8 Foodie Vacations for a Wonderful Girls’ Weekend
Updated: Dec. 01, 2023
Take a break from the daily demands of work and family, grab your gal pals and relax for a long weekend! Here are eight fab ideas for foodie vacations.
Traverse City, Michigan
Surrounded by Lake Michigan’s pristine beaches, this affordable destination has local wineries and breweries, plus all types of great restaurants. In between meals, hike at Sleeping Bear Dunes or take in boutique shopping on Front Street. Restaurant picks include Amical, with vibrant European cuisine or Grand Traverse Pie Co. for breakfast and mid-day treats.
For lodging, my pick has to be Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. It’s home to Aerie Restaurant & Lounge, which has a 360-degree view of East Grand Traverse Bay, forests and wetlands.
Hudson Valley, New York
The Hudson Valley is a quick trip from NYC’s hustle and bustle. Tour some of the region’s highlights, including The Culinary Institute of America in nearby Hyde Park. Refresh with a cider tasting at Angry Orchard in Walkill and then take a tour of the orchards and tree house. Travel along the Shawangunk Wine Trail and sip on some of the best wines you’ll find in New York, including Brotherhood Winery. Pack a picnic for the day—here’s what to put in the basket.
There’s an abundance of food and drink experiences that could fill a whole weekend across the Hudson Valley. Stay at Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa in Milton, Castle Hotel & Spa in Tarrytown or The Gregory House Inn in Averill Park.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
A weekend at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, a Vegas-style casino on the East Coast, is the perfect getaway for those looking to eat well. Borgata’s signature restaurants, featuring celebrity chefs from Michael Symon to Bobby Flay, won’t disappoint. Try Izakaya, which has fresh sushi and sashimi plus Japanese-style barbecue.
It’s a quick ride to the legendary Atlantic City boardwalk and there’s outlet shopping nearby as well. If this getaway is for a bride-to-be, there’s also plenty of after-hours fun.
Oh, and while you’re at it, check out these useful food apps, too.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is a top-notch culinary destination. The food scene features famed chefs, authentic Southern cuisine and clever restaurant concepts. You can spend a day at the majestic Magnolia Plantation & Gardens before indulging in Southern classics at Husk, a restaurant led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Sean Brock. Leisurely peruse King Street’s boutiques and antique shops and take in a gorgeous sunset aboard a Schooner Pride sailboat cruise.
Book a stay at the only waterfront property in the Historic District, the HarbourView Inn where a CGO (Chief Getaway Officer) will help plan your day—including picnics at local historic plantations, bar crawls around the city, spa appointments and fitness classes.
Las Vegas, Nevada
There are so many delicious places to eat in Las Vegas that are perfect for a mother/daughter trip or girlfriends’ getaway. For starters, food tours can help you experience the various culinary offerings. Lip Smacking Foodie Tours has multiple tour options, from “Boozy Brunch” to “Steakhouse Adventures.”
You can also go restaurant-hopping to honor the female chefs of Las Vegas. Start with brunch at Giada by Giada De Laurentiis with amazing views of the Strip; head to lunch at Chica at The Venetian and enjoy Venezuelan cuisine by celebrity chef Lorena Garcia; end your night with a modern Mexican fare at Border Grill at Mandalay Bay by chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger.
Hawley, Pennsylvania
Located on 400-plus woodland acres with a private 15-acre lake, The Lodge at Woodloch in the Poconos offers a private, adult-only retreat. For girlfriends who want pampering and delicious food, the Lodge has cooking and baking demonstrations, wine tastings, edible plant walks, chef-in-residence programs and more. The on-location restaurant, TREE, is the perfect spot for all three meals. Don’t miss the spa—it’s a must-try.
Havana, Cuba
Travel to Cuba by cruise ship from Miami or Port Canaveral. Take advantage of the ship’s overnight in Havana for a girls’ night out to Buena Vista Social Club at the Habana Café at the Meliá Cohiba Hotel—where you will enjoy a night of traditional Cuban music, dancing and a meal. Spend the early-morning hours at local coffee and lunch spots, which boast authentic Cuban food.
Ascona, Switzerland
Just a few miles from Italy’s border on Lake Maggiore sits Ascona, the perfect destination for a longer getaway. You and your gal pals can spend their days enjoying the area’s authentic Italian and Mediterranean-inspired fare while taking in beautiful views of the lake and going on day trips, such as one to Terreni alla Maggia. You will learn how the area’s Loto rice is farmed and used to make risotto, enjoy wines from the surrounding vineyards and snack on a selection of Swiss cheeses and meats—a delicious excursion for any girls’ trip.
Stay at Hotel Eden Roc, a property perched on the shores of Lake Maggiore that’s steps from Ascona’s main piazza. A culinary destination of its own, the Eden Roc has four outstanding restaurants.
Originally Published: September 24, 2018
