For an easy-to-reach domestic destination that promises endless year-round sunshine, a pastel color palette, and palm tree-dotted beaches, head to Palm Beach, Florida. Fly into Palm Beach International Airport, and within minutes, you'll cross the bridge to one of the wealthiest yet most approachable zip codes in America — a town beloved for its history and hidden gems. The Colony Hotel, located just steps from Worth Avenue, the Rodeo Drive of the East Coast, is picture-perfect. For a more luxurious option, splurge on a stay at The Breakers, a glamorous resort dating back to the Gilded Age. Just across the Intracoastal Waterway, West Palm Beach offers more of a downtown feel. Stay at the Hilton West Palm Beach, where yoga, brunch, and District Fit wellness weekends make for the ideal girlfriend getaway, or The Ben, a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel inspired by the pioneering spirit of old Florida. Spruzzo on the rooftop is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Make it a spa weekend at Ojo Santa Fe, a lush, 70-acre mirage of sorts tucked into the desert of Santa Fe, New Mexico. For a rejuvenating trip with your girlfriends, plan to relax in the resort's outdoor soaking tubs and dine on farm-fresh meals during your all-inclusive stay. You can also look forward to accommodations in an adobe-style casita and daily wellness-centered activities such as yoga and meditation, horticulture, culinary and art classes, and even puppy play time.
If you've ever dreamed of driving California's scenic Pacific Coast Highway, consider doing it with your girls. You can drive the entire West Coast from San Diego to Seattle (though with more than 20 hours of driving, you might need more than a weekend), or just pick a particularly Instagram-worthy stretch, like Los Angeles to San Francisco, which clocks in at around six hours. You can book seats or sleeper cars and disembark in places like Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Monterey along the way.
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Already trekked the West Coast? Amtrak has an East Coast equivalent to its Coast Starlight adventure: the Silver Service/Palmetto route from Miami to New York City. You can stop in charming Southern cities, historic towns, and major hubs along the way; the route hits West Palm Beach, Orlando, Savannah, Charleston, Raleigh, Richmond, Baltimore, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and many more before arriving in the Big Apple.
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There's nothing like a good theme to elevate a weekend getaway with the girls. Thanks to Airbnb, you can rent celebrity homes, like the Mexico mansion of Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith and Sonny and Cher's Hollywood-area bungalow in the trees. If you and your girls have been to every tour since the '70s, taking your super-fandom a step further by staying in Cher's bungalow only seems right.
If you're dreaming of a tropical island vacation that requires no passport, consider the Florida Keys. From Key Largo to Key West, home of the southernmost point in the continental United States, this destination is packed with easygoing vibes and plenty of relaxing sea breezes. Book a stay at Bungalows Key Largo, an all-inclusive property populated by stand-alone bungalows; Isla Bella Beach Resort, where every room on the private 24-acre property has an ocean view and oversized outdoor terrace (perfect for lounging with your girls); Playa Largo Resort & Spa, a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel where you can kayak, parasail, snorkel, paddleboard, or learn to sail; Baker's Cay Resort, a Curio Collection by Hilton property; or Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, the only private island resort in the U.S.
If you and your girls are up for an adventure, head to the Cayman Islands. Grand Cayman is a quick flight from Miami, and you can fit scuba diving, kitesurfing, sailing, and swimming with stingrays all into one weekend. Stay at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa on Grand Cayman or Southern Cross Club on Little Cayman and get ready for a tropical take on girl time.
Savannah, Georgia, is a favorite destination for its food, history, and, of course, irresistible Southern charm. Perry Lane Hotel serves as the perfect weekend launch pad, since it's walking or biking distance to highlights like the Riverwalk, Leopold's Ice Cream, Forsyth Park, Plant Riverside District, and more. Plus, the hotel provides complimentary bicycles to guests. Of course, you can't go to Savannah without dining at The Olde Pink House, but The Grey, a restaurant and bar in a repurposed Greyhound bus station, is another solid option.
Nevada is chock-full of Wild West road trip routes, but the Free-Range Art Highway from Reno to Las Vegas only takes about seven hours, so it's easy to accomplish in a weekend, and you'll pass bizarre roadside art, wide-open deserts, and the ghostly remnants of Gold Rush-era boom towns. Spend the night at the (haunted) Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah, and make sure to include spots like La Casita, the International Car Forest of the Last Church, Happy Burro (for memorable chili), Rhyolite, and the Goldwell Open Air Museum on your weekend road trip itinerary.
When it comes to putting together an action-packed weekend, you couldn't ask for a destination that offers more to do and see than New York City. Do yourselves a favor and grab a CityPass, which comes with entry to five of New York's top attractions, but also make time for activities like walking the High Line, biking through Central Park, indulging on pizza, and catching a Broadway play. Stay in the heart of the action at Renaissance New York Times Square, which offers a stellar location with views of the flashing neon signs of Times Square.
Just a few minutes outside of Washington, D.C. sits one of the most charming cities in America: Alexandria, Virginia. Alexandria has history dating back to 1749 and is the hometown of first U.S. president George Washington. Stay at Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria, located just off the main drag of King Street, and hop on and off the free King Street Trolley to explore the historic district. Your girls will love snapping photos in front of the Spite House and Captain's Row, grabbing cocktails at The People's Drug and Captain Gregory's (a speakeasy tucked into a donut shop), and walking the waterfront with a view of D.C. across the Potomac River.
Want to let your hair down and enjoy a vacation with your girls without having to bother with planning, logistics, budgeting, and coordinating schedules? Booking a cruise is a seamless way to get your group on board and make sure everyone's happy — plus, food, drinks, and a wide range of activities are included. Short cruises are available year-round and head to destinations ranging from the U.S. to the Caribbean, Mexico, and even Europe. Check itineraries from cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Virgin Voyages, which have a classy feel tied with a youthful verve, ideal for a fun-loving group of ladies.
No place packs a sizzle quite like Miami, Florida, and your girls will love the contrast of sunny beaches and energetic nightlife. If you want to get the most out of your trip, go in August — it's hot, yes, but it's also the only month when there's an overlap between Miami's spa, restaurant, and hotel months. You can stay in five-star hotels, indulge in luxurious spa treatments, and dine at Miami's best restaurants for an approachable price.
If your girls love a mix of outdoor adventure, amazing food, and city living, then Charlotte, North Carolina, is an ideal weekend getaway option. Head to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, an official Olympic training site and home of the world's largest man-made whitewater river. Here, you can grab a $75 day pass for unlimited access to activities like rock climbing, bouldering, zip lining, kayaking, yoga, stand-up paddleboarding, and whitewater rafting, all spread across the 1,300-acre complex.
Whether your group is after a lively party scene or simply wants to unplug, Tulum delivers. You can check out one of the cenotes, explore Mayan ruins, indulge in an outdoor spa day, or just relax near the ocean. Plus, you'll be able to fill up on fresh fruits, juices, and tasty Mexican cuisine, complete with margaritas straight from the source. When it comes to accommodations, Papaya Playa Project and Nômade are super-photogenic favorites.
Located on Colombia's Caribbean coast, Cartagena is a relatively short direct flight from many destinations in the U.S., yet you'll feel as if you've touched down in another world entirely. Expect colorful streets, amazing food, and nights spent salsa dancing, plus artisan goods to shop and beautiful beaches to explore. Wander the walled Old Town with your group and you'll quickly understand Cartagena's appeal.
If you're departing from the East Coast, spending a long weekend in London is more practical than you'd think — a nonstop flight from New York, for example, takes as little as six and a half hours. It might be a whirlwind weekend, but the chance to squeeze in a walk over the Tower Bridge, an elegant afternoon tea, the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, and hearing the tolling bells of Big Ben with your girls is more than worth it.
With many direct flights available from the U.S., the coastal Portuguese capital of Lisbon is doable in a weekend. A flight from New York takes around six and a half hours, and you'll touch down in a world of wine, rich culture, appealing architecture, and picturesque beaches. Ride the trams, explore Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, walk Pink Street, and snack on all the pastel de nata you can handle.
The capital of Rhode Island, Providence, has a lot to love, including Plant City, the world's first plant-based vegan food hall, and WaterFire, an awe-inspiring downtown celebration that involves dramatic fire and art displays along the Providence and Woonasquatucket rivers. Providence has a big-city feel with many trendy bars, restaurants, and hotels, yet is far more laid-back than your typical urban break.
You and your girls can don matching Mickey ears and hop between Disney's four parks for the weekend, or opt for adrenaline-filled thrills and Harry Potter magic at Universal's parks (or both). Stay in one of the many Disney-sanctioned properties with easy access to the parks, such as Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, and relax at your resort in between park visits. Dine at Disney Springs just outside the parks — Wine Bar George has girls' night written all over it — or Bigfire at CityWalk, which connects Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure, for a buzzy late night on the town.
