Girls trips have become one of my favorite ways to reconnect with friends – whether it’s a reunion, a bachelorette weekend, or a quick escape just because. Over the years, I’ve explored cities all across the United States with my girlfriends, and each trip has shown me something new to love. A girls trip is the perfect excuse to wander through walkable neighborhoods, enjoy memorable meals, and remember late night laughs and adventures we still talk about years later. This guide brings together my favorite destinations for a girls trip in the US, based on places I’ve visited.
What I Look For in a Girls Trip Destination
A great girls trip destination has a few non-negotiables for me. First, I love a walkable city or at least a downtown that we can explore without needing a car for every outing. I also look for plenty of things to do, whether that’s strolling through charming streets, checking out local shops, or getting in a scenic hike or kayaking tour. Every destination on this list has opportunities for movement. A strong food and brunch scene is essential – bonus points for local signature dishes. And finally, I love destinations with a bit of history, culture, or architectural charm, the kind of place where walking around feels inspiring. When a city checks all of those boxes, I know it will make for a memorable girls getaway.
The Destinations – The Best Cities for a Girls Trip
Here is the list for my top cites for a girls getaway in the US. These check all the boxes for a reunion, bachelorette party, or just an excuse to reconnect with your bestie.
Savannah and Charleston
Why it’s Perfect: The charming architecture, southern food, and picture-perfect scenery in Savannah and Charleston are adorable. If you have time, there are so many opportunities for easy day trips near these destinations. I did a road trip with a best friend that included both Savannah and Charleston and can confirm these are both perfect cities for a girls getaway. Combine them for a road trip, or just visit one for a quick weekend trip.
Recommended Activities: In each city we had a day of walking around the charming historic downtown areas and a day for excursions to nearby islands or towns. Some day trips we did include kayaking at Hilton Head, walking the beach at Tybee Island and Sullivan Island, and wandering through parks including the eerie Bonaventure Cemetery.
Both cities have an amazing food scene with plenty of places for brunch of shrimp and grits. Charleston has excellent options for oysters and cocktails for happy hour! Also, the southern architecture lends itself well to picture-perfect moments. I loved just walking around and admiring the colonial architecture, colorful homes, professional quality flower box displays, and of course the hanging southern moss in Savannah. Read more about an itinerary for a girls road trip to Savannah and Charleston.
Where to Stay: In Savannah, we stayed at the Kimpton Brice and loved it. In Charleston, we stayed in an Airbnb. I recommend staying in the Historic District in both cities to be able to walk everywhere.
Best Time to Visit: Spring or Fall to avoid the hot, humid summers. We went in October and it was still warm enough to enjoy some beach time, but cool enough to walk around downtown during the day.
San Francisco
Why it’s Perfect: I may be partial since I live here, but I’ve had friends visit many times over the years and am able to plan a different itinerary no matter how many times friends have visited. The city has endless neighborhoods to explore, amazing food, and year-round mild weather. Every group can find their vibe here whether it is scenic, artsy, foodie, or outdoorsy.
Recommended Activities: For activity, I’ve taken friends on walks along the Embarcadero to check out the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market, in the Marina for Golden Gate Bridge views, and up to Twin Peaks for views over the City. I’ve even planned a day itinerary all about public transportation. I love sharing different neighborhoods and some of my favorites to bring visitors are North Beach, Russian Hill, the Haight, and the Mission.
I’ve even taken friends on day trips to go wine tasting in Napa or Sonoma, hiking in Marin, and even down to Pescadero. If you don’t have a car, take a ferry to nearby Tiburon or Sausalito for brunch and wander around the scenic town with Bay views, or even go for a hike on Angel Island. San Francisco is surrounded by many options for a scenic day trip to escape the City. There is plenty to do for any girls trip, not to mention endless options for brunch and fancy dinners.
Where to Stay: If it is your first time in SF, I recommend staying in a central neighborhood like North Beach – ideal for getting around without a car.
Best Time to Visit: The climate in SF is mild year-round so anytime of year is perfect for exploring. There tends to be more rain in December and January, but checking out the holiday decorations is a great way to spend time in SF in December. San Francisco has an Indian Summer, which means the warmest weather is in the fall. Summer tends to be foggy and cool, but if you are looking to escape the heat, that can be perfect, just make sure to bring a jacket!
