40th Birthday Ideas for an Unforgettable Trip Around the Sun

Kimberly Miles Avatar
two women on a 40th birthday trip to an oceanfront destination
Photo credit: Pixabay

Turning the big 4-0? It’s time for a celebration that’s as fabulous as you are! Start here to plan your epic birthday trip. Whether you’re craving me-time, looking for a romantic getaway for two, or a glory days bash with your besties, you have to pick a place to party. The SheBuysTravel team has compiled a drool-worthy list of domestic and international 40th birthday destinations to help you choose. Get ready for an adventure so amazing, you’ll be telling trip tales until your next big milestone rolls around.

Domestic 40th Birthday Trip Ideas

Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The view from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Photo credit: Greater Palm Springs CVB

Want to have a 100% guarantee for great weather for your birthday trip? Palm Springs, California’s gorgeous desert oasis, has 360 days of sunshine, world-class golf and luxurious, fun hotels (like the Margaritaville Resort).

If your birthday falls mid-April, consider the Coachella Music Festival. If, though, that’s not your jam, here are fun ways to celebrte in Palm Springs:

  • Check out Palm Springs’ epic pool parties, bars and nightlife.
  • Soak in a mineral hot spring-fed pool.
  • Explore the outdoors; hiking, horseback riding and biking are popular activities.

Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley is an excellent 40th birthday celebration destination
A Napa sunset. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Looking for a sip and spa celebration? Head to California’s Napa Valley for an upscale 40th birthday trip.

Unforgettable Napa Valley experiences include:

  • Take a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train for scenic vineyard and valley views.
  • Spoil yourself with a spa treatment at the Calistoga Spa Hot Springs where you can get a relaxing massage or even a volcanic ash mud bath.
  • Enjoy world-class wines and Michelin star dining.

Miami, Florida

A boardwalk with palm trees at sunset in Miami, one of the best places to spend a 40th birthday
Lined with boutique hotels, classy restaurants and plenty of nightlife, Miami is a great place to spend a 40th birthday with a group of friends. Photo credit: Kimberly Miles

Miami gives off year-round party vibes. South Beach, in particular, hums with fun. Ocean Drive, the main drag, is lined with bright boutique hotels, cafes, high-end restaurants, Art Deco architecture and incredible beach views,

Not a party animal? Here are other ways to celebrate your 40th in Miami:

  • Lounge at the hotel pool and sip mojitos.
  • Take a tour around Star Island, home to celebrities.
  • Explore Little Havana.

Key West, Florida

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Get all the feels of the Caribbean in the southernmost point of the US. Key West is a day trip drive from Miami and a great 40th birthday destination.

  • Home to America’s only living barrier reef, perfect for snorkeling and diving opportunities.
  • Embrace Key West’s festive nightlife culture.
  • Consider the nightly Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square your personal birthday party.
  • Snap a souvenir photo at the Southernmost Point in the continental USA!

New York City, NY

A lake surrounded by trees in New York, one of the best places to spend a 40th birthday.
A stroll through New York’s beautiful Central Park is a relaxing way to spend the day sightseeing before heading out to your birthday dinner later in the evening. Photo credit: Kimberly Miles

Whether you’re celebrating with your besties, your partner or the whole family, New York City is packed with iconic restaurants, beautiful parks, live entertainment and world-famous attractions, Plus, you can visit the City That Never Sleeps is a yearround destination.

How to celebrate a 40th birthday in NYC:

  • Hit the top tourist sights – Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Central Park.
  • See the lights in Times Square.
  • Have dinner and a Broadway show.

Las Vegas

The MGM hotel in Las Vegas, one of the best places to spend a 40th birthday.
Las Vegas is a mecca for entertainment and a super fun place to spend a milestone birthday! Photo credit: Kimberly Miles

If you love the nightlife, Las Vegas is the ultimate destination. You’ll have an unforgettable happy birthday.

And there’s a variety of things to do, beyond the casinos. Some of the best include:

  • Poolside parties to beat the desert heat.
  • Shows, shows, shows including perennial favorites like Cirque du Soleil’s “O” and ,
  • World-class shopping and dining.
  • Epic day trips including the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon National Park.

Read More: Beyond the Casinos: Best Day Trips from Vegas

Maui, Hawaii

It's not a visit to Maui without some time on the beach. Be sure to make one of your free in Maui stops a beach visit. Soak in the sand!
It’s not a visit to Maui without some time on the beach. Be sure to make one of your free in Maui stops a beach visit. Soak in the sand! Photo credit: Nasreen Stump

Choosing one of Hawaii’s islands for your 40th birthday can be challenging. I recommend Maui, consistently rated as the “Best Island in the U.S.” by Condé Nast Traveler.

What’s special about Maui?

  • More than 30 miles of world-famous beaches.
  • Impressive volcanic rock formations.
  • Bucket list helicopter tours.
  • Sunset luaus.

