20 all-American girls trip ideas with never-ending fun things to do

There's nothing like spending quality time with your girlfriends. Whatever you and your best girls love doing together—from Sunday brunches or Netflix binge-athons to dancing like no one is watching on a night out—our girlfriends keep us sane. They’ve seen us at our best and our worst, and loved us through it all. Thinking of a way to celebrate these special bonds? Two words: Girls trip!

There are so many amazing girls trip ideas across the USA, it can be hard to choose. No two groups of girlfriends are the same, so whether you’re looking to soak up the nightlife, the sun, fun attractions, great food, or all of the above, we’ve compiled some of our favorite girlfriend getaways to take this year.

And the best part? TripAdvisor can help you plan your whole girls trip itinerary. We check up to 200 booking sites to bring you the lowest price on hotels, plus we have thousands of bookable tours, activities, attraction tickets, and other travel experiences directly on our site. Our new 24-hour cancellation policy (for in-destination experiences) means you can pre-book before arriving, but still have the flexibility to cancel if your itinerary changes.

All you need to do now? Call up your best girls, pack a bag or two, and get ready to make some incredible memories.

There is always something fun going on in the vibrant city of New Orleans, making it an ideal choice for your girls getaway. Does your crew love to indulge in delicious and authentic cuisine? Check out the Original Taste of the French Quarter tour, where you’ll walk through this historic neighborhood sampling cuisine from six local eateries along the way. Fondly known as the City of the Dead, NoLa has tons of ghost tours to choose from if you and your girls are up for some haunted history. When night falls, hit colorful Bourbon Street for its one-of-a-kind nightlife. Say “Cheers!” with your besties on a New Orleans Pub Crawl, and end the night wearing way more beaded necklaces than you came with.

In San Antonio, the options for fun are as colorful and varied as you and your crew. Take extraordinary photographs at the Japanese Tea Gardens, soak up the sun at SeaWorld San Antonio, or spend a night laughing at the famed Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club. The Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour is a great choice to take in the whole city, and a ticket also includes a River Cruise and admission to the observation deck at the Tower of the Americas. And, of course, how could we forget to recommend a trip to the historic Alamo? San Antonio has a little something for everyone, making it a prime girls trip idea.

Spend your girls vacation exploring a the unique art scene, trendy restaurants, and dynamic entertainment of Oklahoma City. The Paseo Arts District is a prime location for casual fun, where you can stroll through the over twenty galleries and decide amongst nine restaurants ranging from quaint cafes to craft beer havens. The Plaza District is a great choice for meandering through adorable shops, eating, drinking, and catching up. If you’re in the mood for a thrill, the interactive magic show at Max’s Magic Theatre is sure to leave you and your girls amazed and laughing. Pre-book a few walking tours for even more sightseeing, like this Mansions and Marvels tour or a city walking tour.

Gorgeous mountain landscapes, historic architecture, and a dynamic art scene await you and your girlfriends in Asheville. If your perfect girlfriend getaway involves spending time in the great outdoors, don’t miss out on the Hiking Tour of Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls. Snap a group photo in front of Biltmore Estates; the expansive mansion looks practically fit for royalty (perfect for you and your girls!) For a memorable night out, there are plenty of brewery tours to choose from, though the comedy-based LaZoom Bus Beer Tour may be one of the most unique.

If the terms “Girls Vacation” and “beach” go hand in hand for you, Laguna Beach marks the perfect destination. There are tons of gorgeous, sandy beaches to choose from, but a particularly special one is Crescent Bay Point Park. Along with the sun, sand, and surf, the park is home to dozens of adorable beach-themed shops and restaurants. Seeking adventure? A Kayak Tour or Stand Up Paddle Board lesson is a great way to take in the beauty of the beach while bonding with your besties. Get your taste buds firing with a Best Bites of Laguna food tour, and once night falls, bring your girls and your newfound beach vibes to the old-school cool Sandpiper Lounge, complete with live music and dancing.