Nashville
Why it’s Perfect: Nashville’s downtown music and southern food scene are enough reason to visit. The energy of downtown make it a fun and social choice for a girls weekend, so it is no surprise how many bachelorette parties are here. Whether your group loves brunch, dancing, or live bands, you’ll find plenty do in Nashville.
Recommended Activities: I celebrated my 40th birthday with two of my best friends in Nashville, and it was a perfect choice! There is so much to do downtown we found it easy to walk around to boozy brunch spots, spend hours checking out live music on Printer’s Alley, and eating southern food. We even went on a party bike tour, which I highly recommend! Even if you have a small group, you can join a tour with other small groups.
Where to Stay: We stayed at Dream Nashville, and I recommend it. It backs up to Printer’s Alley and was a perfect location for exploring.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and Fall for the best weather and lively atmosphere. We went in November and found it perfect for exploring.
New York City
Why it’s Perfect: New York City is one of those destinations you can visit a dozen times and still discover something new. I’ve been on a few girls trips to NYC over the years and every visit has been unique. Between the countless restaurants, diverse neighborhoods, and some of the best museums in the world, there is no shortage of things to do in New York City. It’s the perfect chose your own adventure destination for a girls trip. Whether your group is into culture, shopping, nightlife, food, or simply walking and exploring, its easy to create an incredible itinerary in New York City.
Recommended Activities: Some of my favorite things have been walking the High Line, exploring different neighborhoods like Soho and Greenwich Village, strolling through Central Park, and checking out a different museum every time I visit. For some water scenery, take the ferry as your transportation or walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Of course, New York City also has the best options for brunch and dinner reservations.
Where to Stay: My favorite hotels that I’ve stayed at in New York are the Ace Hotel and the Soho Grand. Both locations are perfect jumping off points for exploring and have lobbies that will make you want to hang out for happy hour or a late night cocktail.
Best Time to Visit: Any time. I don’t love the summer heat, but spring and fall are best for walkable weather. I’ve even been in winter and loved checking out all the Christmas decorations.
New Orleans
Why it’s Perfect: The nightlife scene, unique culture, colorful architecture, and the vibrant French Quarter make New Orleans one of the most unique places in the US and a perfect destination for a girls trip. I spent time in New Orleans for a girls trip on a bachelorette party (and a few days before for even more sightseeing). This is a place I will go back to for another girls trip.
Recommended Activities: Stay in the French Quarter and plan to check out all the bars along Bourbon Street and listen to Jazz on Frenchman Street. We rented bikes and rode over to check out the Lafayette Cemetery and biked through different neighborhoods. One day we even took a tour out to a swamp and saw some alligators! There is no shortage of things to do, not to mention the colorful ornate architecture in the French Quarter. Make sure you have time for just walking around the French Quarter and taking some photos with your besties.
Where to Stay: In the French Quarter to be able to walk everywhere and be in the center of the action.
Best Time to Visit: Spring, fall, and winter. Summers are hot and humid.
Austin
Why it’s Perfect: Austin is a quirky, energetic city on Town Lake (the Colorado River) with a live music scene and plenty of Tex-Mex cuisine. This is another place that I have been to multiple times for girls trips and it never gets old. Architecture school class reunion, bachelorette party, plus other girls weekends just for fun!
Recommended Activities: Some of my favorite activities I’ve done in Austin include shopping on South Congress to explore the boutiques, hitting the bars on East 6th Street or Rainey Street, eating breakfast tacos, and spending a day on Lake Travis. Next time I’m back, I need to rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak on Town Lake.
Where to Stay: Downtown or along South Congress
Best Time to Visit: Spring and Fall have the best weather, but summer can be good if your group wants more time on the water.
Destinations that didn’t make the top list but still worth a trip…
If you’ve made it this far, I started drafting this post by listing all the places I’ve been on girls trips, and then picking my favorites. Here’s the list of all the girls trips I’ve been on in the USA:
Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, Portland, Nashville, Seattle, New York City, San Francisco, New Orleans, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Park City, Tucson, Chicago, Austin, Miami, Boston, Catalina Island, Maui, San Diego, Napa / Sonoma, Russian River (Guerneville).
Planning Your Next Girls Trip…
Whether you’re planning a bachelorette weekend, a birthday trip, or a much‑needed getaway with your closest friends, these cities offer the perfect blend of fun, food, culture, and walkability. I’ve visited every destination on this list and would happily return to each one. If you’ve taken a girls trip somewhere amazing that deserves a spot here, let me know — I’m always looking for new ideas to add to next year’s adventure.
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