If you are thinking about planning a girls’ trip, pack your bags because, according to science, you should book that trip with your friends to improve your mental health and long-term happiness. Of course, we already know that hanging out with friends feels excellent, but now there’s research that explains the benefits of friendships.
A girls’ getaway is about spending time with our besties. Your soul sisters benefit your well-being. They celebrate good times with you and provide support during dire situations. Some of the many benefits of having friends are:
- Increase your happiness while minimizing your stress.
- Encourage you to modify bad lifestyle behaviors.
- Strengthen your feeling of purpose and belonging.
- Help you in coping with traumatic events.
- Enhance your self-esteem and confidence.
There is no doubt about these tremendous scientific benefits we can associate with a girls’ trip, but we shouldn’t underestimate the fun times we have, the memories we make, and the stress relief we get from spending time with our best gal pals. You can either travel down south and put up at the finest Florida Key luxury resorts to enjoy the sun & sands, or book a modern Texas ranch house somewhere in the mid-central part for experiencing a cowboy style living with your besties.
Girls’ trips don’t need to be fancy or complicated. Even a weekend away with the ladies you love, for example, going on a whale watching Los Angeles tour, may do wonders for your soul. So when you decide it’s time to organize your only gals’ adventure, here is a list of ideas you can consider to make memories together in beautiful and relaxing destinations in North America.
Joshua Tree, California
A trip to Joshua Tree calls for hikes through the desert and margaritas at the hot tub while enjoying the natural landscape, so when your squad is looking to connect in the outdoors, Joshua Tree is a destination for you. This area is known for its spirituality and its serene beauty. Boasting a trendy art scene, diners, sun-soaked cafes, and some fantastic home rentals, Joshua Tree is a must-visit when you want to spend time in the California desert.
Where to Stay
Constellation Compound: This 4-bedroom retreat can accommodate up to 8 guests during a stay and four pets upon request. This vacation home is no more than 15 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park and is near shops, galleries, and restaurants. In addition, Constellation Compound features an on-site pool and a private hot tub perfect for relaxing and enjoying your stay.
Casa De Sunset: This home has everything your friends want for outdoor entertainment and space. Casa de Sunset is just 15 min from JTNP and 7 minutes from town stores and restaurants.
The 2-bedroom home has enough space to accommodate eight guests. The outdoor area has a hammock spot to star gaze at night, a custom firepit, an outdoor dining area, and a built-in BBQ area.
What to Do
Activities: Hiking is one of the most popular activities to enjoy in the area. No matter what route you choose, you’ll want to be sure you’ve packed an impressive amount of sunscreen and water. Set your sights on manageable and short trails to maximize the girls’ fun, and the Cholla Cactus Garden Hike is an excellent option in this scenario.
Restaurants: The Joshua Tree area has fantastic and delicious places to eat. Joshua Tree Saloon is a restaurant with an outdoor space that may be one of the most photogenic spots in town. If you visit the saloon, try their fish tacos and ginger-marinated ahi tuna poke with homemade tortilla chips. La Copine is another savory option, a fine dining hot spot with a seasonal menu that includes corvina ceviche, pork belly ramen, crispy buttermilk chicken with grits, and warm beignets. Note that they are only open Thursday through Sunday.
Attractions: If you’re looking for unique Joshua Tree stops, consider the Noah S. Purifoy Museum, which is free of charge every day of the year. You can also add to your itinerary the Glass Outhouse art gallery, an outdoor art museum with art shows hosted by local artists. Another place you must visit is Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center to view the most miniature objects on Earth or watch the colossal displays in the sky.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Escape to Cabo with your friends to enjoy a girls’ trip full of glamour, fun, beach, delicious cuisine, luxurious spas, and the best nightlife. There are many options for girls with an adventurous spirit in Cabo. For example, you can rent kayaks or book a whale watching tour, and on land, consider for your itinerary some ziplining and ATVing. But when your group is looking to relax and unwind, be sure to make you’ll find authentic Mexican wellness rituals and award-winning spas in Cabo.
Los Cabos, Mexico, is a favorite of celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Emily Blunt, and John Krasinski are famous regular visitors to the area. So this destination offers you and your gal pals the opportunity to vacation like a Hollywood star. Whether for a weekend getaway or maybe a whole-week stay retreat, this Mexican destination has everything to make memories together.
Where to Stay
Casa Stella: This 4-story, 10-bedroom home rental is the perfect getaway for a group vacation or special celebration in Los Cabos, Mexico. Indoor amenities like the home theatre, spa rooms, and a complete home gym ensure all sorts of fun activities to fill the day. In addition, Casa Stella features a private hot tub, infinity pool, and a fire pit for evening gatherings. Also, your rental at Casa Stella has access to daily housekeeping, daily butler service, and a 24-hour personal concierge, making this your best vacation.
