Sober Vacations: Tips, Advice, and Top Locations

Enjoying your free time while remaining sober isn’t impossible, in fact, there is a growing list of destinations that are ideal for planning sober vacations. From all-inclusive vacations for non-drinkers to sober retreats and areas where drinking simply isn’t a big part of the culture, we’re sharing our favorite spots for sober vacations, plus tips and advice for getting the most out of your trip.

Vacations should be fun—not stressful. Here are some of the best domestic destinations for sober travel:

Salt Lake City, Utah. See the Wasatch Mountains loom over you as you explore this quaint but diverse city. There’s plenty to do here without alcohol, and if you want to explore further, consider camping, hiking, and road-tripping a bit further out at Lake Powell or Zion National Park. Since nearly 60% of the state’s population belong to the Mormon faith, excessive drinking is extremely low. And, Utah is consistently within the top 3 most sober states in the county.

Orlando, Florida. Orlando is a known family-friendly vacation spot that can be a ton of fun for adults too. Parks, rides, shows, food, and a whole lot of nostalgia means you’ll have no shortage of things to do that will keep you entertained and don’t include alcohol. The kid-focus atmosphere at the major theme parks in the area means alcohol is never pushed or advertised. In fact, some parks, like Magic Kingdom, only offer alcoholic beverages at certain times and only in designated restaurants, reducing possible temptation significantly.

Ojai, California. If you’re looking for a relaxing spa vacation, look no further than Ojai. Ojai is all about wellness and well-being, so you won’t be surprised to discover that alcohol isn’t the main draw of the area. Hike the Topatopa Mountains, browse a local farmer’s market, and splurge on a spa day at one of Ojai’s renowned retreats.

Stowe, Vermont. If you’re looking for an east coast vacay, consider the mountain wonderland that is Stowe. Visit in the winter for unbeatable skiing, or come in the summer and hike Mount Mansfield—Vermont’s tallest peak. Between recreation activities and truly breathtaking natural scenery, you won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything, including booze.

Destinations for Sober International Vacations

Looking for an international vacay? Check out some of these excellent options for sober international vacations.

Buenos Aires, Argentina. If amazing food, gorgeous nature, and a stunning cultural history sound interesting to you, why not head south to Argentina? While the area is known for its red wine, it’s easy enough to avoid—especially when there is so much else to do and see—and beyond that, you won’t see a lot of alcohol offered.

Montreal, Canada. There’s so much to do in Montreal if you don’t drink. From tours of Montreal’s impressive Olympic Stadium and iconic art museums to biking up Mount Royal, you’ll have no trouble keeping active and busy. Just make sure you set aside plenty of time for indulging in Montreal’s amazing food scene.

Akureyri, Iceland. If you want to go off the beaten path, then there are few places better to do it than Iceland. Akureyri is one of Iceland’s largest towns and offers a much more laid back atmosphere than the party-central Reykjavik. Rent a car and go see the sights, including an endless supply of waterfalls, hot springs, and mountains.

Putting Sobriety First on Vacation

Sobriety is an active responsibility, and it’s important to prioritize it on your travels. Check-in with yourself and your travel partners regularly to make sure that you’re not pushing your boundaries in terms of what feels safe and okay. It will also help to do research ahead of time so you can avoid areas where alcohol might be more prevalent.

Also important is making sure to avoid areas that are known for their party culture. Places like Cancun, Pensacola, Ibiza, Greece, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Amsterdam are wonderful in their own right but have a strong focus on alcohol and other substances.

When you’re looking for a vacation that won’t mess with your sobriety, stick to areas that have tons to offer aside from drinking, or opt for a travel experience that’s specifically designed with sobriety in mind, such as a sober cruise or an all-inclusive sober vacation package. As for last-minute sober vacations, they’re certainly possible but you should still do as much research as you can ahead of time to ensure you’re entering a safe environment.

Travel With Trust

Traveling while sober requires that you trust yourself and the people around you. Only travel if you are comfortable with your sobriety and, if you can, bring along a sober buddy to hold you accountable. When you trust yourself and provide touchpoints of support, you make it a lot more likely that your vacation will be all about fun—and not about just trying to avoid falling off track.