Best Places to Travel with Friends

There’s nothing like grabbing a few special people and planning a great friend vacation. Finding the best vacation spots depends on what you are interested in.

Are your friends artsy or do they love to soak up the sun? Does there have to be an itinerary, or is “winging it” more your style? Is an international trip more your speed, or does a quick trip in the States make more sense? Planning a longer trip can be fun, but there’s something exciting about those spur-of-the-moment trips too!

We’ve compiled some of the best places to travel with friends, including the best beach vacations for a group of friends (sand and sun, anyone?). Since things are starting to open back up, it’s time to begin thinking about the best places to travel in 2023 to get the best dates and rates.

There are tons of things to do and see, and you may have a few special occasions in the works that call for a quick celebration trip. The key is getting those places on your radar to start filling in the blanks.

Life is meant to be lived fully among the people you love. Now grab your bucket list, because we’ve listed some of the best places to go on vacation with friends and all the destinations that will fill your memory books for years to come.

Best Places to Travel with Friends in the U.S.

If an international trip isn’t in the cards right now, there are tons of places to travel right here in the U.S. We’ve pinpointed the top three. Take a look:

• Las Vegas, Nevada – You’ve heard it before, and it’s true. Las Vegas is one of the best places to travel with friends in the U.S. and one of the best places to travel in your 20s in the U.S. It’s fairly inexpensive compared to other cities, and there’s a lot to do. Grab a show, check out the casino and get free drinks, walk the strip, go ziplining, and more. For a change of scenery, pick up a rental car and head out to Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, or the Valley of Fire State Park.
  
  

• Hawaii – Hawaii is one of the best beach vacations for a group of friends in the USA. Think lush green trees and a photo op every few minutes. Island hop and enjoy the white, red, or black sand beaches, go see some movie locations, get the freshest pineapple in the world, and learn why Hawaii is a big deal. Whether a resort is on your radar or you want a more authentic experience, there is something for everyone, which makes it one of the best places to go on vacation with friends in the U.S.
  
  

• New Orleans – The Big Easy is a top destination and the perfect place to hang out with friends. From Bourbon Street to Mardi Gras in February, it’s full of restaurants and bars, is right on the water, and is an experience you should enjoy with friends.
  
  

• Napa Valley – If you’re looking for something “cultured” to do with your friends, head on over to Napa and experience wine in its true habitat. Tour the vineyards, do a wine tasting, and eat at some of the valley’s great restaurants. San Francisco is right around the corner, so you could possibly make it two trips in one!

Best Places to Travel with Friends Outside the U.S.

What’s better than traveling with friends? Some of the best places to travel with friends outside the U.S. are within reach and not that expensive. In fact, some of these destinations fall within the top 10 places to visit in the world:

• Paris, France – This is one of the best places to travel with friends in Europe, because who doesn’t want to experience a European vacation, right? The French capital has some of the most historical landmarks on the planet. Shop on the Champs-Elysees, lounge on the lawn at the Eiffel Tower, visit the Louvre Museum, and more.
  
  

• Iceland – If you’re looking for adventure and a breathtaking backdrop, add Iceland to your list. From the glaciers to the black sand beaches, there’s something to do and see every step of the way. The best part? You can visit Iceland any time of year and experience something different.
  
  

• Barcelona, Spain – Barcelona is another one on the list of the best places to travel in the world. With world-class food and charm, amazing architecture, historic landmarks, and a bustling nightlife, this destination is reasonable and fun.
  
  

• Costa Rica – Costa Rica is an untapped playground for friends featuring lush greenery, tropical beaches, rainforests, and more. Visit the volcanoes, go hiking, relax on the beautiful beaches, and zip line through the forest.
  
  

• Italy – When you’re considering trips outside of the U.S., Italy is a must-see as you’re traveling through Europe. Explore Rome, go sailing on Lake Como, take gorgeous pics on the Amalfi Coast, and enjoy all the food you can possibly eat. The architecture, ambiance, and friends are all you need.

Best Places to Travel with Friends Under 21

If you’re under 21 and looking for adventure, there are many destinations on the map that provide great entertainment and things to do:

• Disney World – Disney World in beautiful Orlando, Florida is one of the best places to travel with friends under 21. You get to relive your childhood right before you cross over into full adulthood. There are tons of theme parks in the area and other attractions, which makes it a great destination for a group of friends.
  
  

• New York City – The city that never sleeps is also one of the best places to travel under 21 that still allows you to have a great time. Visit the Statue of Liberty, check out shows on Broadway, enjoy the food and lights in Times Square, and stroll through Central Park. There’s ALWAYS something to do in New York, no matter what time of year you go.

Best Places to Go on Vacation With Friends Cheap

Ready to load up your friends and just go? That sounds great, but if your funds are limited, you need to find some cheap places to travel with your best friend. Here are a few suggestions:

• Cancun, Mexico – Cancun is high on the list of the best places to go on vacation with friends that’s cheap. Think about beautiful beaches and all the water sports you can handle, including snorkeling, sailing, swimming, boating, paddle boating, and more. The great part about Cancun is the resorts, which include everything you can imagine that gives you more for your money.
  
  

• Dominican Republic – The DR is one of the best places to travel in your 20s on a budget. You get to enjoy a beautiful Caribbean island, go hiking in the mountains, enjoy an all-inclusive resort, and imagine living life like that every day.
  
  

• Atlantic City, New Jersey – Atlantic City is known for being a great alternative to Las Vegas—and it has beaches, too! There are plenty of things to do in the city and when you’re tired out, lounge on the beach with a cocktail in hand.
  
  

• Atlanta, Georgia – Atlanta is one of those diamonds in the rough you might not think of as an ideal place for a quick trip, but there’s so much to do. Go to a concert, hike Stone Mountain, visit the World of Coca-Cola, and more. There’s a lot of history in Atlanta that should be explored.

Best Places to Travel During COVID

Even in the midst of COVID-19, there are plenty of places you can travel with your friends. Many places have some kind of restrictions in place—especially countries with international travel restrictions—but by having your own precautions in place, you can still travel and have a good time.

Because COVID cases are constantly changing, the safest places to travel during COVID are frequently changing, too. A good rule of thumb is to check the country or state you are considering frequently leading up to your trip departure date. This travel restrictions tool may help you in your research.

Here are some of the best places to travel in the U.S. during COVID and abroad during COVID:

• Colorado – If you’re into nature, hiking, and camping, Colorado is a great destination due to its vast landscape that allows you to largely avoid other people. With a ton of monuments and historical locations, national parks, and trails, there is always something to do. Rocky Mountain and Mesa Verde are great places to explore, and if you’re up for the cold, they’re also beautiful locations for a winter visit.
  
  

• Miami – Ready to hit the beach year-round? Miami is your destination. While there are restrictions in place, it’s one of the cheap places to travel during COVID where you can get your money’s worth.
  
  

• Antigua and Barbuda – This beautiful country is a good place to visit if you’re in the mood for beaches and sand. An amazing friends’ trip destination, it has restrictions in place but has done a good job of keeping infection numbers down.