The 25 Best Group Trip Destinations

Group trips bring people together like no other gathering can. People can walk into a trip as strangers and leave as best friends. A big group trip stirs a camp-like energy that makes you feel like a kid again, bonding with the people around you. It’s a great way to travel while saving money and having a great time.

You should definitely go on a group trip, but the question is where? This guide will give you the inspiration you need to plan a group trip to a new destination.

Not every destination lends itself to a group trip. A good group trip destination must have large lodging options, accessible activities, and big dining options. Big cities in Europe, for example, can be a challenge because of small accommodations (many hotel rooms only fit two people) and many restaurants are small. But, go to the countryside and you’ll find castles with rooms waiting to be filled.

For the purposes of this guide, we’ll define a group trip as one with five or more people. The destinations are ranked in no particular.

Let’s get into it.

Sedona, Arizona

Surrounded by red rocks, Sedona makes for a mystical group trip. The tourism industry in Sedona has adapted to make the small city group-friendly. You can book a large pink jeep tour to explore the backcountry with a guide or go on well-marked trail hikes. Although some trailheads have limited parking, the city has a free bus system that will take you and your group to the trailhead.

In Sedona, you get the best of both worlds with access to nature and good restaurants in town. The best time to visit is in the winter when the desert is cooler. 

Asheville, North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Mountains, breweries, and bohemian culture define Asheville. The city is within a 30-minute radius of many mountain towns like Canton. Weaverville, and Black Mountain. You can stay in a cabin on the side of a mountain and it will still only be a short drive to the nightlife in downtown Asheville. 

Go on a self-guided brewery tour with friends or explore the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Pisgah National Forest is another great but lesser-known area near Asheville.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville’s popularity as a bachelor and bachelorette destination has made it group trip friendly. Go to the Country Music Hall of Fame by day and hit Broadway by night for live music and dancing. The bars are multi-story with plenty of room for your group to party.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg, a lesser-known town in the Great Smoky Mountains, is a great place to experience country charm. It’s the best place to base yourself to explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Tennessee side of the national park is filled with things to do from driving through Cades Cove to seeing the elk in the valley.

There are plenty of large cabins to stay in around Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge.

Austin, Texas

Austin is an unlikely group trip destination. Although Austin is a sprawling city, there are plenty of bungalows you can rent in the city center. Hit the bars on Rainey Street or go vintage shopping in South Congress. You’ll want to rent a car to explore the perimeter of Austin, especially the Barton Creek Greenbelt (pictured here).

To avoid the college crowd, visit Austin in the summer when school is out of session. Yes, it will be hot, but there are plenty of places to beat the heat along the Greenbelt from natural springs to shaded nature trails. 

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

From whale-watching tours to seafood shacks, Cape Cod makes your nautical dreams come true. Cape Cod is one of those destinations that is better with friends. Book a Cape Cod cottage by the ocean or one with a beach pass to spend your vacation by the sea. You simply won’t get the same experience in a hotel. 

Northeasterners flock to Cape Cod in the summer, so make sure to book your summer trip well in advance. Most cottages fit between four to 10 people, so if you’re traveling with a bigger group you may need two houses.

Read this Cape Cod travel guide for help on where to stay or discover the top 10 things to do in Cape Code in this post.

Mount Baker and Bellingham, Washington

Mount Baker is a ski destination for Seattle residents in the winter. It’s quiet in the summer, making it a lowkey nature destination. Mount Baker is a volcano with the largest glacial coverage in the region. On a clear day, you can see the volcano covered in snow in the middle of the summer. 

Mount Baker is an hour drive from Bellingham, Washington, the nearest town. This outdoorsy town is worth the visit for lunch on your way to Mount Baker. Because Mount Baker is so isolated, you’ll want to pick up groceries for the week or weekend in Bellingham. There are many housing communities to rent a house or multiple houses in.