Casa Brooks: Casa Brooks is an authentic luxury vacation rental that is spacious and elegant in one of the most exclusive golf and resort communities in Los Cabos. This stunning villa boasts an outstanding ten bedrooms while allowing up to 22 guests, making it a perfect place for a large gathering with family and friends. In addition, this two-story, hacienda-style luxury villa has an outdoor terrace with a custom-built 16-person hot tub, a beautiful pool, and a large fire pit with seating for 16 people. And to make your trip complete, you will have access to a personal concierge, daily butler, and daily housekeeping service.
What to Do
Activities: During the daytime, you can start with a private yoga class with breathtaking ocean views at your accommodation that Cabo Yoga and Fitness can facilitate. Then, take a private tour to The Arch in a unique transparent boat with Envatours. And after all the fun on the water, enjoy a relaxing spa treatment with the girls at The Spa at Four Seasons Costa Palmas. In addition, Los Tamarindos restaurant offers excellent farm-to-table cooking classes where you and your friends can learn and eat simultaneously.
Restaurants: Cabo brings a new meaning to Mexican food with a culinary scene beyond this stereotype. At restaurants like La Chatita on the Cabo San Lucas Marina, you can savor their omelets and freshly squeezed orange juice for breakfast. One of the best dinner spots is Carbon Grill Restaurant, which features Argentinian flavors, from steak, chicken, and seafood to delicious vegetarian options. And if you want to experience Latin-American contemporary cuisine, Comal at Chileno Bay Resort is the place for you. Here, you’ll dine on the braised short rib with cacao broth and a selection of the freshest ceviche.
Attractions: Add to your girls’ trip itinerary a visit to the Puerto Paraiso Mall and Luxury Avenue, where you can shop high-end brands like Yves Saint Laurent and Dior. Also, stop at Plaza Artesanos in San Jose del Cabo for purely local Mexican arts and crafts, from jewelry, clothing, gifts, and souvenirs. Another unique attraction you can enjoy together is the Tequila Experience & Art Gallery, which offers tasting of their tequilas with a 7-course pairing, all while enjoying art.
Mont Tremblant, Quebec
Mont Tremblant is the more popular place to go, and many lists put it at the top as the best place to ski in Eastern North America. A skiing adventure in Mont Tremblant can be the perfect winter girlfriend getaway, even if some of your friends don’t ski. You can add your favorite activities from a girls’ weekend away, such as shopping, relaxing at a spa, and sipping drinks, with the exhilaration of skiing or snowboarding down a mountain blanketed in snow. Plus, there’s fantastic scenery for great selfies.
This European-style pedestrian village has become a destination that offers year-round ski resorts. This ski resort in the Laurentian Mountains is open and powdered from November to April. The mountain has 95 trails and three snow parks with spectacular views of the surrounding hills and lakes.
A Mont Tremblant girls’ ski vacation is accessible to everyone worldwide. It’s easy to get to Mont Tremblant because it’s close to Boston, New York, Montreal, and Toronto, as well as two airports.
Where to Stay
Manor Chalet: This majestic 9-bedroom home is the most prestigious and unique property in the Tremblant area. This secluded property offers an exceptional location just a few minutes from the ski slopes and across the road from the vibrant Tremblant Resort.
Manor Chalet Tremblant has an indoor heated pool with a hot tub, a fire pit, and a game room.
Bondurant 95-3: This is an exclusive 3-bedroom two-story condo with multiple balconies overlooking Lac Miroir and a terrace to revel in the lively sights and sounds of the vibrant pedestrian village. Le Bondurant has a semi-private exterior hot tub and offers privileged access to the Westin Resort & Spa. In addition, you can enjoy luxury amenities such as the outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and gym.
What to Do
Activities: The ski season in Mont Tremblant starts in November and extends through April. Skiing and snowboarding are the most popular winter activities in the area. You can also add cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding to your itinerary. Book a private lesson with Tremblant’s Snow School and discover the mountain as a group, whether you are a beginner, an expert skier, or a snowboarder. They offer personalized service in small groups and advice from their certified instructors. After a day in the mountain, book massage and body treatments at the Scandinave Spa, a nordic style spa where you can have massage and body treatments.
Restaurants: The variety of places to eat at Mont Tremblant is endless. From local Quebec cuisine to Mexican restaurants, sushi, crepes, or pizza, there is something for everyone. Visit the Seb – L’artisan Culinaire for a unique, exceptional taste experience of local and seasonal products paired with excellent wines. La Forge is a great dining option for your girls’ trip itinerary that offers deluxe comfort food and drinks in a former ski shop with a seasonal terrace. Also, La Diable brewpub offers a typical dish in Tremblant, poutine. You can try their poutine with pepper sauce or their meal poutine with chicken, pulled pork, or smoked meat and their 100% natural craft beers.
Attractions: One of the most exciting attractions in the area is flying in a helicopter while marveling at the breathtaking scenery. With Heli-Tremblant, you can book a spectacular and personalized overflight and excursion. The Casino de Mont-Tremblant at mountain’s Versant Soleil is a place you will want to visit with your gal pals to enjoy the usual casino games like blackjack, roulette, poker, and slot machines, free shows, a restaurant, and a cozy bar. In addition, you can add a shopping day by strolling through Mont Tremblant village’s European-style streets to discover a multitude of exclusive boutiques.