When you pick the right girls, few things in life are better than a girls’ trip. It’s the time to fully relax and unwind, put your feet up, and set all (or most) of your daily obligations to the side.
With a little preparation and a lot of pampering along the way, your next vacation could be the one that lives on in your mind forever. Together, let’s take a tour around the nation as we explore an array of restorative girls’ trip ideas.
1. Seattle, Washington
Seattle isn’t just the place to find your very own Tom Hanks. It’s also the place where girls can get away, dine on gourmet meals, sip coffee in quaint coffee shops, and explore Pike Place Market.
It’s also the prettiest land in the nation for a hike through a lush forest before returning home to your Airbnb to cook up a meal with all the supplies you bought at the Market that morning.
2. Portland, Oregon
Like Seattle, Portland has a way of tucking you into peaceful silence while also rolling out the red carpet when you want a little nighttime activity. This corner of the country is particularly special if you’d like to get a little hiking in since it’s nestled between the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
As if the peaceful hikes and gourmet nightlife weren’t enough, you’re also only one hour away from the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains. If you and your gal pals believe you can have it all, then Portland will help you reaffirm that belief.
3. San Diego, California
If, on the other hand, you’re more in the mood for glistening, golden sunsets than lush, green forests, head down to a surfer’s paradise. Consider taking a sea kayak out for a few hours or just luxuriating on the soft, sandy beaches all day.
San Diego, proper, has plenty of restaurants and shops to explore when you’re ready for something a little bit more. And its neighbor, La Jolla, is also worth the drive for a little retail therapy.
4. Napa Valley, California
Napa Valley is an easy sell for a girls’ trip. With some of the finest resorts in the nation, you can book into an all-inclusive dream spot, savor your room service, stroll down to the spa, and then be whisked away to various wineries throughout the day.
In our day-to-day lives, afternoon naps aren’t usually on tap. But, in Napa, you can do just that before getting dolled up to treat yourself to a delicious dinner in the best company in the world.
5. Oahu, Hawaii
This is another chance to roll out the red carpet in an all-inclusive resort. When all you have to do is saunter from your balcony to a chaise lounge, you know you’ve done something right.
Of course, the city of Oahu is worth touring. You also have Diamond Head that’s just waiting to steal your breath away. But, one of the best things about a girls’ trip to Oahu is that you hardly need to leave your suite to create what’s soon to be some of your favorite memories.
6. Whitefish, Montana
There’s a special slice of heaven near Whitefish – the Montana Treehouse Retreat. You simply must check it out. Run by a lovely couple, they’ve built the most spectacular retreat to tuck away for the weekend with the girls. You’ll feel like you’re living in a fantasy.
On the nights when you’re not having movie marathons and dance parties, you can take a ride into town to see if you might bump into a true cowboy or two. Since they tend to be true gentlemen, it could prove to be a unique experience that you’ll smile about when you remember your nights in Whitefish.
7. Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge, Colorado is another nice option for a snowy getaway. It’s a doable drive from Denver International Airport and it has so much on offer, whether you come in the winter, spring, summer, or fall.
Taking on the look of a snow globe, Breckenridge is smaller and quainter than the ever-popular Aspen or Vail. This is another nice chance to go all-inclusive or splurge on a chateau, set up a few ski and spa days, and dine in any number of their fantastic restaurants on Main Street.
8. Sedona, Arizona
When we think of sunrise and sunset, we often think of the beach. San Diego, for example, will wash your cares away in one, single sunset. But, have you ever thought about the way the light reflects off the red rocks in Sedona?
If you’re in the mood for a retreat of sorts, Sedona has oodles on offer. You could book a spiritual or yoga retreat with the ladies you trust the most in the world, and walk away with a renewed spirit. Either way, the breathtaking beauty all around will inspire a new appreciation for Mother Nature and all her healing powers.
9. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Artists unite in this unique city. If you’re a crafty bunch of girls, take your creativity to one of the meccas in the nation. You’ll savor some of the finest handmade jewelry, paintings, photographs, and pottery as you tour the countless boutiques and galleries.
One scan of the local Airbnbs reveals how lovely it would be to sink into that unique Pueblo architecture. Like Sedona, New Mexico has a very high likelihood of cooling down your anxiety, even in the midst of that hot desert sun.
10. Las Vegas, Nevada
Vegas isn’t just for gamblers, cigar smokers, and couples looking for shotgun weddings. It’s a fantastic place to watch a live show, enjoy top-shelf meals, and indulge in a little (more) retail therapy.
If you find a place right on the strip, you can allow the bright lights to dazzle you as you move from activity to activity throughout your crazy days and nights. While you’re there, if a gentleman or two wants to buy you ladies a drink while you’re sipping on your $13 martini, that’s better than any cash prize at the Black Jack table!
11. Nashville, Tennessee
Live music lovers unite in this musical mecca. You don’t even have to be a devout country music fan; you just have to love discovering rare talent in an eclectic bar with great apps and even better cocktails.
If Nashville gets a little too pricey in terms of Airbnb, its neighbor, Franklin, might have a few more options on deck. Both cities are clean, safe, and lively areas to toss all your cares away, see what it feels like to don a pair of cowboy boots, and dance the night away.
12. Austin, Texas
Austin is Lake Country. You don’t have to go too far to find a place to paddle in cool, blue waters. Interestingly, Texas also has a thriving all-inclusive resort scene. Here’s a sampling of the best ones, including some that are adults-only, if that’s what’s on the menu for this trip.
The restaurant scene In Austin has grown in leaps in bounds in recent years. Whether you’re in the mood for Ethiopian, authentic Mexican, Italian, or Japanese, you’ll find a highly-rated restaurant to savor — if you ever leave your resort, that is.
13. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans gives Nashville a run for its money in terms of the live music scene. Then, it probably edges out the competition when you factor in the cuisine. With some of the best seafood restaurants in the nation, you know that jambalaya is going to knock your socks off.
When you rise in the morning and enjoy a beignet near St. Louis Cathedral, you’ll know you did something right by booking this trip. To no surprise, the artist scene is also impeccable in New Orleans. So, don’t be surprised if you need to mail home a painting or two the day before you check out.
14. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is a Southern Belle. Savannah is the Southern Belle. The moment you drive down her streets, with graceful arches of oak trees ensconced in Spanish moss, you’ll see she’s a lady.
Filled with beautiful boutiques on Broughton Street, you can shop ‘til you drop and then luxuriate in any number of beautiful B&Bs. River Street also has a host of shops, restaurants, and ice creameries for you to enjoy, depending on how wild and crazy you’d like to get in this regal southern city.
15. St. Petersburg, FL
It’s possible that St. Pete’s is the coolest city in the state. With a burgeoning coffee shop culture, mom-and-pop bookstores, and some of the best eateries in the entire eastern seaboard, you ladies will shop (and eat) to your hearts’ content.
When you’re done taking in the downtown delights, you can head over to St. Pete’s Beach for a glowing West Coast sunset. Or, better yet, you can visit the next beach over, Sunset Beach, and see what actual magic is made of.
16. Virginia Beach, VA
If your gal pals are spread out across the East Coast, Virginia Beach makes for a nice middle ground. You’ll have a tough time choosing the best hotel or Airbnb because there are so many. Once you’re there, this city lends itself well to the type of people who like to have loose, flexible plans.
You might stroll the boardwalk one morning, choose a new restaurant at night, tour some of the historical Civil War sights nearby, or just spend a day in the Airbnb doing your toes and catching up on Outlander. They say Virginia is for lovers, and that cool, easy vibe is right on the money.
17. Asheville, North Carolina
Speaking of cool, easy vibes, Asheville has it in spades. This is another glorious East Coast mountain town just waiting to dazzle you. It’s also another place for the easy-going, fun-loving girls in your tribe.
Finding an Airbnb here will have no consequences because that glorious mountain scenery will be all around. Downtown also has a hip coffee shop/artist vibe that’s absolutely alluring. One afternoon, just for fun, you can take a tour around the Biltmore Estate to get some home decor ideas for the interior designers in your group.
18. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philly has a unique sort of grit that’s so fascinating. It’s probably because it melds American history with modern, urban amenities so well. As a walkable city, there’s plenty to take in, from museums and art galleries, to restaurants and coffee shops.
There’s a lovely little French restaurant on Rittenhouse Square called Parc where you can dine on Parisian delights without ever having to pay for a ticket to Charles de Gaulle. Be sure to dip into their charcuterie board and leave plenty of room for dessert.
19. New York, New York
You don’t have to be a Sex & the City or Friends aficionado to know Manhattan is where friends unite. You girls can unleash your prowess at any number of wine bars in Midtown, the Upper West Side, or the Lower East Side.
When you’re ready to indulge in a little retail therapy, you have Fifth Avenue with all the flagship stores for our favorite brands, as well as smaller boutiques in neighborhoods like Chelsea and Soho.
For more on how to make your NY dreams come true, enjoy this little guide: Unforgettable Experiences | Things to Do in New York.
20. The Hamptons, New York
If you’re looking for a summer getaway on the East Coast, you simply must indulge in an Airbnb with an ocean view in any one of the hamlets in The Hamptons. With calm, soothing waves on every beach and some of the cleanest, prettiest little downtowns to explore, you can’t go wrong, no matter which part of the Hamptons you choose.
To help you plan things just right, here’s a list of the eight best beaches. Not one of them will disappoint.
21. Boston, Massachusetts
For a smaller, yet still exhilarating, city experience, pack your bags and meet the girls in Boston. You can walk the historic, cobblestone streets in Beacon Hill which date back to 1795 before heading over to Faneuil Hall to stock up your Airbnb with gourmet goods, a la Pike Place Market in Seattle.
With harbor views, downtown delights, and some of the most sumptuous accommodations in the nation, Boston is an easy getaway to plan, thanks to its host of activities to suit every personality in your group.
22. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
What the Hamptons is to New York, Cape Cod is to Boston. It’s the place to rent a beautiful shiplap home on the water and let all the pressures of a career woman or mother wash away.
Woods Hole, in particular, is a special little corner of the Cape. It’s a smaller section with quiet streets, easy access to the beach, and delightful restaurants. You’ll probably want a car so you can drive around with the top down and soak in the true effect of the Cape. If you have a love for New England chowder and cool ocean breezes, this is the spot.
23. Bar Harbor, Maine
Like Seattle, Bar Harbor has a lot of forest walks on offer. Acadia National Forest is the place to go if you want to get lost in your hiking boots for the day. While there, see if you can find Bass Harbor Head Light Station. As the wind whips through your hair and all you hear are the gulls flying overhead, you’ll know your tension levels have dissipated.
Downtown, you’ll find cute little mom-and-pop bookshops and, of course, some of the freshest chowder this side of paradise. This, too, is an easy place to book a quaint, eclectic Airbnb that you’ll never find anywhere else in the world.
24. Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island, is the home to the Gilded Age. You won’t be able to get over the historic homes that line these streets. If you girls want a getaway where the hardest decision you have to make is what to stream on Netflix as you order in, you might want to watch The Gilded Age on HBO. History still lingers over these streets. The fact that it’s such a lovely harbor town ups the ante on all its delights.
25. Killington, Vermont
Like Breckenridge, Killington can provide the perfect winter getaway, whether or not you’re skiers. If you stay at Killington Mountain Resort, itself, there will be plenty of ways to rest, relax, and unwind. That said, you’ll have your pick between Killington Mountain and Pico Mountain ski resorts.
Since this is Vermont, however, you might want to be there in the fall when the leaves are bursting in abundant hues of orange and gold. If that’s the case, invite the ladies to pull out their hiking boots again because the walk down Thundering Falls Trail opens up to one of the most stunning cascades outside of the Garden of Eden.
It’s Time to Get Away With Your Best Gals
What do you say? Is it time to hit the pause button on your daily responsibilities and wander through a new city or town for a few days with your greatest support system?
Together, you can raise a glass to life, celebrate the fact that you found each other, and live in the moment while you can. Wherever you’re headed next, we have a destination guide prepared for you to ensure smooth sails and peaceful, happy times.