The best places for a girls' weekend getaway in America

So you held Palm Royale watch parties, too? Make like Maxine Dellacorte and retreat with your girls to the pastel-hued enclave of Palm Beach, FL. You’ll feel like old money in no time by staying at the pristinely pink and tasseled Colony Hotel, where you’ll inevitably pose for pictures by the pool as though Slim Aarons were behind the camera. Shop til you drop at luxury boutiques along the storied Worth Avenue, from the flagship Lilly Pulitzer store to the perennially chic Aerin brand. Of course, this is Palm Beach, and the upper crust’s old wares need a place to go. And for that, there is West Palm Beach, one of the best places in the country to find vintage designer clothing, handbags, jewelry, furniture and more, even if they aren’t at thrifty prices. Balance out a day of shopping with a sumptuous meal at the Palm Beach outpost of Sant Ambroeus or at the elegant Breakers Hotel.

Offering loads of Southern charm and plenty of warm hospitality, this historic city dotted with renowned squares and tranquil parks is perfect for a weekend with the girls. One of the oldest cities in Georgia, Savannah is chockablock with antebellum mansions like the Owens-Thomas house, which you can ogle on group tours. Stroll beautiful Forsyth Park, check out Broughton Street’s chic boutiques and shop for crafts at City Market. Don’t forget to dine on the area’s killer local seafood at spots like Sorry Charlie’s and Chive Sea Bar.

The City that Never Sleeps offers something for everyone, making it a good choice for a group of women with diverse interests. The food-obsessed can find literally anything to eat, from the cheapest Chinatown noodles to the priciest foie gras. The drink-obsessed can seek out perfectly balanced cocktails at La Noxe or The Lab at Patent Pending. Make time for gallery-hopping in Chelsea, ogling Picassos and Monets on Museum Mile, strolling Central Park and taking in views from the High Line. If you’re in town during the summer, you can even get in some beach or surf time at the Rockaways in Queens.

If your group chat is filled with astrology memes, witchy heartbreak remedies and numerologic affirmations, then why haven’t you all been to Sedona already? The entire city is believed to be centered on a vortex, where the earth is brimming with mystical energy conducive to introspection, inspiration and the power of transformation. It should be no surprise that this landscape of rolling red rocks is a mecca for wellness retreats, holistic healing practices, and any new-age activity you could think of. Wake up at dawn and embark on a guided vortex hike with Blue Bear Tours or make your own way through Sedona’s trails to see iconic sights like the Devil’s Bridge or the Birthing Cave. Spend your afternoon at one of Sedona’s many spas, then catch the sunset with an early dinner at Mariposa, which has expansive views and top shelf margaritas. Don’t feel like planning? Resorts like Mi Amo and Wilde can plan a wellness retreat for you and your crew from start to finish.

Feeling fancy? Then gather up your gals and head to this posh town on the Rhode Island coast, where you can gawk at over-the-top Gilded Age mansions, dine on pristine local seafood and frolic on the seashore. Four of the city’s most famous mansions—The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House and Rosecliff—offer self-guided audio tours. Or, go deep with a docent at Chateau-sur-Mer, Chepstow, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House and Kingscote. When you’re not drooling over real estate, salivate over briny bivalves at Midtown Oyster Bar or The Mooring, and make sure to stroll the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk, which affords stunning views of those aforementioned mansions as well as the coast and ocean below.

The hipster capital of the Pacific Northwest is a fun destination for just about anyone who loves good food, excellent beer and pristine wilderness. Ladies who like to trek should explore Forest Park in northwest Portland; it boasts 5,200 acres of woods with trails for hiking, biking and birdwatching. After burning off all those calories, seek out the city’s excellent street cart fare at spots such as Nong’s Khao Man Gai or sit down to enjoy an upscale meal of Catalonian food at Can Font or wood-fired pies and homemade ice cream from Lovely’s Fifty Fifty. No matter what you eat, be sure to end with a delicious doughnut from Blue Star Donuts and pair it with plenty of microbrews from local spots such as Occidental Brewing and Breakside Brewery.

Home to 425 wineries, there’s no shortage of tastings to be had in Sonoma. Make sure to also visit the eleven state parks in the region where you can hike seaside cliffs or thread between redwoods. Wrap up your day indulging in renowned farm-to-table cuisine and fine dining at Single Thread, Spinster Sisters, the Girl & the Fig and more. Hungover? Check out downtown Santa Rosa and the South of A Street (SOFA) district, where you’ll find artist studios and galleries, local boutiques and more.

If you love Charleston and Savannah, but you’ve “been there, done that,” then trek it to North Carolina’s charming Southern waterside destination of Wilmington. There are tranquil beaches for sunbathing, swimming, and—if you want to splash out, so to speak—chartering a private yacht for your best gal pals. Check out local companies such as Airlie Pointe Yacht Charters for package deals, including overnight stays and catering. More of a landlubber? Head downtown to stroll the riverfront boardwalk, which boasts more than 40 locally owned restaurants and pubs, gawk at the antebellum Bellamy Mansion or scarf seafood at spots such as Fish Bites and Cape Fear.

