Let’s be honest – sometimes you just need to escape with your best friends. Whether it’s been a tough month at work or you’re celebrating a milestone, there’s nothing quite like packing your bags and hitting the road with your favorite people. As someone who’s spent the last five years exploring hidden corners of the US while working remotely, I’ve learned that the best memories often come from these spontaneous weekend adventures with my girlfriends.
From cozy mountain cabins where we stayed up too late sharing stories, to small coastal towns where we wandered through local shops and tried new wines, these short getaways have become our way of staying connected despite busy lives and different ZIP codes. They’re like mini-therapy sessions, but with better food and way more laughs.
Looking to plan your own girlfriend getaway? I’ve gathered some tried-and-true destinations from my own travels, plus asked fellow wanderlust-loving friends to share their favorite spots for the perfect weekend escape with the girls.
Palm Springs, California, USA
Palm Springs has long been a favorite escape for Los Angeles locals seeking sunny skies and desert views, but this Southern California oasis offers much more than just warm weather. The city’s mid-century modern architecture and design scene draws architecture buffs from around the country, while the surrounding Coachella Valley provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure. You can spend your days hiking through Indian Canes, relaxing at one of the many resort spas, or exploring the bustling downtown area filled with vintage shops and local restaurants. The aerial tramway offers cool relief from the desert heat, taking visitors up to Mount San Jacinto State Park where temperatures are typically 30 degrees cooler than the valley floor.
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Let your inner country music star shine in Nashville, the heart of Tennessee’s music scene. Start your day exploring the legendary Broadway strip, where live music pours out of every honky-tonk from morning till night. Head to the Country Music Hall of Fame to learn about your favorite artists, then catch a show at the Grand Ole Opry, where country music’s biggest names take the stage. For a tasty twist on your girls’ trip, join a food tour through East Nashville’s hip neighborhoods, sampling hot chicken and craft cocktails along the way. End your evening with rooftop drinks at one of the city’s music-themed hotels, where you can toast to friendship while overlooking the twinkling downtown lights.
Sedona, Arizona, USA
If you’ve never experienced Sedona, you’re in for a treat. Nestled among towering red rock formations in northern Arizona, this desert paradise offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and relaxation. The famous Red Rock State Park serves as your playground for hiking and mountain biking, while the town’s numerous spas and wellness centers provide much-needed pampering after a day on the trails.
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
I always recommend Charleston to friends looking for the perfect mix of Southern charm and city excitement. This historic coastal town in South Carolina combines cobblestone streets and antebellum mansions with modern restaurants and boutiques. From touring rainbow-colored houses on Rainbow Row to shopping at the City Market, you’ll find plenty of Instagram-worthy spots to explore with your girlfriends.
Napa Valley, California, USA
Treat yourself to the best of California wine country with a weekend escape to Napa Valley. Start your day with a hot air balloon ride over the rolling vineyards, followed by wine tastings at famous estates like Robert Mondavi and Beringer. Book a spa day at one of the many luxury resorts, where you can unwind with grape-seed oil massages and mineral pools. For a memorable dining experience, snag a reservation at The French Laundry, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant that’s perfect for toasting special occasions with your besties.
Miami Beach, Florida, USA
Many travelers head to Miami Beach for its famous South Beach scene, but this coastal paradise offers much more than just a place to work on your tan. The city blends art deco architecture with modern culture, creating a unique atmosphere where you can spend mornings strolling through colorful neighborhoods and afternoons lounging on white sand beaches. Along Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road, you’ll find excellent shopping, outdoor cafes, and plenty of spots for people-watching. While the nightlife draws party-goers year-round, the city also hosts major events like Art Basel and the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, making it an ideal destination for friends who want to mix relaxation with cultural experiences.
Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
Scottsdale draws visitors with its perfect mix of outdoor adventures and luxurious spa retreats, but this desert oasis offers so much more than just pampering and hiking trails. The city’s arts district features dozens of galleries and studios, while the surrounding Sonoran Desert provides endless opportunities for horseback riding and hot air balloon rides. Old Town Scottsdale keeps friends entertained with its mix of Western-style saloons, trendy wine bars, and boutique shopping. Whether you’re looking to relax by a resort pool, take a jeep tour through the desert, or explore the local food scene, Scottsdale makes an ideal destination for a girlfriends’ escape any time of year.
Austin, Texas, USA
My first visit to Austin was during a sweltering summer weekend in 2019. The Texas capital sits nestled along the Colorado River, where limestone cliffs meet rolling Hill Country terrain. Food trucks and live music venues line the streets of South Congress, while the hip East Side draws crowds to its craft breweries and taco joints. Lady Bird Lake cuts through the heart of the city, offering a cool respite with its tree-lined trails and paddle boarders gliding across the water. The city’s motto “Keep Austin Weird” comes to life in the eclectic mix of vintage shops, street art, and local characters who give this southern gem its charm.
Savannah, Georgia, USA
With its Spanish moss-draped oak trees and horse-drawn carriages rolling down cobblestone streets, Savannah feels like a city frozen in the 1800s. Just a few hours from Atlanta, this charming coastal town moves at its own gentle pace, where locals still gather for sweet tea on wraparound porches and weekend brunches stretch well into the afternoon. Because of its deep roots in Southern history, you’ll find elegant townhouses and perfectly manicured town squares around every corner, each with its own story to tell. The city’s connection to its past is so strong that many restaurants and bars occupy former cotton warehouses along River Street, where you can still feel the energy of its bustling port town days.
