Treasured travels: Best last-minute getaways for friends
A spontaneous vacation with friends can create memories that will last a lifetime.
By Joanna Tweedy | July 17, 2025
Joanna Tweedy
Joanna Tweedy is an award-winning travel writer and editor who lives in London. A former U.K. national newspaper travel editor, she now contributes across many titles, and specializes in writing about family travel, wellness breaks and luxury vacations.
Friendships are some of the most powerful relationships that we have in our lives, so it’s no surprise that our closest buddies often make the very best travel companions. There are few more life-affirming scenarios than dining, sightseeing, and shopping your way around a new place with a group of friends who know you well. If you’re looking for a last-minute vacation that’s perfect for experiencing with pals, then these three cities are your ideal destinations.
New York
With its world-class museums, foodie scene, shopping, and entertainment, the Big Apple is seemingly made for friends who travel together. Whether it’s dining at a trendy West Village brunch spot, renting bicycles to explore Central Park, or ticking off the coolest galleries, such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York is just the ticket for a book-it-late friends' trip. Stay at Motto by Hilton New York City Times Square, and you and your squad will be in Manhattan’s beating heart, with iconic sights such as Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, and Fifth Avenue all within walking distance. Grab dinner at The Alderman, the hotel’s stylish restaurant, which serves up tavern-style dishes and cocktails, including Thyme Martinis and Strawberry Collins. Our group-travel tip? Ask for Confirmed Connecting Rooms by Hilton™ — the hotel can reserve them in advance.
London
Unforgettable cultural experiences await friends bound for the English capital, from classic sightseeing tours and boat rides on the Thames to West End theater and major sporting events. Make your first stop a cozy, centuries-old pub, where you can raise a pint to the start of your friends’ getaway. Explore artisan foodie hub Borough Market, indulge in retail therapy at Camden and Spitalfields Markets, or enjoy Columbia Road’s colorful flower stalls on a Sunday morning. Base yourself at London Hilton on Park Lane, and the greenery of Hyde Park is at your doorstep, with sights like Buckingham Palace just 15 minutes away on foot and the London Eye and Big Ben only a short Tube ride away. Don’t miss the hotel’s afternoon tea at Revery Bar and the delicious menu of classic steakhouse fare at the atmospheric MR PORTER. If you fancy chatting into the early hours, you can reserve a suite that sleeps up to four.
Las Vegas
Nevada’s energy-filled city ensures there’s never a dull moment for friends on vacation, whether it’s trying your luck at the Las Vegas Strip’s famous neon-lit casinos, seeing a performance at the futuristic Sphere, or escaping on an awe-inspiring day trip into nature. Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, a 10-minute drive from Harry Reid International Airport, is a refined place to spend quality time reconnecting with pals. Head to the 8th floor and indulge in relaxing treatments at the award-winning Waldorf Astoria Spa before grabbing a cabana on the pool deck. Take in stunning views during a refreshing swim while enjoying personalized service from the Pool Café. Later, catch up over craft cocktails and small plates at Hard Shake, where you can catch the glittering lights of the Strip through impressive floor-to-ceiling windows.
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