With a city slogan like “Keep Austin Weird,” Austin is the perfect choice for a girls vacation if your crew is seeking a unique and festive getaway. Start the party at 6th Street, a street blocked off for pedestrians to enjoy music, bars, restaurants, and celebratory vibes. For the nature lovers, visit the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center for tours through gorgeous canyons with stunning waterfalls or experience Austin’s urban and natural sides on the Walnut Creek Bike Tour. And for some laid back fun, take the girls for a photo-op at the I Love You So Much mural (a not-so-subtle way to let them know how you feel!)

A sunny city by the water, Fort Lauderdale is a girls trip idea with much to offer. The Jungle Queen Riverboat Dinner Cruise, which will take you by boat past mansions and yachts and make a stop at the beautiful Jungle Queen Tropical Isle, will leave you dreaming. Stroll down twinkly-lighted and eclectic Las Olas Boulevard for great food and shopping, or hit similarly named Las Olas Beach for a suntan or refreshing dip in the ocean. Nightlife is plentiful in Fort Lauderdale; The Parrot bar is one option for a relaxed atmosphere complete with ocean views.

If your ideal girlfriend getaway includes rest, relaxation, and stunning nature, Sedona is exactly what you’re looking for. The Sedona Soul Spa or Mclean Meditation Institute are just two of Sedona’s many relaxation centers for those seeking peace and rejuvenation. If you’re feeling more adventurous, check out the Broken Arrow Jeep Tour, an off-road trip through the gorgeous red rock canyon. Take in more breathtaking views on a drive or hike through the Oak Creek Canyon. You and your girlfriends will leave feeling refreshed and closer than ever.

Turquoise waters, unparalleled nightlife, Cuban-infused cuisine, and fabulous shopping await you and your girls in Miami. During the day, ogle at exotic animals and sealife at Zoo Miami or the Seaquarium. Go alligator spotting and embrace a need for speed on a Miami Everglades Airboat Adventure. Take in Miami’s unique art scene at your own pace or on a Street Art Tour in the neighborhood of Wynwood, followed up by shopping and eating your way through Bayside Marketplace. If the dance floor is calling your name, seize the night on one of Miami’s many Club Crawls.

Consider crossing Brooklyn off your travel bucket list for your next girls vacation. Arguably New York City’s coolest burrow, this neighborhood is chalk-full of art, craft beer, and hipster vibes. Visit Brooklyn Bridge Park, a shoreline park dotted with shops, a carousel, building-sized murals, and stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, for a relaxing afternoon. The Williamsburg Smorgasburg is a must-see; the weekly festival offers over 100 food vendors as well as a full outdoor bar. For the beer-lovers among you, the Brooklyn Brewery is a favorite of locals and visitors alike; or take your girlfriends on a stroll through craft beer heaven during Sunday Funday: A Boozy Brooklyn Tour.

After snapping a group photo at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, dive into all the rest that San Francisco has to offer as one of the best girls trip ideas in America. Check out Fisherman’s Wharf for scenic of the bay, tons of restaurants, and adorable local shops. Try not to get dizzy while you and the girls laugh your way down Lombard Street, the curviest street in the world. With the world renowned wines of Napa Valley just a short trip away, leave your driving direction app-of-choice dormant on a Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour that picks you up right in the city.

If heights aren’t a deal breaker for you and your crew, then a visit (and a few minutes on an elevator) to Skydeck Chicago is the best way to take in incredible views of the whole city of Chicago. You can even step out on the glass floor jutting out at the very top of the building, if that’s your cup of tea! Back on the ground, a trip to Millennium Park offers lakefront views, a an outdoor music pavilion, and even a ferris wheel. To take in the whole city at your own pace, Chicago also offers a convenient and fun Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour. For the sake of your foodie friends, consider planning your girls vacation to Chicago during the annual Taste of Chicago festival, the world’s largest food festival occurring every summer.

