13 Girls' Trip Destinations Our Readers and Editors Love Most
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A few days spent laughing, relaxing, and reconnecting with the friends who've always supported you—that's the magic of a girls' getaway.
Whether you're organizing your first girls' trip or continuing a long-standing tradition, we've rounded up the best destinations for every budget, travel style, and region of the country. Each of these memorable, affordable getaways comes recommended by our editors alongside local travel expertswho help judge Good Housekeeping 's annual Travel Awards . Consider this the perfect excuse to gather your favorite people for some well-deserved time off.
1) Clearwater Beach, Florida
Go for:Relaxation
Good times:For a fly-and-flop girls' trip where you rarely leave the resort, look no further than the newish JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, which has multi-bedroom residences that sleep up to eight guests. With an Aperol Spritz in hand, reminiscing about your high-school or college shenanigans under beach umbrellas on a stunning private stretch of shoreline.
When you've had enough rays for the day, head to the spa for a sun-soothing body wrap or a massage. Dinner at the in-house seafood restaurant Latitude 28 doesn't disappoint. "The food was amazing and the spa was wonderful," says a Good Housekeeping editor who recently visited.
Getting there:Allegiant and Sun Country fly directly into St Pete-Clearwater International Airport from 60+ small to mid-size U.S. cities, including Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Louisville, Kentucky. Rideshare services are available from the airport and will get you to the resort in about a half-hour. If you live in New York City, Boston, Chicago or another larger city, you'll fly into Tampa International Airport, which is about 10 minutes further away.
2) Nashville, Tennessee
Go for:The live music and fun atmosphere
Good times:"Music just hits different in this town whether you walk into a corner bar and listen to the person performing or buy a ticket to the Grand Ole Opry stage," says a Good Housekeeping reader from Nashville. One of her favorite spots is The Listening Room Cafe, which showcases up-and-coming performers during lunch and dinner.
For your squad's shopping fix, she recommends a neighborhood known as 12South; it has one of the few brick-and-mortar locations of Draper James and Love Shack Fancy, plus many independent boutiques and restaurants. "There's something for every taste, every style and at any time of the day," she says. Studio Two King rooms at the Noelle Nashville are the perfect home base for a party of four. Located downtown near the legendary Ryman Auditorium (another amazing concert venue), the property has a hidden speakeasy and a restaurant from celeb chef Richard Sandoval.
Getting there:The newly renovated Nashville International Airport offers flights from 100+ U.S. cities (and growing!) and is less than a half-hour's drive from downtown.
3) Newport, Rhode Island
Go for:Sailing
Good times:Pile in a yacht that sailed in the America's Cup to embark on a racing adventure of your own. America's Cup Charters assigns each passenger a position on the yacht and allows them to practice their task before going head-to-head with another vessel. Whether or not your squad wins bragging rights, "the experience is unforgettable," says a Good Housekeepin g reader.
Other memorable must-dos in town include the Cliff Walk (a 3 1/2-mile coastal path) and tea service at one of the Newport Mansions. Girl groups of two or three can pile in the Hydrangea suite at The Cliffside Inn, a boutique hotel with thoughtful touches like French Presses ready for your use. The new Island House Newport accommodates up to eight guests in its Grand Suite penthouse, and the introductory prices are sensational.
Getting there:You can fly into Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport from directly from 38 destinations, including Chicago, Dallas and New Orleans. It's about a half-hour from the airport to Newport. Live in the Northeast? Look into taking the Amtrak train to the Kingston, Rhode Island station, and then rideshare about 20 minutes to Newport.
4) Napa Valley, California
Go for:Wine tastings, rolling hills and spectacular food
Good times:Check into Carneros Resort and Spa, a stunning home base for your Napa adventures. Freestanding cottages, which sleep up to six, have a stylish farmhouse vibe, private front porch and backyard garden with a sundeck. You can drink wine out there and talk for hours.
But since you are in Napa, you need to get out to a couple of wineries and see the gems for yourself. You can hit a couple in a single afternoon (and soak up the scenery) on the Napa Valley Wine Train or pick one to visit per day. Castello di Amorosa, in a 14th-century Tuscan-style castle, is delightful; be sure to book a tasting and estate tour.
