12 Best Girls’ Trip Destinations in the U.S.

Planning the ultimate girls’ trip? Whether you’re craving beachside relaxation, wine country indulgence, or a city adventure, the U.S. has endless destinations perfect for a memorable getaway with your best friends. From charming Southern retreats to vibrant big-city escapes, here are 12 of the best girls’ trip destinations to consider.

1. Charleston, SC | My Blog Posts

With its cobblestone streets, pastel-hued historic homes, and incredible food scene, Charleston is a dream for a girls’ getaway. Spend your days strolling along King Street for shopping, brunching at Poogan’s Porch, and exploring the stunning waterfront at The Battery.

2. Serenbe, GA | My Blog Posts

For a peaceful retreat, head to Serenbe, a wellness-focused community just outside Atlanta. Think spa days, farm-to-table dining, and scenic nature walks—all in a picturesque setting. It’s the perfect place to recharge with your best friends.

3. Palmetto Bluff, SC | My Blog Posts

Nestled along the May River in South Carolina, Palmetto Bluff is a luxurious low-country escape. Stay at the Montage Palmetto Bluff for world-class spa treatments, bike rides through moss-draped oaks, and sunset river cruises.

4. Napa Valley, CA | My Blog Posts

No girls’ trip list is complete without Napa. Wine tastings, hot air balloon rides, and Michelin-starred dining make it an unforgettable destination. Don’t miss a visit to Castello di Amorosa, a stunning Tuscan-style castle winery.

5. Newport, RI | My Blog Posts

For a coastal New England escape, Newport is ideal. Tour the opulent Gilded Age mansions, sip rosé on a sunset sail, and soak up the charm of this seaside gem. The Cliff Walk offers breathtaking views and the perfect backdrop for group photos.

6. Palm Beach, FL | My Blog Posts

Palm Beach oozes luxury with its pristine beaches, upscale boutiques, and iconic pink-hued The Colony Hotel. Spend your days poolside, shopping on Worth Avenue, and enjoying elegant waterfront dining.

7. New Orleans, LA | My Blog Posts

From jazz-filled nights on Frenchmen Street to indulging in beignets at Café du Monde, New Orleans offers an energetic and unique girls’ trip experience. Don’t miss a swamp tour or a visit to the vibrant Garden District.

8. Sea Island, GA – The Cloister | My Blog Posts

For a five-star Southern escape, The Cloister at Sea Island is pure perfection. This private island resort offers everything from spa treatments to horseback riding on the beach, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and adventure.

9. The Dunlin, SC | My Blog Posts

One of the newest luxury retreats, The Dunlin offers a nature-inspired getaway with coastal beauty and Southern charm. Enjoy waterfront views, outdoor activities, and the ultimate spa experience.

10. Miraval, AZ and TX | My Blog Post

For a wellness-focused girls’ trip, Miraval resorts in Arizona and Texas offer mindfulness workshops, spa treatments, and activities like horseback meditation and aerial yoga. It’s the perfect place to disconnect and recharge.

11. 30A, FL | My Blog Posts

This stretch of charming beach towns along Florida’s Panhandle is known for its white sand beaches and laid-back vibe. Rent a beach house, explore Rosemary Beach, and bike along the scenic paths for the ultimate coastal retreat.

12. Fairhope, AL | My Blog Posts

Fairhope is an underrated gem with waterfront views, boutique shopping, and a quaint downtown area. It’s a great spot for a slower-paced, picturesque getaway filled with Southern hospitality.

For the Big-City Girls

If your group thrives on energy, nightlife, and endless entertainment, these big-city destinations are perfect for a fun-filled girls’ trip:

• Miami, FL – Beach clubs, rooftop bars, and Art Deco vibes in South Beach.

• New York City, NY – Shopping in SoHo, Broadway shows, and cocktails with skyline views.

• Las Vegas, NV – Luxury resorts, pool parties, and world-class entertainment.

• Nashville, TN – Live music, honky-tonks, and rooftop bars on Broadway.

• Chicago, IL – Stunning architecture, Michelin-star dining, and river cruises.

• Austin, TX – Food trucks, live music, and outdoor adventures.

• Atlanta, GA – Trendy neighborhoods, amazing brunch spots, and vibrant nightlife.

• Los Angeles, CA – Beach days, Hollywood hikes, and chic rooftop lounges.

• Dallas, TX – High-end shopping, trendy restaurants, and fun speakeasies.

• Denver, CO – Breweries, outdoor adventures, and scenic mountain views.

No matter your travel style, these destinations offer the perfect backdrop for making lifelong memories with your girls. Where’s your next trip taking you? Let us know in the comments!

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What to Pack

If you’re planning a spa weekend, packing intentionally makes all the difference. The goal? Comfort, ease, and a little bit of luxury.

First, think layers and loungewear. Miraval is beautifully relaxed — you’ll live in leggings, soft tees, cozy wraps, and easy sundresses for meals. Bring one or two swimsuits for the pools, hot tubs, and any water therapies, plus waterproof sandals you can slip on and off throughout the day. A light jacket is helpful for chilly mornings or overly enthusiastic air-conditioning.

For wellness activities — whether it’s yoga, meditation, hiking, or a fitness class — pack comfortable workout clothes and supportive sneakers. Even if you think you’re going just to relax, you may find yourselves signing up for something adventurous together (which is half the fun).

Toiletries can stay minimal since the resort provides beautiful products, but I always bring my favorite skincare essentials, sunscreen, hair ties, and a small makeup pouch for dinners. A reusable water bottle and a lightweight tote are also incredibly handy for moving between the spa, pool, and classes. These are a few of my favorites. Check out my full packing list here.

Daytime Activities

Whether it was a morning stretch class, a mindfulness walk, or just wandering the property with coffee in hand, here are pieces to keep you comfortable all day.

• I practically lived in a great pair of high-waisted leggings.
• A soft, breathable top, and my trusty HOKA sneakers for walking the property and staying comfortable.
• The leggings were supportive but comfortable enough to lounge in, and I chose a relaxed, slightly oversized top that felt polished without trying too hard. And the HOKAs were a must — lightweight, cushioned, and perfect for everything from light hikes to walks between the spa and our room.

The post What I Packed for the Miraval Spa in Austin appeared first on Home of Malones.

Last week I was able to share the most special vacation with my Mom for a little birthday getaway!!  I celebrated my 41st birthday and my Mom and I snuck away for 3 nights to Austin, TX to visit the Miraval spa and resort.   It was such a relaxing and luxurious treat.  It has been years since only my Mom and I have done a trip together and this felt so special.  Even though we live in the same town, we are often together with 3 kids running around us or with other family and don’t get to catch up just the two of us.

Back about 20 years ago, my Mom and I went with my aunt and cousin to Tucson, AZ to a spa for a few nights.  Both of us have been thinking this entire time that it was Miraval in AZ, but I just realized it was Canyon Ranch, not Miraval.  Anyway, we love a good spa and it’s so much fun to exercise and enjoy the healthy lifestyle; but also pamper yourself at the spa.

I wanted to break this post down into a few different sections for you and hopefully answer any questions you may have if Miraval is on your list to visit.

How to get to the Miraval Austin

We flew into the Austin airport and since we didn’t have a direct flight, we had to fly through Atlanta.  Once we landed in Austin, Miraval offers a complimentary ride to the resort.  Our driver was waiting for us as soon as we landed and then it was about a 25 minute ride to the resort.

Accommodations at Miraval Austin

We stayed in a Two Double Bed Dreamcatcher room which was located close to the reception desk.  There are buildings scattered all over the property and probably each have their own benefits as to location.  Our building was somewhat far from the dining room and spa area, but it is all still just a 6-8 minute walk away.   The entire property is walkable and it takes about a day (maybe a half day) to get yourself acclimated and feeling like you know where everything is.

