If the return of warm weather has you and your gal pals itching for a weekend getaway, you’re not alone. Try East Coast beach trips, a weekend in NYC, a week in Paris and beyond.
Ogunquit, Maine is the perfect destination for a summer beach trip. You’ll experience the roadtrip vibe as you spend half a day traveling north. Meander through Boston if you’d like, or head straight to Maine. Ogunquit itself is a quaint town that blends dining, shopping, and the shore, with plenty of places to stay. Village Food Market has excellent sandwich options, and is a convenient stop for groceries. Mornings in Paris offers excellent coffees and French pastries for the perfect start to your morning. For dinner, I recommend reservations at The Front Yard for upscale Mediterranean, Caffe Prego for Italian, and Jackie’s Too for waterfront seafood. Sweet Pea’s blueberry pie ice cream is also a must-try, and Lita Sea Glass Jewelry is the perfect souvenir shop.
There’s plenty to do beyond Ogunquit as well. Fans of Maine lobster should walk along Marginal Way to Perkins Cove where you can eat fresh lobster right on the docks and do some waterfront shopping. You can also drive to York for a beach day and The Goldenrod Candy Shop, where you can watch the saltwater taffy making processes and pick up some treats to bring home. Or you can venture to Kennebunkport for more shopping, dining, and sail boating.
For a beach weekend closer to home, consider Cape May. You can opt for a waterfront beach house, rent an apartment above the shops in the center of town, or book a room at the iconic Congress Hall hotel. If you’re in the mood for a snack, Quincy’s sells lobster rolls to go right in the heart of Washington Street Mall, and a cone of Kohr’s Frozen Custard is the perfect treat on a hot day. If you’re looking for a sit-down meal, Ebbitt Room offers a sophisticated vibe and farm-to-table ingredients sourced from nearby Beach Plum Farm. You could easily spend a weekend relaxing on the beach and dining around town, but if you want to make the most of your trip, consider a wine tasting at one of the local vineyards, or catch a boat tour for whale or dolphin watching.
If your group prefers the city vibe, an Amtrak up to NYC might be the answer. In just over an hour, you can be in the heart of New York City. I recommend starting with dinner and a show. I usually make my reservations at Mermaid Oyster Bar in Times Square for oysters, seafood, and craft cocktails, or Becco for quality Italian food, a good wine list, and unlimited pasta. Both are walking distance from the Broadway district.
If you are adventurous, 20%–50% off same-day show tickets can be found at the outdoor ticket booth, underneath the red steps in Times Square. Check the live, updated list of available shows on the TKTS app before joining the line. You can also check nytix.com/tkts/tkts-times-square or Playbill.com.
Saturdays in the city are perfect for shopping on 5th Avenue and a museum of your choice. I’ve been loving the newly reopened Frick Collection, Pedro Pascal’s planetarium show at the Natural History Museum, and the medieval castle and gardens of the Met Cloisters. Art lovers should also take advantage of late nights at the Met for an evening of fine art, live music, and specialty drinks. If you’re more of a foodie, try a food tour of Greenwich, Chinatown, or Little Italy for a taste of where “real” New Yorkers eat.
Sunday mornings are, of course, reserved for brunch, preferably at Sarabeth’s on the edge of Central Park. After brunch, you’ll have time to check one last Must-Do off your list before catching your train home. Whether that’s enjoying city views from the top of the Empire State Building, walking the Highline, or taking the Staten Island ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, the choice is yours.
My top pick for a ladies’ trip has to be Paris. With direct flights available in and out of Philadelphia, France has never been more accessible. I’d recommend spending a full week to make the most of your trip.
You’ll kick things off with an overnight flight and early arrival. I recommend devoting this day to beating the jet lag with a picnic on the Seine and an early dinner in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood.
For the rest of your days in Paris, there’s no shortage of things to see and do. Art Lovers can’t miss The Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. The Catacombs, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Sacre Cœur are must-sees. Le Marais and Champs-Élysées are two of the best shopping districts. Montmartre is the backdrop of many of Paris’s best food and wine tours. And, of course, no trip is complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle.
A week will also give you enough time to venture beyond Paris. For wine lovers, I’d recommend Reims, right in the heart of champagne country, or spending a night or two in the Burgundy or Bordeaux regions for the best red wine. For artists or gardeners, I love Monet’s home and gardens at Giverny as a day trip from the city. For those interested in the history of French Royalty, the palace of Versailles is accessible by train. You could also spend a few days in the North, visiting sites like the beaches of Normandy, the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, the medieval town of Dinan, or the prehistoric standing stones in Carnac that predate Stonehenge. Or you could head South, to Lyon for foodies, to Avignon for history lovers, to Arles for Van Gogh fans, or all the way to Nice for a few days on the Mediterranean.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of your options or if you don’t want to take on the burden of planning, consider working with a travel agent. Having a professional to handle the planning logistics, find what you are hoping for, be on call for questions, and give you personalized recommendations will allow you to make the most of your travels and enjoy your vacation stress-free.
The process is simple: we’ll set up a complimentary discovery call to discuss your dream vacation, and craft a personalized itinerary. With your final approval, your trip will be booked! Your professional is available for questions, changes, and support from the moment you book until you arrive safely back home.
Emily Zietowski is a local, professional travel agent and art historian who specializes in solo, historical, and custom European travel. She can be reached by phone (440-864-7378) or email (emily.zietowski@sojourneytravel.com). You can keep up with her on Instagram (@emily.z.abroad).
In just over an hour, you can be in the heart of New York City.
Make the most of your travels and enjoy your vacation stress-free.