I am so incredibly excited to finally bring this post to you guys! It’s one that I have been working on for weeks and I’m so glad it’s finally finished!
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to have some really great and unique experiences with my girlfriends. Whether it’s a cool blogging event or something my high school friends did together, I live for experiences and making memories. While happy hours, Sunday brunches and dancing at the club all night long are always solid plans…..sometimes it’s nice to get out of your comfort zone and do something different!
So whether you are trying to plan your friends Bachelorette Party, you’re hosting a shower, trying to put together a girls weekend, it’s your best friends birthday or just want to plan something with your mom and sister for a girls night, below are 22 Fun and Unique Ideas!
HAIR & MAKEUP CLASS
Every girl should take a get the chance to take a professional hair & makeup class at least once in their lifetime! Although I never thought about doing a class like this until I had the opportunity at the beginning of the year. It was so cool getting to sit with a professional (who just happens to be a friend) and go over each thing in all of our makeup bags. We learned the correct ways to use different products and got advice on how to apply it all. If someone had, lets just say, a hard time applying winged eyeliner – she would teach you! We also learned different techniques for curling our hair, teasing and etc! It was so cool and just a totally different experience. I did it with a group of girls and it was all around a really fun morning!
Houston Suggestions: The Lovely Hair Class
WORKOUT CLASS
Get your sweat on with your girls before you head out to get mimosas! Whether it’s a spin class, a pilates class or even an aerobic pole dancing class! No matter what yall’s favorite workout is, this is a super fun way to start the day! Plus, you’ll feel awesome afterwards too!
Houston Suggestions: Ryde Houston, Revolution Studio, Vertically Pole Fitness, Trampoline Barre at Define, Aeriel Dance Class, Dance House Fitness
HAVE A FANCY PICNIC
If drinking wine and sharing a charcuterie board at Pinterest Worthy Picnic doesn’t sound like fun… then I don’t know what does! I’m not sure whether you have seen this “Fancy Picnic” trend circling all around Instagram but they have been everywhere and I’m obsessed with the idea.
What it is: Basically, it’s hiring a professional company (who specializes in this) to come and set up a “Fancy Picnic” for you and your friends! You pick the theme, the location and then all you have to do is show up!
Why I love this: While you could set up a fancy picnic on your own and do it yourself…. that also sounds like a huge hassle. You have to plan it all, go to Michaels, spend an absurd amount of $$$ on nicknacks and supplies that you probably won’t ever use again, set it up and etc…… I would personally just rather show up and be “wowed”!!
I mean – just imagine how cute one of these would be for an outdoor dinner this fall! It would also be great a idea for anyone hosting a smaller Baby or Bridal Shower!
Houston Suggestions: Fancy Picnics Houston; Picnics in the City
GO TO AN AMUSEMENT PARK
Do you and your girls seek thrill, yet have a childlike mentality? Then going to an amusement park might be right up your alley! We did this a few years ago for one of my best friends birthdays and it was seriously so fun!! We would also do this every year for my sororities “Take-a-Date” party and we really looked forward to it every year. It’s just something fun and different!
Texas Suggestions: Fiesta Texas (San Antonio); Six Flags Over Texas (Dallas/Ft Worth)
FLOWER ARRANGING CLASS
I recently had the opportunity to take a flower arranging class with a group of other Houston Bloggers and not only was it so much fun, but I learned so much too! I think I liked it because it was something different…. we drank champagne and learned how to properly arrange floral bouquets! It really was super cool and now I’m on kick to keep making my own!
Houston Suggestions: Joy Box Flowers; Picked Flower Company
GO TO A FESTIVAL
There is literally nothing more fun than going to a music festival with your girlfriends. I mean, who else would be more down to dance wild and crazy with you than your best girl friends?? Take cute pics, let loose and make some memories! Also, these don’t have to be just music festivals! If you’re city is anything like Houston, then you guys probably have different themed festivals throughout the year! All it takes is a simple Google Search 🙂
Texas Music Festival Suggestions: ACL, SXSW, A Day in the Country
Houston Festivals: Full List Here
SEE A CONCERT TOGETHER
Whether you want to get your girls together to see yall’s favorite band live or you want to finally take your mom to a Shania Twain Concert because that’s what you grew up listening too with her (hi, that’s me) – live music never fails and always brings people together. Some of my best memories throughout my life have come from concerts with my best friends. It’s something we definitely all bond on!
