Galentines Day Vacation: Getaway with your Gals in the USA!

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It’s scientifically proven that having at least one vacation with your girlfriends reduces stress, increases your glow, and promotes A REAL FREAKING GOOD TIME. Ladies – hopefully, you already have regular meetups with your female friends, because honestly it’s good for your health. If you don’t, there’s no time like the present! And everyone who isn’t a lady, send this to the women in your life and cheer them on at the airport as they depart. One of the best weekends for a girls trip, especially for single ladies, is a fun Galentine’s Day Vacation!

But it’s 2020. I’m not trashing on popular girls’ weekend trips to places like San Diego, Atlanta, Chicago, and Palm Springs. In fact, I actually LOVE those places. But like I said. It’s 2020. How about we throw in some new amazing US destinations that are highlyyy underrated! America is a beautiful country – see more of it with the equally beautiful women in your life! So without further ado, here are seven of the best underrated US destinations to host your next Galentine’s Day Vacation!

Asheville, North Carolina – Christina from NC Tripping

It doesn’t matter if your friends are into exploring the outdoors, gabbing a pint, stuffing their faces, or a relaxing luxury experience. Asheville, North Carolina has it all. Located in the mountains of western North Carolina, Asheville has become a haven for all types of travelers, especially for group trips.

You can soak up the beautiful downtown and swig it down with any of the 30+ breweries in the city. From well-known breweries like Wicked Weed and New Belgium to hidden gems like Bhramari Brewing Company and Wedge, there are plenty of ways to drink responsibly and have a great time catching up with the girls!

Next, grab your girls and head to the Blue Ridge Parkway for stellar views and thousands of miles of trails and waterfalls. After working up an appetite, head into downtown Asheville, which has also been dubbed “Foodtopia”. With a focus on diversity and locally run restaurants, your Galentine’s Day vacation crew can hatch plans to overthrow the patriarchy AND eat a delicious meal at places like Chai Pani, Curaté, or Benne on Eagle.

Colorado Springs, Colorado – Jyoti from Story at Every Corner

You might not have picked Colorado Springs as a destination for your next Galentine’s Day vacation. But Colorado Springs is a great place for hiking and outdoor adventures! Colorado Springs is close to amazing state and national parks, and also comes equipped with some great spas and restaurants. It’s a trifecta destination for everyone in the party!

Some fun activities for girlfriends’ groups are:

• Garden of the Gods has numerous activities for all fitness level, including outdoor rock climbing. Additionally, there are many hiking, Segway, photography, and Jeep ride activities. 
• Pike’s Peak is a gorgeous Fourteener (over 14000 feet above sea level). It has a beautiful drive up to the very top for views that pictures can’t capture.
• Cheyenne Cañon is a city filled with crazy stories of the rich and famous. Manitou Springs is Colorado’s resort city, famous for its mineral springs, cliff dwellings, Manitou Incline Train, art galleries, and boutiques. 
• Painted Mines Interpretive Center is an easy walk among colorful rocks, set in an amazing geological formation.  

Colorado Springs is a fun Galentine’s Day vacation for active girls who want to spend quality time in the outdoors!

Naples, Florida – Joella from Roving Jo

Naples, Florida is known as the Paradise Coast. It also offers an unforgettable Galentine’s Day vacation! With a combination of sunshine, shopping, and nature, Naples is the perfect place to enjoy time with the laddies in a place that looks and feels like paradise. 

Offering over 300 days of sunshine, the first thing you’ll want to do is work on your tan at one of the many beautiful white sand beaches. A few local favorites are Delnor Wiggins State Park, Clam Pass Beach Park, 3^rd Ave Beach, and Naples Pier Beach. 

After you and the girls have had your share of vitamin sea, it will be time for some retail therapy. The Waterside Shops offer some ridiculously posh options like Louis Vitton, Gucci and Tiffany.  However, if a bargain is more your style, then head to the Outlets where you and the girls can score great deals on all the best brands. Or check out Mercato for the trendy restaurants and boutiques.

For a different type of therapy, treat yourself and your tired feet to a spa. Schedule massages, facials or manicures at the luxurious Ritz Carlton Resort, Naples Grande Beach Resort or at the boutique spa at the Inn on Fifth.  For a full day of pampering while enjoying each other’s company, then book at The Woodhouse Day Spa. They specialize in Spa Parties!

For a more active activity, Naples is perfect for paddle boarding or an adventurous kayaking tour in the everglades. Plus, no girls getaway is complete without good food and drinks. Two great restaurants in Naples are Osteria Tulia for Italian, and Sea Salt for seafood!