Food, drinks, natural beauty, nightlife and a truly one-of-a-kind culture make Portland a first-rate girls trip idea. For the outdoorsy among you, there are tons of hiking experiences to choose from. Enjoy a half-day hiking tour through the beautiful Multnomah Falls or one through the Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls (or save yourself from this impossible choice and do both!). Visit Skidmore Market to peruse unique and eclectic goods and nibble on tasty treats like fresh Kettle Corn. When night falls, Helium Comedy Club is a local favorite for a laugh. Portland is also home to several brewery tours for the enjoyment of you and your best girls.

A pure friendship between women is akin to a true Hollywood love story… why not celebrate that love in the city of stars itself? Los Angeles has much to offer, whether or not you and your best girls are pop culture fiends. For breathtaking views of LA’s rolling hills, visit the Griffith Observatory; go at night for incredible snapshots of stars and city lights. Universal Studios is right around the corner, offering hours of entertainment-themed rides and attractions. Find some of the best shopping in town at outdoor shopping center The Grove, or ogle at the finer things in life on iconic Rodeo Drive.

Seattle is packed with fun ideas for your girlfriend getaway, including a visit to world-famous Pike Place Market, one of just a few authentic farmers markets in the States packed with delicious eats and lively scenery. If you’re having trouble picking a restaurant from a seemingly endless list of choices, try out a Chef Guided Happy Hour Tour and sip/nibble your way around the market. Chihuly Garden and Glass will leave your crew in awe at enormous and intricate glass sculptures (while adding some serious color to your Instagram grid).

There is always something fun going on at City Market in Kansas City, where you and the girls can shop and eat almost any kind of food you’re in the mood for. Have fun while finding out how well your crew would do in crisis-mode at one of five different Escape Rooms throughout the city. If live music is your thing, the Blue Room jazz club is a favorite amongst locals and visitors alike. The Amigoni Urban Winery is the place to be for some of the best food and drink in town, and it’s also a stop on the Uncorked Tour to four Kansas City breweries and wineries. And you can’t leave Kansas City without trying the delectable barbecue cuisine.

Spend your girls vacation experiencing the southwest in beautiful Santa Fe. Choose between a leisurely float down the river or a whitewater adventure with Santa Fe Rafting Company. During a summer visit, don’t miss a visit to the Santa Fe Bandstand, New Mexico’s largest free music series featuring nationally touring artists to local musicians. Enjoy some delicious bites and while learning a little local knowledge on a Santa Fe Food and History Walking Tour, or experience ranch life at the living history museum El Rancho de las Golondrinas.

Good morning, Baltimore! This city is a great girls trip idea, offering fun attractions, great food, and a unique art scene. Walters Art Museum, a cultural hotspot of Baltimore, inspires with works of art spanning thousands of years. Enjoy some lighthearted fun with your best girls at Mustang Alleys, an old-school bowling alley and bar. Experience this historic city from the water and snap some great pictures on the Inner Harbor Sunset Sail. For pasta and pizza lovers alike (is anyone not raising their hand?), visit Little Italy to indulge in rich, authentic Italian cuisine.

Salem is the unofficial ghost capital of the USA, with its fascinating and terrifying history of the Witch Trials of the 1600’s. A girls vacation here is perfect for Halloween lovers and history buffs. Take it all in at the Salem Witch Village museum, or experience history on foot on one of Salem’s haunted-themed walking tours. Take the girls for one of the best psychic readings in the region at Omen: Psychic Parlor and Witchcraft Emporium. And if all of this dark and mystic activity has you in need of a drink at the end of the day, Far from the Tree Cider offers craft beers and ciders (and no ghost-theme).

Begin your trip to beautiful St. Augustine at the Wild Reserve, where you and the girls can get up close and personal with some of the world’s most exotic big cats, including rare and endangered White Tigers. If that doesn’t meet your nature fix, enjoy a memorable kayak trip through St. Augustines’ beautiful estuaries and shorelines. For a walk on the weirder side, visit Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum, offering tons of interactive exhibits for you and your girls to enjoy. To indulge in the best of St. Augustine’s food and drinks, check out one of the city’s several food tours and pub crawls.

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