To reach Bellingham and Mount Baker, fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and rent a car. The drive takes about two hours from Seattle. Read this guide to help plan your summer trip to Mount Baker.

The Catskill Mountains, New York

New York City dwellers flock to the Catskills in the summer months to escape the city’s heat. In the Catskills you can explore trails, swimming holes, and waterfalls, as well as, quaint little mountain towns like Woodstock and New Paltz. 

To reach the Catskills, fly into LaGuardia Airport and rent a car to drive about two hours north. There are countless cabins to rent in the Catskills region but I recommend central towns like Hunter and Tannersville.

Follow this guide to visit New Paltz in the summertime or this one for apple picking in the fall.

The Adirondack Mountains, New York

A bit further north from the Catskills, leaving New York City in the dust, are the Adirondack Mountains. The Adirondacks is home to the largest park in the US and the highest peaks in New York state. 

Find a house on a lake to enjoy your morning coffee with friends and a view. Read this guide to the Adirondacks to help you plan your trip.

Joshua Tree, California

Named for the trees that dot the desert landscape, Joshua Tree is a peaceful retreat in Southern California. Joshua Tree National Park is expansive but quiet with nothing but nature to explore. Marvel at granite rock, cactus, and Joshua Trees during your stay.

The houses near Joshua Tree aren’t the biggest but the closer you get to Palm Springs or Indio Valley, the larger the houses become.

Big Sky, Montana

Go to a dude ranch with your friends in Montana. A dude ranch is an all-inclusive vacation that gives you a taste of life as a rancher. You typically get to ride horses during the day and hang your hat under the stars at night. 

There’s not much to see in Montana and that’s the point. You could take a day trip to Yellowstone or just relax with the sweet nothingness of the big blue sky.

The Florida Keys

Relaxing by the pool with an ocean view is how you’ll spend your days in the Florida Keys. The best place to base yourself is Marathon, Florida, or further south toward Key West. In Marathon, the ocean begins to turn a turquoise blue that makes you feel like you’re in the Caribbean. Drive over the iconic seven-mile bridge and take a day trip to Key West. 

Many houses in the Florida Keys require a minimum stay of one week. There are plenty of locally run hotels that have larger villas that you can rent for a shorter amount of time. High season is the winter, so go in the summer for more affordable accommodation. 

To reach the Keys, fly into Miami International Airport and rent a car to drive two hours down US1.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Maine is known as vacationland, making it a great spot for a group vacation. Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park, a park with dramatic ocean and forest landscapes. Maine has a slow-paced lifestyle. Bask in it by watching the waves crash along the shore after a meal of lobster and blueberry pie. 

Within an hour’s drive of Bar Harbor are multiple towns with cabins for large groups to stay. You can even rent an entire island for your group. Read this guide for help with planning your trip to Maine.

Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City welcomes everyone with open arms. The city has gone through a renaissance after the pandemic with new cafes and bars opening. In the popular neighborhoods of Roma and Condesa, you can rent a villa-like house to make your home base for a week in the city. 

Mexico City has many group-friendly activities like a boat ride in Xochimilco or a bike riding tour of Chapultepec. You’ll want to book activities and reservations for a group in advance because it is a big city. 

Read the Ultimate Mexico City Guide for help planning your trip.

Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

Flying halfway around the world with a group of people sounds daunting. But, Bali makes it easy with affordable car hires and large villas by the ocean. Uluwatu is a surfer’s paradise only a 30-minute drive from Bali’s international airport (DPS). You can rent an affordable villa with a pool and ride a scooter into town.

Extend your trip to explore other places in Bali like Seminyak for a party vibe or Ubud to visit cultural sites. 

Provence, France

Provence is a region in the south of France known for its quaint seaside villages and countryside. Explore lavender fields and towns like Marseille, Nice, and Cannes. One of the best ways to explore the region is by staying in a villa with a big group of friends.

When planning your trip to Provence, be mindful that European cars are smaller than most, so only four people will fit in a vehicle with suitcases (even if it’s an SUV). 