Our room was fairly simple yet nice and they do offer tea and a hot kettle in your room, a mini fridge, and a small seat by the window to read or work.  The rooms do have a TV and wifi as well as a tiny wooden bed to encourage you to leave your cell phones behind and enjoy unplugging.

The highlight of the rooms were the most incredible and comfortable bedding that I’ve maybe EVER slept on.  One of my favorite things about luxury hotels is the incredible bed linens that they usually provide, but I am telling you these are next level.  They are so soft and to me the thing that stood out the most was the down comforter.  The trick with a down comforter is that it can be too hot, but this one was the perfect weight and felt like a lovely cloud lying on top of you.  Apparently, we are not the only ones that fell in love with the bedding because it turns out they sell the bedding package in their gift shop.   Of course my Mom and I had to go inquire about the bedding and we were astounded to learn that the duvet comforter alone (does not include the duvet cover) was priced at $2,200!!!!!!  Lawdy, that deterred us of course; but it does show that they use first class linens.

When you are walking all around the Miraval property you notice all the detail they put into making the place as calming and relaxing for their guests as possible.  There are water features all around, fire pits and gas fires lit throughout and beautiful cactus and stone towers throughout the property.  You can find healthy snacks and treats all day long at the Nest as well as smoothies and a cocktail bar in the evening.

I thought the property was very nice and I will share more about the spa below.

What to do at the Miraval Austin

Miraval is a wellness spa and offers a plethora of activities all day long.  They put out a monthly calendar of events with an hourly schedule for each day of the week.  The best thing to do is look through all the activities that are offered during your stay and start picking out which activities look like something you are interested in.   The activities include things like hikes, yoga, stretching, meditation, bee keeping, farm tours, ropes courses, weight lifting, aqua cardio (during certain seasons), sound baths, floating meditations, cooking classes, and so many more.  The list may feel a little overwhelming at first and they do recommend booking activities before you arrive, but just know things can be changed when you are there.

Our favorite way to schedule the day was to have exercise classes in the morning (we loved doing a hike each morning on our own which were very well marked) and then workout classes after.  Then we enjoyed lunch and had a spa service in the afternoon.  When we did our spa services, we loved doing the whole thing.  We would do the hot tub, then steam room, then sauna and then shower off before heading to the relaxation room to wait for our spa treatment.

After the afternoon spa treatment, it was fun to schedule things like a cooking class, drink-making class or maybe a meditation or stretching class to enjoy in the evenings.  They run classes through about 9pm, so you can book things late into the evening or just have dinner and head back to your room and relax.

There were so many classes and things to do that we did not experience during our stay, but the things we really enjoyed were the pasta making class, the floating meditation, the hikes, our drink making class and all our spa treatments.

I will note that they do not have tennis courts, pickleball courts or a golf course on property.  I did see a golf course very close by on our way to the airport, so I imagine people use that course if they are golfers.

The Miraval Spa

The Spa itself was very nice and had all the amenities that we were interested in.  Have I ever been to a bigger and newer spa?  Yes, but this one had everything we needed plus the most incredible treatments.  My Mom and I each had 4 treatments.  We had one per day which was so a treat and after each one we walked out of our rooms gushing over how good they were.  We did a 20 minute Neck and Head massage our first evening there, then an 80 minute Vitamin C facial which was outstanding, an 80 minute Ginger Healer massage which was a message with an amazing body scrub and then a 100min Predhana Veda treatment.  This Predhana Veda treatment is designed for total body rejuvenation, mental clarity, and balancing the body’s energy.  My friend, Lea, told us about this when we ran into her at the airport and she said it was such a unique experience and highly recommended it.  I loved how unique it was and the way they slathered you up with warm oil and wrapped you up like a cocoon.  They then pour warm oil on your forehead and down through your hair and it’s this incredibly relaxing feeling.  I’m wishing I was back there as I type this!

Don’t skip the spa treatments if you make it to Miraval and make sure you enjoy the included amenities like the steam room and sauna.  As a resort guest, you can enjoy the spa amenities each day regardless if you have a spa treatment scheduled or not.

What is included at the Miraval Austin

There is a lot that is included in your stay at the Miraval resort.  Each day we received a $200 resort credit per person, a complimentary shuttle ride to and from the airport, all of our food, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, and a lot of the classes throughout the day.  Some of the classes did require an extra fee such as the cooking classes, floating meditation, and several others.  Another thing that is included throughout the resort which was really nice not to have to think about was gratuity.  Gratuity is not only included but not permitted on property.  All the spa treatments have tip included and you do not tip any of your instructors.  That made things very simple and nice not to worry about carrying cash around.

Where to eat at the Miraval Austin

There is one main restaurant on property that has indoor and outdoor seating.  They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in this restaurant each day.  Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style, but they also have a small menu that you can order from as well.   For dinner, you order from the menu and the items change each night.  They serve each entree with a calorie count next to it and all entrees are quite healthy.  The food was really quite good and I loved that they offered a delicious soup for every meal.

I mentioned they have a little place called the Nest.  That is a coffee and smoothie shop by day and then a bar in the evening.  They also have grab and go food there and some delicious snacks you can pick up.  All of this is included in your stay.  They made the best energy balls and these avocado chocolate cookies that we loved.  I came home with the recipe, so I will have to try and make them.

What to Pack for the Miraval Austin

We traveled to Miraval in mid February and managed to pack everything in a carry on bag which I was very proud of.  The nice part is that you really only need workout clothes and cozy sets, but somehow I still struggled to squeeze all of that into a carry on.  You need tennis shoes and a pair of sandals for walking back from the spa.  Then workout clothes by day, a bathing suit, light jacket, a couple sweat sets ( I love Varley, Rhone and Spanx) for the evening, and a little Fannie pack was really convenient to be hands free.  They give you a refillable water bottle, a nice tote to carry around which was helpful and then they ended up giving us a Fannie pack as well which I wore every day!  I brought makeup but really only put some on for the plane flight home and then packed my toiletry bag as well.

That’s it.  Its simple and so nice to just be comfortable for a few days!

You can check out my full packing list here with everything I brought.

Final Thoughts on our Stay at Miraval Austin

I truly loved my stay at Miraval.  We stayed for 3 nights and I think that was the perfect amount of time to be there.  You definitely could stay longer because there are so many different activities that you can try, but 3 nights felt perfect for us.  It was also so fun to do this trip with my Mom because I feel like it is such a good mother/daughter trip (we saw several other mom/daughter duos on our trip) and it is not a trip that my husband would really be into.  We did see men there, but they have to be the men that are into healthy eating, workouts and a little spa time.  This would also make an excellent girls trip with a group or even a solo trip.  You did see people here all by themselves which I thought was really cool too.

We did have hopes at one point planning this trip that we might go out and see some of Austin while we were there, but it really just didn’t work out.  Once you are on property, it is nice to just totally enthrall yourself into the healthy, relaxation mode.  Downtown Austin was going to be a 40 minute drive or so each way with traffic and it just didn’t feel worth it for our short trip.  So now, we will just have to go back and see Austin again another time!

As for Miraval resorts, it’s now been added to my bucket list to hit all three locations – Austin, Tucson and Berkshires!  Mom and I said we need to make this an annual thing, ha!!

They also had two pretty pools with hot tubs on property to sit and relax and enjoy.

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If you’ve ever wanted to experience the Bahamas in a way that feels peaceful, special, and truly unforgettable—Kamalame Cay is it.

