You don’t need to wait for a birthday, engagement, or holiday to take your next girls trip. The only excuse you need for getting away is that… life is hard. Sometimes the best form of self-care is to take a step outside of your day-to-day reality, and head out of town with your friends to unwind. Here are 12 destinations for a girls weekend getaway that are sure to help you chill.
This sleepy Western town is best known for its stunning landscapes. The red rocks and mountainous views are any hiker’s dream come true. Breathe in the fresh air as you and your girls get some exercise while enjoying the peace of the trails. Spring is the best season to enjoy fully bloomed flowers against the rust-toned backdrop, but you’ll find ideal temperatures in the fall.
In the city, there is a quaint selection of bars and restaurants. The club scene doesn’t really hold a place here, but if you’re looking for quiet cocktails and quality food, you’ll be right at home. And of course, after hiking all day, you have to visit one of the many luxurious spas to complete the relaxation process.
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Montauk is nestled all the way out at the point of Long Island. Its gained quite a bit of popularity over the years with New Yorkers, but it retains the small town charm you’d expect. The nightlife is balanced with a pleasant beach vibe that you would see in a Nicholas Sparks movie about a surfer boy winning the heart of a Hamptons princess.
The beaches are ideal for lounging, surfing, and grabbing a bite to eat. Speaking of eating, you have to try the seafood while on this East Coast island. Almost anywhere is great, but the atmosphere and food at 668 The Gig Shack is satisfying in every way.
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North Carolina is normally a beach town destination, but just a few hours from the beach is the tranquil Asheville in a valley between two national parks. There are plenty of outdoor activities to fill your weekend girls trip, from scenic waterfall hikes to white water rafting to ziplining. Become one with nature as you soak in all of the outdoor glory that Asheville has to offer.
The craft beer scene has also gained quite a bit of traction here. There is a broad selection of unique breweries to visit, each with their own personality. For my wine lovers, you have to visit the Biltmore Winery for a few glasses (or bottles.)
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Boston is overflowing with historical and colonial charm. There are so many things to see, do, and learn. You should book a tour or two to absorb Boston’s rich past, but exploring on your own will be equally intriguing. A self guided walk along the Freedom Trail could take an entire day in itself, as you wander in and out of shops and bars, amid admiring the plentiful landmarks.
Something that surprises many people is that Boston offers the most delectable Italian food. The North End is home to authentic Italian eateries and pastry shops. After a full day of walking this city, I’d say you girls have earned a hearty pasta bowl followed by cannolis.
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Vermont is the go-to snowy spot for a ski trip that looks like the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie. The views are stunning and the ski resorts are so cozy you may not even want to head out to the slopes. If you’re not an avid skier, there are plenty of other options, like snowshoeing or tubing.
Stowe also has an endearing downtown area where you’ll find local jewelry shops and art galleries.If you’re willing to splurge a bit, Stowe also has decadent spa resorts that will enchant everyone on your girls trip.
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Alright, party people. This one’s for you. Austin has lit up as one of the go-to spots for bachelorette parties and girls trips. It’s considerably busy, but also exceptionally beautiful. The energy is contagious and there is a long, long list of bars to drink the night away.
The crowd is young and lively, with a slight overcast of hipster. And, like most cities on this list, the food is to die for. Last but not least, Austin has some of the most Instagrammable spots in the South.
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Home to Bravo’s ‘Southern Charm,’ Charleston has much more to offer than old money and mansions on plantations. Palm trees dot the streets of southern history where everything seems to slow down just a bit. Expect plenty of inns and bed and breakfasts to accommodate you with hospitality that will instantly put you at ease.
This city has a multitude of things to do, allowing you to create the type of girls trip you want. Shopping and spas, museums and tours, beaches and bars… you name it, they’ve got it. Charleston is also full of some of the friendliest locals in a tourist town.
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Once you visit Denver, you may never want to leave. As one of the more progressive cities in the U.S., there are so many characteristics about this town that you may have never experienced before. Its modern mentality is sure to delight your group of girls. Downtown is a hip scene full of organic eateries, authentic breweries, and farmer’s markets. The city comes alive at night with live music and vibrant energy.
A non-negotiable stop is a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater. It is an iconic outdoor music venue surrounded by boulders and provides a one-of-a-kind acoustic experience. A smart move would be to schedule your trip around a performance that you all would love to see.
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This might not be the first city that comes to mind for a girls trip, but its an intimate southern town that is easy to get to from the surrounding states. There are some real hidden gems here, like the downtown mural scene and eclectic boutiques.
Downtown has a vintage feel with homegrown breakfast and sandwich shops, whose appeal lies in the simplicity. And of course, horses and bourbon are plentiful in Kentucky. This won’t be a wild trip that has stories you can’t tell your mom about, but it will be a classic old world escape. Mint juleps, anyone?
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Get ready for a heavy dose of exactly what you need. Savannah is the ultimate weekend getaway, where you can find an animated bar scene or step back in time with the historic homes. It’s the kind of place that just makes you feel happy to be there. But be careful, the heat can get intense in the summer months.
The accommodations here are jaw-dropping. The ornately decorated boutique hotels are begging to be photographed. Wandering around Savannah will leave you lusting for more time to spend there. Make sure to stroll through one of the parks to revel in the iconic Southern Live Oak trees.
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Does anything sound more enticing than wine country? You can’t help but to enjoy yourself while immersed in the land of vineyards and vino. There are several options for where to indulge yourself, and each one has its own attractive qualities. My advice is to start at one winery and make your way through the list (just take it easy on the tastings!)
Take a break from tasting wine and explore the chic cafes and boutiques in town. Stay in a cute cottage to really get the full experience of being out in the countryside. Let yourself fall in love with the unrivaled California dream.
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Road tripping to Canada is definitely worth getting your passport for. Depending on where you live in the U.S., Banff could be even closer to you than some of these other domestic cities. I recommend a winter getaway for this destination, because the cabins and snowy peaks are almost too captivating to believe.
The epic national park rivals the beauty of Swiss mountain tops with waters so blue your friends won’t believe you didn’t use a filter on your Instagram post. A fun activity for you and the girls is to take a helicopter ride for bird’s eye views of the majestic scenery. The town has plenty of taverns and bistros that you can venture into for a hot chocolate and comfort food that will warm you down to your soul.
Image courtesy of @visit.banff via Instagram
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