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Need a break from reality with the people who love you the most? Grab your girls, and hit the road. The South is home to tons of great vacation spots that are perfect for a girls’ weekend getaway, and we’ve got all of the trip ideas you need. Summer is the ideal time to take a breather from work, leave the kids with relatives, and head to one of the quaint small towns scattered throughout the South. From relaxing in the waters of Hot Springs, Arkansas, to catching up in the inviting rooms of Old Edwards Inn and Spa tucked in the mountains of Highlands, North Carolina, we’ve pulled together the best places for you to go for a memorable trip with friends. Gather your best gals to discover the most delicious breakfast spots, walk whimsical streets, and shop amongst the great Southern stores in these killer destinations for weekend girlfriend getaways.
Hear the Sounds of Music City: Nashville, TN
Nashville has long been a popular destination for group travel, and for good reason. Grab your gals (and your cowboy boots) for a trip to Music City, where you can shop to your heart’s content and listen to music in storied venues across the city. Stay at the Graduate Nashville, and you’ll find plentiful photo ops throughout the design-focused space. There’s a rooftop pool, a funky bar, and a bunch of graphic design elements that will make you feel inspired. Then head out to a honky-tonk or concert venue like the Ryman Auditorium or the Bluebird Café to hear some live music.
Saddle Up in Horse Country: Lexington and Georgetown, KY
Start with a visit to Keeneland, Lexington’s world-renowned track, for an inside look at Thoroughbred racing with a behind-the-scenes tour. At the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, you can tour the facilities by trolley. Book a group lesson and guided trail ride at Whispering Woods Riding Stables, which has 250 acres to explore. Beyond the stables, downtown Georgetown is lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants, while Lexington’s downtown is great for antiquing. Also in the offerings are tours of the bourbon distilleries that produce this area’s famous spirits.
Hike in Scenic City: Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga is a hiker’s dream. More than 150 miles of hiking trails are readily accessible from the (also walkable) downtown. Lace up your sneakers and explore the city’s 16-mile Riverwalk; pedestrian Walnut Street Bridge over the Tennessee River; Coolidge Park; and convenient rental services for bikes, paddleboards, and kayaks. Stay close to the Tennessee Aquarium and you’ll be within walking distance of the best riverfront attractions. Or make the Bluff View Art District your base, and choose a room in any of three historic homes at the Bluff View Inn bed and breakfast.
Discover the Other French Quarter: Fairhope, AL
Fairhope’s French Quarter boasts brick and ironwork, courtyards, and inviting passageways. Chef “Panini” Pete Blohme anchors the district, where his eponymous restaurant keeps diners filled with hot beignets, Pete’s Muffaletta Panino, and such hot dogs as the German Sheppard (with sauerkraut) and the French Poodle (with onion confit and Dijon mustard). Stroll through a cluster of specialty shops, including Page & Palette independent bookstore. Make your base camp at the venerable Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Point Clear.
Get Outdoors in Upstate SC: Greenville, SC
There’s so much to do in Greenville all year round. It’s a city on the rise, and you’ll find plenty of places for dining and shopping, not to mention a walk to take in the sights. Don’t miss Falls Park on the Reedy and the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail. Creative types in your group will enjoy a visit to the Greenville County Museum of Art and downtown galleries too. After exploring outdoors, check out Topsoil Restaurant (pictured) in nearby Travelers Rest for a taste of local ingredients put together in extraordinary ways.
Waltz Across Cajun Country: Acadiana, LA
Southwest Louisiana is a hotbed of Cajun culture. In the Hub City of Lafayette, downtown offers food and music around Jefferson Street. Beyond downtown, locals and tourists flock to Prejean’s for gumbo and boudin, accompanied by live music several nights a week. Local musicians will take you to Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice for a good time. For a side trip, visit Rip Van Winkle Gardens on Jefferson Island and the McIlhenny family’s famous Tabasco Pepper Sauce Factory, 170-acre Jungle Gardens, and Bird City egret sanctuary on Avery Island.
Bask in the Arts: Bentonville, AR
Head to Bentonville, one of Arkansas’ coolest cities, with your art-loving friends. While you’re there, you can while away a day at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Set in the picturesque Ozarks, you can see your fill of interesting work there, and you can continue the fun at the new offshoot, The Momentary, a contemporary art space located downtown. Stay at the 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville, and you and your girls will be in for a good time.
