Girls Trip Ideas: 11 Great Destinations From Antigua to Montauk

There’s nothing better than some uninterrupted girl time, whether it’s going out to dinner or just hanging out on the couch binging TV shows. On some occasions, though—and especially for long-distance best friends—a trip might make the most sense to finally get some quality catch-up time.

The best girls trips always strike a balance between relaxing and rousing. You should never come back home feeling the same as you left (especially if that feeling was tired, overwhelmed, or deflated). But between settling on a destination and coming up with an itinerary, there can be a lot of pressure put on the friendship and high expectations to plan the perfect getaway. To make the next getaway a bit easier on your group, we’ve tapped travel writers and specialists to dish the details on their favorite girls trip destinations they’ve gone to, plus where to stay and what to do while visiting. From national park stays to resort getaways, here are 11 tried-and-true girls trip ideas to pull inspiration from for your next trip.

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Montauk, New York

Every June, a group of 10 of us clear our calendars, pack our bags, and head out east for a four-day weekend in Montauk. If you live in or near New York City, it’s about a four-hour drive with traffic, or a few hours on a Jitney, making it an ideal summer destination to visit if you only have a few days to get away. There’s lots to do—from restaurants to beaches to shopping to bars—so you won’t run out of places to be and things to see. Book a stay at one of Duryea’s sunset cottages, then head to lunch right by the water at their restaurant (make sure to split the iconic Lobster Cobb Salad). For the chance of a celeb or influencer sighting, head to Surf Lodge, a popular outdoor bar with good music and even better sunset views. My girlfriends and I spend most of the weekend lounging on the beach, chatting nonstop, already planning our next trip back. —Meaghan Kenny, commerce editor

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

For my mother’s 70th birthday, we chose to stay at the Sea Pines Resort in South Carolina at one of the premier villas. We traveled with a large multi-generational group, millennials to baby boomers. The house was immaculately outfitted with a massive kitchen and lovely pool, and we were close enough to the beach that a group of us walked every morning for sunrise yoga. Breakfasts were a grazing affair, all of us getting up on our own schedule and pulling together whatever we felt like eating. One afternoon we took a private boat out to Daufuskie Island for a golf cart tour of this incredibly preserved piece of history. We spent a day on the beach, and one in Savannah. To keep everyone busy, we had a chef come in one night for a cooking lesson and he then prepared dinner for us all in the villa kitchen. We also brought in a local artist to lead us in a guided “paint and sip” experience. It truly was so special to have this time together and it helped me plan so many trips for clients looking for a similar “girls getaway” experience. —Rebecca Alesia, travel specialist for Condé Nast Traveler

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Cartagena, Colombia

I recently traveled to Cartagena, Colombia, for a birthday trip with two friends. The South American city had been on my travel wish list for a while and did not disappoint. The city is filled with clothing boutiques, restaurants, and a very, very lively nightlife, so it’s impossible to be bored.

We stayed at a gorgeous Marriott Bonvoy Home and Villas property, with a staff that was not only available to answer any questions at anytime, but truly became like family by the time we left. The property is also a must-stay as it offers the rare opportunity to swim in a rooftop pool with views of the city, iconic churches, and buildings in the distance.

I highly recommend booking any curated experience with Jacada Travel, especially the private salsa lesson, which includes a history of Afro-Colombian culture and other dance movements from the region like champeta. They also offer private yacht excursions to the nearby turquoise waters of Rosario Islands, perfect for some beach time and cocktails with friends. Some of the best dishes that we enjoyed in Cartagena were by the staff at our villa, including traditional Colombian rice and tender roasted chicken. If you do decide to explore one of the city’s restaurants, I highly recommend Norma Ristorante for its live music and amazing pasta dishes and grilled seafood. For drinks, don’t miss a lesson on Colombian rums paired with chocolates at El Arsenal: The Rum Box. Request a lesson with Koko, she’s the best host. —Kristin Braswell, contributor and travel specialist for Condé Nast Traveler

