28 Exciting Places to Travel With Your Best Friend
Traveling is fun. But it’s even more fun when you have your crew with you! Exploring a great place with good friends is exciting and it’s also a great form of self care. If you want to plan a fun road trip with your besties, let me help you. Let’s explore some of the best places to travel with your best friend.
What’s your idea of the perfect place to travel with friends? Is it the beach? The mountains? The city? There are so many places to choose from, but the most important thing is choosing a destination where you can all have a good time.
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Why are friends important in our lives?
Friends bring happiness to our lives. In addition to companionship, it’s nice to have someone you can count on to make you laugh and to support you through difficult times. Friends are natural stress relievers and can provide comfort in your life when you’re overwhelmed by all the things that you have going on.
The Mayo Clinic suggests that having friends can enrich your life and improve your health.
Arguably one of the best things about having friends is having built-in travel buddies! Doesn’t a trip with your friends sound like so much fun?
Why should you travel with friends?
Life is busy. Everyone has so much going on and that leaves little time for friends to get together regularly. Occasionally, it’s a good idea to meet up with your friends so that you can reconnect and spend some much-needed quality time together.
Traveling with friends gives you time to reconnect and have fun. It’s also a great way to get a break from your responsibilities so that you can recharge and have a great time.
Also, who better to experience new things with than your friends? Great adventures with good people help you to make memories that will get you through trying times in your life. So, grab your favorite group of friends and start making plans to visit one of these beautiful places. Hopefully, this list of the best places to visit with friends will help you choose the perfect place to visit!
What should you consider when planning a trip with friends?
When planning a trip with friends, it’s important to consider everyone’s interests. Start communicating with your friends early so that you all have plenty of time to determine the perfect destination for the group. You also need to take these things into consideration:
Consider everyone’s finances.
Before you even start choosing places to travel with your friends, take time to discuss everyone’s budget. You want to make sure that everyone is crystal clear about the amount of money that will be spent on your getaway. Avoid awkward discussions later down the line by having this conversation early in the planning process.
Start planning well in advance.
Just like you want to make sure that everyone is on the same page about finances, you’ll also want to make sure that everyone is in agreement about the dates and the location. Give yourself plenty of time to discuss those logistics to give you adequate time to plan the perfect vacation.
Seek the advice of a travel professional if you need additional ideas or guidance.
These days, there are lots of online resources to help you plan vacations. However, it can be a bit tricky when you’re planning for a group. If you’re planning a vacation for a group of friends, you might consider getting the assistance of a travel professional to ensure that you have the best time while you’re on your trip.
Decide on the group of friends that you’ll invite to the trip.
If you will be traveling with more than one friend, make sure to consider the group of people that you’ll invite to travel with you. While it might seem like a great idea to invite more people, it’s more important to make sure that you’re inviting the right group of people. You don’t want to combine people who make be uncomfortable around each other. That will potentially impact the outcome of your awesome friends’ getaway. Think about people who genuinely care about each other so that you all can have a great time.
Get all the details about refund policies.
Don’t forget to inquire about refund policies, especially if you’re planning a trip several months in advance. You want to be clear about the cancellation policy and make sure that everyone in the group understands all of the details regarding canceling the trip.
Set expectations early.
To decrease the chances of confusion, go ahead and set expectations early. You’ll need to decide as a group if you want a packed itinerary or if you’d rather have a more flexible schedule. Are you planning to eat meals at restaurants or will you cook meals in your vacation rental? These are all things that you’ll need to plan early.
Have a thoughtful conversation about the destination.
Are you and your friends nature lovers or do you prefer to relax on beautiful beaches? Do you want to travel within the United States or are you ready to get another stamp on your passports? Is live music your thing or is it more important for your destination to have beautiful scenery? All of these things need to be discussed as you plan your trip. You want to try to make sure that the place you choose is an ideal place for everyone on the trip.
Get everyone’s input on the itinerary.
To be fair and to give everyone the opportunity to fully enjoy the trip, get everyone’s input on the itinerary. Consider things that everyone likes to do so that everyone has a great time.
Don’t be afraid to add some “me” time to the schedule.
Even though this is a group vacation, don’t be afraid to schedule some “me time” while you’re away. You may want to relax in your rental, read, or do so
Try fun and exciting things.
A trip with your friends is the perfect time to try some delicious food and make awesome memories by trying new things. Make sure to add a little excitement to your friends’ getaway by adding some cool adventures that you might not otherwise have tried.
Where should you go for a vacation with your friends?
Is there a hot spot that you and your friends have been talking about over and over? Have you had your heart set on going to some popular places that you’ve seen on social media or on television? There are so many great places to visit whether you prefer a small town or the largest city. It’s up to you and your friends to choose the best place for you to visit together.
Here are some suggestions if you and your friends love outdoor adventures:
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Moab, Utah
- Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Portland, Oregan
- Hilton Head, South Carolina
If wine tastings are high on your priority list, try these places:
- Sonoma, California
- Napa Valley, California
- Fredericksburg, Texas
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Woodinville, Washington
Do you love visiting national parks? Consider the following destinations:
- Yosemite National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Glacier National Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Everglades National Park
If places with white sand beaches sound like an ideal location for your crew, check out these places:
- Gulf Shores, Alabama
- Oahu, Hawaii
- Huntington Beach, California
- Clearwater Beach, Florida
- Miami, Florida
What are some fun places for friends to vacation together?
Whether you’re traveling with young adults or if you have a more “seasoned” crew, there are lots of places where you can have so much fun.
New York City, New York
New York City is a great destination for friends. There are lots of things in the city that will provide amazing experiences for everyone in the group. TourScanner.com lists over 60 fun things to do in New York City.