Explore the Wine Road: Fredericksburg, TX
Wine Road 290 is an association of wineries along a 45-mile length of U.S. 290. In downtown Fredericksburg, The Trueheart Hotel has two suites in the main house along with 12 cottages. For something more remote, check into the 112-acre Tres Lunas Resort on Meusebach Mountain. Start your winery tour with The Reserve Wine Library at Becker Vineyards for tastings of exclusive vintages. Taste award-winning wines and tour the geothermal barrel cellar at Pedernales Cellars. Winery events are free, but most charge for tastings. (Note: Reservations are recommended and often required for groups.)
Tour the Blue Ridge: Charlottesville, VA
When in Charlottesville, take in as many of the Virginia vistas as you can. Visit the university, sip your way through local wineries, and sightsee at two of the South’s most famous estates, Montpelier and Monticello. Don’t miss Charlottesville’s pedestrian-friendly Historic Downtown Mall with more than 30 restaurants and 120 shops, as well as art galleries and entertainment.
Fly in for a Lake Experience: Greensboro, GA
The lodge-style Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee has 30 acres of picturesque shoreline to enjoy. The Ritz offers five championship golf courses, water recreation, Segway tours, and s’mores served nightly by the lake. There are adventures aplenty in nearby Oconee National Forest, and on your way back to the airport, you can stop in Atlanta to shop the day away.
Sail into the Sunset: Key West, FL
Book the Wind & Wine Sunset Sail with Danger Charters and spend two blissful hours aboard a 65-foot schooner, where you can taste up to eight different wines from across the world. Along with wine, the crew serves hors d’oeuvres and a selection of domestic and imported beers. Stay at the Ocean Key Resort & Spa, or opt for one of the quiet bungalows offered by Key West Historic Inns’ Winslow’s Bungalows.
Go From City to Shore: Tampa, FL
The Tampa Riverwalk winds from Water Works Park in Tampa Heights to the South Plaza near The Florida Aquarium and Channel District. Pilot your own electric eBoat, or take a stand-up paddleboarding lesson with Urban Kai outfitters. Book a room at the plush Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach or the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay downtown for easy access to all the fun Tampa has to offer.
Have a Mountain Adventure: Harpers Ferry, WV
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Small towns are filled with the sorts of experiences that make for fun group trips, and if you want a good time with your girls, head to Harpers Ferry in West Virginia. Stroll downtown and try some local restaurants, find a photo op at The Point, where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet, and set out on a hike on one of the many area trails. Adventure awaits.
Relax at a Mountain Inn: Highlands, NC
Old Edwards Inn and Spa features a historic inn, several guest estates, a boutique motel, and three different styles of cottages ideal for group trips. The Falls Cottages are clustered around a heated mineral pool, whirlpool, and outdoor fireplace. Downtown Highlands has preserved its small-town character with mostly local shops and galleries. Enjoy the spectacular mountain views with a hike to area waterfalls, a scenic drive, or a group fly-fishing lesson on the Nantahala or other rivers in the area.
Enjoy a Taste of Texas: Houston, TX
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You could eat your way through many cities in the South, but few are more exciting than Houston, with its varied and delicious dining scene. Pack stretchy pants and fill your days with restaurant recommendations for you and your best gals. Stay at Hotel ZaZa in the Museum District, where you’ll be in driving distance from great eateries. Don’t miss March, Squable, Tris, and Lucille’s, for starters. Keep exploring because delicious dishes await.
Shop Your Way through the Peach State’s Capital: Atlanta, GA
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If your idea of a fun girls’ trip includes shops and boutiques and browsing and bags, head to Atlanta and bring your credit card. Check out the Westside Provisions District, Atlantic Station, and Ponce City Market. And then there’s always Buckhead. Lenox Square Mall and Phipps Plaza, with their many corners and corridors of shops, will keep you busy for a weekend or more. Grab your gals and get to browsing.
