Tell me about your favorite girls’ trip

[underwaterrhymes]

There is a caveat: I want a location that is not drinking-focused.

I’m a part of a group of girls who are super tight. Last year we all got together for the first time in maybe a decade. (We’ve had GTGs with a few of us, but not all in some time). We hope (🤞🤞🤞) to get together next year.

Most of our trips have involved drinking in some fashion, but a member of our group is recently sober (just over 30 days) and I want to make sure she feels loved and supported in her sobriety. I am the planner of the group, so I’m already thinking ahead.

What’s a place you have loved that wasn’t winery or bar focused? Hiking (moderate, not extreme), spas, delicious restaurants with a fab mocktail menu all welcome.

[wanderlustmom]

I don’t remember what they are called but what about a cycling trip? My sister did that, you bike all day, they follow behind you with all your stuff and every day is a different bed and breakfast? She did one in Vermont and I know they also go to Italy. I’ll report back too, I’m doing a cruise with my high school best friends and I don’t drink anymore. I am going to tell them, I promise I’m still fun and I won’t be lecturing you on your drinking.

[underwaterrhymes]

I love the idea of a cycling trip for other people lol. 20 years ago, I might have been one of them, but my body is falling apart on me and I don’t think I could manage that.

[underwaterrhymes]

PS - have fun on your cruise!

[wanderlustmom]

Mar 30, 2024 6:36:33 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

I love the idea of a cycling trip for other people lol. 20 years ago, I might have been one of them, but my body is falling apart on me and I don’t think I could manage that.

I get it! My sister said you do get to ride at whatever pace you are comfortable with. I remember feeling that way about trying to mountain bike in college. I think it depends on the friend group. My high school friends like to go and do and my college friends like to sit and visit. Maybe a yoga retreat? You are so lucky to have all the European options

[sunshineluv]

The grove park hotel in Asheville NC. It has hands down the best spa I have ever been to, I think of it like a time warp, you can spend the whole day there and do nothing but have the most amazing time (it’s kind of like a cave with lots of pools).

Also Asheville is a super fun city with tons of outdoor activities and also so many types of food to try.

[notsopicky]

How about Sedona? (I know I'm obsessed.) Spa- and nature- and exploring-focused, rather than drinking. I read or heard recently (on these boards, I think) the term "drinking as an activity" and it really resonated with me; I too pretty much no longer drink and I've used that phrase more than once talking with my friends.

Maybe a shore house, like in NC? Maybe even one that you would have to rent a Jeep to drive on the sand to get to? Beach, water, and like activities to be the focus? Or Lake Tahoe? Or Mackinac Island in Michigan (to do some biking?)?

When would you be going?

[notsopicky]

sunshineluv, I'm going to Asheville with my extended family in July to see the Chihuly exhibit at the Biltmore. Thanks for the recs and that's a good idea for underwaterrhymes too!

[ZitchDog]

Sedona tics these boxes! My sister and I went on a trip together last spring and spent the days checking out the myriad hiking trails, enjoying the pool and hot tub after that, and finding new places to eat from many, many solid choices. We stayed on their main street so we could walk everywhere.

We also found a reflexology place (Tao Foot Spot) that was divine after a hike. Plus there was donut shop nearby (Sedonuts); a real win.

The year prior, she did the same trip with two friends, one of whom is sober, and it was very easy for them to honor their friend's sobriety since it's such a fun, dare I say healing scene. We did look around the crystal and wellness/healing shops and such, but that wasn't built into the premise of our trip.

[underwaterrhymes]

Mar 30, 2024 6:44:52 GMT -5 wanderlustmom said:

Mar 30, 2024 6:36:33 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

I love the idea of a cycling trip for other people lol. 20 years ago, I might have been one of them, but my body is falling apart on me and I don’t think I could manage that.

I get it! My sister said you do get to ride at whatever pace you are comfortable with. I remember feeling that way about trying to mountain bike in college. I think it depends on the friend group. My high school friends like to go and do and my college friends like to sit and visit. Maybe a yoga retreat? You are so lucky to have all the European options

Haha, I WISH I had European options. I live in the Chicago area, which is awesome in its own right.

As a group, we are a happy combo of sit and visit and go and do. I am definitely not a relax on the beach person; I tend to plan trips that involve a lot of activity, but not, like, hiking into the wilderness or mountain biking.

Yoga could be a possibility, I think, though.

[wanderlustmom]

Yes to Asheville and Sedona! Both lovely and I would keep going back

[wanderlustmom]

Mar 30, 2024 6:54:34 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Mar 30, 2024 6:44:52 GMT -5 wanderlustmom said:

I get it! My sister said you do get to ride at whatever pace you are comfortable with. I remember feeling that way about trying to mountain bike in college. I think it depends on the friend group. My high school friends like to go and do and my college friends like to sit and visit. Maybe a yoga retreat? You are so lucky to have all the European options

Haha, I WISH I had European options. I live in the Chicago area, which is awesome in its own right.

