As long distance best friends, we LOVE reuniting in different places around the world to experience new foods, cultures, and experiences. And these 8 girls trip destinations in the USA have all proven to be excellent choices if you’re wanting to strike the perfect balance between relaxation and activity!
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What makes a good girls trip destination?
For us, a good girls trip destination needs to have 3 things:
- It needs to be relatively easy to navigate – We don’t want to be stressing out every time we try and go somewhere. Public transportation, walkability, and traffic are all things we’re taking into account when choosing girls trip destinations in the USA.
- It needs to have a good food scene – We aren’t traveling across the country to eat subpar food. We don’t need Michelin level restaurants, but we want a good mix of restaurants to choose from, and we get excited about trying new flavors that we wouldn’t get back home.
- It needs to have a variety of activities: Sure, we like to sit on the couch and yap it up when we’re on a girls trip. But we also want to get out and see the destination we’re visiting. Some of our favorite go-to girls trip activities are hands on workshops, city tours (usually focused around food or ghosts), some sort of woo woo activity like a spa day or yoga in a fun setting, and outdoorsy activities that let us connect with the local nature in some way.
Wherever you choose for your girls trip destination in the USA, be sure that your friend group is having honest communication about the desired budget, weather, and vibes. The bigger the friend group, the more likely it means that there will need to be some compromise. But it’s good to take into account everyone’s interests and desires so that people don’t feel like they’re wasting money for a trip they don’t feel like they had a say in. Using Google Forms to poll your friend group is a great way to narrow down your destination!
Once you’ve chosen your girls trip destination, we recommend figuring out some of your “must do” activities and then book your accommodation based off where the bulk of your activities are located.
Want to take your girls trip to the next level? We host all women international group trips, and we would LOVE for you to come on one of our next ones! You can find all our upcoming group trips HERE.
Tuscon, Arizona
Tucson might just be our absolute favorite girls trip destination in the USA. This desert gem brings the charm of a small town with big personality, and it’s seriously underrated when it comes to girls trips. Highlights include soul-stirring sunsets, award-winning food, historic streets packed with color and character, and a rich history that is thoughtfully woven throughout the community in a way that feels tangible.
Tucson is the first city in the United States to be named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, so it is a foodie’s dream. It’s also located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, is a dark sky city which makes it perfect for stargazing, and there are SO many good hikes in the area. So if you like delicious food, enjoy the great outdoors, and want to visit a place that is rich with culture, Tucson will be perfect for your girls trip!
Best time of year to visit: Spring or fall for fewer crowds (winter is peak season). You don’t want to be in the desert during the summer!
Best girls trip activities & restaurant recommendations: Amanda lived in Tucson for several months, so we were fortunate to be able to explore it extensively. We have an entire Tucson girls trip guide that has info on where to stay, what restaurants to check out, and all the fun activities you can do to make your trip truly unforgettable.
Already ticked Tucson off your bucket list? Our 4 day Sedona itinerary and 48 hour Phoenix itinerary are great alternatives!
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah consistently makes peoples’ lists for one of the best girls trip destinations in the USA because it has so much to offer. It’s got a large charming historic district that is easily walkable, large outdoor spaces that always seem to have a market in full swing, tons of boutique shops, and an incredible food scene! If your friend group is full of bookworms, there are also several literary sites worth visiting in Savannah.
Best time of year to visit: Spring or fall. The humidity in the summer will have you feeling like you’re living in a bowl of soup.
Best girls trip activities in Savannah: You can spend hours wandering Savannah’s historic streets, shopping in its many boutique shops, and strolling along the riverfront. But if you want some more in depth activities, there are several great options!
Get the lay of the land and learn some history along the way with a themed walking tour. Savannah has too much history to overlook, and going on a ghost tour is a way to learn about the city’s history and darker past without it being boring. If paranormal activities aren’t your thing, a food tour in Savannah’s historic district is a fun way to learn about the city through it’s food, and it will give you the chance to try some local places that you would probably otherwise miss as a tourist.
