girls weekend ideas somewhere in the middle of the country.

[Deleted]

We have a budget of $1,000 a piece for flights and hotel.  She is flying out of LA so has plenty of direct options.  I am coming from East Coast with no good direct options.  We don't want to do Vegas or New Orleans.

The plan is to meet up in October.  We both like to eat, shop, and do the spa thing.  I was thinking a spa in AZ or NM but am open to other places.  Any ideas? Thanks, ladies.

[Deleted]

st. lois, mo is a direct flight for both of us.
anything interesting to do there?

[Deleted]

Chicago?

[sarahsas]

I live in STL. Love it here. You could probably get a much cheaper spa experience here than somewhere else. Lots of shopping here - both locally owned shops and there are also new outlet malls with everything you could want. Great restaurants. Affordable sites to visit. Wineries also might be something you'd be interested in that isn't too far from the city proper.

My BFF and I are in similar situations. We did Santa Fe a couple weeks ago and went to a spa. It was just ok. It would've been just as good to do the Four Seasons here.

[mdgirl]

I'll second Chicago. You also wouldn't have to rent a car, which will help your budget.

[Deleted]

i was just googling santa fe because of the chocolate trail!

I don't want to do chicago because her sister and kid live there and she doesn't want to involve her sister in this plan


St. Louis is out.  I guess they cancelled the direct route there because I just searched and it was almost $700 for a ticket.  I could go to mexico for that

[sarahsas]

Did you try southwest? We have a big Southwest presence here.

My friend and I spent more than one day at Kakawa Chocolate house in SF... yum!!

Ten Thousand Waves is where we went for a spa. It was ok but pricey.

[alleinesein]

Denver
Kansas City

[boiler717]

We did our first big girls weekend in Chicago. Next up is Denver. You could do Austin, Dallas, or NOLA too.

[Deleted]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Nashville.

[scout8]

I do a girls trip every year with friends from college. For more central locations, we have done Phoenix, Denver, Chicago, and Nashville. Nashville was my favorite. This year, we are going to Austin.

[moreace01]

Sedona? Lots of good spas there. Would have to drive from PHX, it's about 2 hours. Could do Scottsdale if that is too far to drive.

[lizlemon19]

Denver.

[winnied]

Kansas City, Nashville, or Austin

[spankswife]

Sedona or Chicago. Two of my favs!