As moms, we all need a break sometimes, and a girls trip can be just what you need. Leave the guilt at home and escape for a weekend! The destinations below are all three hours or less away from Kansas City.
Girlfriends Getaways Less Than 3 Hours From KC
Excelsior Springs, Missouri
45 minutes from KC
Grab your gal pals for a weekend of relaxation at The Elms Hotel and Spa in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. The Elms Spa offers massages, facials, body treatments and wellness rituals, like acupuncture and quartz healing work. Included with every spa treatment is access to The Grotto. In The Grotto, the natural mineral waters that Excelsior Springs is known for take center stage, with a series of rooms offering a dry sauna, hot tub, steam shower, cold plunge shower and aromatherapy bar. There are lounge chairs within The Grotto when you want to take a break from the hydrotherapy.
After the spa, be sure to take some time to visit the grand outdoor pool and explore the historic hotel and its grounds. Visited by politicians, sports stars, and famous criminals, including Al Capone, the hotel has quite a history and may even be home to some ghosts. Add a Paranormal Tour to your stay if you dare! The Elms has an onsite restaurant, coffee bar and cozy tavern. Beyond the hotel, the town has a cute downtown area with local restaurants. Grab tickets for one of several wine and dine tours on The Excelsior Springs Chamber Trolley and visit local wineries including Fence Stile Vineyards and Van Till Family Farm Winery, where you can pair your wine with pizza from their wood-fired oven.
Getaway Ozark Highlands – Osceola, Missouri
1 hour and 30 minutes from KC
If you are desperately craving peace and quiet, try a weekend at the Getaway cabins located near Osceola, Missouri. Staying in a Getaway cabin is similar to glamping or tiny living. The cabins are 140-200 square feet but have one or two comfy queen beds (bunked), a small kitchen and full bathroom. Outside, you’ll find Adirondack chairs, a picnic table and a fire pit. The cabins are thoughtfully designed to help you unwind and connect with nature. You’ll find a box for your phones, a few books, a pack of cards and a Bluetooth radio but there’s no TV or internet service.
There are a few hiking trails, but there really isn’t anything else to do onsite or nearby. That means there’s absolutely no guilt in spending your time resting. Enjoy coffee in the woods, drinks by the fire and plenty of time to catch up with your bestie. This unstructured escape is great for close friends that don’t mind tight quarters and don’t feel the need to always fill the silence. I recommend bringing easy meals (heat via stove or campfire), stuff for s’mores, your favorite drinks and snacks, puzzles, games, crafts and reading materials. Getaway has campfire cooking recipes and suggestions for spending your free time should you need them.
Hermann, Missouri
3 hours from KC
Catching up over wine is peak girlfriend getaway. Add in some beautiful scenery and you’ve got a perfect weekend in the making. A visit to Hermann, Missouri is just that. Located in the Missouri River Valley, Hermann’s rolling hills, vineyards and charming red brick buildings, look like something out of a storybook. There are plenty of opportunities to soak in the views with visits to the region’s vineyards and wineries. The Hermann Trolley stops by seven different wineries and five different distilleries, including the country’s oldest continuously operated family farm winery, Adam Puchta Winery and the popular Stone Hill Winery. Many of the wineries have grab and go foods to pair with your wine.
You’ll also find local German specialties like sausage and schnitzel (Hermann was founded by German vintners). Another way to experience the views is via the Katy Trail, the longest continuous railroad track turned trail in the country. The route starts just three miles from Hermann and is accessible via a bike-friendly bridge over the Missouri River. Bring your bike or rent an e-bike for the day and cruise past river bluffs and farmland. Accommodations in Hermann vary from Airbnb cottages to Hermann Hill, a boutique hotel with spa. Check Hermann’s Event Calendar for special weekends and festivals including a month-long Oktoberfest.
Bentonville, Arkansas
3 hours from KC
If your crew is big on Instagram-worthy vibes, head south to Bentonville, Arkansas, which is surprisingly both a charming small town and a major art destination. At Crystal Bridges Museum, art and nature combine into a one-of-a-kind experience. The art museum’s striking architecture is nestled in 120 acres of Ozark forest. You’re truly surrounded by beauty here, no matter if you’re viewing the renowned art collection or taking in the natural setting. Inside you’ll find art ranging from Rockwell to Warhol. Outside you’ll find miles of sculpture and walking trails with installations by Chihuly, the famous LOVE sculpture, and a Frank Lloyd Wright House. In the evening, head to Crystal Bridge’s new satellite, The Momentary. This former cheese factory features a communal art space, outdoor music venue (artists this summer include John Legend and Portugal. The Man.) and Tower Bar, a hip enclosed rooftop bar with a great view.
Don’t forget to grab a group picture in front of their neon pink “you belong here” sign” Continue the art theme with a stay at 21c Museum Hotel where exhibits surround or rent an Airbnb for a large group. In Bentonville and nearby Rogers, it’s easy to find large rentals with reasonable prices (some even have private pools for optimal relaxation).