5 Fabulous Girls Getaways

We love romantic escapes with our significant others. We adore playful weekends away with the family. But sometimes we just need a getaway with the girls. We need a trip with the women who know and love us and can put up with our biggest quirks—including our penchant for turning up that really bad 90s music on the rental car stereo, hogging up the armrest on the airplane, or spitting sunflower seeds out the window as we drive (wait, no, that was Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally).

If you’re lucky enough to have a friend—or two, or three—with whom you’d love to escape for a few days, here are 5 fun-loving towns to blow through this weekend.

Victorian manors line Charleston’s pretty waterfront.

1. Charleston, S.C.

The plentiful shopping and dining options, gorgeous Antebellum architecture, mild weather and generous Southern charm make Charleston the perfect girls-weekend destination. This is a truly walkable city where you can soak up the history, experience the food and nightlife, and shop until you drop—all without straying too far from your hotel.

Stuff to do: Start your weekend by exploring Charleston’s main attractions by foot. Wander around Waterfront Park and stroll the boardwalk along the Cooper River, taking note of the lovely mansions perched on the water. Take a scenic ferry ride across the river or a carriage ride around town. Frolic along King Street in the historic district, where dozens of boutiques, antique shops and restaurants draw big crowds on the weekends. After dinner, head to City Market, a series of open-air stalls and small shops peddling everything from fresh local food to handwoven sweetgrass baskets. If you feel like venturing out of the city center, drive to the 18th-century Middleton Place, a national historic landmark and home of the oldest landscaped gardens, or the Charleston Tea Plantation, in the heart of South Carolina’s low country, both of which offer tours. Or head to the beach to soak up some sun on the seaside village Sullivan’s Island, just minutes from downtown.

Where to stay:  The historic French Quarter Inn offers the ultimate in Southern hospitality, pampering you with champagne upon arrival, wine and cheese in the afternoon, and milk and cookies at night. Another good choice is the Market Pavilion Hotel, which features a cascading pool and a rooftop bar with sweeping views of the city. For more moderately priced accommodations, the Doubletree Guest Suites in the heart of the historic district offers spacious rooms and suites within walking distance of City Market.

What to eat and drink: Charleston is one of the country’s most up-and-coming foodie destinations, offering not only amazing restaurants but numerous culinary tours and cooking classes, such as those run by Charleston Cooks. The city is known for its Southern homestyle cooking featuring fresh local seafood, so don’t leave town without sampling the regional cuisine at Poogan’s Porch, housed in a Victorian townhouse in the historic district. For more modern fare, check out the loft-like atmosphere and mediterranean-inspired plates at Cannon Green, or head to Sullivan’s Island for the nouveau-French/Italian/Spanish fare at The Obstinate Daughter. After dinner, check out the lively late-night crowd at Social Wine Bar, the sophisticated ambiance and house-made infusions at Cocktail Club, or the lively scene at bowling-alley-meets-bar The Alley.

A row of brownstones in Brooklyn Heights, which has glorious views of Manhattan.

2. Brooklyn, N.Y.:

Manhattan will always be glam central, but we all know Brooklyn is currently where it’s at. So why not skip M island altogether and spend an entire weekend in the ethnically diverse borough that gave birth to New York cheesecake, Nathan’s fries and hipsters.

Stuff to do: Get acclimated to some of Brooklyn’s trendy neighborhoods by taking a Made in Brooklyn Tour. Then grab your walking shoes and subway map and get ready to explore. Must-sees include the gorgeous Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the history-filled MTA-Transit Museum, a wind-in-your-hair excursion on the East River Ferry, and an exhilarating ride on the Coney Island Cyclone, the 16th oldest roller coaster in the world. If you feel like some shopping, browse the trendy boutiques along Fifth and Seventh avenues in Park Slope, the mom-and-pop stores on Atlantic Avenue in Cobble Hill, or the high-end shops along the cobblestoned streets of DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). If vintage goodies are more your thing, visit the bustling weekend market Brooklyn Flea, which has two locations in Fort Greene and Williamsburg. After watching the sun go down from—where else?—Sunset Park, check out Brooklyn’s burgeoning Indie Rock scene at Music Hall of Williamsburg or Pete’s Candy Store.