In NYC, you can visit the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Times Square, and countless museums. You can also enjoy some amazing food, shopping, and other great things the city has to offer.
Las Vegas, Nevada
You and your friends can make some amazing memories in Las Vegas, Nevada. Whether you want to go to one of the many casinos, catch a show, or visit one of the countless attractions, you’ll find something to do in this fun city. Whether you prefer daytime fun or a vibrant nightlife, Vegas is a great choice.
Nicknamed “Sin City”, Las Vegas is sure to show you and your friends a great time packed with lots of fun memories.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco is another popular tourist destination. Known for the famous Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is a great place for friends to gather for fun. Hop a cable car with your friends and go sightseeing through the city.
You can also experience Chinatown, Little Italy, or Fisherman’s Wharf. Other things to do in San Francisco include the Big Bus San Francisco Sightseeting Tour, UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens, and the San Francisco City Cruises.
Napa Valley, California
Do you and your friends enjoy a great conversation over a glass of wine? Why not head to Napa Valley where you can get a glass of wine at one of the many wineries? If drinking wine isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy Napa! Eat some good food, take a train ride, go shopping, or go see the famous Old Faithful Geyser of California.
Napa Valley, California is a beautiful city that has so many great places for friends to visit.
New Orleans, Louisiana
If fun is your main priority, why not choose a city whose motto is, “laissez les bon temps rouler” or let the good times roll! New Orleans, Louisiana is often a top destination for friends’ getaways and that’s because there are so many exciting things to do and see in the city.
Known as The Big Easy, you won’t run out of things to do in New Orleans. There are award-winning restaurants, bars, shopping, music, parades, and all the things that make a perfect vacation for you and your friends.
Mardi Gras, Essence Festival, New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, and French Market Creole Tomato Festival are just a few of the fun things that happen in this amazing city. Be sure to check the calendar before you head to NOLA so that you can make sure to partake in any events that may be happening while you’re visiting the city.
Orlando, Florida
Disney World. Need I say anything else? If your friends love theme parks, there are several in the Orlando area. Even if you aren’t a fan of Mickey Mouse or the others, you can find so many other great things to do in the Orlando area.
Indoor skydiving, mural walks downtown, shopping, dinner shows, and sightseeing all make Orlando a great place to travel with your friends.
Nashville, Tennessee
Known as “Music City”, Nashville Tennessee is the home of the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Ryman Auditorium, to name a few.
In addition to the musical attractions, you’ll find amazing art, delicious food, and interesting museums in the city. There are also lots of great tours available in Nashville.
Atlanta, Georgia
Got Georgia on your mind? Head on over to the east coast! Grab your friends and go to Atlanta, Georgia for some fun. Atlanta offers the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Fox Theatre, and the High Museum of Art amongst several other great attractions for friends.
How can I travel on a budget with friends?
Traveling with friends allows you to enjoy fun experiences with good company. However, you don’t want to stress yourself out by overspending. There are so many ways to save money when you’re traveling with friends.
I’ll share my favorite tips for saving on group travel here:
- Plan, plan, plan. If you want to save money on group travel, you have to plan. This isn’t the time to be spontaneous. Do your research and look at the prices of your desired destinations at different times in the year to choose the best option for your group.
- Book in advance. You can often get the best prices by booking in advance. Also, don’t be shy to call the hotel to see if they offer any discounts. Many places offer discounts for military personnel, educators, and for various memberships.
- Choose less touristy destinations. If you have the choice, choose less touristy places to stay. You can save money by choosing places that are just a bit away from the city center.
- Fly mid-week. If you’re traveling by plane, you can save a little cash if you choose to fly in the middle of the week. Prices are generally higher on the weekend.
- Travel during the off-season. Going to the beach during peak summer months sounds ideal, but be prepared for higher prices. If saving money is a priority for you, try booking during the off-season. Pro-tip: It’s usually less crowded during those the off-season, too.
- Share space. Sharing space in hotel rooms or other vacation rentals can save lots of money when you’re traveling with a group. Plus, it can be lots of fun.
- Find free things to do in the area. You’ll be surprised at how many free things you can find to do in an area. Take walking tours of the city, window shop, catch street performers, visit free museums, or go to a park. The important thing is that you’re spending time together with your friends.
- Plan for some less expensive meals. If you’re like me, eating out at fun places is high on the priority list when you’re traveling. But, if you have a budget to consider, plan for a few less expensive meals or even make some meals in your vacation rental. Something as simple as sharing a pizza could really be light on the wallet while you’re away on a trip with friends.
- Take advantage of the accommodations offered at your hotel. Some hotels have free happy hour or snacks or other organized events. Be aware of those offerings and partake in them. Something as simple as a free breakfast can free up your cash to do other things.
- Choose experiences over material things. Sure, it’s nice to purchase souvenirs, but how many of those things will you actually use? Instead of purchasing tons of meaningless trinkets, opt for fun experiences. Take lots of pictures and you’ll have those to look back on for years to come.
Final word about traveling with friends
Traveling with friends can be fun and it can yield so many positive memories. If you’re able to take a vacation with your closest friends, do it! Be intentional about choosing a destination that everyone can potentially enjoy. We’re all so busy, so it’s nice to slow down a bit and explore new places with great people.
While the key is to have fun, you want to be sure that you plan carefully so that the trip doesn’t become a source of stress later down the line. Have open conversations with your friends as you plan so that you can be on the same page when it comes to budget, destination, and itinerary. Having these discussions beforehand makes it so much easier to plan a trip that will be a source of self-care for everyone involved.
Don’t forget to use your bullet journal packing list to make sure you take everything you need for a great vacay with your gal pals!
And of course, you’re going to need a great journal to write all about your experience!