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Whenever friends ask where to go for a wild weekend away, I point them straight to Las Vegas. Right in the heart of the Nevada desert, this neon-lit playground packs in world-class shows, buzzing casinos, poolside parties, and some of the best restaurants you’ll find anywhere. From catching Cirque du Soleil performances to trying your luck at the Bellagio, or dancing the night away at clubs like XS and Omnia, Vegas keeps the energy going 24/7.
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Known as one of America’s liveliest cities, New Orleans mixes French, Spanish, and African influences into a cultural gumbo unlike anywhere else. Walking through the French Quarter, you’ll hear jazz spilling out of century-old bars while the aroma of freshly made beignets fills the air. But unlike other Southern cities, New Orleans moves at its own pace – slow and easy, like the Mississippi River that curves around it. Because of its unique history as a major port city, NOLA became home to countless immigrants who left their mark on everything from the food to the architecture. You’ll find Creole cottages next to Greek Revival mansions, and po’boy shops sharing streets with fancy French restaurants.
Cool Fact:
The birthplace of jazz boasts the oldest bar in America – Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar – which opened in 1772 and still operates by candlelight today. While strolling through the French Quarter, you’ll hear locals speaking Cajun French, a unique dialect that reflects the city’s rich French, African, and Caribbean cultural heritage.
Tulum, Mexico
Tulum is where I tell my girlfriends to go when they need that perfect mix of beach vibes and culture. Located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, this coastal town combines ancient Mayan ruins perched on seaside cliffs with white sand beaches and crystal-clear cenotes. The downtown area is packed with cute boutiques, open-air restaurants serving fresh seafood, and trendy beach clubs where you can sip coconut cocktails with your toes in the sand.
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is where southern charm meets bohemian spirit. Like many mountain towns, it has its share of outdoor activities, craft breweries, and local artisans. But unlike the others, it feels like a place where two worlds perfectly blend together. Just walk down the streets lined with Art Deco buildings, where traditional bluegrass music drifts from modern rooftop bars, and you’ll understand what I mean. Because of its long history as an artist haven, many creative folks have made this mountain city their home, and you’ll find indie galleries, street performers, and eclectic boutiques around every corner.
Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada, USA
I first visited Lake Tahoe on a spring weekend back in 2019, when the snow was just starting to melt off the Sierra Nevada peaks. Straddling the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is North America’s largest alpine lake, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the surrounding mountains like a mirror. Small towns dot the shoreline, from laid-back South Lake Tahoe to the upscale Incline Village, each offering their own charm and character. While winters draw crowds for skiing and snowboarding at Heavenly and Northstar, the warmer months transform the lake into a playground for kayaking, paddleboarding, and beach hopping. The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, perched mid-mountain at Northstar, offers perfect views of the pine-covered slopes and deep blue waters that seem to stretch endlessly into the horizon.
The Hamptons, New York, USA
The Hamptons is where New York’s elite escape for laid-back luxury and beach time, making it perfect for a girls’ getaway. Just a few hours from Manhattan, this string of charming coastal villages offers pristine beaches, upscale boutique shopping, and some of the best seafood restaurants on Long Island. You’ll find yourself sipping rosé at local vineyards, browsing farmer’s markets in Southampton, and spotting celebrities at beachfront cafes in East Hampton.
Interesting Fact:
Want to know where some of America’s wealthiest people spend their summers? The Hamptons, a string of seaside villages on Long Island’s South Fork, has been a favorite escape for New York City’s elite since the late 1800s, with beachfront mansions regularly selling for over $50 million and celebrity residents like Steven Spielberg, Paul McCartney, and Beyoncé calling the area home.
Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
Ever woken up to the scent of piñon wood burning in adobe fireplaces? That’s just a typical morning in Santa Fe, where centuries-old Native American culture meets Spanish colonial charm at 7,200 feet above sea level. The oldest state capital in America is a paradise for art lovers, with over 250 galleries dotting the historic Plaza and Canyon Road. You can spend your days browsing turquoise jewelry at the Palace of the Governors, where Native American artisans sell their wares, or soaking in natural hot springs at Ten Thousand Waves, a Japanese-inspired spa tucked into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The food scene is equally memorable – think blue corn enchiladas smothered in red and green chile (locals call it “Christmas style”) and fresh-baked biscochitos from century-old bakeries.
Key West, Florida, USA
Key West is where I send friends looking for a perfect mix of beachy vibes and quirky charm. Sitting at the southernmost tip of Florida, this laid-back island paradise offers colorful beach houses, fresh seafood spots, and the famous Duval Street – where you’ll find everything from open-air bars to local art galleries. Don’t miss the nightly sunset celebration at Mallory Square, where street performers and food vendors create an atmosphere that’s pure Key West magic.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
I always tell my girlfriends that Cabo San Lucas is where beach dreams come true. Located at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, this coastal paradise blends natural beauty with endless fun – from sailing around the famous El Arco rock formation to dancing at beachfront clubs. The clear waters are perfect for snorkeling with tropical fish, while the downtown area offers open-air restaurants serving fresh seafood and strong margaritas.
