If you’re anything like me, every now and then you crave a little bit of good, old fashioned girl-time. Of course, you love the husby or boyfriend and children dearly, but there’s really something special about getting away for a weekend of non-stop gals-only goodness. I’ve put together a list of five U.S. girlfriend getaway destinations to tempt you and your friends, no matter what type of vacation you seek.
Parties & Pools - Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas is a hot spot for girlfriend getaways. Exploring the amazing hotels and casinos is always a thrill, even if you’re not a gambler. Of course throwing a few coins into the slot machines can certainly take the edge off – and might just buy you a round of cocktails (like it did for me)! If you want to try something a little adventurous, you can sign up for a G-rated pole dancing class for girls only, where a professional dancer will give you a workout and help you learn to let loose for a few hours all in good fun. And really, what better way to relax with your best gals than over a big, pink cocktail in the sun around one of America’s most glamorous pools?
Culture & Shopping – Chicago, Illinois If you and your girlfriends have a more cultural bent, make a weekend of it in Chicago. The Windy City has a huge number of institutions where you can expand your mind and artistic sensibilities, including the famed Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. And then there’s the shopping. Chicago has a lot of great shopping, from the high-end stores along the Magnificent Mile to the unique, bohemian boutiques in the Wicker Park neighborhood.
One of California’s Plentiful Beaches (Photo by Mike Baird, Flickr)
Relaxation & Cheap Thrills – Los Angeles, California With L.A.’s strange mix of ultra-glam and gritty, there’s a lot of wonderful ”no good” in the City of Angels for a group of fun-loving girls to get up to. For starters, you’ll want to give Hollywood at least a passing glance – maybe stick your hands in Johnny Depp’s handprints on the Walk of Fame or try to catch a glimpse of George Clooney getting his morning paper in Beverly Hills. Beyond those cheap thrills, though, Los Angeles is a great city for relaxation. You might also want to get to the beach for a bit of tanning time, maybe take a surfing lesson, or even do a grown-up’s tour of Disneyland in nearby Anaheim!
Nashville’s Music Scene (Photo by jramspott, Flickr)
Live Music Scene & Long Chats – Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is a happening city that makes a good central destination for girlfriends hailing from different parts of the country. The obvious thing to do in Nashville is check out the live music scene, with several musical genres on tap for friends of varying tastes. Nashville is also full of gorgeous little cafes, diners, bistros, and coffee shops where you can easily while away afternoons over fresh salads, a glass of white wine, or a foamy cappuccino during long chats with your best friends.
New Mexico’s Ten Thousand Waves Spa (Photo by Lori Grieg, Flickr)
Rejuvination & Nature Appreciation - Santa Fe, New Mexico The mountainous capital of New Mexico is a perfect hideaway for ladies that want to rejuvenate. Santa Fe is small, but packed with great shopping (especially if you like the Southwest style, like handmade turquoise jewelry), a massive number of restaurants per capita, and a relaxed nightlife. The city is nestled into the base of the Rocky Mountains, so there are a lot of outdoorsy activities if you want to get away from it all. During the winter, you can make it a cozy ski holiday. In the summer, take a hike or visit some ancient Native American pueblo villages. Santa Fe has tons of spa options, including Ten Thousand Waves, a luxurious Japanese-style spa tucked away in the mountains above the city.
No matter which of these destinations you pick, you are sure to find delicious food, excellent spas, and fun shopping to share with your besties. And really, you’ll be so busy giggling and gabbing that you might just forget where you are!
Travel writer and wanderluster, Megan Eaves is the author of two travel guidebooks and runs the Irish travel website www.irishjaunt.com. Having traveled to 25 countries and lived in four, she is an expert on Ireland, China and the American Southwest, where she grew up, and also often writes about her adventures around Europe, especially Prague, where she is currently living. More about Megan and her writing is on her website, www.meganeaveswriting.com.
