Sometimes you just need a trip away with your best friends.
Whether you're looking to be pampered at a relaxing spa, sip a glass of locally produced wine amongst the vines, reconnect with nature or otherwise, these girlfriend getaway ideas within Michigan are sure to deliver the vibes you and your crew seek. Come along as we explore a few!
At Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City, girlfriend groups can find themselves along the shores of Lake Michigan's picturesque East Grand Traverse Bay—while still being miles away from the ordinary. It's here your group could take advantage of groomed cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails in the winter months, catch Sunday brunch and 360-degree views at Aerie on the resort tower's 16th floor, hop on the resort's complimentary shuttle to try your luck at nearby Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, grab a racket for some indoor tennis—just to name a few.
A highlight of the resort is Spa Grand Traverse, a full-service 7,000-square-foot spa and salon offering everything from massages and skin care treatments to access to the resort's Health Club, amenities of which include indoor pools, dry saunas and more. Consider us relaxed!
If sipping a good glass of wine sounds like your kind of girl's trip, consider a stay along the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. Stretching from New Buffalo to Saugatuck and east to Kalamazoo, the trail includes 15 wineries and four tasting rooms, each with its own distinctive vibe. Choose from the year-round vacation vibes of Chill Hill Winery in Baroda, a private outdoor vineyard dome or tasting experience at Fenn Valley Vineyards, the small bites and delicious wine and cider inside Lawton Ridge Winery's historic tasting room outside of Kalamazoo and more.
Up in the Keweenaw Peninsula, you'll find Mount Bohemia Resort, an experienced skier and snowboarder's heaven. If you're a beginner (or if outdoor winter sports aren't your thing), no worries. The resort's cabin and yurt accommodations are enough to draw in those seeking coziness amidst the beauty of Michigan's colder months. A gem of the resort is its Nordic Spa, offering guests a hot and cold plunge experience sure to wake the senses. Spend 15 minutes in a "hot" space (such as their eucalyptus steam cabin or outdoor hot tub) before spending five to 30 seconds cooling off via their cold pool or Nordic waterfall. Repeat three times and then relax with your girlfriends by the log cabin bar or in the outdoor hot pool!
In South Haven, DayDreamer Domes is perfect for groups looking for the ultimate glamping adventure. The 150-acre woman-owned and led destination offers girlfriend groups everything from stays in 20 individually decorated geodesic domes (which come equipped with both AC and heat), to an intentionally curated store filled with drinks and treats for purchase, to two sensory deprivation float pods, to an eclectic food menu and more. There's truly something for everyone in your group here!
This fall, the destination is also offering special events such as "Nightmare at the Domes: A Storytelling Series" and "Dinner and a Medium"—if you feel like getting spooky. Be sure to take a dip in their heated pink pool and lounge by the cabanas in the warmer months. Sip poolside and soak up the good times with your best girlfriends? Say less.
The Motor City is always a good idea. And for those girlfriends looking for a place to lay their heads next time they're hitting the town in Motown, look no further than the otherworldly Siren Hotel, situated right in downtown Detroit. Amidst the tall windows adorned with cascading drapery, velvet and fringe furniture, brass adornments, palm plants and moody lighting, groups will find themselves feeling as if they've stepped back in time to place where the little details matter and a night out still brings the possibility that anything can happen.
Whilst visiting the Siren, a stop at the Candy Bar is an absolute must. If cotton candy and a speakeasy had a baby, it would be this unforgettable, intimate cocktail bar. Every inch of the space (which is head-to-toe pink) is meticulously embellished, including a giant disco ball and glass chandelier that sparkles almost as brightly as the bar's elevated cocktail menu. With classic libations, mocktails and proprietary creations, an unforgettable experience with your best girls is a sure thing.
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.
This article originally appeared in the Oct/Nov '24 issue of West Michigan Woman.
Photo courtesy of Grand Traverse Resort & Spa.