Nicknamed Music City, this tunes-loving town makes for a great choice for fans of live country, blues and soul music. The historic Grand Ole Opry is a must-visit, as is Broadway (aka the "Honky Tonk Highway"), home to classic dives like Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge and Robert’s Western World. For eats, smokin’-hot Nashville hot chicken is an obvious choice (we like the bird fried up at Hattie B’s). And leave some room in your suitcase because the vintage shopping in East Nashville (think weathered leather cowboy boots) is bar none.

Nestled among the rolling topography of Texas Hill Country, charming Fredericksburg is located a scenic 90-minute drive from either San Antonio or Austin. One of the country’s most-visited wine regions outside of California and Long Island, it’s a sure bet for your vino-loving girlfriends. Round them up and head here for tours of beautiful vineyards, including Grape Creek, and be prepared to taste plenty of varietals. In town, strap on your cowboy boots and pound the floor at historic dance halls such as Albert Ice House.

If your personalities meet at the intersection of food, drink and good times, New Orleans is the perfect destination. You’ve all probably done a bachelorette (or two) stumbling in and out of frozen daiquiri joints around the French Quarter, but the Big Easy’s got plenty more for you once you’re ready to level up to a more local, encultured scene. By day, rent some bikes and go mansion-hopping around the Garden District, hit up the trendy boutiques along Magazine Street, or embark on the ultimate craft cocktail crawl to try at least a dozen drinks in their confirmed birthplaces from the French 75 at Arnaud's to a Vieux Carré at the Hotel Monteleon’s Carousel Bar. At night, delight in a number of great restaurants, from Creole classics like Commander’s Palace and Galatoire’s to long-running Southern favorites like La Petit Grocery and Coquette. At night, hitch a ride over to Frenchman Street for live jazz all night long.

There are few American cities as easygoing as San Diego and it doesn’t hurt that the southern California town is compact, easy to navigate and adjacent to the beach. During the day, head to the waterfront to swim, snorkel or learn to surf (the all-female operator Surf Diva is an excellent choice for lessons). Not into navigating the Pacific Ocean? Spend the day soaking in nature and Spanish architecture around Balboa Park. At night, the Gaslamp Quarter offers a wealth of yummy restaurant options, most with heat lamp-warmed patios. Once you're ready to rest, La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla is a pastel-pink dream and erstwhile Old Hollywood hangout founded in the 1920s that affords sparkling ocean views.

Cute towns, wine country and wellness retreats are all nice… but maybe you and your girls just need a bougie weekend of wildin’ out and for that, there’s Miami. You could check into a resort like the Baz Luhrmann-designed Faena or the ever-classic Miami Beach Edition, but if you want to explore the local scene, opt for a boutique property like The Moxy or The Esmé on Española Way (we swear, you’ll feel like you’re in Sevilla). Spend your day yachting across Biscayne Bay or doing the day party thing at places like Hyde Beach or The Goodtime Hotel. At night, get gussied up for dinner at one of Miami’s many clubstaurants like MILA or Delilah, or do the local thing and check out one of the many new restaurants ballooning Miami’s culinary clout. Oh and don’t skimp on the espresso martini after dinner; Miami’s best nightclubs stay open well until the morning hours.  

What if we told you there’s a place in Northern California that looks like it was designed by hobbits? Carmel by the Sea is a cozy square-mile seaside village filled with mom-and-pop shops, snug restaurants, and local art galleries in the nooks and crannies of structures whose architectural style can only be described as cottage core. Often covered in mystical fog, Carmel sits just a short drive north of Big Sur’s gargantuan redwoods and breathtaking cliffside views and is the perfect getaway if you’re looking for a “cute” weekend with the girls. With locations oceanside and in the heart of Downtown, Le Petit Palley offers chic accommodations. You could spend a day sipping martinis and bobbing in and out of boutiques or get a deeper lay of the land with themed tours, from wine walks to historical ones digging into the area’s charm. For dinner, opt for a top-tier restaurant with rustic charm, like La Bicyclette or Casanova. And once you’ve covered every inch of Carmel by the Sea, hitch it north to explore the neighboring Monterrey, CA.

Don’t just write off Las Vegas as a destination for bachelorette parties and conferences; Sin City is a fabulous place to spend a one-off weekend with the girls! Apart from gambling, Vegas offers plenty of entertainment options like glitzy pool clubs, luxury spas and world-class shopping. You could dabble in traditional Vegas shenanigans: gambling, a table at any of Tao Group’s mega clubs, the Magic Mike residency. Or you could hop off the strip and head to the downtown Arts District, which holds a free Art Party every first Friday of the month.  

Aspen is generally thought of as a winter wonderland and, while it’s certainly a great choice for a ladies’ ski weekend, there’s plenty to do here year-round. In the warmer months, nature lovers will want to visit Maroon Bells, two beautiful adjacent peaks in the Elk Mountains, for great hikes affording stunning views (or, ascend on horseback). In the winter, hearty apres-ski fare is the name of the game at restaurants in town, and it includes duck- and buffalo-based dishes that will make your taste buds spin with gusto.

There’s something about the stately charm of southern cities that makes them irresistible—lovely, leafy Charleston is no exception. Home to historic landmarks like Fort Sumter, excellent shopping along King Street and a flourishing food scene helmed by top-tier eateries such as Husk and Revival, the city offers a little bit of everything. We suggest taking a historic trolley tour to get a lay of the land, grounding yourself in the centuries-old history of this port city. Need a little sun and sand? Hop in the car and head to nearby Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach.