The Best Trips to Take with Your Girlfriends

Magic City Living

There's even more to the "Magic City" than meets the eye. Spend most of your time outside at Railroad Park, Regions Field for a ballgame, or Pepper Place Market on Saturday mornings, or crossing off titles on the rockstar lineup of restaurants. Meander between downtown Homewood, Mountain Brook Village, English Village, and Avondale to see the best of the city.

A perfect Saturday? Start with brunch at The Essential, head to Ghost Train or Back Forty for one of Birmingham's signature brews, enjoy the weather at Railroad Park or the stunning Botanical Gardens, and then make sure to hit one of Frank Stitt's places, particularly Chez Fonfon (get the coconut cake!), or one of Chris Hasting's, such as Ovenbird. 

Horse Country Escape

In Lexington, you're right in the heart of Horse Country, the Bourbon Trail, and everything else downtown Lexington has to offer. Dudley's on Short is a must-hit brunch spot, and the deviled eggs are heavenly. 

Spend your days right outside of town touring horse farms and meeting Kentucky Derby winners, as well as famed distilleries such as Woodford or Buffalo Trace before heading back into town to enjoy more urban pursuits. The Distillery District boasts restaurants and bars worth a visit. 

Harbor Town Haunt 

For a laidback girls' trip, look no further than this funky beach town. A harbor town at heart, this spot has come a long way since pirates ruled the roost. Think more along the lines of old-fashioned ice cream parlors, a charming French restaurant in a tiny house, called Le Clos, and The Palace Saloon, Florida's oldest bar that stayed open through Prohibition.

Depending on the time of year, you might get lucky enough to hit it during one of the town's various festivals. Round out your trip with a jaunt along the area's gorgeous beaches and lush wildlife.

Antique Adventure

This tiny Texas town is full of quirky surprises, which makes it perfect for a group that wants to blaze a trail and try something new. For starters, people from all over come into town twice a year for the biannual outdoor antiques fair that is basically an antique diver or flea market finder's dream. If you act quick, reserve one of The Silos at 159's rentals, which have fashioned Anthropologie-worthy tiny abodes from old converted silos. 

Beyond the booths, you'll find year-round shops like Junk Gypsy and Humble Donkey Studio that will send you home with plenty of unique finds. But really, you can't leave without gathering the gang and heading to Royers Round Top Café, where pie is the star. 

Virginia Wine Country

This spot is just the thing for a group that wants R&R with a side of stunning views and lowkey activities. Located in the middle of historic sites like James Madison's Montpelier and wineries along the Monticello Wine Trail, Orange makes a proper home base. 

Stay at the Inn at Willow Grove, an inn owned by couple Charlene and David Scibal. If you can drag yourself out of the plush accommodations, join the folks visiting nearby Shenandoah National Park, especially if traveling during peak fall color.

Do the Carolina Shag

Myrtle Beach is practically made for running around with your girlfriends like you're 18 again. We'd be remiss not to mention the most iconic pastimes. Head to The Bowery for the house band after getting the local-favorite She Crab Soup at oceanfront spot, Sea Captain's House. Another famous spot to dance the Carolina Shag to "beach music" is Fat Harold's Beach Club.  

The New Nashville

The Bluebird Café has long been the ultimate stop for singers destined to become country stars, but if you want a place a little less touristy, try out The Listening Room Café in the SoBro district. Make a reservation at Pearl Diver and sit amongst palm-frond wallpaper, seafoam booths, and coral stools. The bar cranks out very girls' trip-friendly drinks, such as a classic daiquiri with rum, pressed sugarcane, and lime. 

If you're looking for a trendy spot with indoor and outdoor group activities, head to Pinewood Social. It's a hip restaurant with an in-house bowling alley for your best-ever group dinner yet. 

Lakeside Living 

If your crew is into mega views (or Instagramming them), head up to the Blue Ridge Mountains to this large private lake that's so pretty it was once referred to as, "America's Switzerland," since it favored the Alp's characteristic mountainside lakes. It even served as the getaway destination of industry giants like the Rockefellers. 

Stay at either the historic Greystone Inn or rent a home that comes with club amenities at the Lake Toxaway Country Club (like tennis, golf, water activities, and dining). We'd vote for an autumn trip date to catch all of the fall color reflecting off the crystal waters, but summer makes an equally fun pick.  

Port City Charm

Historic Charleston, South Carolina, is always quite the charmer. Walk the city and shop 'til you drop on King Street, or settle in on a carriage to see the sights sans Google Maps. Grab a park bench in Riley Waterfront Park, and watch the boats come and go. For a daytime activity, book afternoon tea at Camellias, the girly lounge inside Hotel Bennett. Later in the day, wander over to FIG or Husk for a delicious dinner with your best pals. 