For some hands on activities, learn about the salt trade in Savannah as you make your own body scrub at Salacia Salts – a woman owned business. Or you could get a little intro into candle making by making your own candle! End your trip by toasting your friendship on a sunset dolphin cruise.
And if you’re a bookworm, you’ll enjoy visiting these 10 literary sites in Savannah!
Our favorite restaurants: Flock To The Wok, The Grey, Husk Savannah
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Nashville gets a lot of hype for bachelorette trips, but Chattanooga is where it’s at! Known as “The Scenic City”, Chattanooga offers a fun mix of outdoor adventure, artsy vibes, and delicious food. And did we mention it was named North America’s first National Park City in 2025?!
In Chattanooga, you get the dramatic Appalachian Mountains and the river that lazily winds through the city, dividing it in two. But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a sleepy mountain town. There is always something going on in Chattanooga that’s worth experiencing.
Best time of year to visit: One of the reasons we love Chattanooga is because it is a year round city. There is truly something fun to experience for every season! Visit Chattanooga does a great job keeping their event calendars updated for visitors, so be sure to check it out before your Chattanooga girls trip to make sure you don’t miss out on any fun seasonal festivities!
Best girls trip activities & restaurant recommendations: Lucky for you, we have a weekend itinerary for Chattanooga that’s already made up and includes hotel recommendations, unique eateries, and fun things to do (like visiting North America’s tallest underground waterfall and riding on the world’s steepest passenger railway!).
New York, New York
If you want a high energy weekend with endless options, NYC is probably the most bustling of our girls trip destinations in the USA. You will be busy from sunup to sundown with shopping, endless dining options, a fantastic nightlife scene, numerous museums, broadway shows, and a near infinite amount of activities to enjoy. And between the metro and taxis, it’s easy as pie getting around.
Best time of year to visit: NYC is a year-round destination. You can’t go wrong with any time of year you choose. But we particularly love visiting toward the end of November or in early January. It’ll be cold, but you’ll get to enjoy all of the Christmas festivities without the crowds. You’ll get to go to Christmas markets, go ice skating, see the Rockefeller Christmas tree, and see the Rockettes if you want!
Best girls trip activities: The activities are truly endless in NYC. It is known as the city that never sleeps for a reason after all! Check out our winter weekend itinerary for NYC for a more low key weekend that centers around Broadway shows, afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel, and eating your way through Little Italy and China Town.
More unforgettable activities for a girls trip include a pedicab tour (bonus points if it’s a Gossip Girl Themed Pedicab Tour), visiting the NYC Catacombs by Candlelight at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and getting pampered at the Aire Ancient Baths in Tribeca.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans gives main character energy. It’s a city overflowing with historic charm, a rich culture, some of the best food in the country, and jazz music on every corner. It’s easy to get around without a car, with the historic areas being easily walkable and public transportation available in the form of the historic streetcars, buses, and ferries.
Best time of year to visit: We LOVE Mardi Gras. Even if you aren’t a big partier (we aren’t!), you can still go and have an incredible time! Things to know for your first Mardi Gras – the closer you get to Fat Tuesday, the wilder the parades and nightlife scene become, the weekend before Mardi Gras is typically a great intro for folks wanting to enjoy the festivities without getting too wild & use Discover Mardi Gras to help you plan your trip. Whatever you do, avoid going during the summer unless you want to melt like a popsicle on the fourth of July.
Best girls trip activities: We love doing a walking tour to get the lay of the land in a new city, and with Two Chicks Walking Tours, you can do just that + support a woman owned business. They have several different tour options, but for a girls trip, we recommend this one that centers around the history of working women in New Orleans.
Explore the spooky side of New Orleans by popping into a voodoo shop, taking a night time ghost tour, or having a tarot reading. And be sure to sit and enjoy some jazz music – or if you really want to feel like a local, go to the community drum circle in Congo Square held on Sunday afternoons. One of Amanda’s favorite ways to enjoy New Orleans is by bike – the Lafitte Greenway is a car free path connecting the French Quarter through Treme, Mid-City & all the way over to Bayou St. John.
