Scouted Destinations: 5 Great Guys’ Getaways

Gentleman, has it been awhile since you booked a trip with your crew? Then it’s time to pack your bags and hit the open road. We’ve scoured the country to bring you the best destinations for you and your boys—whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or simply want to tear it up like you used to. Grab your buddies and get ready for the ultimate mancation.

Dallas, Texas

Virgin Hotels Dallas. Photography courtesy of Virgin Hotels Dallas.

The booming metropolis of Dallas does not disappoint when it comes to showing out-of-towners a good time. “Delicious steak houses, iconic sporting events, and the world’s best frozen margaritas make Dallas a fantastic destination for an epic guys’ weekend,” says Ginna Wilbanks, editor of The Scout Guide Dallas, shares. Ginna suggests booking a room at the Virgin Hotels Dallas, known for amazing views from its rooftop Pool Club or the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, a luxury hotel where late-night cocktails and live music in its famous wood-paneled watering-hole, Mansion Bar, are always a big draw. Headed to see the Dallas Stars, Dallas Cowboys or Dallas Mavericks play? Make sure to plan a pitstop at Katy Trail Ice House to enjoy standout barbecue and a local draft beer in an outdoor beer garden setting. When the guys are craving some of that famous TexMex, make your way to Mi Cocina’s treetop hideaway, Monkey Bar, in the heart of Highland Park Village. An order of their phenomenal queso and signature frozen Mambo Taxi is the perfect way to start off your night. Top the evening off with a top-notch steak and martini at a Dallas classic, like Al Biernat’s or Bob’s Steak & Chop House.

To plan your Dallas getaway, check out the Dallas Dining Guide, Dallas Shopping Guide, and Dallas Lodging Guide. And for additional recommendations for what to do, see, and experience in Dallas, Texas, follow The Scout Guide Dallas on Instagram and visit The Scout Guide Dallas website, where you can browse or buy the latest volume of The Scout Guide Dallas.

Memphis, Tennessee

The Memphian Hotel. Photography courtesy of The Memphian.

“With numerous entertainment options, a robust food and beverage scene, and plenty of southern hospitality, Memphis checks all the boxes for a guys’ trip,” says Stephanie Stephens, editor of The Scout Guide Memphis.  If you’re lucky enough to plan your trip for the first weekend in May, don’t miss the annual Beale Street Music Festival in Tom Lee Park. This three-day festival brings some of the biggest acts around to downtown Memphis’ riverfront—this year’s headliners include The Lumineers and Allison Krauss. To continue the festival fun, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest takes place the third week of May. Get your appetites ready, this is your chance to taste and judge some of the best barbecue around.

When a festival isn’t occurring, there’s still plenty to do in Bluff City. If you’re a beer drinker, then brewery hopping around town is a must. Make a day of it with visits to Wiseacre Brewing Co., Ghost River Brewing Co., Grind City Brewing, Memphis Made Brewing Co., and Crosstown Brewing Co. Not into beer? Old Dominick Distillery has a full cocktail bar as well as a distillery tour, complete with tasting so you can try the locally made bourbon, gin, and vodka. 

Sports fans know—basketball season is big in Memphis thanks to the Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Tigers. Whether you’re cheering them on from inside the FedEx Forum, or at one of local restaurants and bars on Beale Street, right outside the stadium, the excitement for these hometown heroes is palpable. 

As for places to lay your head, Stephanie recommends a stay at The Memphian in midtown. Other accommodation options include local hotspots, the Hyatt Centric Beale Street and Central Station Hotel.

To plan your Memphis getaway, check out the Memphis Dining Guide, Memphis Shopping Guide, and Memphis Lodging Guide. And for additional recommendations for what to do, see, and experience in Memphis, Tennessee, follow The Scout Guide Memphis on Instagram and visit The Scout Guide Memphis website, where you can browse or buy the latest volume of The Scout Guide Memphis.

Tucson & Southern Arizona

Saguaro National Park. Photography by Denis Tangney Jr/iStock.

If your group of gents enjoy adventures in the great outdoors, the options abound in Southern Arizona, and with over 350 days of sunshine a year, anytime is the right time to visit. MaryAnn Wittmann, editor of The Scout Guide Tucson & Southern Arizona, suggests that all visitors looking to get active check out the Tucson Loop Path. “If you’re a runner, biker, or even just looking to walk off your previous meal, the Loop Path offers 136 miles of beautiful trails to do so,” she explains. Those in search of more rugged terrain are encouraged to venture to Saguaro National Park, just outside of Tucson. This desert paradise features some of the largest cacti in the country, making it a memorable backdrop for an epic hike.

If you’re a fan of hitting the links, the Tucson Metro area is home to more than 40 golf courses, so securing a tee time is never a scramble. If you’re more of a golf spectator, The Cologuard Classic, a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, happens every March at the Catalina Course at the Omni Tucson National,and is always a rousing affair.

Interested in planning your getaway around one of Tucson’s many festivals and events throughout the year? MaryAnn suggests a few of her favorites, including the Agave Heritage Festival, a celebration of all things agave and borderland culture, the internationally acclaimed Pueblos del Maíz, a food and culture celebration centering around this significance of maíz, and La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, a nine-day rodeo that will make you feel like the cowboy you always wished you were.