International 40th Birthday Trip Ideas

Cancun, Mexico

A sign in the sand on the beach in Cancun, one of the best places to spend a 40th birthday,
Life really is better when you spend your birthday on a Mexican beach! Photo credit: Kimberly Miles

A Caribbean beach vacation is a wonderful way to celebrate a 40th birthday. And Cancun’s all-inclusive beach resorts make it super easy to plan.

Cancun trip highlights:

  • Lounge away the days on beautiful white sand beaches.
  • Explore historical Mayan ruins.
  • Swim in cave cenotes.
  • Visit Isla Mujeres, a 4-mile-long island paradise off the coast of Cancun.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

A palm-tree lined boardwalk at sunset in Puerto Vallarta, one of the best places to spend a 40th birthday.
For a Mexican destination birthday that has the best of all worlds, Puerto Vallarta is a top pick. Photo credit: Kimberly Miles

Puerto Vallarta is a popular vacation destination for solo travel, best friend getaways and family vacations. As a resident of Puerto Vallarta, I can confidently say that anyone who spends their 40th birthday here won’t be disappointed.

Here’s how to celebrate your 40th in Puerto Vallarta:

  • Book a spa day at one of luxury resorts
  • Hike waterfalls, bike through the Sierra Madres or go kayaking
  • The Rhythms of the Night boat tour is a popular crowd pleaser and excellent birthday gift to yourself or someone else.
  • Do nothing but relax on the sand in Puerto Vallarta, home to some of the best beaches in Mexico.

Greece

View the famous blue domed buildings in Santorini, an epic 40th birthday celebration destination
Santorini’s famous blue-domed buildings. Photo credit: Cathy Bennett Kopf

Opa! So you want to ring in your 40 years in a picture-perfect dream location? The Greek Islands deliver ancient history, exciting nightlife and dreamy beaches.

What’s your Greek trip vibe?

  • Party-goers will want to head to Mykonos, known for its cosmopolitan vibe and beautiful, sandy beaches.
  • Santorini is a great place to spend a more relaxed birthday, with black sand beaches, wineries, unique landscape and architecture.
  • The largest island in Greece, Athens is packed with history, ancient ruins and incredible restaurants.

Iceland

Take a dip in one of Iceland's hot springs to celebrate your 40th birthday.
Iceland’s stunning hot springs are a wonderful place to celebrate a 40th birthday. Photo credit: GeoSea

If the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, your 40th birthday is the time to check it off! Known as “the Land of Fire and Ice”, Iceland is an ultimate birthday destination more than worth a 40-year wait.

Trip highlights:

  • Explore Reykjavik, known for its famous lagoons, swimming pools, natural hot tubs, museums and theaters.
  • A trip along the Golden Circle route is a great way to view volcanoes, waterfalls, geysers, and the famous Blue Lagoon (a must-do on your big day). 
  • Spend a night in the Icelandic countryside and try to glimpse the elusive Northern Lights.

Italy

The Italian island of Sardinia is a great year-round destination, even outside of swimming season. Photo credit: Sarah Ricks

If you want to experience the world’s best art, food, architecture and fashion for your 40th birthday, then put Italy on your list. You’ll want to spend months here, but, even with only a few days, you can explore this amazing country. City highlights include:

  • Rome: Explore the famous Colleseum, Trevi Fountain or Vatican Museums.
  • Florence: View masterpieces by Michelangelo and other world-famous artists.
  • Venice: Spend your birthday afternoon sailing down the famous canals.
  • Milan: Treat yourself to high-end fashion friends.

Thailand

Photo credit: Simon Steinberger from Pixabay

Nicknamed “The Land of Smiles,” Thailand has tropical beaches, ancient ruins, temples and palaces. And the US dollar stretches pretty far, so you won’t have to break the bank to celebrate.

What’s your Thai trip vibe?

  • Food and Culture: Head to Bangkok
  • Tropical Beaches: Phuket is the hands-down place to be
  • Nature Lover: Chiang Mai is quiet and tranquil

Bucket list things to do in Thailand include the floating markets, volunteering at an elephant sanctuary and street food tour.

Kimberly Miles is a mother of one and an experienced solo and single mom traveler. So far, she has traveled to Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Dubai, Bahamas, Aruba, Mexico, and several places in the U.S. Kimberly was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, but in 2018 she took a leap of faith and made the beautiful beach town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico her home with her young son. In addition to writing for SheBuysTravel, Kimberly ghostwrites blogs on a variety of topics. She also provides marketing consulting services and business guidance to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and corporations via her independent business KNM Virtual Solutions. When she’s not traveling or writing, you can find Kimberly working out, eating tacos, dancing the night away, or spending time at the beach with her son. You can read more of her work at Travel Unapologetically.
Read full bio

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *