There’s nothing more fun than a girls trip with your best travel friends. From bachelorette parties to reconnecting with long-time friends, a girls weekend always includes plenty of laughter. And we all know that’s good for the soul! If you’re looking for unique weekend getaway ideas, you’re in luck.
From the bright lights of Broadway to brunch with unlimited mimosas to the laid-back vibe of the Pacific Northwest, these trip ideas include a mix of bucket list experiences, art museums, wine tasting, nightlife and national parks for outdoor enthusiasts. Get your gal pals together and start planning!
Escape to the Desert in Palm Springs, California
With mid-century architecture, eclectic art museums, delicious food and poolside retreats, Palm Springs, California makes an ideal year-round girls weekend getaway.
For the adrenaline-seeking gal pals in your group, consider booking a four-wheeling adventure in the desert with Adventure Hummer. This self-guided adventure includes a virtual guide and a GPS to keep you from getting lost in the desert. The audio guides reach beyond directions giving you information about what you’re seeing along the way revealing unique attractions and the area’s history.
A short road trip outside of Palm Springs brings you to Joshua Tree National Park. Among the park highlights, Hidden Valley’s boulder fields, iconic Joshua trees and occasional wildlife sightings provide an excellent overview of the treasure in the park.
Nestled amid stunning mountain vistas, The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn provides an ideal place to stay during your girls weekend getaway. Situated near the Palm Springs Art Museum, this Mediterranean villa has everything you need for the perfect girls weekend. Spend the afternoon sunning poolside while sipping margaritas!
Celebrate the Art Scene, Food and Nature in Portland
Exuding the laid-back vibe of the Pacific Northwest, Portland lures foodies, art lovers, and adventurers in equal measure. A must-see for art enthusiasts, the Portland Art Museum claims the title as the oldest museum on the West Coast. For garden lovers, a stop at the International Rose Test Garden is a must.
While the food scene features plenty of delicious food in traditional restaurants, there’s nothing quite like the Portland food cart scene. With more than 500 food carts to choose from, Portland is a foodie’s dream. In particular, the city’s Southeast quadrant presents an international array of mouthwatering options including Viking Soul Food – a mix of Norwegian fare with a touch of Jamaican soul. Craft beer lovers will enjoy checking out Portland’s breweries.
Need to work off some calories? Embark on an outdoor adventure with your gal pals. Home to beautiful waterfalls and awe-inspiring vistas, the Columbia River Gorge provides the ideal day trip for hiking and mountain biking. Not to be missed, water plunges 620 feet from the dramatic two-tiered Multnomah Falls making it the tallest waterfall in Oregon.
Explore Austin and the Texas Hill Country
Situated in Central Texas with its own version of the Colorado River running through it, Austin delivers an experience unlike any other in the Lone Star state. From the opulent star-studded state capitol to an abundance of colorful murals to the live music spilling out of the bars on Sixth Street, Austin serves up fun – and a touch of weirdness – at every turn.
Austin’s 300+ days of sunshine enhance the city’s plentiful outdoor activities. Stroll or bike along the Butler Hike and Bike Trail, kayak or stand-up paddleboard in Lady Bird Lake or dip your toes into the Barton Springs Pool – a local favorite.
Enjoy a taste of Tex-Mex at Velvet Tacos where unique creations like the Chicken & Waffle Tacos and Grilled Salmon Tacos join the taco party. Don’t miss the Texas BBQ at Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood – a favorite of the Texas Hill Country.
Looking for nightlife? Take a stroll down Sixth Street and you’re bound to find your style of live music. Pop into Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar with all the bachelorette parties and sing along. For a quieter grown-up scene, start with a cocktail at Stephen F’s Bar & Terrace overlooking Congress Avenue with idyllic views of the historic Paramount Theater and the shimmering Texas State Capitol.
For a fun day trip, head to the hills to explore Texas Hill country where you’ll find small towns filled with unique boutique shops, wine tasting, scenic drives, and Saturday night dance halls. With over 100 wineries in the region, tasting rooms beckon wine lovers. Fredericksburg serves as the epicenter of the Texas Wine Country with more than 50 wineries, vineyards and wine-tasting rooms located in town and nearby making it an ideal addition to any girlfriend getaway.
Toast the Fruit of the Vine in California Wine Country
Looking for weekend getaway ideas for your wine-loving gal pals? It’s hard to beat the California Wine Country. From Sonoma Wine Country to the wineries and small towns dotting the Napa Valley, opportunities abound for toasting your best friends.
Check off a bucket list adventure while enjoying the sunrise in a hot-air balloon ride over Napa Valley. Take in the endless beauty of Napa Valley as you soar above the vineyards below. Foodies and aspiring chefs will enjoy bringing home a taste of Napa with a private group cooking class.
Known for its mineral-rich waters, the small town of Calistoga features several spas and resorts. Choose from casual to chic and indulge in a bit of pampering with mud baths, geothermal hot spring pools and massages.
Experience the Bright Lights of Broadway and More in New York
If brunch with unlimited mimosas, Broadway shows and a plethora of nightlife possibilities sit at the top of the bucket list for you and your girlfriends, then a girls weekend in New York is the way to go.
If you want to squeeze in a little sightseeing, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the Empire State Building, showcases views of the city’s skyline from its 82nd-floor observatory and even more incredible views from the 102nd floor. Observatory packages can now be purchased in tandem with the Empire State Building’s art deco-styled restaurant, STATE Grill and Bar. The package provides a skip-the-line VIP pass for the observatories. And, the pass is paired with a two-course lunch or three-course dinner on the ground floor. Packages are available at the Empire State Building Observatory and online via esbnyc.com.
Take the Metro-North commuter rail or rent a car for day trips from New York City to the Hudson Valley and you’ll discover an abundance of small towns packed with history, delightful art scenes, delicious food and nearby hikes to discover waterfalls and more.
Plan a Girlfriend Getaway to Florida’s Historic Coast
While Florida features an abundance of beaches to explore, why not combine beach time with a bit of history, architecture and a dynamic food scene? Florida’s Historic Coast delivers all of that and more, making it an ideal location for a girls trip. Florida’s earliest history unfolds in St. Augustine. Explore the Castillo de San Marcos – the oldest masonry fort in the continental US. Or, take a trolley tour to view the city’s magnificent architecture.
The waters surrounding Florida’s Historic Coast are teeming with seafood that you’ll find on menus at local restaurants. For a fun waterside dining experience head to The Conch House Restaurant on Anastasia Island. From shrimp and grits to market-priced fresh catch fish, The Conch House Restaurant at the Conch House Marina Resort features a delicious variety of entrees. The restaurant also hosts live music Thursday through Saturday.
For a unique culinary experience check out the Ancient City Cooking Experience. With a mission to create awareness of the year-round seasonally fresh foods, unique cooking styles and talented culinary experts in the region, Ancient City Cooking Experience serves up an educational, fun and delicious outing ideal for a girlfriend getaway.
St. Augustine also boasts four miles of protected beaches and year-round mild weather adding to its ranking as one of the best girlfriend getaways.
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