This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here.

Not too long ago it dawned on me that I have been traveling with friends since I was a teenager. And for some people, it’s like, who cares? But for me, this epiphany validated my love for a good ole girls trip!

Since a younging, I valued the experience of getting with my friends and spending quality time together in a shared space.

Sometimes we traveled out of town, while other times we explored our hometowns like tourists.

But one thing we always did during these trips was stay together. And when we stayed together—whether it was at an Airbnb, a hotel, or a friend’s house—we made the most out of our experience.

We found unique and creative ways to make our time together feel even more special, and leave us with long-lasting memories.

So I reflected on these decades of experiences and created a list of 9 things you absolutely must try that will make your girls trip one for the books!

FWI Note: As an adult, you may prefer to be in your own space on your girls trip and that’s totally fine! You can still implement some of these tips without sharing the same accommodations; all you need is a little creativity and intentionality! 😉

9 Ways To Enhance Your Girls Trip

1| Curate a Playlist

Music is said to be a form of art therapy. It aids people in reducing stress and finding joy in the lyrics, the beat, the instrumentation, and simply the vibe.

Adding a playlist to your girls trip is a must because the songs will always remind them of the special memories you all shared.

For my girls trip playlist, I have it organized in phases.

PHASE 1: Getting Ready

This is the music to listen to while you and your girls are getting dressed and prepared for the day or night’s events.

PHASE 2: Warming Up

These are the songs that are popular, fairly current, and will get everyone hyped up for the day/night.

PHASE 3: Turning Up

These songs will have you and your friends dancing your little hearts out and having a blast!

PHASE 4: Winding Down

This is the music to listen to when you and your friends come back in and recap the events of the day and just vibe.

If you don’t know where to start or don’t feel like making one yourself, I’ve created a girls trip playlist you can use here. (Sorry Apple Music only, I need to get in my Spotify bag).

2| Coordinate Outfits

In this social media generation, we love an opportunity to get matchy-matchy or put a cohesive group look together.

It’s funny how the things we used to do in childhood have become things that bring us joy in adulthood.

Here are some popular themes I’ve found on the World Wide Web:

Matching pajama sets
Monochromatic looks (like shades of nude)
Color combination swimsuits (like pink and green)
Sparkly, Glitz & Glam
Comfy (sweatpants anyone?)
Matching sneaker fits
The classics: all-black or all-white
Multi-color sundresses
All denim everything
Two-piece sets in each friend’s favorite color

3| Create a Signature Drink

Whether it’s a mocktail or a cocktail, we love a fun and flirty drink! Something sweet, bubbly, refreshing, or colorful that everyone will gravitate toward, and have them pulling out their phones to do a Boomerang.

Craft a specialty drink with fancy ice and a sugar-rimmed glass, and your girls will be dazzled!

Check out these signature drink recommendations below:

Mango Kiwi Spritzer

Ingredients
- Muddled fresh mango slices
- Muddled fresh kiwi slices
- Lime juice
- Honey (for sweetness if desired)
- Sparkling water, sprite, or ginger ale

Strawberry Blast

Ingredients
- Strawberry Simply Lemonade
- Pink Starburst Mio
- Edible glitter
- Slices of strawberry to garnish
- Sprite or sparkling water
- Your tequila or vodka of choice

Hibiscus Lemonade

Ingredients
- Steeped hibiscus tea
- Lemonade
- Water (to dilute if desired)
- Sliced lemons

Pineapple Mango Rum Punch

Ingredients
- Pineapple juice
- Mango juice
- Orange juice
- Lime juice
- Coconut rum
- Slices of pineapple or mango to garnish

Patron Margaritas

Ingredients
- Fresh lime juice
- Agave Syrup
- Triple Sec
- Patron Silver

You can find more mocktail recipes in the blog post: GALENTINE’S DAY MOCKTAILS

4| Assemble Gift Bags

Who doesn’t love receiving a welcome gift?

A goody bag is a great way to enrich your girls trip with little trinkets and practical items that your friends can enjoy.

For my girls trip last year, I put together Hangover Kits that included the following:

Sunglasses 🕶️
Liquid I.V. 💧
Goody's 💊
Mints 🍬

I also created travel gift bags that included:

A cute travel case 👝
Luggage Tags 🔖
Toiletry bottles 🧴
First aid kits 🩹
Hair ties 🎀
Ear plugs 🎧
Nail file 💅🏽
Hand Sanitizer 🧼

5| Setup a Photoshoot Area

Photoshoots are fun to do because they are interactive and foster creativity. Throw in some decorations and props and it’s really a party!

