Aspen, Colorado
Aspen is most famous for being a ski town, but trust me: the après ski vibes are just as fun. We’re talking snow tubing, an alpine rollercoaster, and snowmobile tours all in close proximity. Whatever you do, make sure the girls take a sleigh ride (I repeat: a literal sleigh ride) to Pine Creek Cookhouse for a hearty dinner. P.S. Bonus points if you spend a portion of the trip watching The Real Housewives of Beverley Hills’ iconic Aspen trip.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
You’ll want to pick a warmer month for a visit to this historic lakeside city, because the water is the place to be (preferably via sailboat, if ya ask me). The car-free streets make everything feel more quaint, as do the cute boutiques and world-famous fudge shops. Book a stay at the Victorian-era Grand Hotel if you can swing it, but still head over there for afternoon tea even if you can’t. The old-world charm will make you and your crew feel like you jumped into your favorite historical fiction romance novel.
Solvang, California
What we have here is pretty much a charming Danish village smack dab in the middle of California. Like…there is a straight-up windmill. There’s also yummy Danish food (aebleskivers, anyone?) all year long, Christmas shops just because, clogs around every corner, and—most importantly—tons of wine rooms and vineyards. Rusack Vineyards is extremely gorgeous, if you’re lookin’ for recommendations.
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Santa Fe, New Mexico
Home to incredible restaurants, art galleries, spas (Ten Thousand Waves and Sunrise Springs are musts), and one of THE most charming downtowns on this list, Santa Fe truly earns New Mexico its “Land of Enchantment” nickname. The best time to visit is probably late fall, when the tourist season has died down a bit and temperatures are dropping.
Portland, Maine
Looking for a summer spot? This. Is. It. You and your girls can stroll around the cobblestone streets of the Old Port waterfront and explore a gazillion quirky shops and cafés before experiencing the gorgeous Maine coastline via a sailing tour (or, better yet, a lobster cruise!). You should also probably visit a brewery (there are…a ton), and eat approximately one million lobster rolls.
Telluride, Colorado
I mean…this town is heaven on Earth. Not going to lie, Telluride is extremely teeny and you kinda have to be into the outdoors to truly take advantage of everything it has to offer (soooo many gorgeous hiking trails, for example), but you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time if you do. Like, there’s literally a saloon in town. And you should go there.
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Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Welcome to Wyoming’s famously fabulous Jackson Hole Valley, home to multiple gorge ski resorts—including the Kardashians’ fave, Caldera House. Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park are close by, so you can visit those before you try your hand at horseback riding, hiking, and rafting. You’ll need a drink after, and I beg you to go to Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, where the seats are literally saddles.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
I feel reallyyy confident that you won’t regret a trip to Nantucket…especially if your squad is drawn to all things cute and cozy. There are beaches, cobblestone streets, beautiful boutiques, deee-lish seafood, a famous lighthouse for all those group photos, and awe-inspiring ice cream from The Juice Bar. (Heads up: It’s cash only and solely open during spring and summer!)
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is big enough that you won’t run out of things to do during a long weekend, but small enough to feel extremely doable for a quick girls’ trip. On top of being beautiful (hello to this photo of the fall foliage), it also has a burgeoning restaurant scene. I recommend staying downtown to save on Ubers and all the hassle—the swankiest hotel is definitely The Inn on Biltmore Estate, which, as the name implies, is on the grounds of George Vanderbilt’s historic country home. You will feel fancy!
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Palm Springs, California
If your interests include a) ogling chic aesthetics, b) lounging in a pool all day, and c) visiting the ghosts of Coachellas past, then Palm Springs is the obvious choice for you. Most of the hotels are Accidentally Wes Anderson-core (especially The Saguaro), and Palm Canyon Drive—the town’s main street—has a ton of fun stores and restaurants. If you’re feeling adventurous but also kinda lazy, check out Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for jaw-dropping views without the hike.
New Orleans, Louisiana
There’s a reason why so many people have their bachelorette parties in NOLA. There’s a bar or restaurant around every corner, tons of live music, and it’s just a (cheesy, but true) joyful place to be. Definitely spend time in the French Quarter, then get a drink at Hotel Monteleone, where literary greats like William Faulkner and Truman Capote used to hang. And it obviously goes without saying, but Café Du Monde is a must, no matter how touristy.
Sun Valley, Idaho
Not sure if you’ve noticed, but celebrities literally won’t stop vacationing in Idaho. And there’s a reason why! It’s gorgeous, packed with lakes and rivers, and has fresh air for daysss. Jimmy Kimmel co-owns a resort there called South Fork Lodge, which is the place to stay and provides pretty much everything you need to enjoy ~That Idaho Life.~
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Charleston, South Carolina
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Willamette Valley is Oregon’s not-so-hidden treasure—home to a gazillion gorgeous vineyards to tour/day drink at. There are a bunch of sweet neighborhoods to explore—including Cottage Grove and its delightful covered bridge—but when it comes to finding a place to stay, look no further than Black Walnut Inn & Vineyard for a Tuscan vibe.
Austin, Texas
I just have one thing to say to you: honky-tonk. Austin has poppin’ nightlife, which means this is a great opportunity to buy the cowboy boots you’ve been wondering if you can pull off and force your friends to learn how to line dance. During the day, Austin is a great city to explore on foot (warning: your friends *will* want to take touristy pics in front of murals, and that’s okay). Just do yourself a favor and hit up Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden for brunch and live music.
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Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park is super retro and steeped in beachside Americana. I mean, the arcade! It’s iconic! The beach is great, the boardwalk is better, and I’m obsessed with the vibes at the Asbury Ocean Club. Can’t promise you’ll see the Jersey Shore crew, but the cast of characters around town will surely suffice.
Sedona, Arizona
QQ: Are your friends in their wellness eras? If you said yes, Sedona is waiting for y’all! There are spas and crystal shops everywhere you look (L’Auberge’s spa has creek-side massages), and you can book a “water to wine kayaking adventure” if you want something a little more exciting (and boozy). No further info required, amirite?
Ojai, California
Ojai is a small but stunning city north of Los Angeles, filled with art galleries and delicious restaurants (you’ll go to The Dutchess if you’re smart). Overall, it’s a great place to just relax, meander, and lounge. Staying at the historic Ojai Valley Inn is very much a part of the experience, and 10/10 worth the splurge.
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Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor is a gorgeous town on Maine’s Mount Desert Island, but it also has the added bonus of being right next to Acadia National Park and its rocky beaches (make sure to hit up Jordan Pond House for yummy popovers). There are tons of charming boutique hotels and inns to choose from, but it’s hard to beat the Bar Harbor Inn—a beautiful oceanfront lodge with spa services and a lovely pool.
New York, New York
New York is obviously incredible, but my advice? Don’t try to pack too much into a short trip. Also, stick to less touristy areas. You should definitely book a Broadway show and go to the Met, but otherwise, spend your time walking around and exploring the city by foot. (If you’re into the cobblestone street vibe, Soho, Seaport, and Dumbo—pictured here—are great for strolling.) A Carbone reservation is always a good idea if you can get it, and for old-school NYC energy, head up to Bemelmans at The Carlyle Hotel.
Hannah Chubb is the lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.
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