These 2 New England Cities Are Perfect For A Girls’ Weekend

Sometimes you just need to get away – and your husband and kids are the ones you need to escape from! The cure? An epic girlfriend getaway with your favorite gal pals!

Travel + Leisure magazine ranked 35 urban destinations based on criteria like how walkable the streets are, wine bars, and quality theater. Not surprisingly, two New England landed on the list, but they may not be the ones you’d expect!

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Providence, Rhode Island came in at Number 11, and Portland, Maine, ranked No. 13 (tying with Portland, Oregon, and San Juan, Puerto Rico).

City scenes.

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Travel + Leisure commended Rhode Island’s artsy capital city for its access to classical music, performance art, and galleries.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BV5aAmKhuAy/?taken-at=213526771

They also pointed out that the more pizza-&-beer-type gals will love Providence for its great modern restaurants and local craft breweries. For these less buttoned up ladies, they suggest drinks at Revival Brewing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVa45HqnC5E/?taken-by=revivalbrewing

In terms of where to stay while visiting The Renaissance City, the magazine recommends The Dean Hotel.

#thedeanhotel really cool hotel in downtown #providence

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Located on the site of a former strip club, it is hip and fun while still keeping it classy!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUz1agQBF96/?tagged=thedeanhotel

Room options include sleepover-style bunk beds. Ladies will also love amenities like the lobby coffee bar and an innovative karaoke bar with private rooms where you can shed your insecurity and belt out your favorite hits.

officially back at it

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Portland, Maine made the list for its walkability and fabulous gourmet restaurants.

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The magazine recommends the Fore Street restaurant for a decadent dining experience with friends.

#forestreetrestaurant #mussels #maine #portlandmaine #latergram

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They also offer an insider tip of timing your girls’ weekend at the beginning of the month to coincide with Portland’s First Friday Art Walk. On the first Friday of the month, admission to the  Portland Museum of Art is free, gallery doors stay open late and street performers abound.

|| First Friday Art Walk || #PortlandMaine • • • #popupshop with @nyny66 & killer #busking by @thegrimhooper . • • • • • • • #artsaves #busconversion #firstfridayartwalk #skoolie #skoolielife #vanlifediaries #vangirl #vanlife #hooplah #hoopspam #hoopeverywhere #hoopeverydamnday #hechoamano #artemexicano #ontheroad #ontheroadagain #homeiswhereyouparkit #sustainableliving #sustainablefashion #slowfashion #ethicalfashion #ootd #lookbook #salvaged #buslust #buslife

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Portland scored extra points for its close proximity to Freeport, Maine, where the L.L. Bean flagship store is open 24/7 for on-demand shopping!

It's Bean a great day #llbean #maine

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While Providence and Portland scored well with the ladies, southern cities definitely dominated the list! New Orleans scored the coveted Number 1 spot and Nashville, Tennessee came in at Number 3. Charleston, SC, Savannah, Georgia and Miami, Florida stole slots 5, 6 and 7 respectively.

Check out Travel + Leisure‘s full list of girlfriend-friendly cities here.