We took our family trip in August with our three kids (ages 12, 10, and 7) and it was the perfect mix of barefoot luxury + easy family fun. Think: turquoise water, salty hair, slow mornings, and the kind of relaxing that feels rare when you’re traveling with kids.  Our travel agent, Melanie, put this spot in our minds a few years ago and we just had to find the right timing to make it work since it is not the easiest place to get to.

Kamalame Cay is a private island resort off the coast of Andros, Bahamas, and the moment you arrive, you can feel the difference. It’s quiet, beautiful, and just… magical.

Kamalame Cay is 3.5 miles long and privately owned island with 19 bungalows on property available for rent.  Bikes and golf carts are your only form of transportation and that was definitely the kids favorite part!!

How to Get to Kamalame Cay

Getting to Kamalame Cay feels like part of the adventure, and Matt’s face says it all in the picture below!!  We flew American Airlines from Pensacola to Miami and then Miami to Nassau.  Once you are in Nassau, you have to head over to the “Domestic” terminal and get on one of the local airlines flights over to Andros.  This is an adventure.  We flew Le Air which thankfully got us to and from Nassau safely, but it feels super sketch.  I mean look at that plane in the picture below.  There are a couple of different airline choices depending upon what day you are flying and I know we would definitely try one of the other ones if we make it back, ha!!

Once we landed in Andros, we had around a 30-40 minute drive (I think) to then hop on that cute little ferry boat pictured below to take us right over to the resort.

Where We Stayed in Kamalame Cay

The island is lush, tropical, and stunning—but the best part is the vibe. It’s not flashy or chaotic. It’s quiet luxury, in the most natural way.

The second we stepped onto the island, I remember thinking:

Okay. This is going to be really fun and relaxing for a few days. 

We checked in and rode our golf cart to our two bedroom villa that was right on the beach called Indigo Palm.  It was super spacious and sprawling along the beach with a king bedroom on each end of the house and then even had the perfect little extra bedroom nook in one of the hallways for one of the kids.

We were there the first week of August and it was definitely hot.  As beautiful as the villa was, it stayed warm pretty much our whole trip.   The AC could not keep up with the sun beating through all the windows and doors.

I loved that you could step right outside our back door and be right on the beach.  The kids had fun playing in the water; but unfortunately there was tons of seaweed on the beach while we were there, so it was not at its prettiest.

Another thing to note about this island and resort is that there is zero wi-fi.  So it is a time to completely disconnect and force the kids to be outside and explore.

The island feels so incredible safe which I loved and since it was small, we allowed the kids to go out and do some exploring on their own. Its definitely one of those places that you never bother even locking your doors.

Where We Ate at Kamalame Cay

You basically have two restaurants and two bars on the island to dine while you are visiting.  We ate dinner every night at their main restaurant and then they have a beachside restaurant that served a wonderful lunch.

We ate breakfast every morning at the main restaurant as well and I couldn’t stop ordering the avocado toast with bacon and a poached egg on top.  It was just the best!  But they also delivered a basket of fresh baked goods to our doorstep each morning and a pot of coffee which was lovely.

We stayed on Kamalame Cay for 3 nights and never ended up bringing any food to our villa.  If you were there for a whole week, you would probably enjoying cooking at your house a night or two or you could hire a chef to come cook for you.

I would recommend to have your taxi driver stop on your way to the island and grab a case of bottle waters to bring to your villa and a few groceries if you would like them.  They stocked our refrigerator with sodas, a few beers and champagne, but no water.

I will share more below, but one of the days we took a private fishing excursion and came back to the island and the chefs cooked up our fresh fish for us and it was the most incredible meal and gorgeous presentation.  That was the fun and beauty of it being such a small and quint island that they could provide personal touches like that.

They also left us amazing homemade cookies in our villa every afternoon that of course the kids thought was the very best!

If you love a good island cocktail, you can’t miss the Samson Special!  Oh my goodness, this is not to be missed.  Samson works on the island and he’s concocted the best rum punch and they named it after him!

What We Did on Kamalame Cay

We were only on the Cay for two full days and we knew we wanted to get out on the water.  We scheduled a boat excursion for both days.  One day more focused on fishing and the other one more focused on snorkeling the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world.

We loved how easy the excursions were each day.  We just drove our golf cart right to the boat docks and we left on our excursion right from there.  The boats were small, but comfortable and you didn’t have to go far out.  The resort schedules all of this for you and because the island is so small, it’s just all very simple.

My son had just gotten stitches on his stomach just before we left for this trip and he was not allowed to get in the water.  That was pretty devastating going into the trip, but he was such a trooper.  He fished his little heart out and tolerated the heat without being able to jump in the water to cool off.

We loved finding little treasures throughout our excursions and absolutely loved the snorkeling.  I thought it was some of the best we’ve done.  This area is really known for its bone fishing if you have any bone fishing lovers in your house.  We didn’t do any of that, but we talked with people that really enjoyed it.  Also, one day on our excursion, they packed us a beautiful picnic lunch and we sat out on a pretty beach and enjoyed our lunch out there which was fun.

Other things you can enjoy on the cay are time by the pool, paddle boarding, tennis (and soon to be pickle ball courts), and a beautiful over the water spa.  I was scheduled to have a treatment on our last day before we left, but sadly it was cancelled.

If we had one more day here, I would have tried to do the Blue Hole excursion over on Andros.  It was about a 20 minute drive and then I think you do a small little hike to then jump and swim in the blue hole.   I believe there are some other things to see over on Andros if you have the time as well… I heard Conchy Joes on the beach has the best tacos in town, Androseria boutique store, and the light house marina may be worth a stop.

We met the cutest family from Georgia that was on the island the same time as us.  They had two teenage daughters that were so sweet to my kids.  We had fun with them our whole stay and even had dinner together our last night when the chef cooked all of our fresh fish for us!

This meal was so delicious!!  And that’s Matt and Samson!  Matt was a big fan of the Samson Special Rum Punch.

The whole island is just this lush and beautiful.

Our last day exploring the beautiful overwater spa.

On our trip home from Kamalame Cay, we flew from Andros to Nassau and stayed in Nassau for the second half of our vacation at the Rosewood Baha Mar.  It was exciting to go from a nice quiet few days on Kamalame Cay to a busier, lively few days over at Baha Mar where we met up with our friends.

Final Thoughts on Kamalame Cay

I really enjoyed this short trip and the kids had a lot of fun.  We loved our excursions both days and felt like the prices for our excursions were so reasonable.  A lot of times that can be a really big expense.  I think if we went back, it would be fun to go with some family or friends.  I really did love the feel of how quiet and private the island was, but it would be fun to have other families there to make your own fun as well!

I mentioned above the fact that there was no internet which really wasn’t a problem for us, but I will say that the bugs and house being hot during our stay were a little unfortunate.  So keep that in mind when you are looking at what time of year to enjoy the island.

The charm of the island and the workers being so incredibly friendly would definitely bring me back to this barefoot luxury resort.  I know it will hold a special little place in my kids heart.

You can watch our video recap of our trip here:

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The Caribbean is the ultimate destination for romance, offering secluded beaches, luxury resorts, and breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or just want a romantic escape, these 15 destinations provide the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and indulgence.  It is my goal every year that my husband and I escape for a few days just the two of us to enjoy a vacation without our kids and without any other couples.  It definitely does not always happen, but I keep a running list on the notes app in my phone and dream of our next vacation.

1. Hermitage Bay, Antigua

Nestled along a secluded bay, Hermitage Bay is the kind of boutique, all-inclusive refuge where the world fades away. Think intimate hillside suites, each with its own private plunge pool, set amongst vibrant greenery and overlooking turquoise water that laps gently at a pristine white-sand beach. With only a few dozen cottages, you get exceptional service, peace, and the feeling that the resort was made just for you. A perfect sanctuary for couples who want privacy, romance, and understated elegance.

This is on the top of my list for one of the next trips Matt and I get to take together.

2. Round Hill, Jamaica

Timeless elegance meets laid-back island charm at Round Hill. Located near Montego Bay, this historic resort features Ralph Lauren–designed oceanfront villas set in lush, tropical gardens. Imagine spending your days reclining on veranda swings, sipping rum cocktails at sunset, and strolling through manicured gardens: it’s classic romance with a Caribbean twist.

We made it here two Summers ago and loved how beautiful this resort was.  You can read our full recap here.

3. Amanera, Dominican Republic

Perched atop cliffs above Playa Grande Beach, Amanera is a masterclass in serenity. Private casitas tucked into the hillside offer sweeping ocean vistas, and there’s an infinity pool that feels like it spills into the horizon. Wellness seekers will appreciate its yoga pavilions and the peaceful spa moments. It’s ideal for couples wanting to unwind in luxury and style.

We have never stayed at an Amanera resort, but it is on my bucket list to stay one someday.  They are known for next level service and beauty.

4. Sandy Lane, Barbados

When you say “luxury Caribbean resort,” Sandy Lane immediately springs to mind. A favorite among celebrities and discerning travelers, it’s known for its impeccable beach, indulgent spa, and refined gourmet dining. Glamorous, polished, romantic — it’s where you go to feel utterly pampered.

My brother and SIL honeymooned at this resort and they speak so highly of it.  I hope to make it to this resort one day soon.

5. Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Sandals St. Vincent brings the all-inclusive dream. Overwater bungalows, candlelit gourmet dinners, lush grounds, and an adults-only atmosphere make this resort perfect for couples who want zero worries and all indulgence.

We have been to one Sandals resort before in the Exumas and I said if I was ever going to go back to another one it would be this one with the over water bungalows.

6. Cap Juluca, Anguilla

Part of the Belmond family, Cap Juluca exudes barefoot elegance. Whitewashed villas lie along Maundays Bay; sunset cruises and beachfront dining under swaying palms are the order of the day. It feels like stepping into an island painting.

We stayed at the Four Seasons in Anguilla years ago and had dinner over at this resort and it was beautiful.  You can read my review for other fun things to do and check out on the island of Anguilla.

7. Four Seasons Resort, Nassau, Bahamas

On the prestigious Paradise Island, this Four Seasons resort mixes lavish amenities with sweeping oceanfront views. Villas that open to the sea, excellent service, and the option to tee off at the Ocean Club Golf Course all help seal its reputation as a top-tier romantic destination.

We have never stayed at this Four Seasons resort, but have stayed on Paradise Island at the Atlantis as well as Baha Mar in Nassau.

8. Oil Nut Bay, Virgin Gorda

For those craving peace and seclusion, Oil Nut Bay delivers. Accessible only by boat or helicopter, it’s an eco-luxury hideaway featuring overwater villas, private beaches, and the kind of quiet evenings where the only sound is waves and stars.  You have access to other close by islands in the Virgin Islands which I love as well.

We stayed at this resort for our 10 year wedding anniversary and loved our beautiful one bedroom villa with our own personal dip pool.  You can read our trip recap from Oil Nut Bay here.

9. The Dunmore, Harbour Island, Bahamas

Pink-sand beaches, curated decor, and welcoming bungalows make The Dunmore feel like a beautifully kept secret. It mixes relaxed island vibes with enough polish to feel special — perfect for couples who want charm and exclusivity, but without the fuss. Harbour Island is one of our very favorite islands with a multitude of fabulous restaurants to enjoy.

You can read about our stay in Harbour Island here and here.

10. Le Toiny, St. Barths

If French-Caribbean luxury is what you seek, Le Toiny is your match. Private villas with infinity pools, gourmet cuisine, and upscale sophistication throughout. Think chic, romantic, indulgent — for couples who want refinement with a view.

We spent my 40th birthday in St. Barths and it was one of the most beautiful and fun islands I have ever been to.  We absolutely loved it.  You can read about our trip here.

11. Six Senses La Sagesse, Grenada

A newer arrival on the luxury scene, Six Senses La Sagesse blends sustainable design with upscale comfort. Organic cuisine, immersive wellness programs, and serene beachfront surroundings make it a dreamy spot for couples needing recharge and reconnection.

This resort looks luxurious if I ever make it over to Granada and I have never stayed at a Six Senses resort but have always wanted to.

12. Jade Mountain, St. Lucia

Iconic. Majestic. Romantic. Jade Mountain is famed for its open-air “sanctuaries” (rooms with one wall entirely open to the beauty outside), private infinity pools, and views of the mesmerizing Pitons. Butler service 24/7 ensures nothing gets in the way of pure romance.

Matt and I spent our honeymoon in St. Lucia at what is now called Sugar Beach.  We took a boat over to dinner at Jade Mountain one night just so we could come see how cool this spot is.  I love the open air and private dip pools. You can read our post from St. Lucia here to see other great things to do on the island.

13. Rock House, Turks and Caicos

Hewn from limestone cliffs, Rock House is dramatic in all the right ways. Elegant design, a secluded beach, and a striking infinity pool make for a setting that feels like an exclusive retreat suspended above the sea.

This is a newer resort on the island of Turks and Caicos that I think looks fabulous.  I am always a sucker for a private dip pool as well and they have rooms with this option.  Many years ago, Matt and I stayed at the Grace Bay Club on Turks and Caicos and enjoyed the island.

14. Cotton House, Mustique

Hushed, private, luxurious — Cotton House embodies colonial-style elegance. Beach horseback riding, intimate dinners by candlelight, and a private island feel give you escape without sacrificing comfort.

This is not an easy island to get to, but it is what gives it even more allure.  This island has been on our radar for a few years now and hope to explore it one day.

15. Potlatch Club, Eleuthera, Bahamas

Rustic chic meets serene isolation at Potlatch Club. Off-the-beaten-path bungalows, untouched beaches, and the calm stillness of island life — perfect if you want romance minus crowds.

This newly renovated resort is the most recent spot we have traveled to as a couple and I loved checking it out and staying on the island of Eleuthera for the first time.  We had a beautiful boat day on this trip and enjoyed this gorgeously styled resort. You can read about our stay here.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re after secret hideaways, glamour and spa indulgence, or barefoot luxury, these Caribbean gems deliver romance in every form. Each resort offers a different magic — choose what feels right for you: quiet and serene, lush and elegant, simple and soulful.

Which one would you pick for your next romantic escape?

The post My Travel Bucket List | 15 Romantic Caribbean Couple Destinations appeared first on Home of Malones.

In 2025, travel became the rhythm of our family’s year—a thoughtful mix of mountain air, island time, and city energy. From snowy mornings in Deer Valley and Aspen to sun-washed days in St. Barths, the Abacos, Eleuthera, and Kamalame Cay, each destination offered its own kind of pause and perspective. We balanced barefoot luxury with family tradition, spontaneous moments with carefully chosen stays—Evermore Resort, Rosewood Baha Mar, and weekends anchored by places we return to again and again.

There were iconic experiences woven in, too: the electric energy of the US Open in New York City, a celebratory girls’ birthday weekend in the city that never sleeps, and grounding escapes to Jackson Hole and the quiet elegance of the Henderson in Destin. This post is a reflection on where we went in 2025—and how these places, near and far, shaped our family’s memories in ways both big and beautifully ordinary. Here’s a highlight reel of our adventures!