Getting there:The closest major airport to Napa Valley is Oakland International. If you can get a direct flight there from your hometown (Atlanta, Denver and Austin are among the cities with nonstop service), go that route. San Francisco International Airport is a smidge further and way more crowded than Oakland, but for a direct flight, it's worth it. From either spot, you can rent a car and drive about 90 minutes north to Napa or use a rideshare app.
5) Savannah, Georgia
Go for:Southern hospitality and ghosts!
Good times:Follow up a Good Housekeeping reader who recently went to Savannah to celebrate her 40th birthday with her elementary school besties. They stayed in a vacation rental in the historic district along a cobblestone street and not far from stunning manicured gardens.
"We started out with a hop on/hop off bus tour to get a feel for the city and determine what we wanted to explore the next day," she says. "That's how we found The Olde Pink House, a charming restaurant!" She also recommends the "vintage chic" Little Duck Diner and a night-time ghost tour because Savannah is known as "America's most haunted city." Or you could try a ghost tour and pub crawl combo.
Getting there:Fly into Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, about 10 miles from the city's historic district. The budget airline Allegiant flies there directly from several mid-size cities, including Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Tampa. Overall, the airport offers nonstop flights from 30+ U.S. cities.
6) Scottsdale, Arizona
Go ror:Spa-Hopping!
Good times:Experiencing three or four spas on a long weekend trip to Scottsdale is a thing, and we're here for it. In between, browse the artsy boutiques in the Old Town neighborhood and toast your friendship at one of its eight wine-tasting rooms.
Stay at a vacation rental, and hit up all the trendy spa hotspots in town, like Joya Spa at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia. Book a treatment (the white tea tree and ginger body experience sounds dreamy) and linger for the day in common spaces, including the resort pools.
Another idea: Purchase a spa pass for one of the famous wellness-focused resorts from ResortPass, a Good Housekeeping Family Travel Awards winner. For $75-$100, you'll have all-day access to the relaxation lounge, sauna and other blissful features—no treatment necessary.
Getting there:Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport from 120+ destinations, a convenient choice for besties who are scattered around the country. From the airport, it's about a 20-minute drive to Scottsdale.
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7) Denver, Colorado
Go for:A mix of mountain and city adventures
Good times:If your girl squad would rather hop on a hiking trail than a wine trail, Denver is the place for you. Hike at Red Rocks Park, check out art displays in the RiNo District, brunch downtown and kayak in Evergreen Lake, all within a 30-mile radius. Be sure to stop by Washington Park —which many refer to as Denver's Central Park — for a picnic.
If downtown isn't really your scene, the Cherry Creek neighborhood boasts a variety of boutiques, bars and restaurants without the busy city feel. Stay in a cheeky themed rooms (like Chick Flick or Barbie) at The Curtis Hotel if you're with just one bestie. For classy vibes and suites that sleep four, try Limelight Denver.
Getting there:Did you know that Denver's airport is actually the third busiest in the US? It boasts nonstop flights from 200+ destinations, making the city a good meeting spot for friends who are coming from all over the country. Rent a car to make the 25-mile drive into downtown Denver and easily get to the outdoorsy spots nearby.
8) The Palm Beaches, Florida
Go for:A girly girls' weekend
Good timesIn the land of Lilly Pulitzer, you can create a entire itinerary that aligns with the aesthetic. Besides shopping at the OG Lilly flagship location on Worth Ave in Palm Beach, you can also take a Lilly-inspired cookie decorating class from a Food Network champ. Stay at The Colony Palm Beach, known for its pink facade and cutest 4-person suites that have custom furnishings and artwork that will have you dreaming of Lilly. Beach butlers will cater to your needs.
Getting there:If you live in one of the dozen or so U.S. cities—including Nashville, Buffalo and Baltimore—with direct service to Palm Beach International Airport, you've got it made. Otherwise, your best bet will likely be Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which is about an hour's drive from Palm Beach.
