15 Best Girlfriend Getaways To Take This Winter
When cool breezes begin to blow and the seasons shift, why not take advantage of more temperate weather by planning a trip with your good friends? There is no shortage of great winter girlfriend getaway ideas in the South that are packed with personality—with plenty of great food, shopping, and entertainment awaiting. While just being together is enough to make a trip unforgettable, you and your best pals will love what these 15 Southern destinations have to offer. From the coast to the mountains and bustling cities to the serene small towns, there’s a getaway suited to any girl group’s desires. These cozy trips might be extra ideal for winter, but they make for fabulous memories any time of year that you can round up the group!
If you’re still on the lookout for destinations, check out our favorite fall girlfriend getaway destinations and the South’s most charming walkable girlfriend getaways, too. And if you’re on the road at Christmastime, explore our picks for the best small towns for Christmas in the South—perfect locales to visit during the holiday season with your friends and family.
Alexandria, Virginia
Cedric Angeles
If you love walkable cities and historic architecture, pack your comfy shoes and head to Alexandria, Virginia. The charm of historic Old Town—think 18th-century architecture, brick-edged streets, and holiday lights—will have you constantly pulling out your phone for photo opportunities. Top Instagram spots include The Spite House, the skinniest historic home in the country, and cobblestoned Captain’s Row. You’ll have a great time, and you’ll learn a lot, too.
Don’t Miss: The Lyceum History Museum, Alexandria Black History Museum, Mount Vernon, Athenaeum, Fontaine Bistro, Vermilion Restaurant, The Majestic, Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria, Old Town Farmers Market, Torpedo Factory Art Center, Captain Gregory’s
Asheville, North Carolina
Explore the Biltmore in the snowy season with your best friends at your side. From early November to early January, enjoy more than 60 Christmas trees, candlelight tours, and choirs. Don’t forget to stop into the estate’s winery for a tasting after your tour. The gorgeous mountain town offers scenic vistas at every turn, plus plenty to do by way of spas, shops, and breweries for luxuriating, browsing, and sipping to your heart’s content. If you want to feel like a local, venture out to the trendy West Asheville neighborhood or River Arts District where you’ll find more local businesses and quaint boutiques to explore.
Don’t Miss: Biltmore, The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Zen Asheville Inn & Spa Retreat, The Spa at The Omni Grove Park Inn, Grove Arcade, Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company, Wicked Weed Brewing, The Orange Peel, Rosetta’s Kitchen, River Arts District, Asheville Emporium, Captain’s Bookshelf, Historic Grovewood Village, Hole Doughnuts, Antidote Bar, 12 Bones Smokehouse
Brevard, North Carolina
Transylvania County will have you swooning the minute you arrive. Take a winter stroll through Brevard’s charming downtown, stopping into boutiques and grabbing a 50s-style soda-shop meal at Rocky’s as you go. If it’s not too cold, brave the Pisgah Forest for a magical (and snowy) winter hike.
Don’t Miss: D.D. Bullwinkel’s, Bracken Mountain Bakery, Brevard Brewing Company, White Squirrel Shop, The Square Root, Blue Ridge Bakery, The Falls Landing Eatery, Jordan Street Cafe
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is even more fun in winter. Bundle up and walk beside the river, meander the Bluff View Art District, stop into Rembrandt’s for coffee, see a show at the historic Tivoli Theater, explore the Tennessee Aquarium, and while away the afternoon in the area’s art museums, like the Hunter Museum of American Art.
Don’t Miss: Bluff View Inn, The Read House, Bluff View Bakery, Tony’s Pasta Shop and Trattoria, Rembrandt’s Coffee House, The Hunter Museum of American Art, Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Big River Grille and Brewing Works, Sugar’s Ribs
The Florida Keys
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Escape the winter chill and get away to the Florida Keys. There’s plenty to do here all year round—and, in case you were wondering, there’s just as much to do on land as in the water. We’ve already planned the perfect Keys road trip for you and your girls this season, so pack your flip-flops and get going.
Don’t Miss: Kona Kai Resort, Gallery, and Botanic Gardens, Pines & Palms Resort, Ballyhoo’s Historic Seafood Grille, Key Largo Conch House Restaurant, Bahia Honda State Park, Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe, Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Winter in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge will keep you and your girls busy all weekend long with plenty of shopping, food, and Tennessee mountain charm. Dollywood is open in winter, too—the theme park, not the water park. It’s just a short drive from Gatlinburg, and you and your girls will never want to leave. Make sure to stop by and see the SkyBridge, North America’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge, which is lit up for the season until the end of January. It’s just as fun to visit any time of year.
