affordable places to reconnect with friends
My roommates and I are quickly approaching graduation, and most of us won’t be in the same city anymore. As exciting as the next chapter is, it’s also sad to think about leaving behind college life. Instead of focusing only on the goodbye, though, I’ve been thinking about the next time we’ll all get to be together. I’ve been trying to convince everyone that we should plan one girls’ trip every year. It would give us a chance to reunite, explore somewhere new and reconnect after time away from each other. Of course, entering post-grad life is a little scary financially, which is why I’ve been dreaming about destinations that hopefully won’t break the bank. Below is a list of places I think would make amazing girls’ trip destinations in your 20s. All of these spots are in the U.S., since international travel can be more expensive and harder to plan annually.
new orleans, la
New Orleans is somewhere I’ve dreamed of going for years. While the ideal time to visit would be during Mardi Gras, it might also be nicer to go during a different time of year when it’s not as expensive and crowded. The city’s architecture, nightlife, music, dining and culture all make it feel like the perfect place for a girls’ trip.
nashville, tn
Next on my list for a girls’ trip is Nashville. Even as someone who isn’t a huge country music fan, I think this city would be so much fun to experience with friends. The iconic musical landmarks/venues, rich history and Southern food all sound great for a vacation.
austin, tx
Similar to Nashville, Austin seems like the perfect place to visit to enjoy great live music and a fun social scene. The city also apparently offers amazing brunch, sunset views from Lady Bird Lake, vintage shops, spas, wine bars and delicious tacos.
jackson hole, wy
Jackson is the one place on this list I’ve been to before and would go back to again and again. The town is a short drive from Grand Teton National Park, where I saw mountains and bison for the first time! The hikes and views there are absolutely beautiful. The town of Jackson itself offers so many cute boutiques, fun Western-themed bars (like the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar), spas and cool restaurants with tons of different kinds of food. Jackson is also a great spot for a ski trip if you’re going in the wintertime!
napa valley, ca
While there are so many places I’d love to visit in California, Napa Valley felt like the perfect girls’ trip destination. Known for its wineries, fancy restaurants and beautiful rolling hills, this would be such a fun destination where you and your friends would get to feel a little luxurious.
While I will be so sad to graduate at the end of this year, the prospect of a trip to look forward to with my friends is getting me through. All of these places are perfect for a girls’ reunion because of the fun activities they offer, as well as the shopping, nightlife and dining experiences. And they can all be adapted to budgets. I can’t wait to see which trip my friends and I get to experience first.