What is your favorite destination for a girlfriend getaway? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
I asked Travel Mamas readers which of the over 500 worldwide Hilton Garden Inn locations you would choose and why for a chance to win a two-night getaway. Your vacation motivation was just as varied as the destinations chosen. Obviously there are many reasons to stay at a Hilton Garden Inn!
Some of you were seeking family vacation. Karen M. said, “I would choose the Hilton Garden Inn Hoffman Estates in Illinois. We moved from Illinois last year and would love to go back to visit family and friends.”
Others wanted a romantic getaway, like Jared. He chose, ”Austin, TX! I’d take my wife on the honeymoon she never got. She loves country music and Austin is known to be a great town with a great country atmosphere!”
A number of you wanted to soak up the culture or nightlife of the destination. Misty said, “New Orleans, New Orleans, and New Orleans! I fell in love with the city, the food, the music and people. The Hilton Garden Hill is conveniently located in the heart of the city!! Woo-hoo!”
While other readers sought relaxation, like David, who said, “I’d love to go to Maine. It’s drive-able for us, your write up makes it seem like a great experience, and it would (be) a perfect way to break up the end of year job and family stress.”
A girlfriend getaway was also a popular choice. Jody said, “Hoping to win to take my girlfriends on a getaway for my birthday to Kansas City!”
Several entrants chose to dream big by selecting an exotic destination. Rosie said, “My mom has always wanted to visit Tokyo, so I’d choose the Hilton Tokyo hotel and make it a family vacation abroad.”
The winner of the Hilton Garden Inn Giveaway is looking for a nearby escape. Karen said, ”I would pick Charleston, SC because it is close enough for a weekend getaway.” Of 652 entries, Karen’s comment was chosen at random using Random.org. She will receive a two-night stay at any Hilton Garden Inn in the world plus breakfast for a a family of four. The winner has been notified by email. If the prize is not claimed within two days, another entrant will be selected at random. Congratulations, Karen!
Thank you to everyone who entered this contest. I hope your travel dreams soon come true! Book your Hilton Garden Inn vacation today.
I had never been to Maine before. I expected gorgeous scenery, walks in the woods, and delicious seafood in Freeport. I didn’t know by the end of my trip I’d be dreaming of someday moving to a town like this on the East Coast. Here are some tips to make the most of a weekend escape to the lovely town of Freeport, Maine.
Pick the Right Travel Companion When Hilton Garden Inn invited me and a guest to Freeport for a weekend, I wasn’t sure who to bring. Lacking in childcare, a romantic getaway with my husband wasn’t possible. For a two-night vacation, it was not practical to bring one of my kids at their respective ages of five and two for such long coast-to-coast travel from our home in California.
I could invite a friend, but this would not be the typical girlfriend getaway filled with spa treatments and nightclubs. I wanted a travel companion with whom I could talk for hours and go for long walks in the woods, without feeling uptight, uncomfortable, or bored. My husband said, “Take Erin. I’ve never seen you laugh as much as you do when you’re with her.”
Erin and I met nearly 20 years ago. We share a birthday separated by one year. My second child and her first baby had the same due date. We were roommates during college and spent weeks backpacking through Europe together one summer. Now she and I see each other about twice a year, when she accompanies her husband to an annual conference in San Diego and when I return home to the Phoenix area every Thanksgiving.
Erin and I landed in Portland after sleepless red-eye flights on a rainy, gusty day. When my umbrella flipped inside out and my travel neck pillow flew across the parking lot, Erin broke into hysterics. I knew then it was going to be a good weekend, no matter the rain or lack of sleep.
The welcoming lobby at the Hilton Garden Inn Freeport
Choose the Right Place to Stay The Hilton Garden Inn Freeportis about a half-hour drive from the airport in Portland. This hotel was named the #1 mid-scale full service hotel for eight of the past nine years by J.D. Power & Associates. I can see why. The lobby with a fire burning in a central hearth surrounded by cozy chairs was a welcome reprieve from the howling “Nor-Easter” winds. In the evenings, guests flock here for drinks from the bar and lively conversations.