Our favorite restaurants: The food in New Orleans is next level. There are so many local dishes that you need to experience, and one of the best ways to do it is through this cooking class taught by the New Orleans School of Cooking. Some of our other fav restaurants are Cafe Beignet, Acme Oyster House for the chargrilled oysters, Muriel’s Jackson Square for the jazz brunch, Molly’s Rise & Shine (breakfast / brunch), Stein’s Deli, French Truck Coffee, Parkway Bakery & Tavern, Dat Dog (speciality hot dogs), Bayou Beer Garden (they have a great seasonal crawfish boil!).
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the country, but it’s often overlooked for girls trip destinations in the USA. Let’s change that. The city has a pedestrian-friendly riverwalk, dozens of museums, fun street art, and of course The Bean. Your girls trip to Chicago will feel artsy fartsy, and you’ll be surprised by how much nature you can find in such a big city.
Best time of year to visit: Chicago is a year-round city. Fall and Spring are usually favored for the pleasant weather and low crowds. While summers in Chicago can be crowded, it’s the season for outdoor dining and music festivals. Winter can get pretty frigid, but there are also lots of festive holiday activities (including the Holiday Bookstore Trolley which is high on Kayla’s bucket list).
Best girls trip activities: The Chicago Water Taxi is a great low cost option to see the city from the water, and a convenient way to get to China Town. You can also take it back to Michigan Ave. to see The Bean and shop the designer stores on the Magnificent Mile (or go further north to visit vintage shops). The Lincoln Conservatory is a lush and beautiful nature-filled space and is next to the Lincoln Zoo, so the two can easily be combined together. You can see a full recap of how Amanda spent a recent girls trip weekend in Chicago HERE.
The public transportation in Chicago is also top notch! You can get a 7 day pass for $25 through the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which is a pretty fab deal in our opinion.
Foods to try: Chicago deep dish pizza, and a Chicago dog
Golden Isles, Georgia
Another frequently overlooked destination for a girls trip is the Golden Isles in Georgia! The Golden Isles are just south of Savannah and consist of St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and the mainland area of Brunswick. If you want a girls trip that is filled with relaxing time on the beach, shopping in boutique stores, and breathtaking coastal scenery, this is the place for you.
Best time of year to visit: You might be surprised to know that this beachy area of the country is considered a year-round destination. The warmer months bring crowds and excellent weather for beach activities, but we’ve also enjoyed sitting on the beach there in the dead of winter to watch the sunrise. We recommend using this monthly breakdown to figure out the best time of year to visit for your friend group.
Best girls trip activities & restaurant recommendations: Our weekend itinerary for St. Simons and our dog-friendly guide to Jekyll Island has all the info you need to plan the perfect Golden Isles girls trip! We also recommend adding a day to your itinerary to visit the Okefenokee Swamp – it’s truly incredible!
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is similar to Savannah in that it’s a charming Southern town with cobblestone streets, beautiful historic buildings, and beaches just a stone’s throw away. But where Savannah gives Bohemian artsy vibes, Charleston gives more upscale and refined coastal grandma vibes. It’s elegant, atmospheric, and charming.
Best time of year to visit: The spring is a beautiful time to visit for mild weather and flowers in full bloom. It can be crowded this time of year though. You’ll get fewer crowds and restaurant week in the fall, but run the risks that come with visiting the coast during hurricane season!
Best girls trip activities: You should know by now that we can’t recommend a historic city without including a guided walking tour, and this one will take you by the colorful homes that make up Rainbow Row. Choose your own water adventure by going on a schooner dolphin cruise like the pirates who once dominated the area or you can live out your romance dreams by taking a boat ride through the swampy Cypress Gardens where The Notebook was filmed.
Shop for sweetgrass baskets at Charleston City Market, visit the many boutique shops throughout the city, and dive into Charleston’s rich low country culinary scene with a food tour! For a luxurious afternoon tea, Camellias is said to have the best and was named South Carolina’s most Instagrammable restaurant due to its decadent pink design!
Let us know your favorite girls trip destinations in the USA in the comments below!
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