Where to stay: There’s no better location than Williamsburg in which to plant yourself for a couple nights. Comfy beds, trendy decor and a super-central location are what the popular Condor Hotel has to offer. Or check your posse into the Wythe Hotel, whose handsome lobby, loft-style rooms and trendy rooftop bar overlooking the Manhattan skyline set the tone for a relaxed, stylish weekend.

What to eat and drink: Williamsburg newcomer The Heyward is generating buzz for its Southern-inspired menu, sleek decor and inventive cocktails; with its tin ceilings and vintage-y decor, the place is as Brooklyn as it gets. Another fun choice is Carroll Gardens favorite Alma, whose modern-Mexican menu includes everything from chicken mole to chilaquiles, and whose potent cocktails make the gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline even more stunning.

Excellent shopping, food and nightlife make Paris the perfect girlfriend destination.

3. Paris

Yes, for this excursion we’re sending you across the pond to a town that has a reputation as the ultimate lovers destination. But Paris—with its spectacular sites and unparalleled shopping, food and nightlife—can also set the scene for a kick-ass girls weekend. Whether you spend more time on the artsy Left Bank (Rive Gauche) or the more classy Right Bank, you’re destined for a fun time in the City of Light.

Stuff to do: Conquer Paris by foot or metro, but either way get started early because there’s so much to see. On the Right Bank, walk the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe, and from the Paris Opera (home of the Phantom) to Place de La Concorde, where the guillotine took Marie-Antoinette’s life. Visit the Mona Lisa at the Louvre and the impressive impressionists at the Musée D’Orsay. Then spend a little time around Place Vendôme for some expensive retail therapy. The next day, tap into the rich bohemian past of the Left Bank’s charming Latin Quarter. Stroll along Boulevard Saint-Germain, where Sonia Rykiel, Yves Saint Laurent and other designer boutiques await you. Pop into Le Bon Marché, the quintessential Parisian department store, to purchase the Paris-shopping-list trifecta: shoes, perfume and lingerie. Before you leave, pick up some picnic fare in the food hall and lunch on the lawn of the nearby Jardin du Luxembourg. Finally, take an elevator to the top of the iconic Eiffel Tower, in the 7th Arondissement, and wind down with a cruise along the Seine, where you’ll see all the city’s famous bridges, including the oldest, Pont Neuf.

Where to stay: The legendary Hotel Ritz Paris, home to Coco Chanel in 1934, is unfortunately closed for renovations until mid-2015. So if you’re heading to Paris before the grand reopening, book a room at the equally regal Plaza Athénée, a posh yet hip hangout between the Champs-Élysées and Eiffel Tower. For a more downtown experience, stay at Five Hotel in the artsy 5th Arrondisement, a modern hotel featuring space-age suites with large bathrooms, private patios and hot tubs.

What to eat and drink: If you’re heading to the chic shopping neighborhood the Marais, put down your bags and lunch at a neighborhood cafe such as Chez Camille. If you’ve just braved the museum crowds, treat yourself to something sweet at Angelina on the Rue du Rivoli, known for its romantic Belle Epique decor and heavenly hot chocolate. For dinner, try La Rotonde on the boulevard de Montparnasse, an Art Deco cafe Hemingway mentioned in The Sun Also Rises, or Joël Robuchon’s famed L’Atelier in Saint-Germain, featuring a circular bar and a custom menu. Paris nightlife picks up late in the evening, and if you’re a jazz lover, check out Le Caveau de la Huchette in the Latin Quarter or Le Speakeasy piano bar in the 16th Arrondissement. Intellectual types may prefer La Belle Hortense, a cool bookstore/wine bar, and party girls will adore World Place, a dance club owned by Johnny Depp, John Malkovich and Sean Penn.

Head to Scottsdale for the picturesque views and fun sightseeing. Photo courtesy of the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

4. Scottsdale, Ariz.

From the moment the sun rises over the Sonoran Desert until long after it sets, Scottsdale offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Spa treatments, outdoor activities and laid-back bars will feed your group’s need for both excitement and party time.

