America’s 5 Best Girlfriend Getaways
Going
on a family vacation is fun. Traveling with your significant other can
be romantic and relaxing. But there is nothing quite like traveling with
your best friends. Life gets busy, and a girls’ trip is the perfect
opportunity to kick back and reconnect with the people who know you
better than anyone else.
So grab your girls, and head to one of these cities for the perfect BFF getaway.
Santa Ynez Valley, Calif.
Vineyards and hills near Los Olivos, Santa Ynez Valley. (Photo: Corbis)
What to do
Napa
and Sonoma valleys are known as the premiere wine regions in
California, but that also means that they are more crowded. Instead, pay
a visit to Santa Ynez Valley,
located just 35 miles from the beaches of Santa Barbara. You and the
girls can spend a long weekend shopping, sampling wines, visiting art
galleries, and relaxing at the spa.
Where to stay
The appropriately named ForFriends Inn
is an ideal location to gather the girls for a long, relaxing weekend.
The bed and breakfast comes with a three-course homemade breakfast, a
daily happy hour with live music, and $300 in complimentary wine
tastings and food. Doesn’t get much better than that! Rooms start at
$275 a night.
Where to eat
Sample the organic fare at Fresco Valley Cafe. (Photo: Fresco Valley Cafe)
Dining
on organic and locally sourced food is basically a must when you’re
visiting California, and Fresco Valley Cafe prides itself on serving
only the freshest ingredients. Even better, most of the items on the
menu are made from scratch every day. There’s also a wide variety of
craft beers and wines … naturally.
Charleston, S.C.
A look at downtown Charleston. (Photo: Thinkstock)
What to do
Charleston is an ideal destination for a girls’ getaway because it has a little bit of something for everyone. Go back in time by visiting
the historical buildings and forts in the area, picking up some
souvenirs as you stroll down King Street, or hitting the beach and
cooling off at Sullivan’s Island. At night, the city comes alive with a wide variety of bars and restaurants downtown.
Where to stay
Rent an apartment so you and your friends can all sleep in the same place. (Photo: HomeAway)
For those seeking a more affordable option, this lovely
three-bedroom apartment in downtown Charleston sleeps eight and is
available to rent. It has a kitchenette so you can prepare meals and a
living room so you can hang out and reminisce about your college days.
Rentals start at $199 a night.
If you’re looking for a bit of luxury, Zero George
is just what you need. The boutique hotel has only 18 rooms and
features such architectural elements as high ceilings and sun-drenched
windows. The hotel also has its own cooking school, which offers guests
the opportunity to cook alongside chef Randy Williams. Rooms start at
$499 a night.
Where to eat
Charleston
has become a bit of a foodie city, so there are many options for fine
dining. If you’re looking for a unique experience, check out Cannon
Green, on Spring Street. The menu has an assortment of delicious
Mediterranean fare, and the atmosphere is lively and sophisticated.
If you’re craving some Southern hospitality, head on over to On Forty One.
In addition to relaxed backyard dining, the restaurant offers such menu
items as hush puppies, fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, and shrimp
with grits.
Austin, Texas
Congress street in Austin. (Photo: Joseph Haubert/Flickr)
What to do
Austin is warm, laid back, and artistic — everything you need for the perfect girls’ getaway. During the day, plan a picnic at Hamilton Pool, sample some tasty Tex-Mex, hike up Mount Bonnell, or explore Longhorn Cavern. At night, sample some of the city’s delicious food, and get your party on with a visit to 6th street.
Where to stay
With only seven rooms, you and your friends can basically rent out the entire Heywood Hotel.
The boutique hotel is the epitome of cool, with colorful wallpaper,
shareable bikes, and unique art. Located in Austin’s hipster east side,
and just a 15-minute walk from downtown, the Heywood has an Internet
jukebox so you can get the party started without ever leaving the hotel.
Rooms start at $169 a night.
Related: Weird, Wild Stuff to Be Found in Austin
Where to eat
Tequila and tacos … what a perfect combination. (Photo: La Condesa)
Nothing
amps up a ladies’ night quite like tequila. The margaritas at La
Condesa are widely considered to be some of the best in Austin, so order
up a few, and get the night started right. The restaurant also has a
tasty menu featuring such Mexican favorites as taquitos, tacos, and guacamole. Yum!
Savannah, Ga.
Take a stroll down the quaint Savannah streets. (Photo: Corbis)
What to do
Ah, Savannah.
This southern city is full of charm, history, and delicious food.
Established in 1733, Savannah boasts some of the most stunning
architecture in the U.S., and daily walking tours will get you inside some of the most historic (and haunted) buildings. Take in some live music, go shopping, check out the downtown, or rent a bike and cruise down the riverfront.
Where to stay
Prepare for a ghostly experience at the Marshall House. (Photo: Marshall House)
Anyone
can stay in a chain hotel, but if you and the girls are looking for an
authentic Savannah experience, you have to stay at an inn. The Marshall
House is one of the oldest hotels in Savannah, and guests have reported
seeing ghosts in the hallways and foyers. Put on a scary movie, make
some popcorn, and have a sleepover like you did in the good ol’ days.
Where to eat
The best word to accurately describe the Olde Pink House
in Savannah is … yum. Its menu is extensive, making it the perfect
place to visit with a large, indecisive group. Share the Habersham
Platter, with shrimp and grits, crab cake, and seared scallops. For your
entrée, try the pecan-crusted chicken breast, or crispy fried lobster
tails.
After dinner, head on over to Jens and Friends bar, where the menu boasts a selection of more than 100 martinis. Order a cosmopolitan, and pretend like you’re the women from Sex and the City.
New Orleans
Bourbon Street is an exciting place to spend a girls’ weekend. (Photo: Thinkstock)
What to do
If your group likes to party, then NOLA is the
place to go for a BFF getaway. Drink your way down Bourbon Street, dine
on Cajun food galore, and catch one of the nightly jazz shows happening
all around the city.
Where to stay
Located in the French Quarter, Hotel le Marais
is the perfect combination of class and fun. While the rooms are
comfortable, the outdoor garden is what really sets this hotel apart.
Have a cocktail in the courtyard with the girls before you head out for a
night on the town.
NOLA also has some great options when it comes to vacation rentals. If you don’t mind pulling out the air mattress, this one-bedroom apartment on Airbnb is gorgeous and located in the heart of the French Quarter. Rental starts at $150 a night.
Where to eat
Crispy chicken on the bone with Crystal Hot Sauce and guava jelly (Photo: SoBou)
Asking if there is good food in New Orleans is like asking if a bird can fly. Stop by SoBou to
feed your cravings for Louisiana oysters, crawfish salad, and smoked
pork shoulder. The cocktail menu is just as extensive, featuring
everything from daiquiris to a drink named after Farrah Fawcett.
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