As a group, we are a happy combo of sit and visit and go and do. I am definitely not a relax on the beach person; I tend to plan trips that involve a lot of activity, but not, like, hiking into the wilderness or mountain biking.

Yoga could be a possibility, I think, though.

Sorry! New to the posting. I mistook you as the London therapist. Got it right now. Yes Chicago is awesome

[underwaterrhymes]

Sedona and Asheville were both on our list of places to go for our last trip, so this is good to hear.

[underwaterrhymes]

notsopicky - not sure of exact timing, but likely October 2025. October works well since four of the five of us have kids.

[notsopicky]

October is awesome in so many places. Sedona averages 80°/50° at that time. NC ocean water would probably be cold, but the weather might be perfect. I was also going to suggest NYC, but that might not be the vibe your entire group would be looking for.

Maybe the Adirondack lakes? I am partial to Lake George. In October, leaves will be starting to turn and it would be very pretty.

[lovelovelove]

When I read your OP I thought of my girls trip to Sedona and I see it's already been suggested a few times in the replies so just adding my vote. We hiked, drove around, did a spa day, and shopped.

Other suggestion would be Rhode Island- Newport, Narragansett, Providence all within driving distance (if you rent a car) and all have special things to do- tours, shopping, beach, walking/hikes, great food. I've also done several girls trips to these places.

Have fun!!

[fernweh]

I have never gone as a girls trip but I think Sedona would be perfect.

[MixedBerryJam]

Are you all in Chicago? What about DC? All the free museums and a ton of stuff when you’re done with that. Tons of stroll hikes (as opposed to mountaineering type hikes) within walking distance and terrific public transit so you don’t need a car.

[underwaterrhymes]

MixedBerryJam - No, I’m the only one here. Two are in Florida, one is in Colorado, one is in Michigan. That’s why we never get together at the same time. So hard to coordinate!

[rachers]

Oh I’m really glad you posted this. I’m literally trying to plan a short trip with my DH and we are looking for the same - somewhere we have other things to do than “drinking as an activity.”

San Antonio is really fun as well as Austin.

NW Arkansas is really beautiful - Eureka Springs is beautiful with tons of hiking, shopping and restaurants. Lots of spas too. And not far from Crystal Bridges Museum. Hot Springs is fun with similar activities. October would be really pretty here.

[treschic]

My mom and I did a trip to Maine and it was amazing

[devonpow]

Some of my favorite girls trips were Puerto Rico, Scottsdale, and Palm Springs. My group is big into a pool, spa, and exercise opportunities (either hiking, tennis, etc)

[underwaterrhymes]

Mar 30, 2024 7:41:18 GMT -5 treschic said:

My mom and I did a trip to Maine and it was amazing

Three of us did Bar Harbor and Acadia maybe 11 years ago and it was amazing!

[sunshineluv]

Mar 30, 2024 6:50:06 GMT -5 notsopicky said:

sunshineluv, I'm going to Asheville with my extended family in July to see the Chihuly exhibit at the Biltmore. Thanks for the recs and that's a good idea for underwaterrhymes too!

Oh you will have the best time, the Biltmore is so beautiful. If you like to read, the book a well behaved woman is fictional based on the Vanderbilt’s and would be fun to read before your trip.

My favorite restaurant is Hemingways, and they take reservations. It’s in a hotel, and has a rooftop patio with amazing mtn views. It’s not one of the most popular places to eat but I highly recommend it.

[Gato]

Sedona really is incredible. I’ve been all over the country and am pretty jaded, but was still blown away by that place. I’d go back for a longer stay with my girlfriends in a heartbeat.

[sarahswim]

Another vote for Asheville. Hiking, the Biltmore, amazing food-my mom and I did 5 days there last year for my spring break and had a great time.

[isabel]

I am also going to suggest Sedona. There are so many wonderful really moderate hikes, jeep tours, star gazing (seriously just drive out to a trailhead and lay on the hood of the car), and a decent number of good restaurants of varying levels of fancy. I went to Wilde Spa this year for my massage and it was a good experience. I would avoid New Day Spa.

One can drink, of course, but I would say it’s a location where it wouldn’t be at all out of place not to.

[erbear]

My college friends and I went to Nantucket last year and had a blast. We hiked and biked and ate (and drank, but it wasn’t the center of the trip). That said, it would have been cost prohibitive if not for one of them having a family home there that we all stayed for free.

Any major city would be fun, lots to do and good food. Philadelphia, New York, DC.

Maybe go out west? National parks in Colorado, dude ranch in Jackson hole?

Any interest in going out of the country? Montreal and Quebec are really fun, Iceland, London?

[erbear]

Mar 30, 2024 6:55:49 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Sedona and Asheville were both on our list of places to go for our last trip, so this is good to hear.

I’ve been to both of these and love them both. Asheville can be drink heavy though — lots of breweries.

[minzy]

Probably a tie between Banff and a Bryce Canyon/Zion/Vegas trip. Banff was in June, I bet it would be much different in October. Utah was in October and it was great - there was awhile in Bryce one morning when we had it all to ourselves for about an hour.