Not every getaway has to be somewhere exotic, you’ll be surprised at the fun places you can find in Northeast Ohio. Girls' trips are filled with local shopping, fantastic food, and over-the-top fun with relaxation sprinkled in.

Not every getaway has to be somewhere exotic, you’ll be surprised at the fun places you can find in Northeast Ohio. Girls’ trips are filled with local shopping, fantastic food, and over-the-top fun with relaxation sprinkled in.

You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to have a good time and tucked up in the northeast corner near Warren, Ohio, I have found the perfect mother daughter or girls trip that won’t break the bank. This trip allowed us to bond, try new things to eat, and learn a few things, so grab your gal pals and plan a trip; everyone deserves an escape to someplace special.

Find A Place to Stay in Northeast Ohio

We didn’t just want a typical hotel when we picked out our lodging, and as I researched places to stay, I found The Grand Resort located in Howland, Ohio. Its luxury and design were created with its guests in mind. Offering a year-round Roman bath (always at 95 degrees!), a 600 bottle wine cellar, a full spa, dining on property, and reasonably priced guest rooms, I knew this was the place to make our home away from home for a weekend. Check out The Grand Resort’s weekend girls’ getaway package and let the fun begin!

When we arrived, we were greeted by the bellhop who helped us get all our suitcases and travel items together. It was a girl’s trip, so understandably, we had brought everything but the kitchen sink. Check-in was easy and seamless. We were given a welcome packet with the expansive resort map, wristbands for the indoor and outdoor pools, a Roman bath, and the resort’s fantastic gym.

The junior suite we booked was just right, with plenty of space to spread out for 4 to 6 people, which was good since we all overpacked. There are connecting room options too!

Eat Your Way Through Ohio’s Italian Food Trail

You can’t come to Trumbull County, Ohio, without planning some meals around the Italian Food Trail. I will be candid and tell you that this beautiful piece of Ohio is a foodie’s hidden gem. I have lived in Ohio my whole life and never knew that such phenomenal Italian cuisine existed in my state. Since we were only here for the weekend, we had to plan our stops just right. A few of our favorite Italian restaurants are:

• Cafe 422: Cafe 422 is known for their homemade peppers in oil.
• Buena Vista Cafe: Uncle Nick’s Greek Fried Chicken is a must-order.
• Salvatore’s: Delicious pizza but no matter what you order, EVERYTHING is off the charts Italian delicious!

Each one has a specialty, and each atmosphere is unique to the family who owns it. Pro-tip: Always ask the servers if there is a special for the night, these locally-owned specialty restaurants are known for surprise additions.

After dinner, it was back to The Grand Resort for a nightcap; there are 4 bars on the property; pick the one that fits your vibe for the night.

Coffee Shop Surprises

Mornings can start slow, and we saw a place called Market House Caffe nearby and found out it was an Italian specialty coffee shop with a toast bar and gift shop, so we had to check it out. My friends and I were not disappointed; if anything, we were utterly blown away. When you open the door, the sensational smell of coffee draws you in, but the menu is what will keep you.

Market House Caffe has a toast bar, so we ordered one of each, Burrata, Avocado, and Ricotta, and shared the delectable bites. They looked too good to eat, so we took pictures before devouring them. We each grabbed a coffee and headed out for a day of exploring.

Shopping Stops for Everyone

No girl’s trip is complete without shopping, so we headed off to the Eastwood Mall. What I love about this mall is the diversity of the shops you can find. They have curated some unique shopping experiences, and we imbibed in all of them. We stopped at Lavish by Coral Rose for some personalized shopping. These stores will tailor your experience and help you spruce up your closet with some high-end clothes. You’ll want to call ahead to book that service.

Don’t leave the mall before checking out MiMe. It is a one-of-a-kind experience where you can get a 3D model of your girl gang together! Make an appointment, wear some matching clothes, and get your picture taken in the studio, and then three weeks later, you have a statue memory of your adventure.

An Evening in Hubbard, Ohio

After all the shopping, we worked up an appetite, and I found a charming place to eat in Hubbard called Rhonda’s Emerald Diner. I am a sucker for a classic diner, and it is a shiny beacon in town that you can’t miss. The diner took me back in time as I pulled open the door to find a seat. Oldies but goodies are pipped through the diner, and I had to choose either to sit in a booth or at the stools at the counter. It was hard, but I went with a booth with my girl squad.

The menu is perfection, and we all ordered some diner classics. However, there was one reason we all came to Rhonda’s Emerald Diner, and that was for the boozy milkshakes. With anticipation, we waited for these delectable treats to be brought to the table. Since there were six of us, we ordered one of each. The fun thing about ordering so many is we all got to try a little of each one.

After dinner, we headed to Extending Grace, a DIY shop that provides shopping AND “make and take home” classes. Your group can pre-book this experience and select from a list of projects that they will help you create. This is definitely a step up from your average Paint and Sip events. They’ll teach you how to do all kinds of unique crafts and use specialty paints to make something old look new and perfect for you. We rolled up our sleeves, grabbed some aprons, and got right to it. With laughter, good music, some wine, and a little creativity, we took an old mirror to design a DIY creation for our homes. The evening went by so fast, but it was time to clean up and head to the Grand Resort for the night.

Find Rest and Relaxation at Ohio’s The Grand Spa

After a great night’s sleep at the resort, we woke to experience The Grand Spa; what kind of girls’ getaway is it if we don’t get some spa treatments before heading home? You can pretty much get whatever you want. The services list is extensive.

One of the unique things they offer is the Vichy Shower. You can get a Himalayan salt scrub that starts with a warm, relaxing horizontal shower that transitions into a body exfoliation to slough away dead skin cells. This treatment will leave your skin soft, smooth, and hydrated, plus your skin will have an extra special glow. I was not feeling adventurous enough to try it, maybe next time. I chose a massage which was the perfect choice; I left my weekend relaxed and ready to face the week.

Warren, Niles, Hubbard, and the rest of Trumbull County has so many things to do for a girls’ getaway trip that I am already planning my next one. This time I am coming when the weather is warm, when the Grand Resort’s outdoor pools are open, and I can add relaxing in the sun to my list of things to do while I am there with my friends.