How to Plan a Friends Weekend Getaway

There’s nothing like a weekend away with your besties. The idea of escaping reality for a few days with your closest friends can be incredibly exciting. But, planning for a trip isn’t always the most fun. Thankfully, you can plan a friends’ weekend getaway with ease by keeping a few tips in mind.

From deciding where to go, what you’ll need, and what to do when you reach your destination, it’s easier to plan a weekend friends getaway than you might think. Get your buddies on board, share in the planning responsibilities, and you’ll have the time of your lives.

Ready to get away from it all with your crew? Let’s start working for the weekend!

Pick the Right Location

You can’t have an epic trip without figuring out the best place to go, right? Of course, the more people involved in the trip, the more differing opinions you might have to deal with.

So, how can you make sure you’re choosing the right location for your getaway? Focus on a few key things.

First, if people have locations in mind already, think about which one best fits the needs and wants of your group. What does everyone want to do? Does anyone have special needs?

Second, think about accessibility. It’s always a good idea to choose a location with nearby activities and attractions, no matter how nice it might sound to go to a remote location and relax.

Finally, think about your budget. Everyone might have a different financial situation, and it’s not fair to go to the most expensive place if you know one or more of your friends can’t (or shouldn’t) spend the money.

Book Accommodations

Once you’ve decided where to go, it’s time to book your stay!

Nowadays, you have the option of staying in a hotel or using services like Vrbo or Airbnb to stay in a home or unique building for the weekend—it’s all about whatever makes you the most comfortable!

Wherever you decide to book, keep the following tips in mind to make the process easier:

• Make sure you have your dates straight
• Ask about any special policies
• Understand all agreements before signing anything
• Check out guest ratings
• Research amenities and accessibility
• Request specific check-out times if necessary

Again, make sure you choose a place to stay that’s affordable and safe for everyone. The good thing about hotels is that you can usually find a variety of options, even in smaller cities throughout the country. But, hotels aren’t for everyone, and you might be feeling a bit adventurous.

Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box for a fun weekend. If you’re willing to step away from a traditional hotel, some Airbnb options include tents, Airstream trailers, and even castles. If you know the trip is going to be all about rest and relaxation, consider choosing a place to stay that will keep everyone entertained and comfortable throughout the weekend. It’s okay to splurge a little when you’re planning on spending most of your time there.

Be a Perfect Packer

When you plan a weekend getaway, knowing where you’re going and what you plan on doing will make it easier to pack accordingly. But, if you’re having a hard time cramming everything you want into your small weekend suitcase, use the following list to make it easy on yourself without over or under-packing:

• Comfortable shoes
• 2-3 shirts
• A jacket
• Your phone/camera
• 2 sets of undergarments
• 2 pairs of socks
• Pajamas
• 1 pair of comfortable pants

Of course, prioritize things like medications, self-care items, hygiene products, and cosmetics. Thankfully, they don’t take up much room, but you’ll definitely miss them if they’re not there!

If you’re heading on a road trip—even a short one—you might want to consider bringing a few extra essentials, like a pillow and blanket for the car. And, of course, no road trip is complete without plenty of snacks. No one is going to complain if you’re the designated “snack person” on the trip!

Obviously, if you know you’re participating in activities that require specific clothing or gear, make sure you get those in your suitcase. But, start here with the basics and you can rest assured you won’t forget anything important.

Planning Activities

When it comes to planning activities on your friends’ getaway weekend, don’t put too much pressure on yourself—or anyone else. Consider letting everyone pick at least one thing they want to do, or agree on one “big” event where you can all chip in and spend most of your time.

Again, most importantly, make sure everyone feels important and included. Consider things like accessibility, affordability, safety, and comfort.

Remember, you only have a weekend, which is a pretty short window of time. You’re probably not going to be able to participate in a ton of activities, so work together as a friend group to prioritize the things you really want to do. Chances are, you picked a specific location for a reason. What does that location have that shouldn’t be missed?

---

At the end of the day, your weekend friends’ getaway should be about spending quality time with each other. Going somewhere interesting and doing fun things will make it an unforgettable weekend, but enjoying your time with people you love will be the reason you create memories that last a lifetime. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. The more flexible and relaxed you are on this weekend getaway, the more you and your friend group will want to get together to do it again!