Deer Valley

We rang in the new year of 2025 in Deer Valley.  Here is a travel guide sharing our family’s stay at the Montage Deer Valley, with highlights on luxury accommodations, ski-in/ski-out convenience, dining, kid-friendly amenities, and the best things to do, eat, and experience in this iconic mountain destination. Full Blog Post & Packing List

St. Barths

Rosemary Beach

We rang in the last day of 2025 in one of our favorite places close to home, Rosemary Beach.  We rented a house with two other families and enjoyed bike rides, morning walks to our favorite Charlies Donuts, an outing to Top Golf and lots of time hanging as a group.  This was our first time spending NYE in Rosemary or anywhere on 3oA and we were pretty shocked how crowded it was considering it was “off season” for them.  I don’t have a full blog post for this trip but you can find all of our Rosemary Beach trips here.

The post Everywhere We Traveled in 2025 appeared first on Home of Malones.

We traveled to Aspen in mid-December for an adult-only three night vacation.  We have taken this trip a couple of times before and although I do always wish I had just one-more-night; three nights really is enough to fly in and have a great time!  I will give you the lowdown on what we did on our three nights in Aspen as well as where we ate, drank and skied.  If you are looking for a weekend of fancy, fun and skiing with friends; Aspen is the place to go. We were lucky enough this trip to have enough snow to ski, but the conditions definitely weren’t great and a lot of the runs weren’t open yet.  That is the chance you take when you go as early as we do in the season.

Where to Stay in Aspen

We flew into Aspen airport on a Thursday and I love that it is only a quick 15minute Uber/Taxi ride to downtown Aspen.  We stay at a little hotel right in the middle of town called the Independence Square hotel.  This is an old tradition and it is definitely not a fancy spot, but the location is wonderful and it does the trick.  They are one bedroom/one bath units with a small lobby area with a kitchen where they serve a little continental breakfast in the mornings.  It is also conveniently located across the street from the bus station that you can take to the 3 other ski mountains close by and it is only about 2 blocks away from Aspen mountain.

There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Aspen and many that have good locations.  We have stayed at this Hyatt Grand before and this was nice because they have condos that range from studios to 4 bedrooms.  Other hotels that are close to the mountain and have more of a fancy hotel vibe would Little Nells, W Hotel and the St. Regis.  I have been to all of them, but never stayed at any of them.  Another gorgeous and iconic hotel in Aspen is the Hotel Jerome.  It is a must-see but is located quite a few block from Aspen mountain so not a top hotel during ski season in my opinion.

When we arrived our first day, we checked into our hotel and then headed to one of my favorite spots, the French Alpine Bistro, which is a tiny little spot that makes you feel like you have transported to a cabin in the French Alps.  We had apps here for a late lunch and had one of my favorite Aspen Mindset cocktails.  From there, we went back to the rooms to unpack and do a quick change for drinks and dinner.  We went to the Hotel Jerome for drinks and then headed to the Caribou Club for dinner.

I can’t handle the prom poses, ha!

For our first day of skiing, we skied Aspen Mountain.  As I mentioned, the ski conditions weren’t great so a lot of the runs were not opened yet; but we made the best of it and had fun skiing the runs that were open.  We had lunch at the top of the mountain and they had live entertainment outside to listen and enjoy with a fun little dance party!

We went straight from the slopes at the end of the day to the W Hotel for Apres Ski.  It wasn’t as lively as it can be sometimes; but since we were a group of 12, we knew how to bring our own fun!

We headed home to shower and get ready for the evening.  Friday nights agenda was drinks at the St. Regis hotel and then dinner at Cache Cache.  The beauty of downtown Aspen is how easy everything is to walk to.  Everywhere we went for the weekend was walkable except for when we to Highlands Mountain to ski which we took the bus.

For dinner, we walked to Cache Cache which has been in Aspen for almost 4o years.  They serve traditional Colorado meat dishes, a few great seafood choices and a couple of homemade pastas.  I had the cacio d Pepe and it was delicious.

Saturday we headed over to Highlands Mountain to ski.  It was opening day for the mountain and thankfully they had several runs open, but a lot of the mountain was still closed due to lack of snow.  We skied all morning and then had a reservation to stop for a late lunch at Cloud Nine on top of the mountain.

Cloud Nine is an incredible experience and quite wild and frivolous!!! They are known for their party and champagne spray.  So, to eat inside, they have two seatings each afternoon at 11:30am and 1:45pm and you need to make a reservation.  For the later seating, you have a fixed menu and they have a champagne spray after party.  It’s wild, fun and last about 45 minutes!!  You stand on your chairs and the music rocks and everyone is just spraying champagne all over the restaurant.  I highly recommend that you wear some type of goggles and bring a plastic garbage bag to put your ski jacket and gloves in to keep dry because you still have to ski down the mountain after this party is over!!!  This is quite the experience, but I will warn you it is very expensive.

In years past, we have stopped at Cloud Nine and just sat outside on their porch and enjoyed the scenery and drinks and just peeked at the craziness inside through the windows and it will cost you a LOT less money.

I am proud to say we all made it down to the bottom of the mountain safely with no injuries!!!

When we got back to Aspen, we did a quick shower and change so we could catch the festival happening in downtown Aspen.  They had a big bonfire on the football field right in town and then we walked over to the mountain and they had a beautiful fireworks show.

For our last night we stopped for drinks at Hooch and then went to Jing for dinner.  This asian fusion sushi bar was a must-visit in my opinion.  I loved this spot!!  It was such a vibe and the owner (or maybe he just works there) comes around to tables and serves “motherfucka” shots out of a bottle right into your mouth!!  Its hilarious. He counts 1 moutherfucka, 2 motherfucka, 3 motherfucka as he’s pouring it in your mouth to see how long you can go! We had mostly sushi at my end of the table, but everything looked delicious.

Sadly, Sunday was our last day and time to head home!  It was a trip to remember and I always leave Aspen with a special feeling in my heart. It is a great place with lots of good memories.

I hope this is helpful and if you have any favorite places to go while you are in Aspen, please share them in the comments!!

Also, I just realized that I didn’t mention any shopping on this trip!!  Since we did only have 3 days and we love to ski, we didn’t make time for shopping this time, but Aspen has some absolutely amazing shopping and its worth making the time for it.

:: Aspen Recap ::

Where we Stayed

Indepence Square

Where we Skiied 

Highlands
Aspen

Snowmass & Buttermilk Mountains are also only a bus ride away.

Where we Ate 

Paradise Bakery (breakfast & coffee)
Poppycocks (breakfast)
Cloud Nine (lunch & party)
Caribou Club (members only)
Cache Cache
Jing

Other restaurant Favorites

Casa Tua Italian
Matsuhisa 
French Alpine Bistro
Steak House no. 316
White House Tavern

Where We Drank

Hotel Jerome
Bar at the St. Regis
W Hotel Apres Ski
Hooch
French Alpine Bistro (apps & drinks) Have an Aspen Mindset Cocktail!

Previous Trips

Adult Ski Trip 2022
Family Ski Trip 2014

The post How to Spend a 3 Day Weekend in Aspen appeared first on Home of Malones.

I just got back from my first trip to Jackson Hole, WY.  I traveled with my Mother-in-law, Sister-in-law and niece to celebrate an 80th and 30th birthday!   We traveled over Veterans Day weekend in November which meant we were in Jackson Hole during what they call their Shoulder or Mud season and what would be considered their off season too.  I would say the bonus was that nothing was too crowded which was amazing, but it also never felt like a ghost town either.   The weather was chilly; yet we were lucky to have sunshine every day we were there, so it was beautiful.

HOW TO GET TO JACKSON HOLE

We flew from Pensacola on a direct flight to Denver and then Denver to Jackson Hole.  The Jackson Hole airport is the prettiest airport that I have ever been to.  It was perfectly small and so mountain chic.  We were greeted by their famous antler arch as we arrived and the wood work throughout the airport as well as the multiple gas fire places has the airport oozing with charm.  We arrived late on a Friday evening around 8:30pm, so I had scheduled a car service to pick us up from the airport and bring us to our house.  We used Vitalie (307) 690-3900.  He was great and very knowledgeable as well as accommodating.  Since we flew in pretty late, I ordered pizza from Pinky G’s online while we were waiting at baggage claim and he was kind enough to stop and run in and grab it for us before we headed to the house.  It was perfect.

WHERE TO STAY IN JACKSON HOLE

We stayed in Downtown Jackson Hole which was absolutely perfect this time of year.  The townhomes were called The Glenwood and they were beautiful.  It was a 3 bedroom townhome and we loved everything about it, but I will warn you that they have TONS of stairs, ha!  The location was amazing because we were able to walk to everything.  We were surrounded by adorable shops, tons of restaurants, and several cute hotels.  If you are looking for a hotel, the Cloudveil looked absolutely adorable and we were right across from the Hotel Jackson which was so cute too.  One other spot I heard lots about but we didn’t make it to was the Snow King Resort and Spa.

A day or two before we arrived, I decided that it may be really nice to have a car.  I had schedule airport transfers and for our half-day excursion we had scheduled through Teton National park, transportation was included; but I still felt like we might want a car to do some exploring, and I am SO happy we rented one.  It was my first time renting through the TURO app which is like an Air BnB for cars, and I was able to rent a car for a few days that was walking distance from where we were staying in Jackson Hole.  The whole process was so easy and we loved being able to get around places on our own.  We ended up using the car quite a bit and I felt very comfortable driving the roads.  Thankfully it didn’t snow while we were there.  I probably would have felt different if it was winter and snowy.

WHAT WE DID IN JACKSON HOLE

Day 1, Friday:

Arrived at JAC at 830pm and we met our driver at the airport.  We stopped at Pinky G’s pizza which I was able to order online, and we were able to swing by and grab it to bring to our house to eat.  We were all exhausted.

Day 2, Saturday:

We slept in and had a slow morning before walking to breakfast at Persephone.  I had heard lots of wonderful things about this quaint bakery and coffee shop and it did not disappoint.  After breakfast, we walked to grab our car rental and then walked all around downtown to shop, shop, shop.  They had so many cute shops.  One of the Belle shops had just opened for their Christmas open house and everything was 10% off and was so adorable.  I could have had a field day in there.  We went in two cute hat shops, Beaver Creek Hat company and Kemo Sabe, a beautiful fur shop, and lots of little gift stores.

Once we worked up an appetite, we got in the car and drove about 20 minutes up to the Teton Village where the Jackson Hole ski mountain is as well as the Four Seasons hotel to have lunch.  I had heard that the Handle Bar restaurant at the Four Seasons was a great lunch spot; but unfortunately it was closed when we were there, so we went to their other restaurant – Steadfire Grill.  It was a pretty atmosphere and the food was fairly good.  We walked outside to check out the ski slopes; but everything was closed this time of year.  They are gearing up to try to have the mountain ready for Thanksgiving and were making some fake snow to get a head start.  We explored Teton Village a little bit, but most things were closed while we were there.

We headed back home to relax a little bit and check out our roof top hot tub scene at our house.  It was so pretty and relaxing up there.  They had a gas fire pit and some great views of downtown.  We were able to have a good look at the Snow King ski mountain as well which wasn’t open, but would be fun to check out in winter!

We showered up and got ready for dinner at Trio – an American Bistro – meaning 3 chefs, which we were able to walk to.  The place was really cute and I loved the mussels I had.  Half of our group was pretty tired at this point, so they walked home and my niece and I decided it was Saturday night and we wanted to go see what the town had to offer.  The famous, Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, was closed the week we were there for “off-season” which was so sad; but thankfully some locals had told us to make sure we check out the Silver Dollar Bar instead.  Oh I am so glad that we did!!  This was such a fun experience.  They had a live country singer, Jessica Loobey Music, who was awesome and it was a great crowd.  We loved talking to people visiting from all over plus locals and watching all the dancing was a true highlight.  I swear people make line and swing dancing look so fun and cool out there!!

Day 3, Sunday:

We were excited about this day because we had a 7am sunrise 4 hour van tour through the Teton National park scheduled with Buffalo Roam Tours.  Matt, our guide, was wonderful and they picked us up right out our front door at 7am.  His van was stocked with drinks, snacks, blankets and binoculars for everyone to use throughout the trip.  The entrance to Teton National park was only about 20 minutes from our house and even though a lot of the park is closed this time of year; he guided us through plenty of the park to see beautiful wild life.  This was a fun time to be there because the animals were migrating and we got to see an amazing moose sighting just yards away from us as they walked across the road.  It was so much fun.  We saw moose, bison, elk, mule deer and we were hoping to spot a grizzly bear from far away, but that never happened.  Matt was super knowledgable and taught us things throughout the whole ride and took us to some gorgeous scenery.  I would highly recommend this experience.

After our 4 hours were up, he took us back to downtown Jackson Hole and dropped us to brunch at Cafe Genevieve.  This is a super cute spot in an old cabin and the owner is from Louisiana which I loved, so the menu represents some good cajun cuisine.  I had the cajun eggs Benedict which was made with some homemade boudin and I highly recommend trying the “pig candy” which is the most delicious sweet and spicy crispy bacon.

Since we had an early wake up call, we were all a little tired; so we walked back to the house to regroup and the girls all wanted to go check out the “mountain” TJ Max store they saw and I was ready for a little snooze.  I took a quick nap and then got dressed to do some more shopping downtown.  I had my eye on going to make my own hat at Kemo Sabe which I’ve wanted to do for years.  This was such a fun experience and highly recommend.  I had the whole place to myself which was such a bonus and loved waking through all the steps.  I will share a video highlight here for you.  After that, I met up with my niece who was back downtown shopping and we hit a few more shops.  We tried to go up to the cute rooftop at the Cloudveil hotel  , but they were closed for a private event.  We ended up walking to Hatch Mexican restaurant and had a margarita before heading home.

That night we had dinner scheduled at Gather which was another cute restaurant downtown.  It was my nieces 30th birthday that night, so we celebrated her birthday!   I had the truffle pasta which was rich, but so incredible.  My SIL had the elk bolognese which everyone loved as well and the fried chicken was heavenly too.  I also recommend the bao bun pork appetizer we had!  So much good food.

Day 4, Monday:

On our last day, we were still able to pack a lot in which I am so happy we did! I wasn’t sure if we were going to get to it all, but we squeezed every ounce of fun in.  We took a slow morning by not setting alarms and having to wake up too early and cooked a little breakfast right at our house.

By about 10am, we packed up and got dressed to driving back up to Teton National park and hike the Taggert Lake loop that I had been reading about and several people recommended.  They call it an easy hike and the whole loop is right about 4miles.  You can read more about it: Hikes at Taggart Lake. Since we were there in November, they definitely had snow at the higher elevations which meant several parts of the trail had turned to ice and lots of it was muddy.  I loved the whole thing but was definitely glad we left my 80 year old MIL behind for this part because parts felt very slippery and too dangerous for her.  We didn’t have the proper hiking boots which I would recommend although I saw plenty of people in tennis shoes like us!  This was definitely a great experience and would highly suggest you fit this in during all non-winter months.

On our way home, we stopped at Snake River Brewery to grab some sandwiches and fries to bring home.  The spicy chicken with grilled pineapple (which I totally would never order) wrap was absolutely incredible.  You don’t even know the pineapple is in it, but it adds a little sweetness to the well-flavored chicken!