Cook in The Delta: Greenwood, MS
In Greenwood, stay at The Alluvian. This elegant boutique hotel has 45 rooms and 5 suites, a courtyard, a spa, an impressive art collection, and a sleek lobby/lounge. Nearby, the Viking Cooking School and Retail Store offers occasional workshops throughout the year. Check out specialty shops like Russell’s Warehouse Antiques & Jewelry and The Mississippi Gift Company. Don’t miss dinner at Giardina’s, where you can enjoy fresh seafood, steaks, and Italian fare. End with a night at Ground Zero Blues Club.
Recharge Mind and Body: Austin, TX
The Lake Austin Spa Resort provides a special kind of personal attention, well worth your dime and time. The lake setting is ideal for outdoor activities, while the LakeHouse Spa delivers 25,000 square feet of pampering. Many of the spa treatments relate to the Hill Country setting. Pricing includes your lush accommodations as well as three gourmet meals daily, regular fitness activities, and special events.
Take a New River Adventure: Fayetteville, WV
Adventures on the Gorge is a “social campground” that gives you access to America’s newest national park and provides amenities such as restaurants, a pool, and common areas for guests. There are also several lodging options. Among the adventures offered are white-water rafting trips; guided hiking, biking, and climbing excursions; kayaking and paddle-boarding trips; and zip lines that are noteworthy for their impressive length, height, and speed. The TimberTrek Adventure Park features the kind of challenging obstacles, bridges, and zip lines that encourage group camaraderie. You can buy a preset package or choose from the resort’s à la carte menu.
Houseboat in the Ozarks: Royal, AR
On Lake Ouachita, Wake Zone Luxury Houseboat Rentals offers boats—with baths, a fully outfitted kitchen, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, satellite television, and a hot tub—ideal for groups of 10 to 16. Sundecks and pool slides make it easy to take a dip, and rentable add-ons include everything from kayaks to margarita machines. Head over to Hot Springs and book some treatments at Quapaw Baths & Spa, which offers a full menu of services powered by the area’s famed water, which comes from natural hot springs.
Have a Big Time in a College Town: Athens, GA
There’s fun to be had in Athens, the home of the Georgia Bulldogs as well as storied music venues and great restaurants. Check out The Expat, The National, and Seabear Oyster Bar for long, leisurely evening meals after shopping your way through downtown in the afternoons. Settle in at Creature Comforts Brewing Co. for a drink and a chat before seeing some live music at a downtown venue like the Georgia Theater or 40 Watt.
Be a Tourist: Charleston, SC
Soak in this vibrant Southern city that’s bursting with museums, picturesque spots at every turn, and restaurants galore. Enjoy meals that celebrate the culture of Charleston, from soul food to seafood. If you have a full weekend here, make the most of the many eateries. Dine at FIG, where James Beard Award-winning Chef Mike Lata creates seasonal dishes that pay homage to the Lowcountry. Take a walking tour of the city and a ferry to Fort Sumter, the site of the Civil War’s onset. Treat yourself to afternoon tea in Camellias‘ stunning pink dining room. Browse the Charleston City Market for souvenirs, then stroll down Rainbow Row for perfect selfie spots. At the Ryder Hotel, you and your gang can enjoy breakfast or poolside happy hour at its Little Palm bar. Fresh seafood is a must during your stay and The Darling is a sweet place to enjoy raw oysters, fried seafood baskets, or dessert.
Experience Luxury: Asheville, NC
Step back in time at the Biltmore Estate, built in the 1900s for George Vanderbilt by architect Richard Morris Hunt. See how the family, guests, and employees experienced life at the 250-room French Renaissance chateau, known as America’s largest home. The gardens, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, are equally as mesmerizing. After seeing the splendor of the estate and views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll want to retreat to your own luxurious accommodations. The four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate is one of three hotels on the sprawling property. A short drive from the estate and 2 miles from downtown Asheville, the Omni Grove Park Inn has all the amenities for a relaxing stay, including spa treatments, therapeutic relaxation pools, and on-site restaurants and bars. Head to nearby Eldr, which uses locally sourced ingredients, for dinner and cocktails. During your getaway, don’t miss the downtown scene’s variety of breweries and brunch spots, like the farm-to-table Early Girl Eatery or Benne on Eagle for Local Mushroom Toast and Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls.
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