Chattanooga, Tennessee – Jordan from The Solo Life

Chattanooga is one of the best underrated cities for a Galentine’s Day vacation. Although not as popular as Nashville, Chattanooga has a lot of the same southern charm and fun activities for the perfect girls’ getaway. With its smaller crowds, Chattanooga blends outdoor and artsy vibes at a fraction of the price!

The most popular attraction is Lookout Mountain, which includes Ruby Falls and Rock City. Both are perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors and nature. Ruby Falls is the largest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. While Rock City is an outdoor recreational area. It includes multiple gardens, a swinging bridge, and an observation area atop the mountain that allows visitors spectacular views of 7 different states. Perfect for your iconic photoshoots!

Another great activity, especially for a group of whiskey lovers, is to visit a distillery. Chattanooga Whiskey is one such place, with a tour of their experimental distillery and a tasting in the cocktail lounge for $12. For those more interested in shopping, downtown Chattanooga has tons of charming southern boutiques. Also, for those with a higher credit limit, Warehouse Row is a former Civil War site that is now a shopping and dining stop! History AND shopping? Yes please!

Portland, Maine – Lindsay from I’ve Been Bit

Not to be confused with it’s west coast cousin, Portland, Maine is an incredible city full of amazing restaurants, awesome bars, beautiful architecture and more. First of all, Portland’s downtown core is extremely walkable! Within a few blocks, you’ll have more restaurants than you can count, art galleries, shops and historical sites. Portland was actually named as restaurant city of the year (2018) by Bon Apetit!

But when your feet get tired, you can sip on craft cocktails on one of the MANY bar patios as the sea breeze brushes through your hair. Sound dreamy and like the perfect place to complain about the wage gap? It is!

One of the best places to stay is at the Portland Harbor Hotel. Each of the 95 rooms are one of a kind and uniquely decorated! Plus, the hotel comes with complimentary bicycles, an outdoor firepit, and town car service!

Sedona, Arizona – Vicky from Buddy the Traveling Monkey

A great place to have a Galentine’s Day vacation is Sedona, Arizona. The city offers a little bit of everything! So, whether your group is looking for adventure or to relax, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Sedona is really easy to get to. It’s less than a two hour drive from Phoenix. Also, accommodations can easily be found as there are plenty of hotels, resorts, and Airbnbs. Two of the best restaurants, Mariposa and Pump House Station, can easily accomodate larger girl’s groups. Plus, Sedona is home to a few wineries as well!

Now that food is covered, let’s dive into the most popular Sedona activity. Hiking. Bell Rock Hiking Trail and Crescent Moon Ranch Hiking Trail are both great if you want to take photos and get your blood pumping, but not overly exert yourselves. You still want to look cute for your post hike smoothie boomerang, right? Though if you really want to work your buns, there are trails ranging from every skill level!

Then, unwind at one of the famed spas in the area. From an outdoor hot tub, of course, watch the stars dance in the desert skies.

Wilmington, North Carolina – Julie from More than Main Street

The coastal town of Wilmington is the perfect destination for a Galentine’s Day vacation! Fly into the local airport (ILM) or road trip into the area with your besties for the perfect weekend away. Having a car will be helpful, but Uber and Lyft are readily available.

For early risers, take a morning walk or jog around the Loop! The late wakers can join later to soak up rays on on the beach then grab dinner at local favorite Tower 7. The Riverwalk has tons of adorable boutiques an is walkable for late-night bar hopping and tinder swiping. Wilmington also hosts a variety of group activities like kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding classes, or even surf lessons! Finish up the weekend with something truly unique with a film tour checking out all the popular movies and tv shows filmed in the area. Which is surprisingly higher than you would think!

There really are a ton of fun things to do in Wilmington, NC, and is a good destination for groups that have a mix of pop culture buffs, beach lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and foodies.

How to prepare for a Galentine’s Day vacation!

Now that you have your destination chosen, you’ll want to do all the prep work to make sure your trip runs as smoothly as possible. So…you know, the girls will actually want to continue the tradition next year!

You will need to have: THE TALK. Round up everyone in a group chat to discuss the basics of the trip. This includes BUDGET, sightseeing priorities, sleep schedules, and food preferences. These topics can easily be overlooked and overshadowed behind the excitement of a new trip, but they can make or break your entire Galentine’s Day vacation. SO TALK IT OUT!!

Galentine’s Day Vacation – LET’S GO!!

Have you ever gone on a trip for Galentine’s Day? What about…any kind of girl’s getaway? For more destination ideas, check out my other posts!

• Girls Getaways for Foodies
• Girls Getaways for Culture Enthusiasts
• Girls Getaways for Artsy Vibes

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