After we ate, we changed into our swimsuits and lounge clothes, grabbed some towels and hopped in the car to head about 20 minutes south to the Astoria Hot Springs.  It started to get a little late on us, so I realized that the Astoria Hot Springs Park that you pay around $20 each to go to was going to be closing; but that I had read you could find the all-natural version of the hot springs just before the entrance to the hot springs park.  This was WAY cooler and so much fun to find and experience.  I have a video of it here explaining how to find it.  You park at the Astoria boat ramp (the turn just before the entrance of the hot springs and park straight ahead by the river) and walk down a small trail to the hot springs.  The hot springs do smell like sulfur or rotten eggs, but they are so cool and heated to about 100 degrees or enough to feel like a hot tub.  The views are so pretty and it was fun to experience.

We headed home after a bit and got cleaned up and had to start packing.  We dressed for dinner, but took a little time to play some rummikub around the fire since we had a late lunch.  After a bit, we walked over to Hatch Mexican restaurant and had a margarita and some dinner.  This was a cute spot for a casual dinner.  The queso was great and I had the chicken tortilla soup which was delicious.  I wanted to try to the elk quesadilla which I heard was awesome, but I just wasn’t hungry enough for it!

Day 5, Tuesday:

It’s time to go home and we have a 5:15am airport pickup from our house.  Our flight is at 7am to Denver and then we were home by 2pm which was great!  I felt like we were in Jackson for the perfect amount of time and then we were all ready to get back to our babies!!  I hope this itinerary is helpful and shares plenty of fun things to do if you are in Jackson during the Fall or probably Spring months as well.

This is absolutely a place that I would love to experience again in both Summer as well as Winter for ski season.

JACKSON HOLE RECAP

What We Did:

Buffalo Roam Tours – 4 hour Wildlife Tour through Teton National Park
Hikes at Taggart Lake – This is where we hiked the 4mi Taggert Lake loop
Astoria Hot Springs – We didn’t make it inside to the park, but walked to the natural Astorial hot springs just before the entrance to the park.
Museum of Wildlife Art – We didn’t make it inside here, but it looked very beautiful.
Four Seasons Jackson Hole Spa – We went to lunch at the Four Seasons and never made it to the spa, but this would be a fun activity this time of year.  You could also check out the Grand View Spa at Snow King Resort — a 9,000 sq ft luxurious spa space.

Hikes:

• Taggart Lake – The hike we did and is considered a kid-friendly hike and takes you to a pretty lake.
• Jenny Lake to Inspiration Point: We didn’t get to do this hike because it’s closed in the Fall/Winter.  This is probably the busiest hike in Grand Teton in the summer, so if you don’t like hiking in crowds I would recommend going early to get a parking spot and avoid the crowds.

Tips for Hiking:

• Download and check AllTrails for reviews if you are going to hike. You can check before hikes because people review recent conditions of the trail.  It was also handy to have during the hike for directions.  You can download the 7day free trial and then just delete.

Shopping:

• Kemo Sabe
• Made
• Pendleton
• Beaver Creek Hat Company
• Belle Shops
• Sitka Fur Gallery

WHERE TO EAT IN JACKSON HOLE

Where We Ate:

• Trio Bistro – I only tried the mussels here and really enjoyed them – cute atmosphere.
• Gather – delicious dinner – fried chicken, truffle pasta and elk bolognese were all fab.
• Hatch Mexican – great margaritas and casual Mexican
• Persephone Bakery – coffee and bakery – highly recommend the breakfast croissant
• Cafe Genevieve – a delicious brunch with a Louisiana flare
• Pinky G’s Pizza – grabbed pizza to go and it was great
• Snake River Brewery – sandwiches and wraps to-go
• Steadfire Grill at Four Seasons – I had the quinoa and farro bowl with salmon that was healthy and yummy for lunch.

Places We Didn’t Make it To But Recommended:

• Stillwest Brewery
• Bin 22
• The Kitchen – This spot was right by our house and looked cute but we didn’t make it here. I don’t know much about it.
• Blue Lion
• Local Restaurant – this is a spot that comes recommended by a lot of people, but I also heard one review that wasn’t great by a friend; so I would say give it a shot for yourself! We didn’t make it here.
• Snake River Gril
• The Handle Bar at the Four Seasons – heard this was great for lunch.
• Cowboy Bar Steak Restaurant – downstairs restaurant at the famous Cowboy Bar.
• King Sushi – Wish this had been open when we were there! This unique and cozy cabin was originally a blacksmith shop and you can feel the history in its log walls and hear the laughter and fun pouring out of the tiny windows.
• Kampai Sushi – Japanese cuisine brought to Wyoming to showcase elevated versions of new and familiar sushi preparations. Experience their beautiful rooftop in the warmer months.
• Figs Restaurant and Wine Bar – Lebanese – Mediterranean cuisine open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I found this cute itinerary template on Etsy for a couple of bucks and downloaded it to Canva.  I was able to type up the itinerary and share it with my in-laws for the trip which was really cute.

I found this map below helpful when trying to get the lay of the land of how the area of Jackson was laid out.  We stayed in the town of Jackson which I would recommend during all months except ski season.  If I was there to ski, then I would want to stay over in Teton Village next to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Photo courtesy of Jacksonhole.com

WHAT TO PACK FOR DEER VALLEY

You can find a whole post of outfits and items that I packed for Jackson Hole in the Fall here.  I was definitely leaning into the Western attire and had fun packing and dressing for this vacation.

FINAL THOUGHTS FOR OUR STAY IN JACKSON HOLE

I really enjoyed our stay here and loved exploring this town with hopes to bring my family back here sometime soon.  I think it would be a fabulous adventure one summer to take the kids and also hopefully add in Yellowstone Park and then also would like to take them skiing here in a few years.  I have always heard this was a more advanced ski mountain and it would probably be best to wait to the kids are little older and a little better skiers before we tackle this mountain.

I also want to state that I would absolutely come back to this spot again in November during their off season. I really enjoyed our 4 night stay here and still found that there was plenty to do.  It was also really nice not having to fight for reservations or having to weave through people in the streets or the shops.  We were definitely lucky with the weather and loved experiencing the cooler temps, yet still having sunshine!!

I hope you find all of this helpful!  Phew, thank you if you made it to the end.  I know this is a lot of information; but if you are planning a trip here, it should be informative.  I was scouring the internet for information about Jackson during the off months when I was planning our trip and only came across a few articles.

The post Our Stay in Jackson Hole, WY during Mud or Shoulder Season appeared first on Home of Malones.

If you’re planning a getaway to beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming, then let’s chat about what to pack with style and spirit. Whether you’re hiking, strolling through town, or cozying up by a fire, this mountain-chic destination demands a wardrobe with layers, texture, and a hint of Western flair. Expect temperature shifts, lots of layering, and an opportunity to dress up your outdoorsy vibe.

I pulled a curated collection of pieces that I wore on my recent trip to Jackson Hole that tick all the boxes. So, let’s pack smart and stylish.  You can find everything I packed for the whole trip here.

The travel-day and arrival look

When you’re catching your flight, driving in, or checking into your lodge, you want something comfortable but polished. Think: cozy knit + boots + a statement accessory.

• A comfy sweater or turtleneck – like this cashmere sweater turtleneck from Tuckernuck or this ranch wrap cardigan.

• Skinny or straight-leg jeans (so you can layer tall boots)

• A pair of stylish sneakers – these Veronica Beard shoes from Tuckernuck are cute, warm and comfy

• A wool beanie or wide-brim hat for that Western-chic touch – this Franklin Hat from Varley is great

• A crossbody or tote bag – I like this Demellier from MYTHERESA

Pack this as your “first day” outfit so you’re ready for town exploring or dinner right away.