Capital Fun

For a fun weekend getaway, visit Mississippi's state capital, which has plenty of up-and-coming areas to explore. No visit to Jackson is complete without a stop in the Fondren District, where you'll find cool shops and restaurants like Saltine, Fondren Public, and Brent's Drugs diner and soda fountain. In the evenings, the latter turns into The Apothecary at Brent's Drugs (pictured), where you can find a menu of expertly mixed cocktails. Don't miss Lemuria Book Store or the Mississippi Museum of Art, either.

The Pioneer Getaway

Pawhuska, Oklahoma, is the home base of Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, and she has helped turn this tiny town into a fun weekend destination. When planning a pioneer getaway in Pawhuska, book a room at Drummond's boutique hotel The Boarding House, and be sure to stop into the Mercantile, a restaurant and shopping hub that'll charm you as soon as you set foot in the door. (Just be sure to book early—Pawhuska is becoming more popular by the day!) Still working on your itinerary? 

Fit for a Queen (City)

Set your sights on the Queen City for a low-key vacation in a metro hub with plenty to do, eat, and see. Check out Freedom Park for a long walk, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center for a fun show, and SouthPark for plenty of shopping. Don't miss Kindred, Good Food on Montford, and Haberdish for the fried chicken. We recommend a stay at The Ivey's Hotel or The Park Hotel.

Southernmost Exploring

Point your compass south for a visit to Key West, and you'll be greeted with charming streets, gorgeous architecture, and tropical trees as far as the eye can see. Rent bikes to pedal around the island, or settle in on a public beach after buying a box of Kermit's Frozen Key Lime Pie on a Stick. (It lives up to the hype.) Take a photo at the Southernmost Point, stop into the Hemingway House, and catch the sunset at Mallory Square. Even better? Make a week of it and plan a Keys road trip from Key Largo to Key West.

Choose Your Own (Texas) Adventure

There are a million things to do in Houston, so choose a neighborhood, book a hotel, and explore a pocket of this ever-growing metropolis. For a manageable slice of the city, book a room at Hotel ZaZa, shop your way through nearby Rice Village, and meander the Museum District, which is just blocks away. Then, set your sights on Montrose or Upper Kirby. The time to head to Houston is right now.

Georgia on Your Mind

This port city is a gorgeous coastal gem with leafy parks, plenty of great shopping, and a bustling historic district and riverwalk, where you'll find crowd-favorite restaurants like Huey's and Vic's on the River. Don't even think about skipping a trip to Moon River Brewing Company, River Street Sweets, or Savannah Bee Company, either. 

Cool Jazz and Hot Food

New Orleans is an old, beautiful city with its own distinct, incomparable magic. The cool jazz and delicious cuisine of the Big Easy are calling to you and your girlfriends, and plan your ideal bar crawl using a guide to New Orleans nightlife.

Weird and Wonderful

A town that's proud of being "weird," Austin has plenty of sights, activities, and eats to keep you entertained and satisfied. We recommend a delicious taco-eating spree. And you should start with Juan in a Million's breakfast tacos for just $3.85 each.

Unwind on the Shoreline

It's the perfect place for a laid back vacay. Visit the cute little shops at City Place and Downtown Palm Beach during the day, and spend your evenings relaxing shore-side. And before you leave, make sure to stop at the renowned Spa at the Breakers Palm Beach.

Slow Down A Bit

This place has a small-town feel, but it's close enough to Washington, D.C. for a day trip if you want big-city vibes. Or, if you want to stay out, take in a waterfront view of D.C. across the Potomac River. Alexandria also offers hundreds of independent restaurants and boutiques to explore, including a speakeasy donut shop.

Georgia Still on Your Mind

Atlanta is a great place to go for a group with diverse interests. The city has much to offer in the way of food, activities, and entertainment. The opportunities to explore seem endless.

Haunts and Hauntings

This city has something for everyone. With Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Pleasure Pier, the Galveston Naval Museum, East Beach, the Galveston Island State Park, and more, Galveston has plenty to choose from. You can even take a ghost tour and learn about the city's haunts.

Hot, hot, hot

Miami is well-known for its beautiful sun-soaked beaches and nightlife opportunities. But did you know that August might just be the most opportune time to visit? It's when Miami's spa, restaurant, and hotel months overlap and create a perfect bubble to experience them all together.

River City Fun

Go "city glamping" by the Mississippi River in a hotel that resembles Egyptian pyramids. Celebrate the annual Elvis Week in Graceland or enjoy the nightlife and live music on the city's infamous Beale Street. Memphis has a bevy of things to experience.

Carolina Sand and Surf

The Outer Banks are tranquil and quaint. These barrier islands off the North Carolina coast—like Nags Head, Cape Lookout National Seashore, and Ocracoke—are also some of the most sought after beaches in the state. And there's plenty to do!

Georgia Peaches and Beaches  

Tybee Island caters to a range of interests. For instance, North Beach is an energetic hangout, but Back River Beach is more quiet. Bonus: it's a short drive from downtown Savannah, with a plethora of wonderful restaurants, museums, boutiques, and bars.