Also, these don’t have to be expensive concerts either!! Take Houston for example: we have places like The Rustic and White Oak Music Hall where there are live concerts every weekend for only $20, some even being free!
Houston Suggestions: Toyota Center; Reliant Stadium Concerts; Sam Houston Race Track Summer Concerts, Revention Center, Cynthia Woods, White Oak Music Hall, The Rustic,Miller Outdoor Theatre
FANCY MOVIE THEATRE
Instead of going to your average AMC Theatre, make your movie night an event!! If there is a Drive-In Movie Theatre anyways near you – then I love that idea! Then there is also always places like iPic – which is as fancy as it gets when it comes to movie theaters and from what I’ve seen, Rooftop Cinemas are also popping up everywhere! We recentely got one in Houston last year and it literally is so cool.
Houston Suggestions: iPic River Oaks; Rooftop Movie Cinema; Tiny Boxwoods Summer Movies on the Lawn
TRY A COOKING CLASS
Whether there are only two of you or 10, cooking classes are fun for everybody!! Bring a bottle of wine, learn how to cook something new and make a bomb meal with your girls.
Houston Suggestions: Sur La Table (River Oaks, City Centre, Sugarland)
HIRE A CHEF FOR THE NIGHT
Not really wanting to cook? If that’s the case, think about hiring a chef for the night to cook a meal for you and your friends! I know a girl who did this one night at her Bachelorrete and I just fell in love with the idea!
Plus, like all of these….it’s something different! While you could easily go out to a restaurant….this is way more fun! When hiring a chef, not only is it a cool experience but you get to let loose and be wined and dined without having to go out or cook/plan out the meal yourself! You just get to enjoy! Also, as I started doing research, I found that most personal chefs (for events like small dinner parties) only charge around $35-$45 a plate for a three course meal – which is NOT bad. Plus, think of how much money you guys will be saving by suppling your own wine, as opposed to buying the marked up bottles at a restaurant.
Houston Suggestions: Big City Chefs; Full List Here
HAVE A “STAYCATION”
Whether you want to get a few rooms at a hotel in city or book an Airbnb with your girls, save money by planning a “staycation” for the weekend! I personally love the idea of staying in a Airbnb’s vs a Hotel though because everyone gets to be together in one place…. Lounge by the pool, blare Lizzo, dance, stay up all night, get crazy and flash the city….. it’s up to you!
BOOK A SPA DAY
Or even a weekend! Do you and your gals prefer the pampered life? Or maybe you guys are just looking for a way to unwind and relax? If so, a spa day would be a great option! You also don’t have to spend a ton either. With most spas, as long as you get at least one service, you’re free to use all of its amenities for the rest of the day. So book a 50 min swedish massage, then relax, order yourself a mimosa (or three) and enjoy everything their property has to offer! Then at the end of the day, shower/get ready there with all of your friends (like your back in college getting ready together again) and go to a girls dinner!
Houston Suggestions: I personally think the at the Houstonian is super overrated and prefer the new spat at The Post Oak Hotel. It’s everything! I also love Fiori Spa for a true full day of relaxation. One of my favorite parts is their pool and lounging area! You’ll literally feel like you’re in a Estate in Italy the whole time!
GO WINE TASTING
If you live in a city with a winery decently near by – then there is no better activity to do with your best friends! From wine tasting at my Bridal Brunch in Napa, to my friends Bachelorette Party in Fredericksburg, to a random tasting I did at a small winery in Arkansas….You’re setting up yourself for success and a great time. Do a tasting first, then if you guys are enjoying yourselves, stay at the winery, buy a bottle and hang out!
Helpful Posts: Napa Travel Guide; Fredericksburg Bachelorette Party
DISTILLERY OR BRWERY TOUR
If there aren’t wineries anywhere near you and you guys are not wanting to spend a ton on traveling (which I feel you on) – think about booking a Distillery or Brewery Tour instead! Still fun and totally unique. Most places (at least the ones in Houston) have great outdoor areas to hang out in afterwards! You could even make a whole day out of it by doing a Brewery Crawl. Hire transportation for the day and hop around from place to place.