The hotel’s indoor pool and hot tub beckoned but Erin didn’t bring a swimsuit. TRAVEL MAMA TIP: Always, always, always bring a swimsuit! It takes up almost no space in your luggage and you never know when it might come in handy!
This Hilton Garden Inn has the welcoming feel of a country bed & breakfast, but with the amenities and privacy of a larger hotel. It is centrally located, making it easy to walk to Freeport’s darling downtown. We were there long before check-in so we lingered over our breakfast of made-to-order omelets and scrumptious cinnamon rolls in the onsite café. We downed a carafe of coffee each.
Indoor pool at Hilton Garden Inn Freeport
Shop Like Crazy Sufficiently caffeinated, we decided to brave the blustery, wet conditions outside. Sort-of. We asked the front desk to call a cab to drive us two blocks so we could go shopping.
Freeport draws visitors from nearby and faraway for its quaint, walk-able downtown and its surplus of outlet stores and unique boutiques. Outlet shopping options include Coach Factory, Gymboree, Banana Republic, and oh so much more!
We spent oodles of time exploring the town’s centerpiece, L.L. Bean’s Flagship Store. This massive complex full of comfy clothes and outdoorsy supplies could keep any shopper or warmth-seeking tourist happy and entertained for hours.
Erin making a fishy face in a pop-up bubble in the L.L. Bean trout and salmon filled aquarium
Enjoy the Outdoors Hailing from Arizona and Southern California respectively, Erin and I were enthralled by the vibrant fall foliage during our October visit. We wandered across the street from our hotel to get a closer peek at the amber, russet, and scarlet leaves. There we stumbled upon Leon Gorman Park, a surprising patch of wilderness situated between a parking lot and neighborhood homes. It is owned by none other than L.L. Bean. We wandered through its trails, saying things like, “Can you believe how pretty this is?” and “Wow!”
Another day, we couldn’t decide between two local farms that offer nature trails, so we asked the gal at the Hilton Garden Inn front desk which was prettier. We were not disappointed with our choice to visit Wolfe’s Neck Farm per her suggestion. Find out why our visit brought tears to my eyes in this post about the Fall Festival at Wolfe’s Neck Farm.
The other choice, Pineland Farms in nearby New Gloucester sounds just as appealing with its public garden, pond stocked for fishing and maintained for ice-skating in the winter, horseback riding, tours of their creamery, and onsite café.
You can experience the outdoors in and around Freeport by kayaking, fly-fishing, canoeing, and camping in warmer months plus snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the winter. L.L. Bean offers numerous classes and tours for adventures like these through their Outdoor Discovery Schools.
In the winter, families can gather at Leon Gorman Park for ice skating on this pond
Get to Know the Locals We became pretty well-acquainted with our cab driver, Dan, during our short stay. He owns AB Cab Company, the only taxi in town. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and Dan only recently hired two more drivers to help him out. He said he loves driving around town meeting folks like us so much, it doesn’t feel like work to him.
One night when our dinner seemed to take too long, Dan had started to drive back to our restaurant to check on us before we had a chance to call him for our return trip to the hotel. He wanted to be sure we got back safe and sound. He was a wonderful resource for where to eat, shop, and play during our visit.
Erin and I having a few glasses of wine in the Hilton Garden Inn Freeport lobby
Slow Down and Catch Up A getaway to Freeport provides the perfect opportunity to connect with nature and with your travel mate, whether vacationing with your honey, your children, or a close friend.
During our weekend away, Erin and I stayed up late chatting over glasses of wine, slept in late (a glorious indulgence for parents with little kids!), ate lots of yummy food, and hiked through the woods. And we talked. A lot.
Erin and I don’t talk on the phone much. As busy moms, phone calls don’t seem to make it into the schedule. When we do talk, it’s hard to make it past the standard stuff. How is potty training coming along? How’s your volunteer work going? Have you decided on a preschool?
With some friends, after catching up on the kids, the husbands, and the latest gossip – the conversation runs dry. You start wracking your brain for topics yet uncovered. With good friends, after the initial chitchat is over, that’s when the really good talks start. That’s when you open up about the stuff that hurts, the stuff that makes your heart soar, the stuff you don’t tell most people. That’s how it was this weekend.
