Let me start this post by saying these are just a few tips I’ve put together for myself over the years.

I am a super type-A, mega-planner kind of a person, and that may not be everyone’s style.

This list is by no means comprehensive–many other folks have written great lists as well and I recommend reading different perspectives because what works for one person may not work for others.

Either way, I hope at least one or two of these tips will help you all as your travel and adventure sober!

In addition to just loving to travel, I was also required at one point to travel for work.

These are some of the things I do to gear up mentally to stay sober on trips for both work and pleasure.

• If possible, pick a hotel that doesn’t have a bar in it.
  • This tip is more for places outside of Vegas as here it’s nearly impossible to find a place without a bar, but there are a few (especially if you are okay with staying off the strip!) Homewood Suites, Best Western, Hampton Inn, Springhill Suites,  and Towneplace Suites are just a few options off the strip that aren’t connected to a casino and don’t have a bar inside.
    • On the subject of hotels, call ahead and see if your room has a fridge and/or microwave. If you’re traveling in such a way that you have a car, it can be an amazing help to stock up a few non-alcoholic beverages to have on hand for when you get a craving (both cold and hot if you got the microwave!)
• If you are staying in an urban area:
  • Research public transit
  • See what’s within walking distance.
  • Download Lyft or Uber before your trip so you have access to rides if you choose to travel outside the urban area you’re visiting
• If you’re not staying in an urban area with public transit, consider renting a car if you have the funds.
  • And actually if you are staying in Vegas and have the means, I would very much recommend renting a car. There is so much to do without alcohol here but usually involves a bit of driving 😉
• Do your research.
  • I like to see what local coffee shops are in the area (in case I get a late night urge to go out but don’t want to have the temptation to go to a bar!). I also check out local museums, hikes, and points of interest before I go. This helps me plan my trip so I don’t leave room for a night of drinking (which used to be the main focus of my travel…)
• If you are staying with friends, tell them ahead of time you aren’t drinking.
  • This has been the hardest thing for me as so much of my current travel has been to friends weddings. I bit the bullet recently and started telling my friends before the trip, “Hey, just wanted to give you a heads up I stopped drinking–just didn’t want you to think I was being rude if I don’t take you up on an offer for wine or beer with dinner”  Almost every single friend was supportive and even sensitive about this, planning ahead to have non-alcoholic drinks for me at the event 🙂
• See if there are local sobriety meet ups in the area you are traveling.
  • I also try and check instagram for sober hashtags in the area just to see what other folks are doing in that town that don’t involve alcohol
• Things outside of normal clothes/toiletries I pack to make me feel more comfortable (not sure if this will ring true for everyone, but I really like to have things that make me feel safe/comfortable/at home when I travel–it makes me less likely to drink if I feel this way in a new place):
  • Earplugs and Eyemask (for better sleeping at night)
  • Headphones (in case I want to listen to music or meditation at night)
  • Essential Oil (I’ll put some on my pillow or in the shower at the hotel)
  • Snacks (granola bars, nuts, fruit)
  • Extra Towels (anyone else ever feel like the hotel doesn’t have enough?!) And they can double as an in hotel room yoga mat if needed after they’ve been used.
  • Downloaded extra podcasts. I know this isn’t really a ‘thing’ but I always download a bunch of podcasts I’ve wanted to listen to for the flight/hotel room and it’s a kind of treat! Especially if there are sobriety/mindfulness podcasts I’ve wanted to listen to but haven’t had a long time to sit and listen.

Again, I know this list is by no means comprehensive, but it had been on my mind so I wanted to share!

What are the things you do to prep for traveling sober and what tips do you have?

Thanks for reading and happy sobering friends!