Scottsdale, Arizona

I went to Scottsdale on a girl’s trip in 2021, and the city will forever hold a special place in my heart. It was such a memorable destination, with enough to appeal to each of our interests. As design lovers, we got to soak in Frank Lloyd Wright’s talent at Taliesin West and the midcentury-modern vibes of our hotel, Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows. Our favorite restaurant was a hidden gem inside the Fairmont Princess, La Hacienda. The highlight of our trip was definitely the spa at Well & Being Spa—it was a stunning little getaway with the best views. —Iona Brannon, contributor

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Puglia, Italy

What could be better than a girls trip to Italy during the fall? The crowds have dissipated, the rates have dropped and the weather is tepid and beautiful, especially in southern Italy. Puglia offers up coastal Italian eye candy of whitewashed villages, classic winding cobblestone streets, and turquoise Mediterranean waters. The interior has fertile rolling countryside with olive groves and vineyards. There’s an abundance of interesting cities to see and all are easily connected by train for day trips. We staged the headquarters of our girls trip at Naturalis Bio Resort & Spa, a small luxury hotel located in Salento, about a 25-minute drive from Lecce. It has a warm, earthy and nurturing vibe, ideal for a spa and wellness girls getaway. Our room had a spectacular extra-large sunken hot tub with a window overhead to see the sky above. Perfect to pair with a bottle of wine and added bubbles. The hospitality and service are warm and welcoming, and the food is artful, fresh, and delicious. A trip to the spa a must. I recommend a fun day trip into the port city of Otranto for boutique shopping, fresh seafood dining, and taking in the aquamarine waters of the Adriatic. —Jessica Avery, travel specialist for Condé Nast Traveler

Miami

While there’s nothing better than soaking up some good Miami sunshine or letting loose at the 305’s liveliest clubs, don’t be surprised if you leave this place in a serious food coma. Whether you’re in the mood for Caribbean, Cuban, or Ethiopian, Miami’s multicultural food scene is one of its highlights. My last escapade here with friends was on the heels of Caribbean Heritage Month, celebrated every June. There’s so much to do in Miami that when planning your itinerary, your besties might be torn on how to narrow it down. What activities and excursions can’t you do? Of course, Miami has a plethora of beaches where you can lay out or catch some waves, from Hobie Beach to the historic Virginia Key Beach Park. If you’re in the mood for a little retail therapy, you can hit up one of its many boutiques and shopping centers, like the Miami Design District. There’s practically a club on every block where you and your friends can dance the night away, so you can take your pick based on where you’re feeling the vibe. You can also get your creative wheels turning by checking out Miami’s art scene. Art Basel is one of the city’s most popular annual exhibits, among several others. In terms of where to stay, Florida’s pink hotels can make you feel like you’re staying in one big Barbie house, so The Goodtime Hotel in Miami is my highest recommendation if you want to stick to the theme of your trip. —Johnaé De Felicis, contributor

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Antigua

I’ve been going to Antigua for over seven years now for all types of trips, but I really love it for a relaxing getaway with my girls. Antigua is the land of 360 degree beaches, so no matter where you are on the island, there’s a beach close by that is beautiful with clean sand and clear water. This makes Antigua an automatic go-to for me and my girls because whether we want to have a relaxing beach day, throw a beach fete, or hit a beachside workout, there are numerous options to do so throughout the island. Antigua has beautiful resorts, villas, and hotels. My go-to is Hodges Bay, which has a private island property reachable by a quick water taxi. For a more resort-central stay, Curtain Bluff has top of the line spa and restaurants to enjoy. Antigua also pairs the best restaurants with amazing views—my favorite is Sheer Rocks, which is perched on a beachside cliff. For the best seafood and authentic island vibes, Papa Zouk is the place to go. Out of all the islands I’ve traveled to, Antigua has the best and safest fetes and clubs; check out Vyce for a great night. —Sidnee Michelle Douyon, senior digital editor and host for Black Enterprise