To plan your Tucson & Southern Arizona getaway, check out the Southern Arizona Shopping Guide, Tucson & Southern Arizona Dining and Tucson & Southern Arizona Lodging Guide. And for additional recommendations for what to do, see, and experience in Southern Arizona, follow The Scout Guide Tucson & Southern Arizona on Instagram and visit The Scout Guide Tucson & Southern Arizona website, where you can browse or buy the latest volume of The Scout Guide Tucson & Southern Arizona.

Lexington, Kentucky

Keeneland Mercantile. Photography courtesy of Keeneland Mercantile.

Bourbon, horse racing, college hoops, and endless outdoor activities—Kentucky has it all— making Lexington an ideal destination for a guys’ getaway with endless options for everyone in your crew. “Kentucky is known as the ‘Bourbon Capital of the World,’ so it’s no surprise that there are many opportunities to sample some of the state’s finest bourbon,” shares Jennifer Mueller, editor of The Scout Guide Lexington. Jennifer recommends visiting Castle & Key, Bardstown Bourbon Company, and Buffalo Trace Distillery. But there’s plenty to do besides saddling up to the bar, like venturing out to Keeneland Race Course, one of the most prestigious horse racing tracks in the country, this National Historic Landmark has racing seasons in the spring (April) and fall (October). Lexington is also home to the University of Kentucky Wildcats, one of the most successful college basketball teams in the country. Even if you don’t have hoops fans in your group, catching a game is always a good time.

It would be a miss to visit Lexington and not take in the great outdoors. Get your blood pumping and release those bourbon toxins with a rejuvenating hike at Red River Gorge, a canyon system on the Red River in east-central Kentucky. The Red River shaped the Red River Gorge very similar to how the Colorado river shaped the grand canyon. The Red River Gorge is also known as a popular destination for rock climbers, with numerous cliffs in the gorge itself and in the surrounding areas. Are your buddies avid anglers? Jennifer reports that fishing opportunities are plentiful, from the Kentucky River to several nearby lakes and reservoirs, and you can make your fishing expedition a no-hassle excursion by booking with Hook Line & Sinker Guide Service. One of Jennifer’s favorite ways to tour Lexington is biking the Lexington Greenway, a leisurely 10-mile paved trail that runs through the heart of the city. This route affords stops at various points of interest, including the notable Kentucky Horse Park. And when it’s time to get your grub on, Lexington has a thriving culinary scene, with everything from Southern comfort food to international cuisine, offerings sure to please every palate. Your crew will no doubt enjoy visiting one— if not all—of the many local breweries! Check out Mirror Twin Brewing and Country Boy Brewing for some local beer favorites. Stop in for a meal at 33 Staves, Epping’s on Eastside, Pasta Garage, and Distilled on Jefferson. 

For additional recommendations for what to do, see, and experience in Lexington, Kentucky, follow The Scout Guide Lexington on Instagram and visit The Scout Guide Lexington website, where you can browse or buy the latest volume of The Scout Guide Lexington.

Tampa & St. Petersburg, Florida

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. Museum and Factory Store. Photography by Justin DeMutiis Photography.

Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa, Florida, is the perfect spot to convene with the guys, especially in the dead of winter when you need a respite from the cold. “From epic fishing opportunities to Cuban-influenced cuisine, and an overall laid back feel, Tampa and St. Pete’s is one of the country’s best guys’ getaways,” says Allison Adams, editor of The Scout Guide Tampa & St. Petersburg. A little known fact is that Tampa was once considered The Cigar Capital of the World, making it a destination for lovers of the leaf. “Taking a walk down the streets in Ybor City, Tampa’s historic district, you can still see a number of cigar rollers honing their craft,” Allison shares. She recommends stopping by J.C. Newman Cigar Co., the earliest family-owned premium cigar maker in America. Afterwards, pop into Columbia, one of Tampa’s oldest restaurants, for an old-world experience. However, modern dining options are abundant as the area is making its name as a foodie destination, as seen at the Tampa Bay Food and Wine Festival in April and the St. Pete & the Bay Area Festival of Food, Wine, and the Arts, which takes place in mid-November. 

If you’ve got anglers in your crew, there are plenty of fishing options. With several fishing piers to choose from—Tampa Fishing Pier and the Gandy Fishing Pier are top picks—you can set up for a few hours or the afternoon, to reel in mackerel, whiting, and shark. For those feeling a bit more ambitious, charter a boat from Tampa Fishing Charters to guide you to the best deep sea fishing spots in the Gulf of Mexico where you can snap up grouper and snapper, or for those looking for more of a challenge, kingfish and wahoo. 

For sporting aficionados, Tampa is home to a number of professional sports teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), the Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), and the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL). Check their schedules and book your visit when they’re in town to catch a game. Of course, if you want to keep things low key, there are miles of pristine beaches, where you can toss a ball around, skim, surf, or simply laze in the sun. 

To plan your Tampa & St. Petersburg’s getaway, check out the Tampa & St. Petersburg Cheat Sheet. And for additional recommendations for what to do, see, and experience in Tampa & St. Petersburg, Florida, follow The Scout Guide Tampa & St. Petersburg on Instagram and visit The Scout Guide Tampa & St. Petersburg website, where you can browse or buy the latest volume of The Scout Guide Tampa & St. Petersburg.