Houston Suggestions: Karbach Bewing Co; Saint Arnolds; Platypus Brewing
START A MONTHLY POT LUCK
Instead of planning a normal dinner with your friends at a restaurant, try starting a monthly pot luck dinner instead! A group of friends and I used to do this and it was seriously so fun. Everyone would bring their own dish or we would cook there together and just chat, catch up and drink wine.
Why I Love This Idea: Unlike going to a cooking class or hiring a personal chef, this option is one that is attainable. You guys can agree to keep it at the same persons house each time or switch it up between all of the girls every month! These don’t have to be over the top meals either – we would do something as simple as chicken. So one girl would bring a snack while we cooked, one girl would do a salad, one a side (like asparagus) the host would cook the chicken, another girl would do a light dessert and pretty much everyone would bring a bottle of wine!
PAINT & SIP CLASS
While this fad has been around for awhile…… it’s still something fun and different to do! Especially if you and your girls haven’t done it before. Bring a bottle of wine (or three) and paint yourself something pretty. My mom and I did this a few years ago and had the best time! My painting was horrible…. and I threw it away… but the memories we built were worth it.
Houston Suggestions: Painting with a Twist; Pinot’s Pallette; Splash Painting and Wine.
HOST A TEA PARTY
Make it a themed event and dress up for an afternoon Tea Party! Channel your inner Kate Middleton and sip tea (or champagne) from cute little cups, eat fancy pastries and tiny sandwiches – this is another super cute idea for a Bridal or Baby Shower and is something totally different!
Houston Suggestions: Hotel Granduca; Cafe Poetes; Your Cup of Tea
GO HIKING OR FOR A WALK
Wake up early, get some fresh air go for a hike with your friends. We recently did this at a Bachelorette in San Diego and it was a blast! My girlfriends and I also do this every time we’re in LA. It’s an easy way to get active without really having to break a sweat and still getting to chat with your friends the whole time! If your city/state doesn’t offer places to hike with beautiful views, then just go for a walk! This is something that my mom and I do regularly, as a way to workout and catch up at the same time!
Houston Suggestions: Buffalo Bayou, Memorial Park, Rice University
START A YEARLY GIRLS TRIP
Want to get away with your girls? Start a yearly girls trip and plan to go somewhere different every year! Whether you pick a destination that’s driving distance or you want to go big and travel out of state – I cannot recommend this enough! Ever since graduation, my friends and I have been really good about taking girls trips together. Whether we are traveling somewhere for a Bachelorette, visiting one of our girls who moved out of state or just decide to go to Miami for the weekend…..there is nothing better than a whole weekend with your girls. I also love this idea for yearly weekend trips with your mom or sisters as well!! It’s a special opportunity to make life long memories and spend time together.
GO TO A COMEDY SHOW
If you haven’t been to a live Stand Up Comedy Show – put it on your list ASAP! I can’t tell you how much fun they are. I recently went to one (Girlwithnojob – Dirty Jeans Tour) with a friend and we literally had the time of our lives. We pregamed a little bit before, ordered wine at the club and laughed until we cried.
Houston Suggestions: Houston Improv Comedy Club
DRAGQUEEN BRUNCH
Try something for your ordinary weekend brunch and go to a Drag Brunch instead! I’m telling you, you and your girls will have THE TIME of your life. My friends and I did this a few years ago in New Orleans at The Country Club and I cannot recommend it enough. We had bottomless mimosas and sang along with the performers to Britney Spears and the Spice Girls all morning long. I’m telling you – its a blast.
Houston Suggestions: Hamburger Marys (Drag Brunch); Boheme (Drag Brunch); Prohibition Theatre (Burlesque)
GET TICKETS TO A SPORTING EVENT
Who says going to sports games are just for boys!? Grab your girls and head out to a ballgame! Whether it’s a local professional team or your college alma mater – sports games are so much fun! My favorite ones to go to in Houston are Astros games because they are affordable and you can buy your tickets day of!! But I also love Rockets games too!
What do you guys think about these ideas?!
Which one would you want to plan your best girlfriends??
xo,
Lauren
So well researched! Thanks for the ideas!