Dream of Freeport Maybe it was the company or the break from the fun, but chaotic duties of parenting that have me daydreaming about my trip to Freeport. But something about this experience has gotten a hold of me. I love my Southern California life, but I now find myself longing to live in a place with distinct seasons, where hiking trails are stumbled upon, and where the beauty of nature is ever-present.
Win a Hilton Garden Inn Getaway
Would you like to escape for a weekend getaway at a Hilton Garden Inn like Erin and I did? You can! Enter to win a two-night stay plus breakfast for a family of four at ANY Hilton Garden Inn in the WORLD. Enter once per day through November 7, 2010.
A note from The Travel Mama: The Hilton Garden Inn Freeportsponsored my weekend getaway to Maine and this giveaway. Want to know more about my stay in Freeport? Check back later this week for my story about food, drinks, and sweets in Freeport.
From where to enjoy a night out on the town to why you should step outside your comfort zone but avoid tequila shots…here are my seven tips for ensuring you have a fabulous girlfriend getaway in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico!
As “The Travel Mama” it seems like I am always on the go with my children. Grown-up getaways, on the other hand, are a bit of a rarity. So, it was quite the treat when I was invited by The Villa Group and Discount Mexico Vacation Hotels for a long weekend away in Cabo San Lucas with four other mom bloggers: Andrea Fellman of Savvy Sassy Moms, Laurie Cooper a.k.a. Clueless Mama of Guessing All the Way, Heather Spohr of The Spohrs Are Multiplying, and Mindy Roberts of The Mommy Blog.
Mindy (The Mommy Blog), Laurie (Clueless Mama), Andrea Fellman (Savvy Sassy Moms), Heather (The Spohrs Are Multiplying), and Me (The Travel Mama)
1. Take to the Water
Cabo San Lucas is a water-lover’s paradise. Beach activities abound, like swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, glass bottom boat tours, and of course, Cabo’s world famous deep sea fishing. The last time I went to Cabo, I stayed with my family on the Pacific Ocean side, which meant the waves and undertow were too dangerous for these activities. Who wants to pile into a rental car or cab every time you want to have some beach fun? This time I stayed at Villa del Palmar, one of The Villa Group’s three Los Cabos locations, situated along a gorgeous stretch of sand before the more tranquil Sea of Cortez.
Even someone like me who tends to get seasick can enjoy a tour of Cabo’s famous Los Arcos sea rock formations aboard a catamaran. Our two-and-a-half-hour sunset cruise took us from the Sea of Cortez into the rolling Pacific Ocean and back again. A dinner of grilled chicken and steak with rice, beans, chips, guacamole, and salsa was served. And, of course, there were free-flowing margaritas, cervesas, and other bebidas. When the boat’s crew gathered the passengers for a dance party, I was wary. I was ready for solid land and, well, it seemed a bit cheesy. First a handful of men were selected to participate in a dance contest of sorts. These five good sports bopped, gyrated, and generally embarrassed their wives and children. It got everyone laughing and ready to join in some line dancing. It wound up being a whole lot of fun!
The famous Los Arcos in Cabo San Lucas
2. Get Pampered
No girlfriend getaway is complete without a trip to the spa. The Desert Spa at Villa del Arco (a Villa Group property next door to our resort) was divine. I was treated to an 80-minute massage. Often when I get a spa treatment I feel like I have to hurry up and relax…like at any minute the service will be over and I’ll be scooted out of there. But this massage went on and on. Just when I’d think my time was up, my therapist would start massaging another limb. My attendant did not waste time sticking my hands in warm mitts (not needed!), spraying aromatherapy mist into the air (I can do without) or leaving me lying there “to relax” while disappearing to some unknown place. No, this treatment was pure, all-out kneading, rubbing, and pampering. Mmm…heaven!
