Where to Go on the Ultimate Girls’ Roadtrip
Get away with your besties
Spring is just around the corner, and that means it’s the perfect time to plan a girls’ getaway.
Jump in the car and opt for a throwback to your college days. And this time, you can afford the best spa if that’s your getaway plan, or a fantastic resort on the beach. Or just a weekend away in wine country.
Here are some of the best getaway options for a trip with your besties.
Cruise Along Route 66 - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Considered to the “Mother Road”, this iconic route travels from California to Chicago. Along the way, retro neon signs highlight the path as Route 66 meanders through Albuquerque’s eclectic Nob Hill neighborhood, past the historic KiMo Theatre and in the heart of historic Old Town where visitors can partake in year-round ghost tours. The town is an ideal stop an on the idyllic All-American road trip with hot air ballooning, bicycling through chili fields and indulging in a freshly brewed craft beer.
Albuquerque is vibrant, funky and yet still familiar in a nostalgic type of way. Some establishments along the strip can also be seen in the still-popular Breaking Bad series. Stay at the Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Farm with its onsite farm and lavender field, making it a perfect spot for a girlfriend getaway. The farm-to-table historic Inn features al fresco dining experiences, lavender distillation demonstrations and farming classes that touch on simple gardening techniques. If you want to get in some extra fitness while in town, the city offers a number of bicycle tours including Routes Bicycles Rentals & Tours’ New Mexico Chile Bike Tour and Brewery Bike Tour; or Two Wheel Tourism’s Bites and Bike or Bikes and Brews tours.
The city is also home to one of the co-founders of Etsy, making it a great spot for a Pinterest-worthy experience where the souvenir is newfound crafty skills such as wet felt soap making lessons at Albuquerque Alpacas and pottery spinning at the Indian Pueblo Center and jewelry or adobe brick making at Hyatt Tamaya Resort & Spa.
Adventure Lovers Drive to New Heights – Estes Park, Colorado
Trail Ridge Road in Estes Park is the highest continuous paved road in the continental U.S. Winding through Rocky Mountain National Park, the road offers incredible vantage points that are perfect for a roadside picnic and wildlife viewing. For the full road tripper experience, drive into Estes Park via the Peak to Peak National Scenic Byway and park at Jellystone of Estes Park, which hosts numerous camping party options.
Not only is it superlative to add to the brag-worthy roster, the area is ideal for adventurous experiences such as hiking one of Colorado’s famed Fourteeners, Longs Peak. If you’re not a camper, then you need to stay at The Stanley Hotel. In addition to serving as the inspiration for Stephen King’s “The Shining” during his stay in room 217 (one of the most spiritually active rooms), the property was also featured in several “Ghost Hunters” episodes. To celebrate the historic hotel’s permanent residents and The Stanley’s Stephen King roots, the property’s on-staff paranormal investigator offers five-hour ghost hunt sessions where guests learn how to use authentic ghost hunting tools and test their new skills in some of the property’s most haunted locations inaccessible to the general public.
For more fitness-oriented activities, contact Active at Altitude. The Estes Park-based organization provides education services and experiences that aim to inspire and empower people to engage in a health, active and mindful lifestyle. Some of the programs they offer include: Women’s running camps, trail running camps, wellness programs, altitude training, running vacations, active mind race camps, endurance coaching programs, mental training workshops and a trail running conference.
West Coast Bound – Cambria, California
One of the most scenic drives in the world is the Pacific Coast Highway. There’s no shortage of luxury hotels and spas along this route. If you’re heading up from Los Angeles, make sure you stop in Santa Barbara for a wine-tasting stop on the Urban Wine Trail. It’s in the heart of downtown, and it’s a fun way to taste some of the best wines in the region all with various tasting rooms all within a few blocks of each other.
After your wine-tasting experience, put your designated driver behind the wheel and head north to Cambria. It’s a dreamy spot for relaxation, spa treatments, and antiquing. Stay at the El Colibri Hotel & Spa, and you’ll be beachfront for plenty of walks and heart-to-heart talks with your friends. And the opportunity for beachfront yoga as the sun rises.
For a bit of historic sightseeing, head to nearby San Simeon and tour the Hearst Castle, the former home of William Randolph Hearst. It’s a historical monument and the luxe is unforgettable for the day and age in which Hearst lived. Don’t miss the tour that includes the opulent Neptune Pool, with its 24-karat mosaic tile décor.
Whatever you do, be sure and drive slow and enjoy the scenery along PCH. It’s nothing short of breathtaking.
