When I gave up drinking roughly three years ago, I didn’t realize what a huge impact it would have on every aspect of my life. I felt less anxious, had more energy, and learned that I could have a whole lot of fun sans booze — including while traveling. 

Since ditching alcohol way back in late 2021, I’ve gone everywhere from Disney World to Napa to Italy to, most recently, Jackson Hole, without imbibing — and I had a great time in each place. 

During these various trips, I woke up early every day (no morning-after hangovers here!) and was able to pack in a ton of activities and stay present in the moment. And then I got a restful night’s sleep without having to worry about alcohol wrecking my shuteye. 

Keep reading to learn more about the sober-curious travel trend and find a few tips to get you started if you’re interested in taking a sober vacation. 

The rise of sober tourism

It turns out sober tourism — or, as I like to call it, dry tripping — is a full-on travel trend. It makes sense: Young people are drinking less than ever before — and this is changing the way they approach everything from dining out to traveling. 

In fact, according to a 2023 survey by Hotels.com, more than 40% of travelers said they were likely to book a “detox trip” in the next year. What’s more, 50% of travelers said they were interested in staying in hotels that offer easily accessible nonacloholic beverages.

So, what is sober tourism, exactly? Sober tourism is, essentially, when you plan a trip with the intention of not drinking alcohol. As the Hotels.com survey revealed, travelers want to drink less on vacation so they can stay in control and feel better physically and mentally. 

But if you’re not knocking back beers or cocktails on vacation, then how are you spending your time instead? 

During a sober trip, you may replace drinking with adventure activities (such as hiking or white water rafting) or relaxation activities (like yoga, meditation, or spa treatments) — or a combination of the two. You might even work in some sober curious activities (such as mocktail tasting) too. 

I did all of this — and more! — during a recent trip to the Four Seasons Jackson Hole hosted by GoingDry.co, a nonalcoholic event and nonalcoholic menu curation company.

I fit a whole lot of activity into two days in Jackson Hole, including a tram ride, hike, wildlife safari, mocktail tasting, spa and pool time, and a visit to the charming town square. Not drinking meant I had enough physical energy and mental clarity to get the most out of my (short) time in Wyoming. 

How to have the best sober travel experience ever

Ready to plan your own dry vacation? I’ll leave you with a few pieces of advice I learned on my recent trip:

1. Set boundaries ahead of time.

First things first: It’s a good idea to take stock of your intentions and set boundaries before you head out on a dry trip. 

Make a commitment to not drinking while traveling and focus on the experience you want to have on your vacation. Plan out a loose itinerary before you go so you have an idea of what you’ll be doing. 

2. Seek out a sober-friendly hotel.

With the spike in popularity of sober tourism, it’s no surprise that many airlines and hotels are now catering to alcohol-free and sober-curious travelers. 

The Four Seasons Jackson Hole, for example, has a thoughtful nonalcoholic drink menu offering delicious mocktails and nonalcoholic wines, including Giesen 0% Riesling and Giesen 0% Pinot Grigio. (Here’s how to pair Giesen nonalcoholic wines with cheese.)

“Having nonalcoholic options on menus is so important — and Four Seasons Jackson Hole has created an amazing, inclusive drink menu for people who like to imbibe and people who don’t for whatever reason,” says Hilary Sheinbaum, founder of GoingDry.co and author of the forthcoming book, Going Dry: A Practical Guide to Drinking Less and Living More. 

3. Do fitness activities in the morning.

Not drinking while traveling means you won’t have to worry about those morning hangovers. Take advantage of that by participating in fitness-related activities in the AM hours. Whether you go for a hike or book a class at a local boutique fitness studio, this is a great way to start your day on the right foot. 

One morning in Jackson Hole, I even went on a sunrise wildlife safari through Grand Teton National Park. I was bright-eyed and energized during the four-hour early-morning tour because I got a full, uninterrupted eight hours of sleep the night before (which isn’t possible when you drink alcohol).  

4. Take plenty of time for self-care.

A sober trip is the perfect opportunity to prioritize self-care. Take a gentle yoga class, sit out by the hotel pool with a good book, make an appointment at a spa for a facial or massage — the self-care opportunities are practically limitless. 

I felt rejuvenated after getting a wild river stone massage at the Four Season Jackson Hole’s luxe spa. Bonus: This gave me a much-needed chance to fully unplug from my phone for an afternoon.

5. Look for restaurants with nonalcoholic drinks.

So many restaurants offer zero-proof drinks these days, so do some research into what’s available at your travel destination before you go. Explore the menus of trendy restaurants to find your next favorite alcohol-free beverage. 

At The Bistro in Jackson Town Square, I had a refreshing cucumber mint mocktail made with Mahala, an alcohol-free spirit made from botanicals in South Africa.

6. Stay in touch with your support system.

Finally, as much as a sober trip offers the ideal opportunity to unplug, it’s important to keep in touch with your support system back home as needed — especially if this is your first time traveling sober and you’re finding it difficult.