Desert Spa at Villa del Arco
3. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Vacations are a great time to set your adventurous alter ego free and try something you might never do at home. For me on this trip, that meant parasailing with Andrea (Savvy Sassy Moms) and Laurie (Clueless Mama). While we waited for our boat for ten Mexican minutes (a half hour), I started to get un poquito nervous about our impending flight, so I ran off to the bar to grab liquid courage (white wine for Andrea and me and a Miami Vice for Laurie).
You know you’re in Mexico when you must fling yourself onto the boat when it swooshes closer to you with one big crashing wave. No docks for us…just grab hold and throw yourself in (whilst a boatman holds your beverage). In mere moments we pulled up beside another boat into which we climbed, all the while trying not fall into the rollicking sea. I didn’t have time to take a sip of wine before the co-captain pulled me over and tried to get me to slip into the parasail’s safety harness. I said, “I’m not ready! I’m not ready!” and insisted Andrea go first (who has experience bungee jumping and skydiving and therefore had no trepidation about a measly parasail flight).
Laurie was another story. She and I decided we would fly together in a tandem carrier but she chickened out and removed the harness when it was our turn to go. Laurie doesn’t normally even ride roller coasters, so this was very far out of her comfort zone. The day before, Laurie had told me how she almost got off the airplane in her hometown of Denver, so nervous was she about leaving her kids and the familiarity of home behind. I reminded her of this and said, “What if you had gotten off that plane? Aren’t you glad you’re here? If you don’t go, you’ll regret it.” We guzzled down our drinks and before we knew it, we were soaring through the air.
While Laurie speculated at the likelihood of our survival if the ropes tethering us 600 feet in the sky suddenly broke, we giggled nervously and tried to soak up the beauty of Cabo below us. Doing something scary together creates a unique bond between people, especially new friends. It was by far my favorite, scariest, silliest, most intense memory of the trip.
Parasailing with Laurie (Clueless Mama)
4. Take the Vacation Ownership Tour
All five of us mom bloggers went on the vacation ownership tour as part of our experience at the resort. Afterwards, as special guests of Villa Group, we were videotaped giving feedback about the tour, our experience at the resort, and Cabo overall. Our tour was similar to what regular vacationers would experience. It started with a delicious, complimentary breakfast buffet with bacon aplenty, chilaquiles (a Mexican breakfast dish), fresh omelet bar, pastries and more. Then we walked through a couple of sample condominium options. Finally, we sat down with a sales person (well, ours was the Vice President of Villa Group) and discussed options and pricing over champagne cocktails. It was all rather low-key and painless…fun even.
Discount Mexico Vacation Hotels offers a family of four a four-day vacation for $399 in exchange for going on an hour and a half tour. An affordable, upscale vacation like this is certainly a fair trade-off for such a brief interruption in a long weekend getaway. I say, go for it!
My one-bedroom suite at Villa del Palmar
5. Don’t Do Tequila Shots
I certainly like to drink my share of wine, margaritas, and pina coladas. But I draw the line at tequila shots, or shots of any kind really. I stopped doing shots in college and for good reason.
At a recent neighborhood get together someone (my husband, surely) joked about breaking out the tequila to which one of my friends said, “No good ever comes from tequila shots. No one ever says, The night started out with tequila shots and ended wonderfully.” It’s true. Most stories that start with tequila shots end with somebody throwing up, fighting, falling down, passing out, or some combination thereof.
This is why when my fellow mom bloggers started drinking tequila shots, I declined. I gave away my shots to one of my bloggy friends (who shall remain nameless) who wound up taking an early cab home (accompanied by a non-drinking friend) when she started to feel woozy. My advice? If you decide to drink, alternate alcoholic beverages with glasses of water and steer clear of the shots. You’ll thank me the next day!
Sunset cruise dance party
6. Enjoy a Night Out On the Town
Even if there are a lot of entertainment and dining options at your resort you should venture downtown for at least one night of frivolity. The Villa Group resorts offered several restaurants to choose from at its Cabo locations, including a sushi restaurant, fine-dining establishment, and standard Mexican fare as well as themed party nights plus bars where you can enjoy cocktails while taking in a stunning view of the ocean.