9) New Orleans, Louisiana
Go for:Jazz and beignets
Good times:The party vibes are strong in NOLA. "Frenchmen Street has the best jazz clubs," says a reader who recently stayed at the nearby Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans with her girlfriends. "I also really just love the French Quarter — the Cat's Meow was our favorite karaoke bar." Their itinerary included rooftop drinks at Hot Tin, "breakfast recovery hangs" at Molly's Rise and Shine and beignets at Cafe du Monde. For a lodging option with lots of character outside of the French Quarter, try The Pontchartrain Hotel. It's easy on the budget and has a jazz club on the premises.
Getting There:Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport offers direct flights from 50+ U.S. cities; nonstop flights from Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Portland, Oregon; and New Haven, Connecticut were recently added.
10) Las Vegas, Nevada
Go for:The nightlife
Good times:If you want to re-capture your college days of partying way past midnight, go to Vegas! Nightclubs typically stay open until the wee hours of the morning, and many popular resorts (such as the Park MGM Las Vegas and Resorts World Las Vegas) have one right on the premises. Sleep in late (we love the Four Seasons ) and then get your crew over to the Sphere, which is probably the coolest attraction in town now. Grab dinner at Bazaar Meat by José Andrés—he's the chef behind World Central Kitchen, the charity that helps feed people in disasters.
Getting there:Fly into Harry Reid International Airport and grab a rideshare to your hotel. The hotels on the Vegas strip are less than three miles from the airport.
11) Chicago, Illinois
Go for:Broad appeal
Good times:Chicago offers something for each girl in your group, leaving everyone satisfied after their trip. Theatre buffs can see a Broadway show, museum-goers will relish the Art Institute of Chicago and shoppers can explore the stores along The Magnificent Mile. Fresh from a glow-up, the Hyatt Regency Chicago—right on the Chicago Riverwalk—is a convenient home base. Nearby, 360 Chicago is a trendy place to enjoy a craft cocktail while taking in the city's views from 1,000 feet up.
Getting there:The Windy City has two airports: O'Hare International and Midway International, so there's usually an abundance of flights from most U.S. cities.
12) Portland, Oregon
Go for:Thrifting and flowers
Good times:The Portland vintage scene is off the charts, and when you combine a shopping haul with a visit to an incredible bookstore and meandering around a rose garden, it adds up to girls' trip gold. A great first stop is Portland's House of Vintage in the city's Hawthorne neighborhood. Your group could spend hours scouring the massive market that features items from 60 vendors. I Want Seconds (plus-size resale) and Artifacts: Creative Recycle are other cool shops in the area. "Cute lunch spots have popped up between all the vintage shops so you can re-fuel and shop some more," says a Good Housekeeping editor.
Another day, plan to explore the free International Rose Test Garden
(pictured) which boasts more than 600 varieties of roses. If any of the girls in your group are engaged, they'll score major bouquet inspo. Finally, a trip to Portland wouldn't be complete without stopping at Powell's City of Books
, the world's largest independent bookstore. Stay at the Heathman Hotel
, which offers one-bedroom suites that sleep four, free bike rentals and a library in the lobby.
Getting there:Fly into Portland International Airport (PDX), which offers nonstop flights from major cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The airport is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Portland, and the MAX light rail provides an easy connection if you'd rather skip the rental car.
13) San Francisco, California
Go for:Historic landmarks
Good times:Check into the Fairmont San Francisco , a property that has been wowing guests since 1907. The large lobby gives you another space to mingle with the girls and check out the historical displays and photos that highlight the Beaux Arts landmark's storied history. Once you get settled, head to Golden Gate Park to visit the exquisite Japanese Tea Garden and, if you're lucky, enjoy a concert. A Painted Lady Tour in glammed-up VW Wagons takes you to see the city's colorful historic houses. Make a reservation at The Post Room in Union Square for a memorable meal surrounded by stunning architecture.
Getting there:Chances are, you'll be able to score a direct flight into San Francisco International Airport, which is about a 30-minute drive from the Fairmont.
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