“We should plan a girls’ trip!”
Those six words have the potential to kick off the best group chat ever. At least until someone asks the inevitable question:
“Okay, but where should we go?”
And suddenly, the group chat is 87 messages deep.
Someone suggests a spa. Someone else wants a city. One person wants to hike. Another wants to sit by a pool with a cocktail. There are flights to compare, budgets to consider, schedules that somehow never line up, and approximately 47 destinations that sound amazing until you actually start looking at the logistics.
Getting a group of women together in one place is an accomplishment all on its own. So when you finally make it happen, you want the destination to be worth it.
If you’re looking for girls’ trip destinations that offer great food, fun experiences, a little adventure, and plenty of time to catch up with your favorite people, I’ve got a few ideas.
Over the years, I’ve taken girls’ trips to some pretty amazing places, and five destinations in particular stand out. From desert adventures and buzzing nightlife to Southern charm and getting completely lost in nature. Each one offers a very different kind of girls’ getaway.
So if your group chat has officially reached the “WHERE ARE WE GOING?!” stage, here’s a little help narrowing it down.
1. Scottsdale: For the Girls Who Want a Little Bit of Everything
If your ideal girls’ trip involves being active in the morning, relaxing somewhere beautiful in the afternoon, and getting dressed up for an amazing dinner at night, Scottsdale is hard to beat.
This is the destination for the group that doesn’t want to choose between adventure and a little luxury. You can spend the morning exploring the desert and seeing those gorgeous saguaro cacti, then head out for a trendy brunch, before heading out for cocktails and a really good meal.
And honestly, that combination was one of my favorite things about our trip. We went from rugged desert scenery and outdoor adventure to a beautiful, elevated dinner all in the same day. It felt like two completely different vacations packed into one weekend.
Scottsdale is especially great if your group has a mix of personalities because there’s plenty to do without feeling like you have to spend the entire weekend doing the same thing.
Plan your trip: Scottsdale’s Ultimate Foodie and Adventure Girls Getaway
2. Austin: For the Girls Who Are Ready to Have Some Fun
There’s so much energy in Austin. Between the food, live music, trendy restaurants, shopping and nightlife, it’s the kind of city that makes you want to keep going even when your feet are telling you it’s time to go back to the hotel.
Our trip was all about diving into the food scene and soaking up that fun, slightly chaotic Austin energy. There’s something about being surrounded by live music and people who are clearly there to have a good time that makes it very easy to lose track of time.
And the best part? You don’t have to spend the entire weekend running around. We even managed to fit in a spa day, giving us some much-needed time to slow down and connect before heading back out for dinner and drinks.
Our trip was the perfect mix of amazing food, fun experiences, a little relaxation, and just enough exploring to get a feel for the city. If your group wants a girls’ weekend with enough variety that everyone can find something they love, Austin is your place.
Plan your trip: Ultimate Girls Weekend Getaway in Austin
3. New Orleans: For the Girls Who Want Food, History and a Little Jazz
New Orleans has a reputation for being a party destination, but there is so much more to the city than Bourbon Street and neon drinks.
If your idea of a girls’ weekend is getting dressed up for dinner, eating ridiculously good food, wandering historic streets, sipping cocktails in beautiful courtyards, and listening to live jazz, New Orleans can be surprisingly sophisticated.
But there’s also a slightly spooky side to the city that makes it even more interesting. Between the centuries-old buildings, mysterious stories, haunted history, and legendary ghost tales, there’s no shortage of fascinating (and slightly creepy!) things to discover. It’s the kind of place where even a simple walk through the French Quarter can leave you wondering what stories those old buildings could tell.
We got to experience the French Quarter in a way that felt more elegant and immersed in the history and culture of the city. Between the food, architecture, music, and those beautiful old houses, there was always something interesting around the corner.
And, of course, there was the food. Because apparently I can’t write about a girls’ trip without making sure you know where I ate.
If your group loves a destination with personality, incredible food, a little mystery, and plenty of history mixed in with the fun, New Orleans is a great choice.
Plan your trip: Classy Girls Weekend in New Orleans
4. Charleston: For the Girls Who Want to Slow Things Down
Charleston might be my pick for the girls’ trip where the goal is simply to enjoy being together.
It’s beautiful, walkable, charming, and full of the kind of restaurants and boutiques that make you want to wander around with absolutely nowhere you need to be for the next few hours.
This was the perfect setting for our Valentine’s weekend because everything felt romantic and pretty without being overly planned. We spent time walking the cobblestone streets, admiring the colorful historic homes, shopping, eating really well, and just enjoying the city from the streets and rooftop bars.
And sometimes that is exactly what you want from a girls’ trip.
You don’t necessarily need an itinerary packed from sunrise to midnight. Sometimes the best part is sitting across from your friends over a long brunch, wandering into a cute shop because something caught your eye, and realizing you’ve been talking for two hours.
Charleston is perfect for that kind of trip.
Plan your trip: The Perfect Charleston Girls Trip
5. Yosemite: For the Girls Who Want to Get Away From Everything
And then there’s Yosemite.
This is for the girls who would happily trade heels for hiking boots and a crowded city for mountain views.
Yosemite is a completely different kind of girls’ trip. There’s less shopping and nightlife and a whole lot more hiking, fresh air, waterfalls, massive granite cliffs, and time spent outside. It’s also a pretty great excuse to put your phone down for a while and actually be present with the people you came with.
The standout moment for me was simply standing together and taking in the sheer scale of the park. There are places in Yosemite that make you stop talking for a minute because the scenery is just that incredible.
And experiencing that kind of beauty with your best friends is something you remember long after the weekend is over.
If your group is craving an escape instead of another city weekend, Yosemite is the one.
Plan your trip: 5 Unforgettable Things to Do in Yosemite National Park
So… Which Girls’ Trip Is Right for You?
Now comes the hard part.
Because even when you’ve narrowed it down to five really good options, getting everyone to agree on one can feel like the real adventure.
Before someone books a nonrefundable flight because “it was such a good deal,” there are a few things your group should figure out first.
What does everyone actually want to spend? This is probably the least fun conversation, but also one of the most important. A girls’ trip is a lot more fun when everyone feels comfortable with the budget instead of quietly panicking every time someone suggests another expensive dinner.
How many nights do you have? A quick two-night getaway and a four-day long weekend can feel like completely different trips, especially when you factor in travel time.
How much travel is everyone willing to do? Are you looking for a quick direct flight and easy transportation once you arrive, or is everyone perfectly happy renting a car and making the journey part of the adventure?
And, most importantly, what do you actually want out of the weekend?
Do you want to eat your way through a city? Hike until your legs hurt? Sit by a pool with a cocktail? Shop, brunch, and wander? Stay out way too late listening to live music? Or maybe you just want uninterrupted time with your best friends somewhere beautiful.
Once you figure that out, choosing between all the amazing girls’ trip ideas becomes a whole lot easier. Whether you’re looking for a fun city escape, an adventurous weekend, or a relaxing getaway with your best friends, there’s a destination that fits your group.
So send this to the group chat, put the five destinations up for a vote, and see which one gets everyone the most excited.
Because the truth is, the destination is only part of what makes a girls’ trip great. The best part is getting a few of your favorite women in the same place, laughing until your stomach hurts, staying up way too late talking about everything and nothing (maybe even watching Dirty Dancing), and making the kind of memories that inevitably get brought up every time you’re together.
Now… who’s ready to start planning?
(I am!)