Don’t Miss: Bearskin Lodge on the River, Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley, Tanger Outlets, Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen, Smoky Mountain Trout House, The Park Grill, Log Cabin Pancake House, Dollywood, Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
Houston, Texas
Eat your way through foodie-heaven Houston—there’s so much good stuff here, you’ll want to stay longer than the weekend. Make downtown or the Museum District your home base. Explore the Theater District and go to a musical or concert, or opt for the ballet or an opera. Stop into the Galleria for shopping, and make reservations for plenty of swanky meals. Plus, you can always just grab a few of Torchy’s highly addictive tacos.
Don’t Miss: Alice Blue, FM Kitchen & Bar, 1751 Sea and Bar, Bludorn Restaurant, Underbelly Burger, Torchy’s Tacos, Hotel ZaZa, The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, The Wortham Theater Center, Jones Hall for the Performing Arts
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Cedric Angeles
Road-trip to this Gulf town with your girls for a small-town retreat with plenty of Southern charm, delicious seafood, and unexpected adventure. Shops, art galleries, and lovely architecture dot this stunner on Biloxi Bay, and you can relish in the quiet solitude that is only offered on a winter trip to the beach.
Don’t Miss: The Inn at Ocean Springs, Front Beach Cottages, Walter Anderson Museum of Art, French Kiss Pastries, Government Street Grocery, Mosaic Tapas Restaurant, Maison de Lu, The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint, Davis Bayou Area, The Hotel Beatnik
Palm Beach, Florida
Beat the chill and relax on the Florida coast with a girls’ trip to the Palm Beaches. Grab a light jacket and spend some time on the sand, or go exploring up and down the coast. There are plenty of photo ops seaside, and the shore will be much less crowded than in summer. Shopping is also quite iconic here, so make sure to hit the boutiques with your friends for a fun afternoon.
Don’t Miss: Flagler Museum, The Brazilian Court Hotel, The Colony Hotel, Island Living Tours, Worth Avenue Walking Tours, Leopard Lounge & Restaurant, Buccan Palm Beach, City Cellar Wine Bar and Grill
St. Louis, Missouri
There’s plenty to see and do in St. Louis—Gateway Arch included. Explore The Hill neighborhood for world-class Italian cuisine. Make a stop at Charlie Gitto’s On The Hill for irresistible dishes amid flickering candlelight, and don’t forget to try Zia’s Restaurant, too.
Don’t Miss: Charlie Gitto’s On The Hill, Zia’s Restaurant, The Muny Theatre, Missouri Botanical Garden, Blueberry Hill, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Westin St. Louis, Stifel Theatre
Thomasville, Georgia
Embrace a small town trip with a jaunt to Thomasville, Georgia. You can spend hours wandering throughout the charming historic downtown district that is packed with local shops and restaurants. Warm up at Grassroots Coffee Company, do some shopping at Firefly, Relish, and The Bookshelf, and enjoy long, leisurely meals at Liam’s, Jonah’s, and Sweetgrass Cheese Shop. Don’t forget to visit the Lapham-Patterson House, a Victorian marvel near downtown.
Don’t Miss: Grassroots Coffee Company, Liam’s Restaurant, Jonah’s Fish and Grits, Sweetgrass Cheese Shop, Firefly, Relish, The Bookshelf, The Lapham-Patterson House, The Big Oak
Fairhope, Alabama
There’s no better place for a restful weekend away with your lifelong besties than beautiful Fairhope, Alabama. Watch the sunset over the bay, indulge in a spa treatment at The Grand Hotel’s legendary spa, then spend hours perusing the shops and boutiques on downtown Fairhope’s walkable main street. At the end of a great day, toast with a cocktail and fresh seafood at Sunset Pointe.
Don’t Miss: The Grand Hotel, Panini Pete’s, Fairhope Brewing, Fairhope French Quarter, Page & Palette, Fairhope Chocolate, Sunset Pointe
Dahlonega, Georgia
You’ll feel like you stepped right onto the set of one of your favorite Hallmark movies when visiting Dahlonega. The North Georgia town has every ingredient needed for an ideal girl’s weekend. There’s a charming downtown filled with specialty stores, cafes, and wine bars. There are charming bed and breakfasts, and North Georgia’s thriving wine country is all around.
Don’t Miss: Paul Thomas Chocolates, Capers on the Square, Amicalola Falls, Dahlonega Tasting Room, Wolf Mountain Vineyards, Montaluce Winery & Restaurant, Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa
New Orleans, Louisiana
The Crescent City is pure magic no matter who you choose to visit with, but it’s especially magnificent when you’ve got your best gal pals in tow. Spend a weekend sipping on Hurricanes, munching on beignets, ducking into vintage stores, and shopping for art. A food tour of the city’s outstanding restaurants—both new and old—is definitely in order.
Don’t Miss: Willa Jean, Spotted Cat, Crescent Park, Preservation Hall, Parkway Bakery, La Petite Grocery, The Chloe, City Park, Commander’s Palace, Magazine Street
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