Carolina, Puerto Rico

The ocean breeze and sound of the coqui lure you to Puerto Rico. With both jungle, beach, and party activities, there’s something to do for everyone in a big group. Go to El Yunque during the day and wander the streets of San Juan at night.  

Carolina is right outside of San Juan. You’ll be able to find larger accomodations here while still being near the city center. Puerto Rico is experiencing rapid gentrification from foreigners. When looking for a place to stay, look for local Airbnb hosts to support.

Montreal, Canada

The French city of Montreal boasts the friendliness of Canada combined with the charm of Europe. Only a six-hour drive from New York City, it’s the closest you’ll get to Europe from the U.S. without hopping on a plane. 

Montreal has a great nightlife and food scene, making it fun to travel to with a group of friends. Book a townhouse for all your friends to explore the city together. 

Mallorca, Spain

Mallorca is a Baeleric island off the coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s way more chill than its cousin Ibiza with less partying and way more things to do.

While it can be a challenge to find a large accommodation in mainland Spain, there are plenty of villas in Mallorca, especially on the far side of the island by the beaches. Take your crew to Mallorca for a rejuvenating beach and city stay. 

Scottish Highlands

Live like royalty for a week in a castle in the Scottish Highlands where your closest neighbors are cows. Scotland, especially the highlands, has so much to explore. The countryside is a sea of green dotted with farms, distilleries, and lakes (they call them lochs).

The major cities to visit are Edinburgh and Glasgow. You can fly directly into Edinburgh from many US cities or fly to London and travel north.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

The Yucatan is out and Baja California is in. Cabo San Lucas (or just “Cabo” as it’s called) is a resort town on the tip of southern Baja California. It’s known for its beaches and food.

Cabo is home to resorts with many large villas, making it easy to find accommodations for a group. Outside of Mexico City, I’d opt for a traditional hotel like a resort villa rather than an Airbnb for safety reasons.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Colorado isn’t just for skiing in the spring. Summer brings outdoor enthusiasts to Rocky Mountain National Park. But, you don’t need to be a backpacker to enjoy the alpine terrain and wildflowers. 

There are plenty of big cabins in Estes Park and Grand Lake for a large group to stay in near the national park. Rocky Mountain National Park is only an hour’s drive to Boulder and an hour and a half from Denver, making it easy for your crew to explore the mountains and cities of Colorado on your trip out west.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Put simply, New Orleans is a vibe. You can wander its streets and feel the energy. New Orleans has a party-hard reputation but it’s more than just a party town. It oozes culture with jazz music on every corner and delicious Cajun food. The best time to go is during Mardi Gras season in the spring. 

While there are many large houses you can book for a big group trip, I recommend visiting New Orleans with a smaller group of six people. New Orleans has an amazing food scene. It’ll be easier to get into good restaurants with a smaller party. 

Read this weekend guide to New Orleans. Planning to go during Mardi Gras? There’s a guide for that, too.

Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Stay on the beach in Tamarindo on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. In Tamarindo, you can rent a villa for your crew to stay on the beach to explore the Pacific side of Costa Rica. Ride horses on the beach or go inland to explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest. 

Nicoya is one of the world’s Blue Zones, a geographic region where people live the longest. It probably has something to do with the pura vida lifestyle of gratitude and the delicious food.

The Algarve, Portugal

Limestone cliffs and the freshest Mediterranean seafood you’ll ever have wait for you in the Algarve of Portugal. The Algarve is the southern region of Portugal with beautiful beaches made for relaxing and adventuring. 

Your home base will be Lagos, a small town by the ocean. Outside of Lagos, there are resorts with large villas to stay in with a big group. You can fly into Lisbon and drive down the coast. Be mindful that if you choose to spend a few days in Lisbon, your group may need to split up into smaller hotel rooms. 

Need help planning a group trip? Read this group trip guide to get the group trip out of the group chat.