The stereotypical girls’ trip will have you enjoying club entry in Vegas, soaking in the sun on Venice Beach, or melting into the renowned desert spas of Scottsdale. For your gal’s getaway, you’re not looking for stereotypical. You want a city that sat at the edge of history, witnessed the birth of a nation, and survived a century of conflict. The nation is brimming with these historic retreats, and at many of them, you don’t need to give up the creature comforts of food, shopping, and entertainment.
Whether you’re planning a history buff’s bachelorette party or want to immerse your group in history, six locations excel at blending stories of the past with experiences of the present. These historic cities are notable for their shopping, dining, and fun, while still gripping onto yesteryear through spooky ghost tours.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Virtually everywhere in The Big Easy, travelers can be surrounded by local eateries, boutique shopping, and the peering eyes of the dead. Arguably one of the nation’s most haunted cities, New Orleans is also one of the most culturally rich. That diversity is evident in the popular cuisines, whether it’s the French beignets at Cafe Royal or the Cajun flavors of Creole House.
The French Quarter is where you’ll want to stay for all aspects of your girls’ trip. Locally owned antique stores and emporiums line the claustrophobic streets, often flanked by bars blasting jazz. It’s a walking city, but on the outskirts, you can take advantage of the swamps with an airboat tour or browse the wares of the six-block-long French Market.
Top the night off with a descent into the unknown on a ghost tour that introduces the shadows of the city’s oldest buildings. Get to know the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau or brave the darker side of NOLA with a stop at the Old Ursuline Convent and dreaded LaLaurie Mansion.
Savannah, Georgia
The best part of most historic American cities is that they’re walkable. Savannah’s streets may show their age, but you can still navigate them to get to its best restaurants, quaint shops, and unforgettable sites. The scent of Southern comforts fills the air, drawing you to must-try restaurants like Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, The Olde Pink House, and Vic’s On the River.
Stick to the Historic District and Broughton Street for small-scale shopping, head to 37th Street for rows of antique shops, or find familiar brands at the nearby Oglethorpe Mall. You can spend your entire visit walking the streets, admiring sites like the moss-covered oaks, but don’t miss out on activities like the riverboat cruise.
The ghosts of Savannah’s past are lively and waiting for unsuspecting passersby. Learn about the city’s ties to the Civil War and the many apparitions of Colonial Park Cemetery and Chippewa Square on a walking ghost tour made for history fanatics and lovers of the otherworldly.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston oozes with Civil War and American Revolution history, yet still appeals to crowds who appreciate the joys of contemporary life. For example, after admiring the old Pirate House, where Blackbeard’s ghost is alleged to haunt, you can enjoy luxury shopping at the Shops at Charleston Place.
You won’t go hungry in this historic getaway. Start your day energized with breakfast from Miller’s All Day, but save room for the coastal bites at Leon’s Oyster Shop. From chophouses to casual BBQ, there’s a menu for every palate. Be sure to plan your meals around the fun activities and sites the city has to offer, from a wondrous aquarium to the remains of a Civil War fort.
Front and center of the Charleston experience is its history, fueled by ghost stories and spectral encounters. Walking ghost tours dive into the eerier side of the city’s past, making stops at locations like Mills House Hotel and, home of the Woman in Black, the Blind Tiger Pub for a glimpse into the 1900s.
St. Augustine, Florida
The nation’s oldest city is a treasure trove for your girls’ trip. Predating the colonies, some of St. Augustine’s buildings have been privy to centuries of history. From the old Spanish fort to the Casablanca Inn, a bounty of ghost stories help tell the long and sordid tale of Florida’s first city.
Before embarking on a walking ghost tour of Old City, where you’ll listen to the haunting tales of locations like the A1A Aleworks, take advantage of local culinary delights. Seafood is available in abundance at classic joints like Harry’s, but don’t shy away from the ethnic flavors of Casa Reina. With Spanish roots, you’ll find several eateries excelling at Spanish and Cuban dishes.
Check out the Heritage Walk for lines of shops and restaurants, spend some time at Cobblestone Village, or lounge on some of the 42 miles of beaches. Be sure to make a stop at the historic lighthouse to step into the past and meet the old keeper and his spectral family.
Nashville, Tennessee
Hidden within the glam of Tennessee’s Music City are grim tales of loss and murder. They mark locations throughout Nashville, contrasting the lively atmosphere that washes over the streets today. A ghost tour guides you through these forgotten stories with stops at the haunted State Capitol and the Downtown Presbyterian Church.
Don’t spend too long in the dark, though. Nashville is vibrant with experiences sure to energize your soul. Your group will be hard-pressed to find somewhere to eat, only because there are so many places worth trying. Hot chicken, bars serving up country music and comfort food, and casual BBQ will keep you well fed during your stay.
Work up that appetite with shopping Downtown, at The Mall at Green Hills, or 12 South. You’ll definitely want a new outfit if you have tickets to the Grand Ole Opry, and you can snag a cowboy hat fit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Cape May, New Jersey
It may not have the name power of other historic American cities, but Cape May is not light on history. Most importantly, it welcomed new settlers in the early 1600s and felt the weight of the Civil War. Traces of this past persist in the remaining Queen Anne and Gothic-style buildings.
If you can pull yourself away from the history, spend a little time at clusters of stores, like the Carpenters Square Mall or the boutique spots Downtown. Being in New Jersey, you know you’ll be near some of the best food the East Coast has to offer. The Lobster House offers fresh coastal fare, while Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant offers a diverse menu. From casual eats to fine dining, it’s all available near the cape.
Spend your day soaking in the sun along the coast or head up to Atlantic City for the Vegas-light experience. Come nightfall, locations like Southern Mansion and Hotel Macomber take center stage on a walking ghost tour of Cape May. These historic and haunted buildings help tell the region’s story, from its 17th-century roots to its modern horrors.
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As the SEO Project Manager at US Ghost Adventures, Benjamin Levin oversees technical optimization and search performance across a nationwide digital footprint. He specializes in building robust SEO frameworks and data-driven strategies that maintain the brand's position as a leader for haunted experiences and historical tours.