Downtown Cabo San Lucas offers numerous modern restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. After a dinner and live music at Desperados Restaurant & Cantina, we ventured out for a few rounds of Karaoke.
Finally, it was time for what I’d been waiting for…dancing! The last time I went dancing (not including weddings) was the last time I visited Cabo…three and a half years ago. We went to the hip Nowhere Bar to boogie for a bit with beautiful people. I was pretty excited to be out of the house, with adults, soaking up some nightlife when all too abruptly my friends announced it was time to head back to our resort. I wasn’t ready to go and (unsuccessfully) attempted to convince the girls to stay out longer. Ahh…well…I guess I’ll have to go back to Los Cabos again so I can get my groove on!
Villa del Palmar’s gorgeous pool with waterfalls and whale-shaped waterslide
7. Soak it Up
One of the best things about a little reprieve from the kiddos is taking some time to yourself to simply relax. Just sitting by the ocean listening to the waves crash on the shore as I read magazines, uninterrupted, felt like a splendid luxury.
On the last day of the trip, I choked up a bit at the airport before flying home when I told Laurie (Clueless Mama) how much I missed my kids. It’s good to miss them. It reminds me to appreciate the little moments I often take for granted…the sounds of my children giggling in our backyard as I cook dinner…the way my little boy hides under the pillow in his crib playing peek-a-boo and refusing to get up from his nap…the way my daughter bursts into my room every morning, too early but full of smiles and bouncy energy, ready to start the day.
I think it’s important to take notice of those moments AND to appreciate a break from the ordinary because all too soon…I’m back to the daily grind and daydreaming of a moment of peace during which I could do something as languorous and unlikely as flipping through a magazine without children clamoring at my side with requests for more juice and pleas for one more episode of Dora the Explorer.
Want to learn more? Check out the Villa Group multimedia player below to explore locations, pricing, and more. Click on the ”video” button to see my fellow mom bloggers and me living it up in Cabo and to watch interviews about our experience.
What are your tips for a girlfriend getaway or a trip to Los Cabos? Please leave a comment below!
A note from the Travel Mama: My flight, accommodations, and many other expenses for this trip were paid by The Villa Group and Discount Mexico Vacation Hotels. All of the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I would never recommend anything I don’t truly like and believe in!
Who could use a little pampering and quality time with one of your best girlfriends? Me, me, I could! If a weekend away filled with shopping, a spa visit, and an interruption-free dinner in Los Angeles sounds like your cup of chai, check out the Mom’s Makeover Madness Sweepstakes sponsored by TMobile on DisneyFamily.com.
Obviously, I love to travel with my children. While it’s important to travel as a family and introduce your kids to new experiences, I believe it’s equally important to take an occassional trip with the gals sans children.
I’m pictured above in the pink Travel Mamas t-shirt at the Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina with a bunch of my new blogger girlfriends.
I spent last week at the Type-A Mom Blog Conference in Asheville, North Carolina. At first I missed my kids terribly. But then I connected with all of these great women. I learned a lot. I played a lot. And I didn’t have to change any poopy diapers or ply anyone with crayons, crackers and sippy cups during meals. I only had to worry about me. It was fun. It was liberating.
After a few days, I started to really miss the kids again. I missed reading them stories, kissing their chubby cheeks, and even those noisy dinners (but not the poopy diapers).
I had a blast at the conference staying up too late and chatting with my new friends. But when I returned to my hotel room alone each night, I was reminded that my husband isn’t just this guy who’s helping me raise two children. He’s also my partner in life who’s always there to assure me that I didn’t say anything dumb and that I’m perfect just as I am. He makes me feel loved and accepted and safe. And I missed that.
Getting away from your every day responsibilities makes being home all the better. So plan a trip with your girlfriends and, in the meantime, appreciate all that you have at home.
Do you have a favorite girlfriend getaway memory or destination? Leave a comment below!
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