- Studies have shown that girl getaways can help to decrease stress in women.
- Some of the best weekend getaways include a blend of relaxation and fun group activities.
- Cities across the United States offer a variety of fun activities that are ideal for girl getaways.
Getaways with your girlfriends are a great way to unwind and de-stress, as well as reconnect with friends during a busy season of life. According to a 2017 study published by researcher William Chopik, time away with friends can actually help your brain emit oxytocin, which are happy hormones.
Whether you’re planning a birthday getaway, a bachelorette party or a girls’ weekend just for fun, check out the ideas listed below before you plan your next getaway.
Bar Hopping in Nashville
Nashville is home to plenty of fun bars, taverns and honky-tonks. If you and your girlfriends are fans of country music, there are few getaways as fun as a tour of some of the city’s best hot spots. If you’re headed to Nashville, pay a visit to Broadway Street, where you can easily travel from bar to bar on foot. If you don’t know your way around Nashville, plenty of tours and bar crawls can show y’all some of the best spots in the city.
Shutterstock/Sean PavoneSurfing in San Diego
If you and your girlfriends are active and into adventure, why not head to San Diego and book some surfing lessons? Or, if you’re already avid surfers, check out some of the Pacific Coast’s best waves at San Diego beaches, such as Cardiff by the Sea or Del Mar. You can access a complete guide to the area’s best surf spots on San Diego’s official city website. When you’re not catching waves, take some time to check out the vendors, views and restaurants along the Mission Beach Boardwalk.
Shutterstock/Brandon MeansHorse Tours and Races in Lexington
Kentucky is well-known for having some of the best trails in the country for exploring on horseback. In Lexington, the Horse Capital of the World, plenty of tours are available for horse lovers visiting the area, including options offering both riding and farm tours where you can see legendary thoroughbred racing horses in person. Spend the second day of your girls’ weekend getaway betting on the races at the city’s iconic Red Mile Racetrack.
Shutterstock/Vladimir HodacSkiing in the Canadian Rockies
If you and your girlfriends have your valid passports in-hand and the budget for cross-border travel, take a winter trip to the Canadian Rockies for a weekend of skiing, snowboarding or tubing. Banff, Alberta is one of Canada’s most popular ski destinations. It features several high-end ski resorts and charming streets lined with shops and restaurants. If you’re looking for a quieter ski town, consider a trip to Whistler, Nelson or Fernie in British Columbia, Canada.
Shutterstock/Timothy YueClubbing in Miami
Miami is home to one of the country’s hottest nightlife scenes. If you and your friends enjoy dancing to salsa or electronic music, you’ll love spending the night out at one of Miami’s many nightclubs. During the daytime, the city has plenty going on to keep you and your friends busy. Bayside Marketplace offers a unique international shopping experience while the Miami Design District is a great place to spend the day if you want to enjoy a gourmet meal and do some luxury shopping.
Shutterstock/fotomakYachting in Cabo San Lucas
Located along the tip of the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, Cabo San Lucas is a popular resort destination — especially for younger adults. It also offers some beautiful scenic spots to visit while spending the day on a yacht, including El Arco, a unique sea cliff formation along Playa El Medano. While you’re in Cabo San Lucas, plan to spend a couple of nights with your girlfriends at one of the many all-inclusive resorts along the coastline, where you’ll be able to dine, drink and watch the area’s often enormous waves wash up on the shore.
Shutterstock/VaLifeOutlet Shopping in Seattle
Shopping is the ultimate girls’ trip activity and if you’re looking for some great deals, plan a weekend getaway in Seattle. The city is home to plenty of outlet shops, including designer and high-end brand-name outlets. Visit the Seattle Premium Outlets shopping center to find some of the city’s best deals on clothing and home goods from outlet stores such as Michael Kors, Burberry and Armani. While you’re in the city, pay a visit to the city’s famous Pike Place Market to check out some local artisans and fresh foods.
Shutterstock/David BuzzardMardi Gras in New Orleans
If you time your girls’ weekend getaway right, you can take in one of the biggest parties in the country by heading to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. This huge event takes place the day before Ash Wednesday each year, which typically falls between late February and early March. If you decide to head to Mardi Gras, be sure to plan ahead by booking your stay early and reading up on the rules and expectations for attendees.
Shutterstock/GTS ProductionsWine and Dine in Napa Valley
Napa Valley is famous for its wine, so why not gather your girlfriends and head straight to the source for a weekend of fun? Napa Valley has several towns and regions that all feature various wineries, restaurants, hotels and shops. Plan a day at a winery followed by a gourmet dinner at one of the area’s many restaurants, and follow it up with a day of shopping and exploring the beautiful sights that Napa Valley has to offer.
Shutterstock/FloridaStockShopping, Golfing and Sunshine in Palm Springs
Located in the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, California, Palm Springs is a resort town that’s known for its many golf courses, vintage shops and incredible restaurants. If you and your girlfriends are after a weekend of laid-back fun, Palm Springs is a great destination. Book one of the city’s boutique hotels for your stay, or reserve an AirBnB that fits everyone in your group, and spend your days shopping, golfing, swimming and soaking up the California sunshine. If you and your friends are up for an adventure, there are plenty of great spots located just outside of the city in the surrounding valley that are ideal for hiking and horseback riding.
Shutterstock/Isogood_patrickStaying on the Strip in Vegas
Las Vegas has long been known as the ultimate destination for a girls weekend away, and if you’ve been there, you already know why. The Vegas strip boasts something for nearly everybody, including an assortment of five-star restaurants owned by celebrity chefs. A typical day in Vegas can consist of shopping at designer stores at Fashion Show Mall, playing blackjack or roulette at a world-famous casino, taking in a stage show and finishing it all off dancing to music spun by world-class, internationally-known EDM artists.
Shutterstock/Sean PavoneMeditation and Relaxation in Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree is a national park in California that’s known for being a bit of a spiritual place for many people. This desert park is full of cacti and other succulents, and each of the hotels in the area gives visitors something unique to look forward to, with many providing smaller, more intimate accommodations than a traditional hotel. Joshua Tree is home to many yoga and meditation retreats that make for a very relaxing weekend getaway with the girls.
Shutterstock/Dennis Silvas