The easiest way to start designing your photoshoot area is with a stunning backdrop.

Check out these popular backdrop themes below:

Flower Wall
Grass Wall
Balloon Wall
Wooden Wall
Foil Fringe Curtains
Sequin Curtains
Sparkly Curtains
Colorful Streamers
Party Arches

*FWI pro tip: Take your group pictures as soon as you and your friends get dressed and before the festivities!

6| Do Activities That Create Keepsakes

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but so can a souvenir that you’ve created with your friends.

Doing an activity that will give you a little memento is a unique way to memorialize your girls trip.

Here are some ideas of things you could do below:

Painting wine glasses
Crafting bookmarks
Potting plants
Making candles
DIY Jewelry
Making ornaments
Creating wood signs

7| Try New Things Together

There are so many benefits to trying new things, like expanding your mind or getting out of your comfort zone, so sharing the experience with friends is a wonderful idea.

You already have your support system right there with you, and it’s an opportunity to learn more about your friends as they learn something new about themselves.

Who knows, you all could discover a new passion or appreciation for something you would have never considered before.

Here are some ideas of new things you can try:

Foods (like Middle Eastern or African cuisine)
Outdoor activities (like paddleboarding or camping)
Cultural experiences (like attending a local festival or visiting a landmark)
Creative pursuits (like a music lesson or painting workshop)
Volunteering activities (like planting trees or reading to kids at the local library)

8| Play Interactive Games

Games are always a great way to foster connection because they naturally create a space for collaboration and communication.

Playing games with our friends has become cool again (I’ll credit social media for that), and a way for everyone to decompress and take ourselves a little less seriously.

If you’re interested in games you don’t have to purchase, check out this blog post: 10 FUN ACTIVITIES WHEN DINING OUT WITH FRIENDS.

But if you prefer a store-bought game, check out these options that can be found on Amazon:

*links are clickable for your convenience!

Don’t forget to have a prize for the winners to really up the ante! Check out some ideas below:

*links are clickable for your convenience!

9| Be Intentional About Initiating Conversations

We don’t like to admit how awkward silence can be or the fact that sometimes we just don’t know how to start a conversation, but being intentional about holding meaningful conversations is a game changer for your girls trip!

Talking is the perfect way to learn more about one another, dig deeper, and simply connect with shared experiences, values, and perspectives.

If you’re a part of the FWI Circle, you already know how much we love a good conversation starter over here. You can find examples in the blog post: Girl Talk: 40 Conversation Starters for Friends.

Check out these conversation topics below:

TV & Music
Relationships (family, friends, significant others, coworkers, etc.)
Worldly news
Social media trends
Celebrity news
Career updates/Side hustles
Dreams/Goals
Health/Fitness
New recipes/Restaurants
Hair/Makeup
Travel
Fashion

*Bonus Tip| Utilize Planning Resources

When it comes to planning your girls trip, have you ever found yourself searching endlessly on the internet?

I know I used to, but then I created a resource titled, "How to Plan a Girls Trip: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning and Hosting the Best Experience for Intentional Friendships."

It was a labor of love where I drew from my decades of experience to streamline the process for both you and me!

My book includes all of the following:

A detailed list of the host’s responsibilities
Instructions on how to put together the guest list
Step-by-step guidance on determining the date and destination for your girls trip
Guidance on how to budget for your trip and have important money conversations with your friends
Topics that are often overlooked like food and transportation
A comprehensive list of things to do inside and outside of your accommodation
Directions on how to create an itinerary
A thorough packing list
Practical advice on how to handle tough situations during your trip (like boundaries and substances)
Additional tips on how to enrich your girls trip experience
AND tools, resources, and recommendations on things to do to end your trip successfully and prepare for the next one

It’s truly the only girls trip resource you’ll ever need and you can find it on Amazon in ebook and print.

I genuinely believe a girls trip is the perfect vessel to pour into your intentional friendships, and these tips will only make your weekend with friends that much sweeter.

Which of these tips would you try on your next girls trip? Share in the comments!

9 THINGS YOU MUST DO ON YOUR NEXT GIRLS TRIP