Girls Weekend Getaways

Weekend getaways give me life. They energize my soul, help disconnect from my busy corporate girlie Monday through Friday, and recharge my mental space. Getaways with my girlfriends always my favorite. I have found that as I've gotten older, maintaining freidnships (which admitedly because harder with jobs, spouses, kids, family obligations, and much more) is all the more important. Weekend getaways with friends are one of my favorite ways to reconnect, catch up, and have the kinds of deep laughing fits that only happen with the best of friends.

Choosing the right place for a weekend escape comes down to a few key factors:

• Convenience

• Do you want to drive or take a short flight?

• What is the vibe?

• Cozy cabin? City fun? Adventure? Spa?

• What type of accommodations are you looking for?

• Hotel? House Rental? Lushna?

Below are a few of my favorite getaway spots for a girls weekend, along with fun activities and recommendations. Drop a comment below with your favorite spots and tips!

Woodstock, Vermont

Vermont is one of those uniquely nostalgic places - towns that look as if they fell out of a storybook, local stores with unique items made by local artisans, and homes that exude coziness and comfort. It is the perfect place for a weekend getaway, to escape the chaos of the week, embrace small town life, and reconnect with yourself, friends, and loved ones. It is also supremely dog friendly, which always scores many bonus points from me.

A few weeks ago, my childhood bestie and I escaped to Woodstock, Vermont for a weekend getaway. We shopped in local boutique stores, baked cookies, watched christmas movies, and went to the most incredible bar for craft cocktails. I would suggest renting a home here for the weekend. There are so many unique A-Frames, cabins, and historical homes, its pretty easy to find one to suit any need.

Must Eat, Shop, and See:

All good things start with coffee, and I would recommend starting your day (or grabbing your afternoon caffeine boost) at Mont Vert Cafe. The menu features amazing items, like their breakfast burrito, made with locally sourced ingredients.

Woodstock is full of unique shops filled with items from local artisans, small brands, and one of a kind vintage pieces. I am a sucker for Christmas ornaments, candles, pottery, and maple syrup products; Clover, Unicorn, and Woody's Mercantile are a few that we had the best time exploring.

We ended our day with a cocktail, at Au Comptoir. Their menu features seasonal cocktails and mocktails and small bites (the onion dip is incredible). I recommend getting there when they open and grabbing a seat outside by one of the fire pits.

Catskills, NY

If you've seen the movie Dirty Dancing, then you are probably at least somewhat familiar with the Catskills. It has long been an area to escape NYC, and enjoy some fresh air. However, in the last few years, this area of NY has completely boomed. With tons of amazing chefs opening shop here during covid, and people relocating to the area, this is no longer just a spot to get a taste of the outdoors. Amazing restaurants, unique hotels, incredible coffee shops, and great boutiques has made this region a great spot to get away with friends.

When looking for a place to say, look no further than Scribbiner's Lodge. This boutique hotel has a rustic feel with all the modern amenities you could want. The restaurant has incredible food, much of which is sourced locally (some from their own garden), and in the summer they have a poolside DJ. In the winter, they are just down the street from Hunter Mountain, making it a year round destination. Don't forget to grab a smore's pack and stick from the front desk, and meander to one of the fire pits in the evening.

Must Eat, Shop, and See:

For your coffee fix, as well as amazing sandwiches (with delish sourdough), Fellow Mountain Cafe is beyond words. I have driven out of my way from other places in the area to go here. It is an absolute MUST! For dinner, in addition to the restaurant at Scribbiner's, Jessie's Harvest House, has an out of this world farm to table menu, as well as an amazing cocktail menu. I would suggest order a bunch of things for the table so you can try a bit of everything!

The Catskills has amazing hiking, with spots such as Giant's Ledge, offering incredible views of the area. For something flat and pretty, explore Wyndham Path to stretch your legs a bit. Hunter Mountain also has year round activities such as ziplining in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Charleston, SC

An easy to reach destination, and close to the airport, Charleston is my favorite southern destination. I came here for my bachelorette party about 5 years ago, and returned for a weekend in 2021, and it was just as fun, vibrant, and delish as the first time. With so many great hotels, from historic to modern, as well as incredible home rentals there are plenty of options of where to stay. I would suggest staying as close to King St. as its where you'll find most of the bars, restaurants, and shops.

Must Eat, Shop, and See:

Charleston is very much a food scene, and I have never been disappointed. If you're visiting for the first time, brunch on Poogan's Porch is a can't miss, and don't skip on the pimento cheese! From there, I would suggest spending time wandering up and down King St. which features one of a kind shops as well as major brands.

You cannot leave Charleston without BBQ, so be sure to get on line at Lewis Barbecue - it is worth the wait. I'd suggest getting a little of everything and going family style, you will want to try everything! Another great dinner/lunch option, a little outside of downtown, is Taco Boy. It's a super fun scene with an inside/outside set up, and amazing cocktails. Another super fun activity to do with friends is the candlemaking class at Candlefish! They have every fragrance you can imagine and you get to make your own blend. Just be sure to schedule this early in your trip, as the candles need to solidify overnight at the shop before you can take them with you.