New York City is truly the perfect destination for a girls getaway. With world-class restaurants, hotels, entertainment and shopping, “The Big Apple” has a little something for everyone.
There are few things more fun and exciting than exploring everything the city has to offer with your girlfriends, and with so much to do and see across the five boroughs, planning your trip ahead of time is essential to getting the most out of it.
Setting Your Budget
The first step to organizing any itinerary is determining your budget. New York City is a massive place, with way too many sights, shops and adventures to possibly fit into one trip, so focus first on identifying absolutely must-do activities.
Base your group’s budget on the answers to these important considerations:
- How many people are you traveling with?
- What’s the length of your stay?
- What activities would you like to do?
- How do you plan on traveling there, and how will you get around?
- Where do you plan on staying?
- Are you looking for low-cost, or high-end luxury hotels and restaurants?
From taking a helicopter tour of the city skyline to hitting up the spa to enjoying a nice brunch or catching a show or concert in the park—the possibilities are endless!
Best Time to Go
When scheduling your epic girls outing, there’s plenty to consider regarding exactly when to visit.
If you’re looking for warm, pleasant weather and manageable tourist crowd sizes, book from April to June, and September to early November. You’ll find some of the best deals on shopping, hotel rates, and airfare from mid-January to the end of February, due to post-holiday sales and less tourists.
New York City is also famous for its host of seasonal events:
You can enjoy the winter holiday festivities by visiting the holiday markets, Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, and New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball Drop.
If the spring is more up your alley, you can check out the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Cherry Blossom Festival, and take part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Summers in the city are full of exciting activities and musical events, including the Governors Ball, Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, and of course, Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks.
In the fall, look forward to events such as the New York Food & Wine Festival, NYC Marathon, and annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.
How to Get Around
As vast and active as NYC is on any given day, traversing the city by car can often prove to be a difficult (and costly) task. If you aren’t familiar with navigating the intricate streets or deciphering the confusing mess of parking signs, then it’s best to utilize public transportation instead of a rental.
While taxis and ride-share options are plentiful throughout the city, this can also be expensive. It’s better to pick up a MetroCard and purchase a seven-day unlimited subway pass, and reserve the taxi or ride-shares for select outings.
In addition to often being the fastest and most cost-effective method of getting around, it will also give your party the chance to experience the city like real New Yorkers—which is a huge part of the fun!
Take a Tour & Explore
There are plenty of great ways you and your girlfriends can explore, with guided and themed tours operating throughout the city to satisfy any interest.
Take the Circle Line Cruise and enjoy a phenomenal view of the city skyline while sailing by the Statue of Liberty. Book a ride on the Sex & the City Hotspots Tour, and relive your favorite character’s exploits. Or if you prefer to venture out on your own, check out the Highline at Hudson Yards, the newly developed walking path and shopping complex, and visit Chelsea Market to grab a bite before strolling through scenic Hudson River Park.
Whether taking a guided tour or hitting the streets with no clear destination, there’s nothing quite like taking in the city sights with your friends.
Best Places for Shopping
New York City is one of the major shopping epicenters in the world, and scheduling time to indulge in some serious perusing with your crew is an absolute must. And if you’re going to be shopping in New York, Manhattan is the place to be.
Enjoy a host of great shops and stores in SoHo, including Anthropologie, Club Monaco, JCrew, Madewell, and Bloomingdale’s. Then there’s the iconic luxury stores and boutiques on 5th Avenue, including: Bergdorf Goodman, Saks 5th Avenue, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Harry Winston, Prada, Hugo Boss, and Mikimoto.
If you’d prefer more budget-conscious options, Century 21 on Broadway offers a great selection of discounted luxury goods, and the flagship Macy’s at Herald Square is a massive complex where you can always discover some great grabs. Also don't be afraid to check out the small independent shops and street markets, where you can usually find fantastic bargains at incredible prices.
Catch a Show
All worn out from exploring? Take to the theatre district and catch a show!
There are plenty both on and off Broadway to delight everyone in your party. Depending on your show, venue and seating choices, tickets can run from $50 to more than $300, and if you have your heart set on a certain performance, you can book online in advance.
If you’d rather not spend any money at all, rest assured you can enjoy a great show or concert in one of the city’s many parks, completely free of charge.
Grab a Drink & Bite
NYC is home to some world-class bars and restaurants, so you’ll never need to look too far for a great bite to eat with the gang. Some places may require a reservation, so try to map out where you’d like to go ahead of time to ensure you get seated.
Enjoy some brunch and drinks on the café on the terrace at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), or the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Met Rooftop Bar.
Have a fantastic meal in one of SoHo’s local eateries, including Ruby’s, Prince Street Pizza, The Butcher’s Daughter, Felix, and Lure.
Head into the East Village for a drink at Bar Primi, enjoy a free personal pizza with every drink at the Crocodile Lounge in Gramercy Park, or reserve a seat in the lady’s lounge of Beauty & Essex and enjoy some complimentary champagne.
With so many options, the sky's the limit.
Use an InteleTravel Advisor To Plan Your Perfect Girls Getaway
There are many factors that go into planning a group trip, especially in a city as enormous as New York, but the best way to arrange your perfect excursion is through an InteleTravel Advisor.
Our InteleTravel Advisors are travel experts and will help organize a complete custom itinerary based on your group’s interests and budget, to deliver the trip of a lifetime, free of charge. Let us handle the details and you just enjoy a first-class vacation with your girls!
So, what are you waiting for?
Skip the stress and connect with an InteleTravel Advisor today!