Outfits for exploring the mountain & nature

Jackson Hole’s natural beauty is jaw-dropping. From hikes to scenic overlooks, you’ll want layers that are practical and photo-worthy.

Here’s your style and function combo:

• A light insulating jacket like this Becton Jacket from Varley or a Tuckernuck Poncho you can zip up when the wind picks up

• Sweaters and coats for layering – I’m wearing this Fair Isle Sweater and this long quilted sherpa jacket.

• These Lexi Jeans are great to wear with boots on a hike or strolling around town

• I love this Western belt from Tuckernuck that adds structure and elevates the look

• One item that I didn’t have for on our trip that I wish I had for our hike was a real pair of hiking boots.  I had looked at buying these before our trip, but didn’t.  They would have been nice to have!

Downtown dinner/evening chic

Once the sun sets and you’re heading into town for dinner or cocktails, it’s time to up the fashion ante. The vibe in Jackson has that refined Western aesthetic: suede, boots, subtle glam.Here are my go-to pieces:

• A suede or faux-fur jacket to pair with a fringe skirt (this skirt is too cute and a great price)

• A knit dress or a sleek top + dark jeans – the one I’m wearing is sold out but I love this Fiona Dress!

• Tecova boots (maybe with a thicker heel since sidewalks can be wooden) I’ve had these for years and love them.

• Statement earrings or necklace like this Bolo Tie from Tuckernuck

• A crossbody or suede bag

Switching into this look instantly signals “mountain glam meets cowboy-cool.”

Cozy lounge/hotel vibe

After a day of adventure, you’ll appreciate something ultra cozy for fireside drinks, spa time, or relaxing in the lodge.

• A matching knit set or pajama-style trousers + sweater – these Varley Leggings are so cozy

• These mules are casual yet chic

• Warm pajamas like these from LAKE

• Minimal accessories (maybe gold hoops + a soft scarf)

• A cozy, comfy sweat set to lounge or wear to the hot springs over your swimsuit.

Packing for Jackson Hole is about blending practicality with personality. The space allows you to lean into Western touches (hats, boots, belts) but keep it elevated. The beauty of the destination invites one-of-a-kind photos — so bring pieces you’ll feel confident in. And don’t overpack: pick items that mix and match so you can go from outdoor trails to dinner tables without switching suitcases.

The post What to Pack for Jackson Hole, WY in Fall or Early Winter appeared first on Home of Malones.

We spent last weekend (the weekend of September 14th) in New York City to celebrate my daughter’s 10th birthday!!! She has been asking to go to New York for several years now (she’s never been) and we had so much fun making it happen this year for her 1oth birthday.  We went with our friends and also celebrated her daughter’s 12th birthday over the weekend and watching both girls see NYC for the first time was such a joy.  They were eyes wide open and in complete awe of the big city and so ecstatic to be there.

We flew into LaGuardia on Friday afternoon around 4pm and the traffic was pretty bad.  It took us at least an hour to get from the LGA airport to our hotel in midtown by Central Park.  Although the traffic was unfortunate, I have to say that the LGA is so beautiful and was such a breeze.  We landed, got our luggage from baggage claim so quickly and then we were able to call a Lyft easily and didn’t have to walk a mile to the ride share pickup.  It was right there off baggage claim, so I was very pleased about that.

We arrived at our hotel, The Trump Tower Columbus Circle, which was right on Central Park around 5:15pm.  We checked into the hotel room and the girls were surprised with the cutest balloons from Kings Balloons.  The vibe was supposed to be Taylor Swift’s Life of A Showgirl, and I think they did a pretty good job nailing it.

As soon as we settled into our hotel, the girls were dying to go walk around close by to some of the shops before we headed to dinner.  So we did just that.  We found a Sephora, Target, Lululemon and Al0, all right by our hotel.  They have the Columbus Circle mall right by the hotel, so they had lots of good shopping options.  Before we left for our trip, I had put together a pretty fun itinerary for our weekend but I knew there were sooo many things to do in New York; that there was a good chance that we would shuffle some things around as we went.

Here’s a look at what we put together:

We had dinner reservations on Friday night at 9:15pm at Harry Cipriani’s.  I knew this was a very nice restaurant and probably not the most kid-friendly place, but it was close by our hotel and I had heard rave reviews; so we went for it.  And boy, I am so glad we did!!  We had an absolute blast at this spot and yes, our girls were the only kids in the whole restaurant; but it didn’t seem to matter at all. As soon as we sat down, we saw Kelly Rutherford (Mother on Gossip Girl) walk in with her kids and family.   It was so much fun to see her.  The little girls had no idea who she actually was other then that we said she was famous and they were so excited to meet her.  She was so kind.

We got home late that night, I had some special surprises for the girls to open when we got home.  I had some matching pajamas, fun face masks and some cute tea party accessories because we had a fun activity planned the following day.

Saturday morning we had to get up and go fairly early.  We ordered some delicious bagels and bagel sandwiches to our room for breakfast and then got out the door to head to the Tea Around Town Bus.  This was a fun thing that I came across on instagram one day and saved.  You never know with these type of things if they are going to be worth it or if its just a cheesy tourist thing.  Overall, it was cute enough.  I wouldn’t over hype this activity to all of you as a must-do, but it worked out well in our itinerary made for a fun little morning for the girls to see different parts of town. The little treats they serve were actually really cute.

From there, we walked around, found some cute knock-off purses for the girls, walked through central station, and then ultimately walked to the St. Regis to sit down for a nice lunch.  My brother happened to be in town the same weekend as us, so we got to have a quick visit with him.

After lunch, it was time to head up to the upper east side to hit some shops we had on our list… Roller Rabbit, Love Shack Fancy, Tuckernuck and more!

We attempted to walk all the way back to our hotel from our shopping adventure, but finally the girls were ready to hail their first cab down!  It was so cute to watch the girls get so excited about it.

We headed back to the hotel to make a pretty quick turn around and get ready for the night.  We headed straight to Times Square and only had enough time to grab some classic New York street food and head to our Broadway show.  We went to see & Juliet and I will say that I was wishing I had picked one of the other shows we were looking at.  We ended up leaving the show at Intermission.  It was fine, the girls were ready to go.  We grabbed a cab to go get the famous frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity III.  It was a perfect end to the night.

My girl looking like she’s a teenager already!

Sunday morning was Madelyn’s actual birthday!  It was so much fun to celebrate for the whole day. We had a jammed packed day scheduled out and we also had another Mom/Daughter friend that was in NYC the same weekend and we were so excited to meet up with them for the day too!

We started our morning heading to FAO Schwarz for a VIP experience.  I would highly recommend scheduling this “insider access” if you are in town for a special occasion.  I know prices vary, but it was around $125 that I paid ahead of time and picked a time slot and we had personal access throughout the store and special treatment.  It was worth it for sure in my opinion.

They were most excited about the Jellycat Cafe. It was cute to watch.

We also hit up Crazy Aarons clime, the Bauble Bar, Purse making and new born babies.  Phew, watch out, you can get talked into all kinds of things!!

From there, we headed over to the Top of the Rock.  This was fun to check out. They have the observation deck, plus a cute little cafe area that you can grab a drink and plenty of spots to take photos.

From there, we went to the Staredust cafe in Times Square.  We had pre-booked tickets for a Mamma Mia brunch show at the Stardust cafe.  At the time, I didn’t realize it would be a bit of a different experience than just walking into Stardust cafe and just grabbing a table and having lunch.  This was downstairs in the basement with brunch menu and the wait staff put on a Mama Mia show.

The girls were still dying to fit in one more thing before we headed up to get ready for the night.  They wanted to do a horse and carriage ride through Central Park.  So we squeezed that in before we headed up to our room to get ready.

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