimentary breakfast each day.

Tear yourselves away from Paradise by Sirene to spend some quality time in the luxurious Spa by JW, where you can lunch poolside between treatments.

After readying yourselves for the night, enjoy an elevated, adult-exclusive dining experience at Tesoro, back in Paradise by Sirene.

Kick Off Your Retirement

pool with red rocks backdrop in moab
Element Moab incorporates stunning natural elements throughout its space. (Photo: Marriott International)

It’s what you’ve been working toward your entire career — retirement! As soon as you log off your computer for the last time, hop a flight and make your way to Moab, Utah, for a stay at Element Moab.

This nature-influenced hotel is the perfect spot to call home base as you set off to explore the majesty of Arches National Park and its more than 2,000 sandstone arches, including Delicate Arch, and the hiking trails in Canyonlands National Park.

Afterward, make a splash in the hotel’s outdoor pool before retreating to your room to make plans for the next day. Or don’t make any plans — you’re retired, after all.