Puerto Rico

To celebrate some big accomplishments in our friend group—from one friend completing her MD program to another finishing her band’s first tour—we gathered our now nationally-dispersed college crew for an adult spring break trip to Puerto Rico. Our itinerary struck the perfect balance of wild outdoor adventure, beachy relaxation, and giggly fun, with plenty of flexibility to tailor the experience toward any of these trip styles based on personal preferences. We loved how accessible it was to fly to San Juan from the US (not to mention how easy it was to get around by car or Uber when we got there), and that we didn’t even need to pack our passports. Upon arriving from our respective cities, the six of us piled into a rental car and explored everything from the historic charm and boutique shops of Old San Juan to the tropical rainforest swimming holes and natural water slides (yes, we slid down actual waterfalls) of El Yunque National Forest. Highlights included night kayaking to see the sparkling bioluminescence, snorkeling with sea turtles at Escambrón Marine Park in San Juan, and sipping unique wine-based cocktails at one of the world’s best bars: La Factoría. Airbnb and hotel hopping was the structure for our week-long stay, but my favorite was the idyllic Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Though these trips always seem to get harder and harder to plan as we get older, the pricelessness of a full heart, a recharged soul, and a little bit of a lost voice from laughing hard with the ladies is beyond worth it. —Alexandra Toto, contributor

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Loudoun County, Virginia

One of my favorite places for a girls trip is Virginia’s wine country in Loudoun County. The acres and acres of vineyards lining the roads make for beautiful scenery while driving, and the food and drink scene is exceptional. One of my favorite wineries in the area is Greenhill Vineyards, which offers incredible views, wine tastings, and scrumptious bites to go with your glass of vino. Fun fact: The winery’s sparkling wine was featured in gift bags at the 2016 Academy Awards. There are plenty of places to stay in Loudoun County, but I love Goodstone Inn (shown at right) where guests stay in boutique cottages that are nestled across 265 pristine acres on the hillside. Each cottage or house can accommodate two to eight people, so depending on the size of your squad, you’ll all be able to stay in one private villa-style home complete with kitchens and private bathrooms. —Megan duBois, contributor

Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop

One of my all-time favorite girls trips that can be dressed up or dressed down to be as outdoorsy (or not) as you wish is the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop. We fly into Denver and rent a car, or road trip over to the Centennial State and hop onto the open road to start the adventure. Popping over to Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort is easy, it sits on the banks of a burbling creek, and offers loads of adorable cabins, plus there are multiple, cheaper campgrounds nearby. For the more splurge-worthy trips, The Four Seasons in Vail just did a huge spa uplift and refreshed the treatments menu, and since it’s so centrally located, it’s an easy year-round stay in the mountains between Glenwood Springs and Steamboat Springs. No matter what your lodging style is, you’ll fall in love with the hot springs views (and lack of crowds) at Avalanche Ranch, as I did when I first visited in 2018. Book a month or two early, as they often sell out. Of course, the can’t-miss feature of this trip is the hot springs, but one of my favorite off-highway stops is Brown Dog Pizza in Telluride, which sits on the main thoroughfare and boasts epic mountain views. Plus, if you’re going on a winter girls trip, nearly all of these locales offer incredible skiing access. —Emily Pennington, contributor

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Philadelphia

I’ve spent New Years in Philadelphia a few times, as well as girls trips to this city in other times of the year. My girls and I have gone to some of the museums around town after cocktails and recreated a number of the paintings. Plus, there are truly great restaurants, interactive sensory exhibits, and a few speakeasies that we frequent when in the area. My recommendation on where to stay: W Philadelphia. It’s been around for a while but there’s been a change in managerial staff and exciting changes to the restaurant’s menu; plus, the hotel itself has some of the best views in the city outside of the Sky Lounge. If you book ahead, try and get a corner room. —Shayna Conde, travel journalist