Stuff to do: If there’s one thing you and your girls do in Scottsdale—besides lounge next to the pool—it’s visit one of the town’s luxurious day spas, many of which are housed within posh resorts. From the prickly pear sugar scrub and crushed-pearl mani-pedi at Golden Door at Boulders to the 24-karat gold facial at the Spa at Gainey Village, there’s a relaxing treatment to suit everyone’s taste. If getting up early seems possible, take a sunrise hot air balloon ride for spectacular views of the desert, or hike the trailheads at Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Hop on a free trolley to explore downtown and the waterfront, and hop off at Old Town to stroll the cute fashion boutiques, antique shops and art galleries. For some offbeat fun, take the Magical History Tour at Hotel Valley Ho and learn about Old Hollywood architecture. Finally, head back to your hotel—or someone else’s hotel—to swim and sunbathe. The water park at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale and the after-dark techno slide with disco lights at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess are standouts.

Where to stay: The 53-acre Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa offers luxurious casitas with spectacular views, an Asian-inspired spa and an infinity pool. For the ultimate in old-world luxury, stay at the Phoenician, whose stately rooms, 10 restaurants, golf course, spa and luxury amenities set the tone for a glamorous weekend. Bigger groups can easily spread out in one the Phoenician’s elegant and spacious Canyon Suites.

What to eat and drink: Enjoy breakfast on a sun-drenched patio surrounded by butterflies at the cozy Cafe Monarch, whose tiny but delicious menu allows you to choose either a “sweet” or “savory” option. Tucked away in the Bespoke Inn in Old Town, elegant newcomer Virtù dishes out Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a Southwestern zest. Proof, at the Four Seasons at Troon North, serves up chicken with waffles, spiked root-beer floats and other comfort food in a lively canteen setting. After dinner, grab one of the inventive cocktails at Salt Lounge, then catch a flick at t iPic Theater, which doles out complimentary popcorn, wine and beer.

Vegas allows you to see several cities in one shot. Here, the New York-New York Hotel & Casino on the Strip.

5. Las Vegas:

OK, so the whole “Vegas, baby” thing may be a little cliché. But for some of you, Vegas is still the ultimate party destination. Every year something new and outrageous pops up in this quirky town, making it endlessly exciting.

Stuff to do: Vegas offers something for everyone—from New York-style roller coasters and zip lines to pole-dancing classes and mobster museums. However, most visitors come for the themed hotels, celebrity-owned restaurants, world-famous clubs and show-stopping shows (check out O at the Bellagio or Blue Man Group at the Monte Carlo). The resort-style poolside lounging and the gambling ain’t too shabby either. In fact, as soon as you land at the airport you’ll start to hear the ca-ching of slot machines, and it won’t let up until you board your return flight home. If you’d rather spend your money shopping, pick up a new outfit at the Grand Canal Shops at the Venetian, the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace, the ritzy Wynn Esplanade or, if you like bargain hunting, the Las Vegas Outlets. Prior to your visit, contact an independent VIP hosting company to arrange private happy hours and VIP nightclub entry to clubs like Hakkasan and Drai’s After Hours at the Cromwell, so that after dinner all you have to do is saunter into the hottest new haunt and dance.

Where to stay: The Cromwell, with its sexy vibe and guest rooms styled like nouveau bordellos, has one of the best locations on the Strip—not to mention an all-day beverage service offered on each floor of the hotel. The ultra-modern Cosmopolitan (or the “Cosmo,” as it’s affectionately called) has established itself as one of the trendiest spots in Vegas. The resort features large rooms with chic furnishings, a spa and three pools, one of which converts into a nightclub. Checking in guests using an iPad is just one of the ways this hotels remains hip and current.

What to eat and drink: Emmy-Award winning celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis has opened her first-ever restaurant, Giada, inside The Cromwell. This charming Las Vegas restaurant boasts a California-style menu, a cozy outdoor patio with views of the Bellagio fountains, and a very long waitlist—so make your reservations far in advance. Newcomer Cleo will make you feel like an Egyptian princess with its pyramid-shaped entrance, emerald-green curtains, Moroccan tiles and chandeliers—not to mention Chef Danny Elmaleh’s scrumptious seasonal mezzes, flatbreads and handcrafted infusions.

Have fun choosing your next girls weekend destination—and let us know where you’re headed!